Michael: Friend or Foe?

In the course of the series, I was privileged to correspond with Xena fans from all over the world. It really started for me in the early days of season four, when a new arrival to the Xenaverse posted some questions on the Chakram mailing list. Gabrielle's spiritual quest was a difficult enough time for long-time fans of the show -- can you imagine how confusing it was for a new arrival?

Anyway, I was kind enough to post answers to her initial questions. She responded with more questions, and before I knew it I was steering this neophyte fan through the turbulent waters of season four. She was grateful, and remained a staunch Xena friend over the next couple of years. In fact, it was at her urging that I began writing at Suite101 -- so in a way, you have her to thank (or curse) for all of this.

Her name is Jan, and in some ways this particular column is a tribute to her. Since our early exchanges, Jan has armed herself with the knowledge contained in past episodes. She has devoured whatever news she can uncover about the cast, crew, and production of Xena: Warrior Princess. Our e-mail correspondence got less involved, but she still sent questions my way, asking my thoughts on the latest developments in the Xenaverse.

Sadly, my busy schedule hadn't allowed me to respond to her recent mails. So this column will be devoted to answering "Questions from Jan."

Why am I doing this? Well, I noticed that Jan seemed to have her finger on the "typical fan's" pulse (if, in fact, there is such a thing in this wacky little subculture). Issues that she brings up in her mails to me are often related to doubts and fears that plague countless other fans. You may find a question or two of your own echoed here, and you'll get my own personal take on the answer.

Keep in mind that the answers here are not necessarily "the truth" of the matter. Much like the subtext issue, the information presented here is based mostly on my own personal interpretation of the material presented, tinged by an attitude best described as "what I would do were I writing this show." So, this may end up bearing little resemblance to what actually happens.

Back when The God You Know first aired, Jan asked me, "What is in store for the relationship between Xena and Michael?"

In Fallen Angel, I took Michael to be the Michael from the biblical example and felt he represented goodness and wanted Xena's help because she was a warrior for good. He seemed like a divine individual and even helped Callisto give Xena her baby. In Heart of Darkness, I know Michael wanted Xena to take the throne in Hell, but I assumed Xena knew what Michael really wanted was for Lucifer to be there and even though Michael used Xena, she was in the plan all along and didn't take Michael's attempt very seriously -- more of a trick on Lucifer than an actual threat. Now Michael seems a bit on the questionable side and seems to want to get rid of Xena and Eve, although I thought he and the girls were on the same side. What is Michael up to and why is he being shady?

This is an interesting subject that she brings up. The events in The God You Know and later comments made by Michael in You Are There would seem to indicate that all is not sweetness and light in the heart of this particular archangel.

Michael first appeared in the Hercules episode Revelations, breaking the seals that bound the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. It was only through the intervention (and sacrifice) of Hercules that the end of the world was averted. As it turned out, it was all merely a test, and the world was never really in danger at all. This plot device annoyed the heck out of me back when it aired.

But with the events of Fallen Angel, Seeds of Faith, Heart of Darkness, The God You Know and You Are There an interesting pattern starts to emerge. It appears that Michael is just as guilty of manipulating humanity as Zeus, Ares, and the other gods were. He is wonderful to have on your side when you're aiding his agenda -- but if you cross him, watch out.

Here's my current theory: Michael is a dedicated (and zealous) supporter of his lord (we'll call him "The Light" for want of a better name right now). In order to further The Light's position in the divine scheme of things, he developed this plot to eliminate the competition -- the Olympian gods which were basically the center of the Xenaverse. Knowing that Xena would fight more viciously for a member of her family than any esoteric cause, he impregnates her with Eve and watches the Olympian pantheon destroy itself when he (or The Light) gives Xena the power to kill gods.

Michael also appears to be interested in maintaining his own rank in the armies of Heaven. When Lucifer arrives on the scene Michael manipulates the situation again. In Heart of Darkness, there are very few ways the conflict could end. There is the way the episode ended, where Lucifer is conveniently removed as competition and Michael retains a valuable tool in Xena. But, if Xena had killed Lucifer, there was nobody else to take the throne of Hell. Xena (the selfless hero that she is) would have taken the job in order to save the world. If Lucifer wins, Xena rules Hell and Michael can keep Lucifer busy opposing her. It looks like a win for Michael any way it falls out.

I'm not suggesting that Michael has manipulated every event in the past year or two, but whenever he is on the scene the situation is a victory for him.

The trouble with a weapon is that it can be turned against you, and Xena did that in The God You Know. Michael's attempts to eliminate the last of the Olympians (Aphrodite) drew Xena's wrath down on his head, and her power to kill gods was taken away. Michael lost his tool, and his annoyance shows during You Are There.

With this personality profile of Michael, it is possible to extrapolate even more plotting. Is it possible that Callisto was a tool used by Michael as well? Did she manipulate Eli into sacrificing himself at Michael's direction? Was the Cult of Eli started to fill the gap the Olympians would leave behind? Has Eve been brainwashed by this divine messenger? How much blame can be laid at the archangel's feet?

This is mostly conjecture and speculation, but it does paint a very interesting picture of this character. I'm not saying he's "evil" -- this series has always done its best to show that concepts like good and evil aren't clear-cut, black-and-white issues. But he has his own agenda, like every other character on the series. While Xena was working to further that agenda -- wittingly or not -- they were on the same side. Now? Well let's just say that I personally think Michael will be a tough new opponent for our Warrior Princess.

There is one other question that needs to be asked. What part does The Light actually play in this? Is this theoretical manipulation actually masterminded by the Lord of Heaven? Will the pseudo-Christian mythology injected by Rob Tapert and Company end up as hollow and corrupt as virtually all the other pantheons we've seen (with the sole exception of Krishna and the Hindu faith in the India Arc)? Will the humanist philosophy that underlies the show ultimately win out?

These questions are much harder to answer, because we know next to nothing about The Light. This plan may be entirely Michael's doing -- simply the work of an overzealous employee trying to advance the fortunes of his own company. After all, the more powerful Heaven becomes, the more powerful Michael becomes.

Jan asked one final question: "I am also confused about the "God of Eli" remark because I thought Eli's and Michael's god were one in the same. Is that not true?"

I think that they are, and if my manipulation theory plays out, it paints a very interesting picture of the last two or three seasons. Was Eli's humanist philosophy co-opted by Michael and twisted to suit his ends, or was there something else going on there?

There is one important fact to keep in mind through all this speculation. Michael and the armies of Heaven are not the characters from Judeo-Christian tradition. They are Xenaverse pastiches, twisted to suit the needs of the tale being told. This is no less than Rob Tapert and the rest have done with other myths and traditions to serve the ultimate power of the Xenaverse -- Story. The God of Eli may not (if you'll pardon the pun) end up being "the God we know".

Back to Top