Xena E-Xine Volume 2, Issue 11 Temora Interview Issue, XWP Fanfic Bard
THE XENA E-XINE - Temora Issue
Volume II, Issue 11 - Sept. 16, 2001
==============================================
In these times that try our souls, a little diversion is offered
here
as a momentary respite from the storm. WWXD?
==============================================
Today's issue includes:
1. Feature Article -- Interview with fanfic bard Temora
2. Xena quote
3. Featured FanFic and Short Review -- "A Once and Future Journey"
and other stories by our featured bard
4. Xena News -- ROC on board; Original art offered; Fan strikes
Gold!; Good pro paperback; Taboo; Virtual Season; Love Letters; New
Fugate interview; Bard Challenge Winners
5. Featured Links -- Temora's Homepage, Xena stamps, Scully/Xena,
Alex Tydings group and website, Newsguy reviews
6. Xena: Warrior Princess Episode Guide "Blind Faith" -- "Ulysses"
7. The X-files plus X
8. Feedback
9. PRIVACY/NO SPAM POLICY!
10. Subscribe/Unsubscribe Information
11. Credits
12. Archives
13. DISCLAIMER
==============================================
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==============================================
1) Featured Article
by E.J. Rain 9/01
Fanfic Bard Interview with Temora
I've noted that so many of the alt FINale bards used the
phrase "we've had four good years together," blatantly excising the
memories of seasons five and six. Yes, we did have those four good
years. Let's not forget them. There are memories to cherish,
inspired
bards to be duly thankful for. This relatively new bard actually
manages to create something good from the sow's ear of season five.
A
not inconsiderable feat. And she's a very fine writer. Check out her
stories if you are not familiar with her writing. Links and reviews
below.
XINE:
When did you start watching X:WP? What prompted you to start writing
fanfic?
TEMORA:
I started watching in season three. At that time I shared a house
with a Trekker whose obsession managed to spill over into anything
even vaguely science-fiction or fantasy related. She kept raving to
me all about Xena, which I deplored the very idea of. How dare they
mess with my beloved mythology in such a scantily-clad and
disrespectful fashion?? But when she told me there was a musical
coming up, I sat down with her. I'm a sucker for musicals, ha! That
was, of course, The Bitter Suite. And I was, from that moment, a
convert. The very thing that I found so appalling about the
advertisements - irreverence - was the very thing I found myself
adoring about the show. I'm all caught up now, obviously. As for
fanfic, I didn't discover it, or the Xenaverse until the end of
season four. When I did, I read in a white-hot fury for a few
months,
anything that I found. After a while, my Giant Unstoppable Ego
kicked
in and said, "Hey, you could do that..." And just on an aside: who
*wouldn't* enjoy writing about these two characters and their world?
They are the ultimate in archetypes; there's something there for
everyone. Immensely satisfying and challenging, or at least I think
so.
XINE:
Season Five made many of us stop writing fanfic altogether, so what
was it that inspired you to do several stories drawn from those
episodes (which, btw, added significantly to the subtext, in the
broader sense of the term, which, for the most part, was sadly
lacking in the series itself)?
TEMORA:
Oh. LOL. Really? Well, season five was when I *started* writing, and
for some reason, initially I felt narratively bound by what I saw
happening on the show. Since I am an unabashed Gabrielle fan, I was
not happy or comfortable with the way she was being alternately
shunted aside or drawn as a suddenly soulless killing machine. It
bugged me a lot, and the very first story I posted, Solitaire, was
in
response to it. After that, it just seemed that most things I
thought
of were based around Gabrielle the disillusioned rather than
Gabrielle the innocent. And, I shamefully admit, that when I first
started watching the reruns on cable, I agreed with the "irritating
blonde" label. I'm much more forgiving now, though. :) I watch
seasons 1 and 2 with amused tolerance, because I know what she's
going to become.
XINE:
Will you give us any further addition or adjunct to the FINale?
TEMORA:
I've thought quite a lot about writing more on "what happened next"
-
but I don't think I will. There are a myriad of avenues open to
anybody wanting to explore the further adventures of Gabrielle, but
I
feel like I already got my closure, in a sense. I prefer to think of
them alive and together, frankly. They're balanced that way, you
know?
XINE:
Whatever possessed you to co-write the delightful ancient
travelogue "Wish You Were Here?" Were you on holiday?
TEMORA:
Actually, Lariel (whose excellent stories I'm sure many of you will
have read) was the one on holiday. She was travelling around
Australia and happened to be passing through the city I lived in at
the time. So we hooked up and discovered a sense of humour
frightfully in common. One day we just ended up sitting in the
Botanical Gardens, scribbling in a tatty notebook and harassing
hapless passers-by for synonyms. "Excuse me, do you know another
word
for 'joyful'?" (We had no thesaurus). We then drank a lot of beer
and
decided we were the funniest people ever in the history of the
world.
