Xena E-Xine Volume 2, Issue 9 S X Meagher Interview Issue, XWP Uber Fanfic Bard

THE XENA E-XINE - S X Meagher Issue - July 9, 200

THE XENA E-XINE - S X Meagher Issue

Volume II, Issue 9 - July 9, 2001

========================================================

Today's issue includes:

1. Feature Article -- INTERVIEW WITH S X MEAGHER

2. Xena quote/Xena Joke

3. Featured FanFic and Short Review -- Rekindling the Spark --

Surrender, Xena and Xena Surrenders -- I Found My Heart in San

Francisco

4. Xena News -- THE UPROAR -- What Will Fill Lesbians' Xena Void

And

Deliver Devoted TV Viewers?

5. Featured Xena Links -- S X Meagher's website - Jane Doe Press

6. Xena: Warrior Princess Episode Guide -- A Necessary Evil -- A Day

in the Life

7. The Journey of the Hero -- Joe Campbell on Myth-making

8. The Top 20 Essential Xena Episodes

9. Polls

10. Feedback

11. PRIVACY/NO SPAM POLICY!

12. Subscribe/Unsubscribe Information

13. Credits

14. Archives

15. DISCLAIMER

========================================================

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1) Featured Article

INTERVIEW WITH S X MEAGHER

By Bacchae2

Interview questions by Bacchae2 and Lady Adrell

You have to love a bard in your own contemporary class that can

remember precisely what it felt like, in retrospect, to be

gloriously

21 and alive and in love and set it in the present moment. It's a

vicarious thrill (and that includes the deliciously, unabashedly

erotic scenes as well, of course). SX has kept me up way too late

into the wee hours of the morn (5 am once!...but I had to keep

reading until Jamie finally left her fiancé for Ryan, couldn't go

sleep with that state of affairs continuing) with this amazing and

compelling epic. The bard assured me that she knew just how I felt

too and that she also stayed up late writing those scenes because

she

couldn't stand to have her with him. It would have disturbed her

sleep as well.

You have to love the sweet play of words turnaround of the ultimate

S.F. sentiment in song--"I Found My Heart in San Francisco." And you

(or I) really have to love a fellow survivor of Catholic school

and "scathingly brilliant" Hayley Mills fan. (SX: "Actually, "The

Trouble with Angels" was written about the school I went to in

Chicago. I'm an 18 year veteran of catholic schools--so I've had all

of the indoctrination possible.")

And sharing the same past where the songs that really touch us are

concerned: one thing that actually brought me to tears was the

inclusion of one of my favorite theatrical songs and one that has

always popped into my head as a perfect statement of the X&G

soulmate

relationship...Sondheim and Bernstein's great, lyrical love song and

betrothal hymn "One Hand, One Heart." (SX: "The only bad thing about

that song is that it needs another verse--it's just too short!")

She's a wise woman. Bless the Irish.

And most of all, you have to love a bard that keeps on giving to

feed

this addiction. This is a long, detailed, day-by-day, passionate

journey...dive in and enjoy.

EXINE: This is probably an obnoxious question by now, though

inevitable with such a finely detailed uber, but how much is

autobiographical--I will confine myself<g> to the setting, the

sports

background, the ethnicity (obvious), and the large family.

S X: I am of Irish descent, and was raised as a Roman Catholic.

Regrettably, I don't now, nor have I ever, lived in San

Francisco. I

am, however, deeply in love with it <s>. I played all of the sports

Ryan and Jamie play - but in the very distant past, and I didn't

play

any of them as well as Ryan does on a very bad day. My family of

origin is quite small, but my father had four brothers and two

sisters, so I suppose that counts as a large family - one generation

removed.

EXINE: Did you submit your novel(s) as they are online or were you

discovered for publication through their popularity via word of

mouth?

S X: I didn't submit my novel for publication until I was asked

to by

the fine folks at Jane Doe Press (shameless plug <s>). So, I suppose

the answer is that it was word of mouth.

