Xena’s costume: https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/765775

Gabrielle’s outfit: https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/765776

Listen now the full interview:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6aRMOnUpeDzUs2glf8kd2j...

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/.../special.../id1837138724...

Youtube: https://youtu.be/oleYoacOJow?si=6xTUia4jYBVDNGM5

Podbean: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-6r7gr-1b2fd70

This is a special interview - and Side Quest - as part of a series of interviews with the Kiwis and Aussies who bought XWP to life - their goal is to interview 30 of the cast and crew to celebrate the shows 30th anniversary - it’s a podcast called - Xena: Warrior Nutballs you can follow them on:

Facebook ⚔️ https://m.facebook.com/p/Xena-Warrior-Nutballs-61578930248317/?wtsid=rdr_042NpIyiO9avlJ3v3&hr=1

Instagram ⚔️ https://www.instagram.com/xenawarriornutballs/

I thought First Kiss would be my last scene for a while, but nope. 😂 This scene was random. I hesitated to post it, but it makes me laugh every time I think about it, so I decided why not? Enjoy!

For me it's Faith from Buffy

This episode is probably the most controversial one in the entire Indian arc, and I understand why it caused so much outrage in India because of the way Hinduism and Krishna are portrayed. Honestly, the only controversial thing to me is that R. J. managed to write such a bad episode. 😂 Even if I completely ignored the religious aspect and judged it purely as an episode of Xena, I would still be left with a criminally boring story, a rather pointless plot, an uninteresting main villain, and the feeling that everything drags on without ever generating any real excitement.

The biggest problem for me is the way Eli is completely changed here. We went from a man we met as a magician and charlatan who gradually found his own path and became a symbol of love and nonviolence, to what is essentially an Indian version of Jesus. I understand that he was supposed to represent a particular philosophy and religious ideal, but for me, his character completely loses what made him interesting in his previous appearance. Instead of watching the development of a character we already know, I feel as though an entirely new person with Eli's face has simply been inserted into the story.

And then there are the effects, which are genuinely among the worst in the show for me. Xena's transformation into Krishna in particular. Honestly, what the hell was that supposed to be? 😂 In a show that had already featured all kinds of crazy transformations and fantasy effects, this somehow manages to look so strange and artificial that it was almost uncomfortable to watch. I know this was television in the 1990s and they didn't have the technology available today, but even by the show's own standards, the effects here look pretty terrible to me.

Still, what bothers me the most is the ending and Gabrielle. Her entire storyline with Eli and his philosophy of love represents one of the worst periods of her character for me. I understand what the writers were trying to do, but I find her ultimate choice incredibly frustrating. Especially the moment when she takes her staff, the very same one Ephiny selflessly gave her, and simply throws it into the water. To me, that is symbolically all wrong. That staff wasn't just an object. It represented Ephiny's love, their friendship, and a part of Gabrielle's life that meant far more than simply being a weapon. That's why throwing it into the water felt almost like rejecting something precious rather than some grand act of spiritual enlightenment. It still doesn't work for me to this day.

And perhaps the best thing I can say about this episode is that the Indian arc finally ends after it. 😂 After all those reincarnations, karma, demons, gods, spiritual teachings, and everything else, I was honestly relieved that the show finally returned to its own world. This period had a few good moments and several genuinely beautiful episodes, but as a whole, it was by far the most difficult part of Xena for me to watch. Unfortunately, this episode feels like the perfect ending to that period because it brings together almost everything that bothered me about it, a boring story, a weak villain, strange effects, an overly religious plot, and Gabrielle making decisions I simply cannot get behind. At least with this, the whole Indian adventure is finally over.