So we posted it. :)
XINE:
How about the totally change of pace pov short story "Shade?" Was
this fan inspired (I shudder to think)? By any particular obsessed
ROC fan? (We are obsessed, but not quite that badly...I hope.)
TEMORA:
Ah. That one came in part from a real-life experience of mine. A
person I had previously only had platonic dealings with over the Net
suddenly relocated cities, apparently, and way wrongly, thinking
there was more to it. Then began the routine: screaming phone calls,
angry letters, hanging around my house, accosting my friends for
information. It was pretty scary. In the end, it wasn't until I
moved interstate for work that it stopped. I still get weird letters
in my hotmail account from time to time. So I was thinking about the
whole thing one day, when as usual I wondered how it would turn into
a fanfiction story. I actually got quite a few angry letters after
that was posted; people demanding to know why I would write about
such a thing, why as a woman I would find that sort of story
acceptable. Hell, I didn't say it was acceptable. It's cathartic,
you
know? As art-wanky as that sounds. :)
XINE:
I believe you told me "Quality Dying Time" was based on something
you'd once done for a creative writing course? Are you pursuing the
idea of a writing career? (You should.)
TEMORA:
Oh, thank you. Blush. Actually, that story was based on the
graduation film I made for university. It was a terrible film. Gods,
was it ever. :) But the theme kinda stuck with me, and I thought I
could do better with it. I'd love to get paid for writing, wouldn't
any Net writer? I don't see it happening for quite a long time,
though. I'm pretty young (25); I don't think I have anything
important to say yet. It's definitely a dream, though.
XINE:
Do you realize what a fine piece of short fiction you've written
with
the very moving post FINale short story "A Once and Future Journey?"
TEMORA:
Ummm ... thank you? LOL. I wrote it before I even saw the finale,
just based on spoilers and screengrabs. In a way, it buffered me
when
I *did* see the final ep, because I already had it worked out in my
head what I thought happened after. I'm glad you liked it - thank
you!
XINE:
What kind of feedback have you been getting since you appeared as a
talented new bard to watch out for?
TEMORA:
I've been really surprised and lucky, actually. People have been
supportive and kind since the very first story, and I get a lot of
repeat readers who write to me. Actually, the high levels of
response
made me ashamed that I didn't write more letters to the people whose
work I admired, so I try to do that whenever I read a story that
moves me in some way. I was pretty overwhelmed by the sheer numbers
of people writing for the post-FIN story, but I know enough to call
that a lucky mix of subject matter and timing.
XINE:
You've presented the relationship as a close, yet somewhat
ambiguous,
friendship in a few stories, but refer to them, unequivocally, as
lovers in others (without any graphic details--you're not that kind
of bard--do you read that type of fanfic or does it make you
blush?)-
-when did you make the transition, or conversion, if that's what it
was, and come down on the side of alt as opposed to subtext
(innuendo) or the dwindling (are they even still out there?) 'we're
just good friends' camp?
TEMORA:
Ah. The ten-thousand dollar question. :) Okay, I'll admit it ... I'm
a fence-sitter. My opinion changes all the time. But if pressed, I'd
be more likely to say they weren't then they were. Which doesn't
mean
I don't think they were *in* love. I definitely do. I just don't
necessarily equate being in love with being lovers. Why didn't I
stick to that in the stories?? Ah, the five thousand dollar
question. :) Well, to be honest, alt. works better when you're
writing comedy, because there are far more avenues to explore, and
depending on the theme of a story, the two as lovers can be the crux
of whatever issue you're trying to get out there. I know that sounds
manipulative and phoney - like I'm taking advantage of a same-sex
relationship to make a point. I honestly don't intend it that way! I
do swing, pardon the pun, depending on how I feel at the time. I
know
that while I don't always think they're lovers, I have never
accepted
the idea of them being anybody *else's* lover. They belong together,
in whatever sense you choose to view it, and I would never put
anybody else in the way of that.
I'll read any sort of fanfic pretty much, except the really graphic
S&M stuff. To each their own though, definitely. I will defend to
the
death anybody's right to write and post what they choose - and my
own
right not to read it if that's what I want. It doesn't do anything
for me to read about Gabrielle being whipped or beaten for the sake
of titillation, but if it works for you, fine. In the beginning it
made me blush, though! :) I nearly fell off my office chair; I think
I came across BL Miller really early on. I couldn't BELIEVE people
not only thought of them this way, but wrote about it as well! Ye
Gods!!! :) I soon came to realise that subtext was maintext in most
places of the 'Verse, and that's fine with me.
