Other Commentary

Xena fandom generated a tremendous amount of discussion and analysis online. What I found most remarkable was how deep these discussions often were. There was the usual obsession over trivia, but there was great analysis of the show's themes and messages, as well as research into the show's mythological roots.

It was this discussion that ultimately drew me into the show, and bound me to the online fan community. As my involvement in the show deepened, I wrote a series of articles for the Hercules & Xena topic at Suite101. This section is a collection of some articles and commentary I wrote during my tenure there.

The Hero's Journey

To me, one of the most fascinating aspects of both shows was how they took myth and legend and reinterpreted them for modern audiences and modern sensibilities. And yet, despite this manipulation there was still a strong resonance with classical themes and ideas. I explored this relationship through many of my episode reviews, and while at Suite101 wrote a series of articles comparing Xena to one of the definitive works on mythology, Joseph Campbell's Hero With a Thousand Faces.

1. The Call to Adventure
2. Refusal of the Call
3. Supernatural Aid
4. Crossing the First Threshold
5. Belly of the Whale
6. The Road of Trials
7. Meeting the Goddess

Reviews

While at Suite101, I wrote several pieces that reviewed old episodes of Hercules, as well as other related shows and merchandise.

• Hercules and the Amazon Women -- A review of the first Hercules TV movie.
• The Warrior Princess -- The first appearance of Xena on television.
• Cleopatra 2525 -- A review of one half of Back 2 Back Action.
• Jack of All Trades -- The other half of Back 2 Back Action.
• If Chins Could Kill -- A review of Bruce Campbell's Autobiography.
• Xena: Warrior Princess Playstation Game

Interviews

I was privileged to interview a couple of actors who were involved in the various episodes of Hercules and Xena. Jeremy Roberts was in two episodes of each series, and Adrienne Wilkinson played Xena's adult daughter Eve in several season five and six episodes.

Fun Stuff

Of course, it wasn't all serious scholarship. I played around some as well, coming up with a couple gems.

• A Visit from the Warrior Princess ('Twas the night before Solstice...)
• Prognostications about what might have been after Xena wrapped.

Other Articles

These are other articles that relate to themes, ideas, or events from both Xena and Hercules.

• In the Beginning -- How I came to be a fan of the show.
• Addictions -- An article about internet addiction, and its relations to online Xena fandom.
• TV Violence -- Is the plague of violence in our society the fault of TV shows like Xena?
• Independence -- An essay that explores the theme of independence in the series.
• The Obligatory Subtext Essay -- An article looking at one of the hottest buttons in the Xenaverse.
• Subtext Revisited -- The question is never really settled, is it?
• Closer to God -- Why the Christian symbolism in Xena isn't necessarily a bad thing.
• Profiling Michael -- A look at the commanding Archangel of the forces of Heaven.
• Black Armband Days -- Some more thoughts relating to Michael and his agenda.
• Defining the Greater Good -- An article about how elusive the so-called "Greater Good" can be.
• For Love of the Show -- Love can make some people say ugly things.
• A Tribute to Joxer -- "The Mighty" has fallen, and went out the hero he always wanted to be.
• Into the Sunset -- Meditations on the end of Hercules.
• Thoughts on the End -- How do you put the end of an era into words?