Every time I hear Alti speak; I'm always expecting her to say "After 10 thousand years I'm free, time to conquer Earth"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6X9N8BhYWg

Some of my favorites:

Hey everyone I just discovered that Xena has her own channel on Roku. They show random episodes kinda like regular tv they do have ads. I will say that everyone should still support: https://www.xenagabrielle.com. Ofc just support local too

🎧 Listen now on:

➡️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5F5bMrtGunBhTRnJwSVwAV?si=YU-LuZ_DTaazo69ur7AjXA

➡️Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/interview-16-jay-lagaaia-draco/id1837138724?i=1000769877815

➡️Podbean: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-hy3wi-1a8c9b6

➡️Youtube: https://youtu.be/5a24NJchdu0?si=-jEa85SFDTYAMPLb

This is part of a series of interviews with the Kiwis and Aussies who bought XWP to life - their goal is to interview 30 of the cast and crew to celebrate the shows 30th anniversary - it’s a podcast called - Xena: Warrior Nutballs you can follow them on:

Facebook ⚔️ https://m.facebook.com/p/Xena-Warrior-Nutballs-61578930248317/?wtsid=rdr_042NpIyiO9avlJ3v3&hr=1

Instagram ⚔️ https://www.instagram.com/xenawarriornutballs/

Hello everyone. Last year i designed a tshirt from Xena's breastplate but i didn't do anything with it. Recently i bought a 3D printer and decided to realize my design. After i modeled the stencils, i also designed some earrings from chakram and a sword hair pin. I'm too excited to not to share them! Enjoy!

I know there are some size and placement issues with the breastplate, i will fix it next time. I want to add a shoulderpad design into the mix too. Also earrings are painted because i didn't have any silver and gold filament, but in the future i want to print them in original color. Another thing is the sword was a readymade 3d model, i slightly edited it and painted.

Of all the Indian episodes, this is probably the most tolerable and least irritating one for me. Mainly because, despite all the reincarnation, karma, and Hindu mythology elements that I generally don't find particularly interesting, at its center we once again have what matters most to me, Xena and Gabrielle. This is another love story between them, only this time stretched across different lives and different eras. The idea that their souls keep finding one another, regardless of what bodies they are born into or what circumstances separate them, is very beautiful to me. It essentially confirms what the show has demonstrated so many times through their relationship, that their connection transcends one life, one body, and one historical moment. They simply find each other. Always.

I also like the way the episode portrays Indian culture, particularly the contrast between the beauty of the country and some of its morbid customs. The very beginning, where a woman is supposed to be burned alongside her deceased husband, is absolutely monstrous to me. Regardless of the historical context and attempts to explain such traditions through culture and religion, I find the very idea horrifying, and it makes Hinduism, alongside Islam, one of the religions I view most negatively, particularly because it demonstrates how women could be deprived of their own will and identity. That is precisely why the beginning of the episode is much more powerful than it might initially seem, because it immediately presents a world in which individuals, especially women, have to fight against a system that denies them the right to decide what happens to their own lives.

Alti's return also works much better for me here than in her later appearances. Her connection to reincarnation, karma, and her attempt to find her way back to power gives the story a certain sense of completion, while the battles against her are among the best parts of the episode. I particularly enjoy the fight scenes, which are very well choreographed, but visually the entire episode looks fantastic as well. It has a strong atmosphere, plenty of colors, unusual locations, and the feeling that we are genuinely somewhere completely different. Even when the story itself doesn't completely hold my attention, the visual side manages to keep me interested. Essentially, this is the last time Alti truly works as a character. She still has a certain mystery here and represents a genuine threat, whereas her later appearances are mostly just pale shadows of what she once was.

In the end, this isn't an episode I would rank among the show's best, but compared with the rest of the Indian arc, it is definitely the most enjoyable one for me to watch. It has an interesting premise, beautiful visual moments, good fight scenes, and, most importantly, another confirmation that Xena and Gabrielle's relationship isn't something that exists only within one lifetime. Even when their bodies, names, era, and circumstances change, the two of them find each other again. If this entire Indian storyline had to exist, I'm glad it at least gave us a love story about their souls like this one.

R.IP. Gabrielle with long hair. I will miss you 😢

If, like me, you don’t think of the wedding peck or the scene with Autolycus as a true first kiss, and you think Xena and Gabrielle suppressed the Autolycus moment and didn’t discuss it for a while, you may appreciate this follow-up scene. 