EXINE: This ongoing uber is positively Dickensian in scope, how much

do they want you to edit for publication?

S X: One of the things I like best about JDP is that since the

principals are authors, they understand and respect my vision for my

story. So, they haven't set any hard rules about story length.

Obviously, the posted version of Book 1 would be far too large to

fit

into any form of binding <s>, so it will be condensed. But I'm

quite

confident that the finished product will be superior to the posted

version.

I've just finished my first draft, and I like the story much

better

than the posted version. I didn't know my characters very well

when I

posted Book 1. After all, I'd only been speaking with them for

450

pages <s>. But now, after writing over 3,000 pages, I see things in

the posted version of Book 1 that seem out-of-character. Re-writing

the book allows me to correct anything that seems off to me.

EXINE: Are you fully conscious when writing of those smile producing

bits of homage to your list of favorite fanfic bards (Missy Good, LJ

Maas, e.g.) that you include, often as amusing asides?

S X: I include amusing asides? Me? Honestly, I can only remember

doing that once, and it was a Missy reference. I really love LJ's

work, though. Maybe it's an unconscious homage <s>.

EXINE: Whatever possessed you...let me rephrase that...how long had

you harbored the fascinating vision of writing an interconnected

novel length story for every letter of the alphabet? It is a feat

that reminds me of the author who wrote a rather lengthy novel

without using the letter E.

S X: I didn't really decide to write a novel for each letter of

the

alphabet. I did, however, decide, about two years ago, to write a

novel, and continue to write until I had said everything I could

possibly think to write about the characters. I honestly thought

that

would be five or six hundred pages. When I hit 1,000, I started to

think that I'd bitten off more than I could chew, but I just kept

going-moderation isn't my middle name <s>. I decided to name the

installments alphabetically just because it seemed easier <s>. When

started posting, people assumed I was going to keep going through

the

alphabet - so I decided I might as well. Actually, at this point I

have the story blocked out until `Z', so I guess I can pull

it off. I

had toyed with the idea of having both of my very aged leads die in

the final installment, but recent events have convinced me that

wouldn't be a good idea <lol>. They'll be fit, healthy,

sexually

active, and full of life as we fade out.

EXINE: When do you see yourself finishing this remarkable

project...since you obviously write quickly as well as voluminously

(a most enviable trait)?

S X: I've posted nine installments, and have drafts in various

stages

for 10-13. It takes me about two months to write a first draft - but

I need to take a break after finishing one. So, I suppose it will

take me another one and a half to two years to post the entire

series.

EXINE: What set you off on this project? Was it mostly the

inspiration of the online fanfic material or did the original models

of the characters get inside your head, as they do with many of us,

uber writers or otherwise, and not let go until you found yourself

committed to get them down in black and white?

S X: The first three pieces of fanfic I read were A Warrior By Any

Name, by Melissa Good, A Bard's Days Night, by DJWP, and Lucifer

Rising, by Sharon Bowers. I read those pieces at the same time I

discovered the show, so I'd say that fanfic influenced me to

write

much more than the show did. After reading those exceptional works,

decided that I had to take a stab at it, and after a few months to

develop a set of characters, and write their biographies, I was

ready

to go. Once I started to write, however, the images of Xena and

Gabrielle settled in my head, and slowly morphed into my younger,

more muscular, taller, and more psychologically healthy <s>

characters. Well, Ryan's more psychologically healthy than Xena.

I'm

not sure that's true for Jamie. I think Gabrielle's pretty

darned

healthy - given all that she's been through.

EXINE: Do you feel that the initial inspiration provided by that

grande romantic friendship depicted in X:WP has been responsible for

a flourishing renaissance in lesbian letters?

S X: Absolutely. I was so bored by lesbian fiction before I started

to read Xena fanfic, that I had generally stopped buying it. I'm

constantly amazed by the creativity of a group of generally first-

time authors - who have explored this genre with a depth and breadth

that truly astounds.

EXINE: Are you consciously in any way writing a distaff answer to

the

popular S.F. picaresque serialized novels of Armistead Maupin,

"Tales

of the City"?