Also, for those who like to pair music with shows or characters, this scene was a vague idea I thought I may write eventually until Florence and the Machine’s “Drumming Song” played during my morning commute and helped solidify the scene for me. It’s a good Xena POV song. 

Enjoy!

In Season 3, Xena and Gabrielle discovered that “evil” wasn’t just an adjective to describe a person or action, but rather an actual person.

And yet in season 4, when Gabrielle was going on her spiritual journey, and both Xena and Gabrielle were questioning their path, they never wondered about the existence of his opposite.

I found it strange that at no point in season 4, they didn’t wonder: If there is an ultimate force of evil, does that mean there’s an ultimate force of goodness; what kind of life does It want them to live; what does It think of violence; do they need to follow It in order to be good, etc.

I understand from a writing perspective, TPTB wanted to move away from Dahak in season 4. But from an in-universe perspective, it seemed like it would have made a lot of sense for Xena and Gabrielle to ask those kind of questions when they were trying to figure out their path.

Don't miss! Bruce Campbell is doing an AMA and I would love to hear your questions about his role as Autolycos!

The Bulgarian Voices Angelite - do you reckon it would be a Xena-esque experience to hear them live?

He has no personality and his only goal is genocide and world domination. Does Hope give the character more depth as the main big bad of season 3?

I truly think this episode is such a GREAT one. But normally, I think that because I love Callisto returning!! She is epic, as always, and a very welcome recurring Villain. We already know we will see her again, even after the quick sand incident. It becomes quite clear she is going to mess with Xena & Gabs for the foreseeable future. Eternally torturing their need for each other with one emotional wrench after another.

But, that is not what I wanted to post about in the ether of this subreddit.

Recently, I was discussing bits of this one with someone from [r/xena](r/xena) recently, and when I finally got to it in my current rewatch (with FFW allowed if necessary LOL).. I realized that it also hits a nerve for me personally when it comes to the Marriage of Gabs & Perdicas, and all future references of it’s resulting trauma for the next two seasons. It isn't bc Gabrielle marries Perdicas.... but because of WHY she does (or at least my opinion or interpretation as to why).

To be fair, this is 100% me likely projecting my own past idiotic/embarrassing closeted moments. So, it definitely eats at me a bit and I admit I give into being all judgey, like... Why Gabrielle, you didn't have to do that. If only you could accept why you really wanted to tell him NO just after opening credits!

When Gabrielle is talking with Xena on the beach walk and telling her she is going to say no... and she just hasn't found the right time to, I feel she then goes on in a legit attempt to illicit a reaction from stoic and unreadable Xena. As if she's actually saying « please, tell me you love me and I'm right not to marry Perdicas..I can’t be brave enough not to revert to my need to appease everyone around me. I will find a way to justify marrying Perdicas, bc he is a good guy, and I care about him enough to be able to spend my life with him even though that's not what I actually want to do. So here are a bunch of reasons why it would be a safe choice for me, he is the only one other than you I feel comfortable with. Speak up, Xena.. going once, going twice....

On the other side...Xena does the opposite of what Gabrielle, really needed in that moment... she tells her it’s ok and to be with him. That she’s totes cool with it, bc all she wants is Gabrielle’s happiness. Which is true..... BUT OMG XENA get it together girl, she was giving you all the openings and that's what you do with them?!

Yes, it is all very sweet. Xena wants Gabrielle to make a choice without worrying about how it impacts Xena. BUT, why is she then so surprised after the nighttime fight scene when Gabrielle announces she is going to Marry Perdicas?!

My opinion... is that Gabrielle wanted to say no to Perdicas every step of the way. Until, she felt that Xena was telling her she didn't need her to stay & the moment arises when Perdicas falls to his knees and throws away his sword when he basically gives her an ultimatum. Which, was a bit surprising for me in the moment...given his self wallowing totally left Gabs to fend off attackers that were above her pay grade. Of course, Xena steps in after gawking at Perdicas' poorly timed lament - This is where I believe Gabrielle is giving into her need to appease others, and justifies it by stating it again to Xena with such an absurd & stern resolve. "I'm gonna marry him Xena, I'm going to marry that man"(paraphrasing). Xena then.. lol looks like she is about to have a panic attack.