S X: Be still my heart! I've read each of those novels at least

six

times, and if there's any element of my writing that bears the

slightest resemblance to his, I'd be overjoyed.

EXINE: Do your young ubers Ryan and Jamie both share aspects of your

character and personality; are they partly based on any other people

you've known (as well, of course, as the physical and other

attributes portrayed by X&G)?

S X: I have all of Ryan's faults (yes, she does too, have some!),

well as all of her quirks. For some reason, it's hard for me to

create quirks out of thin air - so I use the one's I have.

Regrettably, the only physical resemblance between us is that my

hair

was once black <s>.

There are bits and pieces of myself, my partner, and various people

I've known scattered among the characters. My partner has a lot

Jamie's best attributes, and she often tells me I'm being

`Ryanish' -

and it's not always a compliment <g>. Strangely, the more evil

the

character, the more likely that they are based on people I've

known.

Psychic justice, perhaps?

EXINE: Have you ever written any stories, short or novel length,

before? I think it's interesting to know why people decide to write

story when they've never done it before. And if it isn't your first

time, what else have you written and when was that?

S X: The first words of IFMHISF are the first words of fiction I

wrote. I'm not sure why, but I was never motivated to write

before I

started reading fan fic. I have friends who have spent years trying

to get their work published - and they were quite beaten down by

rejection letter after rejection letter. I was quite unaware of the

fanfic/slash flooding the Internet, but once I learned of it, I

really wanted to participate. It seemed accessible, it was very

lesbian friendly, and it was obvious that there was a very rabid fan

base.

Some people seem to think that fiction posted on the Internet is

somehow "less than" commercially published fiction. For me,

it's been

more rewarding than a royalty check could ever make up for. I've

met

some really great people, I get lots and lots of supportive fan

mail,

and I get to enjoy the interaction with people who've enjoyed the

story. I doubt that most writers get that kind of immediate

feedback,

and that's worth a lot to me. The reason I post my story is to

reach

people on an emotional level, and the feedback I get tells me where

I've succeeded, and where I've failed. It's very helpful.

EXINE: When you were first approached by JDP about publishing your

story, what went through your mind? Were you shocked, excited,

flabbergasted, elated, nervous, confused, cool with it, or

nonchalant? What was your reaction?

S X: When I was first approached by JDP, I was really pleased.

It's

always nice to have someone say they admire your work, and when that

someone has the ability to publish it - it's twice as nice <s>.

The

more I learned about the company, their philosophy, their business

model, and their marketing plans - the more excited I got. It's

been

a very happy partnership so far - and I expect that we'll have a

long, mutually beneficial relationship.

S X Meagher, also known as Susan in the real world, wanted to say a

few words to the bards of the Xenaverse as well as to those people

who have supported her in her creative endeavor. Take it away Susan!

S X: I'd really like to thank all of the people who've given

generously of their time and talent to provide so many of us with

hours and hours of enjoyment. I would never have tried my own hand

at writing without the inspiration of the wonderful stories

centering

around Xena and Gabrielle, and their uber incarnations. I've

read a

lot of fanfic in my time, and I've found something to enjoy about

each and every piece I've read. Very few people make much, if

any,

money from these endeavors. They do it merely to express what's

their hearts - and that's a wonderful gift for all of us

who've

shared the bond of affection for a very innovative television show.

I'd really like to thank all of my very supportive fans (that

sounds

like the opening to an Oscar acceptance speech, doesn't it?), for

their generous praise, and helpful feedback. It means a lot to me to

hear from people who have enjoyed my work. Writing for the Internet

can be pretty lonely. I'm lucky in that I have some very helpful

beta readers, who give me a lot of detailed feedback. But most

people who write don't get that kind of input. The only way they

know how a story is received is if they hear from the people

who've

read it once it's posted. It's the people who are posting

their

first story or poem that really need that reaction. So, the next

time you read something from a first-time bard, take a moment and

write him or her a quick note. It means so much to a neophyte bard

to know that their hard work didn't fall into a black hole

somewhere.

The publication of IFMHISF is going well. I'm very happy with

the

progress I'm making, but it's far too early to be able to

predict

when it will be published. All I know for sure is that it won't

to print until I and Jane Doe Press have made the book as good as we

can make it. I'm sure people would rather wait a bit to read the

best output we can offer - and that's our mutual goal. Head on

over

to <http://www.janedoepress.com/> for updates on the progress of the

book. ¨

========================================================

2) Xena Quote/Xena Joke

Xena Quote

"My ideals were a lie. I thought love was the strongest power on

earth. What a fool. Love is helpless in the face of cruelty."

Gabrielle in "Return of Callisto."

Xena Joke

"Antony and Cleo".....Don't asp, don't tell

"A Solstice Carol"......Don't ass, don't tell

"The Return of Callisto" (wedding)....Don't apse, don't tell

"Giant Killer".............Don't ax, don't tell

"A Friend In Need"......................Don't ash, don't tell

========================================================

3) Featured Fan Fiction By S X Meagher

Reviewed by Bacchae2

"Rekindling the Spark"

by SX Meagher

http://www.sxmeagher.com/Rekindling_the_Spark.htm

An absolutely beautiful story. Gabrielle's first-person narrative in

the aftermath of the distance we saw between them all through season

five and which finally came to an impasse that threatened separation

in Kindred Spirits. (Though Gab's ad lib of "Not tonight" in that ep

would lead us to believe she was the one currently out of sync with

her lover's needs.) Exquisitely written, you will find yourself

reading it aloud. Graceful, moving, touching inner monologue as the

bard attempts to rekindle that ineffable spark between them.

[WARNING: Contains adult content.]

I give "Rekindling the Spark" ***** five stars!

=========================

"Surrender, Xena" and "Xena Surrenders"

by SX Meagher

<http://www.sxmeagher.com/Surrender_Xena.htm>

<http://www.sxmeagher.com/Xena%20Surrenders.htm>

Maybe it's because this is the first first-time story I've read

since

the series came to an end...but I found hot tears rolling down my

cheeks. These two short stories are entwined as one (ah, the

language

of love), but in the first part the usually stoic, emotions held

close to the vest warrior is forced to reveal her true feelings for

the bard by the rather hurt/comfort plot device of having been

administered some truth serum and having Gabrielle nurse her through

the night...with only one small drawback-- Xena tells her that the

potion will leave her with no memory of anything they said...or did.

Which makes the gentle, innocent, and inexperienced, though deeply

aroused bard all the more determined to pursue and press the issue

the follow-up tale. Whatever Gabrielle wants...

[WARNING: Contains adult content.]

I give "Surrender, Xena" and "Xena Surrenders" both

***** five stars!

=========================

"I Found My Heart in San Francisco" *

Book One: "Awakenings"

by SX Meagher

<http://www.sxmeagher.com/FanFictionlinks.htm>

Reviewed by Sue and Bacchae:

A charming, compelling and epic Uber all about the trials and

tribulations of two college age women, one of whom is straight,

engaged and naive but drawn to the worldly and very gay other. Jamie

and Ryan become best friends, but don't want to risk ruining what

they have by crossing that line. Angst Warning in effect for this

first 'outing.' This one looks to be a monumental achievement as the

author promises a book length novel for every letter of the

alphabet! Remarkably, we are up to Book 8 now, H. (Book 9, I, is now

currently finished.)

Sue gives IFMHISF **** 4 stars and Bacchae gives IFMHISF ***** 5

stars.

*This story was first reviewed in Issue 4, Volume 2

<http://www.xenaexine.f2s.com/v2_issue4.html>.

Star Rating

***** If you're a fanfic reader, you can't miss this one!

**** Reading this will improve your fighting skills.

*** It's better than getting kissed by Joxer.

** A romp with Jox looks pretty good at this point.

* Oh, never mind!