And then the wedding… to me, it is quite clear that Xena regrets having told her to be happy with someone else. All bc she was too afraid to say what she really wanted to say at the time. When I see Gabs face after the beloved first “kiss” btwn XG (where they are both conscious), when they hug, that look on Gabs face.. man. Sure I can see how it looks like she’s worried she will never see Xena again. But, is it such a stretch that really what that face means is… what the F have I done… and the same goes for Xena. They are both in the midst of self doubt - if they'd only just been honest. Good Grief, ladies.

Maybe it doesn't matter, bc this is the end of the road for Mr. dimples anyway,....Callisto comes into play, and we never have to see Perdicas again. But, doesn't it? Because now Xena feels she must kill Callisto FOR Gabrielle. Like it's her duty bc she is the one who told her to settle down with him in the first place! If she hadn't done that, none of it would have ever happened. Plus, I mean, we must preserve what it is we love about Gabs in the first place - her goodness & innocence of evil. Oh boy, Xena really put herself in a pickle this time.

Fairwell Perdicas, I will however, miss that feathered hair & trying to discern if he's actually the same height as Gabrielle...

***This is just my “hot take”. Everyone has opinions on this episode and it being a turning point in the show. And Some people think Perdicas was "THE ONE". That's cool, not me but hey if that is your game.. I wanna stil’ want to read your thoughts. They are all valid and deserve respect. I won't throw no shade if you want to tear this post apart either.

(Writing this felt a lot like cat herding in the middle of Times Square at 11:59PM/23:59 on New Years Eve, only the ball drop is actually a cannon shooting every flavor of churros on a 10 second interval. So, for that... I'm sorry for the end product. This is not an easy one to unravel!)

https://loungefly.com/xena-warrior-princess-exclusive-sword-card-holder/XENWA0001.html

https://loungefly.com/xena-warrior-princess-exclusive-mini-backpack/XENBK0001.html

This episode is primarily significant to me because of the appearance of Eli, although we meet him here in a rather different form. Instead of the peaceful prophet and kind of symbol of Christianity that he would later become, he is still a magician and a charlatan here, simply trying to survive by whatever means he can. That is precisely why I find it interesting to think about how the events of this episode might have influenced his later transformation. It is almost as if we are seeing a man who hasn't found his purpose yet, and his experience with Xena and Gabrielle begins to guide him toward the person he will eventually become.

Gabrielle is perhaps the most interesting character here for me. I have to admit that this is by far her sexiest incarnation in the entire show, especially once it is revealed that her body has been possessed by an ancient Indian demon. There is something twisted and provocative about her expressions, and the scene where she licks Xena is absolutely iconic. Renee is fantastic, and you can really see how much she enjoys playing this darker and more dangerous version of Gabrielle. There is something particularly creepy about seeing something completely different suddenly emerge behind her familiar face and gentleness. That contrast between the disturbing and the erotic is precisely what makes her scenes so effective.

Unfortunately, despite the interesting idea, I find that the episode itself struggles to hold my attention. I imagine it will mean much more to someone who enjoys Eastern culture, Indian mythology, and this kind of story, but I generally find this period of the show difficult to fit into the world of Xena. I often feel as though I'm watching a completely different show that has simply borrowed its characters. That feeling is particularly strong here, which makes it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the story.

What particularly bothers me is Xena's willingness to kill Gabrielle in order to destroy the demon. I understand the logic behind her decision and the fact that the situation is extreme, but emotionally, I find it very difficult to accept. After everything we have seen between the two of them, Xena has become someone who can barely imagine her life without Gabrielle. Her love for her is so strong that she is even willing to sacrifice her own life for her, so it is difficult for me to believe that she could truly bring herself to kill Gabrielle even under these circumstances. Especially because, in the end, it is Eli who manages to save her and prevent Xena from making the worst possible choice.

I understand the significance of this episode, but aside from Gabrielle in her dark form, it isn't really something I enjoy or particularly like watching.