========================================================

4) Xena News

THE UPROAR

By Lady Adrell

In the aftermath of the series finale of "Xena: Warrior

Princess",

there has been a tremendous uproar from fans. The death of the famed

Warrior Princess has done more to divide fan's opinions than the

issue of the lesbian subtext.

The opinions vary from loving the two-part series finale entitled

Friend in Need," to absolutely hating it, with an added call to

arms

against the Executive Producer, Rob Tapert. Also mixed in are those

opinions that are somewhere in between the two extremes. But whether

you hated it or not, whether you think the death of Xena was just a

ploy and totally unnecessary, or if you believe that it was

Xena's

destiny to die for the sins of those she's killed, the fact

remains

that Xena is dead and the show is over.

It has been demanded by some fans that Tapert make a movie soon to

bring Xena back. But with no talk of a TV movie for the future and

the auctioning of the "Xena" props and costumes, it is

unlikely that

fans will see a reversal to the plight of the WP. The question is

raised in light of this demand: is a "Xena" movie is really

the

right idea?

"XWP" is Tapert's baby and it is unlikely that he would

allow anyone

else to produce a movie without him at the helm. Throughout the last

three seasons, Tapert was responsible for doing much to decrease the

quality of the show: first by not replacing excellent writers, like

Steve Sears, with equally as good and competent writers, by giving

control to two people who had no real concept of anything resembling

Xena, and also by turning his attention elsewhere to "Cleopatra

2525"

and "Jack of All Trades." Should disgruntled fans really

trust Tapert

to set things right? After all, he was the one that made the

decision

to kill off Xena in the first place.

Though I am not of the idea that Tapert should burn at the stake for

the death of our WP in the last ep of the series, I would have done

things much differently if I were in his shoes. But since that is

not

the case, fans must now turn to other means to fill the void that

has

been left.

The show is in reruns on the Oxygen Network and through the summer

local stations, allowing fans the opportunity to relive their

favorite eps over again without having to dig through their video

collections. Although, videos are a great way to capture that

feeling

you once had of "XWP" without having to watch those annoying

eps

like "Ulysses" or "Married with Fishsticks." Also,

the online

Xenaverse has been in a flurry since the finale, with an over

abundance of fanfic surging forth. New finale scenarios are being

produced faster than Ford's assembly line autos. You want a

different

ending? You can then read them online or write one yourself. And the

final means that fans have to fill that void left by the ending of

Xena, is for fans to turn to other shows. "Dark Angel",

"Witchblade",

and "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" are just some of the strong

female-

based TV shows available for viewing. If you don't have the

stomach

for fanfic based on a storyline you hate and watching the reruns

doesn't give you the same rush as they once did, turning to

another

show is a great way to forget about the debacle of the once highest

rated syndicated show of it's genre.

"Xena" had a great run while it was on the air. We fans

should

remember and cherish the great moments where Xena saved Gab and her

village from slavery, Gabrielle honed her bardic skills, the girls

lay side by side, the girls fought side by side, Xena risked it all

to save Gab, Gab risked it all to save Xena, the kisses, the words

devotion and love, and the unbreakable bond between two soulmates

destined to forever be together. Xena can't/won't ever die

(however

she can/has been mutilated). ¨

=========================

"What Will Fill Lesbians' Xena Void And Deliver Devoted TV

Viewers?"

By BRETT BRUNE <mailto:editor@...>

July 5, 2001

<http://www.diversityinc.com/insidearticlepg.cfm?

SubMenuID=330&ArticleID=3369&CFID=573209&CFTOKEN=54408746>

========================================================

5) Featured FanFic Links

S X Meagher's own website named after her successful series "I

Found

My Heart in San Francisco"

http://www.sxmeagher.com/

Not only will you find IFMHISF, but other great information about

the

bard, her characters, and updates to her story. Here is where you

can

find her 2 short Xena and Gab stories.

=========================

Jane Doe Press

http://www.janedoepress.com

This is the publishing house that is turning S X's very popular

story

into books. But don't go just for "I Found My Heart in San

Francisco", JDP publishes other great works by well-known bards.

Don't miss any of them.

========================================================

6) Xena: Warrior Princess Episode Guide

by Bacchae2

Episode Thirty-eight "A Necessary Evil" and Episode

Thirty-nine "A

Day in the Life"

"A Necessary Evil"

A surprisingly fun, for all its frenetic action, follow-up to

certain

events in "The Quest," even through the drama of amazonian

political

machinations (it's Florida all over again...Velasca demands a

recount) and Gab's fear/flight reaction to being targeted and Xena's

very protective hurt/comfort mode ("Sacrificing you is not part of

the plan! Not even close.") and Callisto's nasty, naughty ("We

played

a game of truth-or-dare. She's not very good at it.") switch-hitting

turn as enemy/ally as she drips innuendoes by the campfire (does

that

woman just ooze sexual tension like a pheromone based cologne, or

what?) Callisto is freed from Tartarus in the season three Hercules

ep "Surprise." In that ep she becomes immortal as well as

trapped and

scarred. The Herc ep explains how Callisto came back to life after

RoC ("Return of Callisto") when she had apparently 'drowned' in the

sandpit (uncharacteristically begging Xena to save her in a

turnabout

of the scene in the classic novel "Lorna Doone" wherein the hero

attempts to avenge his wife, stabbed on their wedding day, by riding

down the former suitor and then trying to rescue him from quicksand

while he slaps the would-be savior's hand aside...now, that would've

been more in keeping with Callisto's frame of mind.) We do find her

in the burned out remains of the labyrinth of the gods,

however...with her pet rat, Hercules. Fascinating, knowing how

Gabrielle has every reason to hate Callisto and yet feels for her

just the same when she sees her visibly moved by Xena's public

confession of her crime. At least Artemis is finally mentioned in

this one, but, appropriately for this series, as an absentee

landlady

to the tribe. Velasca is almost as scary as Callisto...wonder why

she

didn't warrant a resurrection from that lava pit. Good villanesses

are hard to find, and, apparently, to keep.

Subtext Rating: All-girl Romp. That's some sorority...and what an

initiation ceremony! Lightning bolts, whirlwinds, falling bridges,

falling rocks, bungee jumps, hot lava... "Does an Amazon Queen beat

Warrior Princess?" Only if she wants her to. But I think Callisto

and

Velasca would be more into that. Anyway...they take the plunge

together... into that hot lava. While our heroine rescues the bard

once again..."Don't let go. I'm coming. Hold onto me." For

sure. "Let's do it."

"A Day in the Life"

Still the favorite episode of many a fan, and with good reason.

Perhaps, the only truly flawless show in the series. Ingeniously

devised, beautifully scripted (by R.J.), skillfully directed (by

Michael Hurst), playfully performed. It didn't get any better than

this. Underplaying comedy works wonders. When eager beaver Howar

asks

with hopeful puppy dog eyes if Xena would ever consider settling

down

and getting married, Gab's proprietary little Freudian slip shows

when she quips from lips that seem to run away with her: "No, she

likes what I do--" Fwap. Freudian symbol for dinner, baby. Cook 'em

up. Furthermore, Xena invents the kite and discovers electricity.

One

serious moment re the 'win one for the gipper,' uh, giant, Goliath

speech, come back with your kite, not on it. The ending is sweet,

and

funny, and priceless. A quick kiss, filled with tender affection

from

the excited little bard. Did Xena let her...or not? Hit her with the

staff, that is. Did anyone see Minya at the Melissa Etheridge

concert? {Note: in the script of ADITL Minya's character is

introduced by comparison to Rosie O'Donnell! as "the ultimate fan"}

Subtext Rating: Woke up, got outta bed...dragged a cooking utensil

across someone's head... We cannot only cook with your juices, but

can slowly simmer in the most memorable hot tub scene in TV series

history. Truly, a High Water Mark! Bliss. You got this close,

rubbing

fingers together, because I let you...oh yeah...and that's not the

soap you're sitting on... "Going to bed."

========================================================

7) The Journey of the Hero

Joe Campbell Quotes

"The Hero as Warrior"

The stanza of the hero-bard resounds with the magic of the word of

power; similarly, the sword edge of the hero-warrior flashes with

the

energy of the creative Source.

"The Return of the Hero"

When the hero-quest has been accomplished, through penetration to

the

source, or through the grace of some male or female, human or

animal,

personification, the adventurer still must return with his life-

transmuting trophy. The full round, the norm of the monomyth,

requires that the hero shall now begin the labor of bringing the

runes of wisdom, the Golden Fleece, or his sleeping princess, back

into the kingdom of humanity, where the boon may redound to the

renewing of the community, the nation, the planet, or the ten

thousand worlds.

Joseph Campbell on Mythology: from "The Hero With a Thousand

Faces"

Princeton Univ. Press, 1949

========================================================

8) The Top 20 Essential Xena Episodes

This is reprinted from the Tavern Wall.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

----------

By Fluffsterbrian (Fluffsterbrian) on Wednesday, May

30, 2001 - 11:03 pm:

Rooks: On the thread about "Sins of the Past", you

wrote:

"Sins of the Past is a fav of mine, although not in my top 20, but

that is largely because of the low production values. But Sins

totally defines the series. All my favorite episodes are ones that

remain true to the themes set out in this ep. [snip] All the best

eps: Callisto, Ides, Crusader, Remember Nothing...just to name a

few,

they are all so good because they remain true to the themes set out

in Sins."

This brings up a distinction I think between personal *favorite*

episodes and series *essential* episodes. On a newsgroup for the

60's

cult series The Prisoner, which had a definite beginning and end, it

was mentioned that creator/star Patrick McGoohan had originally

conceived the series as a 7 episode miniseries, but agreed to 17 eps

instead at the request of the production company. He since has

revealed which 7 of the 17 were his originally intended core eps.

This got me to thinking: If, instead of a 20 favorite episodes list

for Xena, you had to choose 20 essential eps in which to tell the

story of the series, which 20 would you pick?

Omitting entire arcs is permitted, btw, if the continuity still

makes

some sense, and no eps after "Many Happy Returns" are permitted (to

keep this

spoiler-free).

In my next post, I will attempt my own challenge, and I know I will

end up omitting many favorites in order to keep to the 20 ep

maximum.

Who will join me?

Reply by Fluffsterbrian

The series in 20 essential episodes:

1. Sins of the Past

2. Hooves & Harlots

3. Callisto

4. Orphan of War

5. Return of Callisto

6. Destiny

7. The Quest

8. A Day in the Life

9. The Deliverer

10. Gabrielle's Hope

11. Maternal Instincts

12. A Good Day

13. The Way

14. Endgame

15. Ides of March

16. Fallen Angel

17. Chakram

18. Legacy

19. The Abyss

20. When Fates Collide

Notes: If I picked wisely, this should work as a complete 20 episode

version of the entire series for someone who'd never seen a single

episode. Notice I've left out Eve, the Twilight of the Gods, the

time

jump stuff, Varia's Amazons, the death and reappearance of Gab

between "Sacrifice II" and "A Family Affair", and much more. I've

also left out some personal top favorites like "The Price", "The

Debt

I&II", "Crusader" and more. I couldn't bear to leave out "A Day in

the Life", despite being a stand-alone, because I think it's a vital

depiction-of-the-relationship-in-the-aftermath-of-"The Quest"

episode.

Which 20 would you choose?

========================================================

9) Polls

An idea was discussed among the Xine staff about making the past

issues of the Xine into newsletter style, hardcopies. This was done

in limited number for the Pasadena con. We would like to know if our

readers would be interested in hard copies of the archived issues.

hard copies were made and sold, the proceeds would go to charity.

Please go to the poll and put in your vote. NOTE: If you voted

before

this issue was published, you will have to vote again.

Xine Poll: <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/xenaexine/message/1>

Only Xine subscribers can vote on this poll, but if you read the

Xine

and are not a subscriber you can send your vote directly to Lady

Adrell at editor@... <mailto:editor@...>

=====================

A WHOOSH POLL

Regarding the Xena series finale (both parts), were you [choose your

preference, and only one!]:

1) "Surprised and entertained"

2) "Disappointed"

3) "You want to "Cut the cord"... NOW!

This poll has been extended to July 20, 2001 due to the requests

from

international Xena fans. The results will be released in the August

issue of "Whoosh! "

"Whoosh!" Poll: <http://whoosh.org>

========================================================

10) Feedback

"Bacchae and Lady Adrell,

Thank you both for sharing your sincere, personal, and heartfelt

thoughts in looking back on the series that has meant so much to

those of us who came to love it.

The Joseph Campbell quotes, read with the Xena ring trilogy in mind,

were illuminating.

Bacchae, glad that you were able to get to "Destiny" and "The Quest"

in your subtext reviews in time for XWP's end. These are both superb

episodes, and probably my favorite back-to-back pairing of episodes

in the whole series. "Destiny" is indeed powerful in its look at the

development of Xena's psychology, the grief of Gabrielle, and the

beautiful, gorgeous direction of Rob Tapert--much better directing

than he exhibited in the series finale, "A Friend in Need". And "The

Quest": What a perfect blending of first-rate characterization,

drama, action, romance, and humor--and what a monumental episode in

the development of the Xena/Gabrielle love story. I am always

impressed at how well so many of the series recurring characters are

employed so perfectly in this episode. Bruce Campbell is indeed

terrific in this--funny, but with a subtlety to his performance that

goes far beyond just the comedy. The Iolaus/Gabrielle shared

hurt/comfort scene at the beginning I've always thought marvelous

too. And as for Xena/Gabrielle heartfelt, tender and romantic

moments--this episode is as good as they come.

It was good to be reminded of two such marvelous and moving episodes

from the show's glorious past, at a time when we were given a series

finale, "A Friend in Need", that was so incredibly incoherent,

contrived, and disappointing.

Peace and love to Xena fans everywhere."

--Fluffsterbrian

If you have any comments, suggestions for content, or articles to

submit to this Xine, then please contact Lady Adrell at

editor@... <mailto:editor@...>

(We are accepting submissions for featured articles. Send to above

address.)

========================================================

11) PRIVACY/NO SPAM POLICY!

NO SPAMMING OR LIST SHARING!

You can rest assured that your subscription email address will be

kept in the strictest confidence. We do not divulge, nor make

available to any third party, our subscription list. Your privacy is

paramount to us! Therefore, it receives the respect it deserves!

========================================================

12) Subscribe/Unsubscribe Information

If this Xine was forwarded to you and you would like to receive your

own free copy; you can subscribe at <http://www.xenaexine.f2s.com>

send a blank email to: xenaexine-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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PLEASE NOTE: You are receiving The Xena E-Xine because you

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our subscriber list.

To unsubscribe, send a blank e-mail to xenaexine-

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========================================================

13) Credits

The Xena E-Xine Staff:

Chief Editor/Head Reporter: Lady Adrell

Editor/Head Writer: Bacchae2

Assistant Editor/Research: Cindy

Researcher/Writer: Sue

Writer: ArdentTly

FanFic Critic: Staff

Website Analyst: Staff

Episode Guides: Bacchae2

========================================================

14) Archives

If you've missed out on previous issues, you can still find them

online at <http://www.xenaexine.f2s.com/archive.html>

========================================================

15) DISCLAIMER

Though hearts have been found in many other places around the world,

apparently San Francisco is the best place to find yours. We do not

support nor deny these claims.

========================================================

You have permission to forward this to other people, and by all

means, please do.

The contents of this E-Xine may be copied, reproduced, or freely

distributed for all nonprofit purposes without the consent of the

author as long as the author's name and contact information are

included, unless where otherwise stated. Example: Reproduced with

permission from Lady Adrell or said author.

indicated

property of their respective owners.

========================================================

THANKS FOR READING!

========================================================

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