XINE:
How long do you think the fanfic will continue to be written? And by
yourself? Will the stronger and popular writers eventually be lost
to
other fandoms?
TEMORA:
Well, people are still writing original Star Trek fanfic, aren't
they? I believe as long as there are viewers for the re-runs, people
who are interested in the characters or remember their relationship
fondly, there'll be both creators and an audience for Xena fanfic.
Me, I don't know. I haven't written that many stories to begin with!
I'm not a credible source of opinion. :) Ask Missy Good or Joanna or
T. Novan!
XINE:
You're working on how many other stories? Do you want to give us a
preview of any of them?
TEMORA:
I sheepishly confess I haven't written anything since Future
Journey,
the post-FIN story. I do have a bunch of about five unfinished
stories, including one that's the longest thing I've ever attempted.
But at the moment my real life is a little crazy. And since I did
base a lot of my writing on what I *saw*, and there isn't any new
input... I don't know when I'm going to get back to it. I'm sure I'm
not completely done yet, though.
XINE:
Can you think of anything I should've asked or that you'd like me to
ask?
TEMORA:
Not really. That's a dangerous question, my friend. I do go on
sometimes... ;)
XINE:
Who are your favorite bards? Favorite stories?
TEMORA:
Ooh, I love that question. Sooooo many. I'd have to start with
Kamouraskan; all his stories are great (except The Joining, eh
Kam? ;)) but his story Judgement is incredible and chilling. Lariel,
she's written an amazing range right across comedy and drama - her
Gumboots stories slay me. Verrath's Tell Me series is great, Joanna
Sandsmark cracks me up every time, JLynn, she's a new bard - as far
as I know there's only one story posted, but she rocks. Bracer - his
unfinished uber is one of the only ubers I've *really* found myself
getting involved in. I also *love* "A Story of Magic", by CL Bactad.
It
was one of the first stories I ever read, and it put a smile on my
face the size of Texas. There are far too many to name, really.
Isn't
that always the way?
Thanks so much for asking me to do this interview. I never feel
quite ... real ... when people ask me to do this sort of thing. I
hope I managed not to make myself sound too big of an ass! I know
this is off-topic, but can I close this by sending thoughts and
prayers to the people of America and all those affected by the
terrorist attacks in New York and Washington? I don't know what to
say - I can't even find the words, but I want you all to know that
in
Australia, our collective shock and grief for you is searing and
very
real. I've seen people crying in their cars in peak-hour traffic,
people walking around with faces like zombies - everybody in the
world was affected by this tragedy, and all I can say is how
terribly
sorry and stricken I am that it happened to you.
=====
In her own words:)
"Temora - Bard of Dubious Talent :)
Check out the horror for yourself at:"
http://www.geocities.com/lariel_a/temora/main.html
{Note: Lariel's site is also accessible through this page--which she
created.}
==============================================
2) Xena Quote
"I want vengeance!"
Gabrielle to Xena in "Who's Ghurkan?"
==============================================
3) Featured Fan Fiction
Reviewed by Bacchae2
"A Once and Future Journey"
by Temora
http://ausxip.com/fanfic15/a_once_and_future_journey.htm
"Rage, rage against the dying of the light."
"I'm sleeping with the ghost of you and me."
I WEPT at this short and bittersweet story more than any other
fanfic
I've read in the Aftermath. Too bad there wasn't a short story
section in the Bard Challenge contest, this would have won hands
down. It's exceptional. Simply one of the finest pieces of fanfic I
have ever read. (I'd rank it right up there with Elaine Sutherland's
little masterpiece, "Lao Ma's Kiss" which was one of the first
pieces
of fanfic I read online and still remains a favorite.) I bawled like
a baby. After making me chuckle like she did with her First Time
story, and, though she did move me with "Quality Dying Time," I
hadn't expected to be as moved as I was. I was bowled over. It's a
fine stand-alone bit of fiction too. It could work in an anthology.
And not just a Xena or Amazon themed collection either. But it
should
be published in the paperback collection of Xena fiction that Missy
Good and some other writers have had stories printed in. It's that
good. And that classic. This magnificently sketched rumination about
the widowed warrior/bard is as fine as any short piece of fiction
I've ever read. Maybe that's because it's especially meaningful to
me
personally, but I don't think that's the only reason. It reminds me
of this significant feat that the fascinating SF author James
Tiptree
jr. (aka Alice Sheldon) pulled off when she wrote a very touching
short story that was a paeon to Trek (and Trek fanfic) without
mentioning any names or specifics (except, perhaps, in the title of
the story: "Beam us Home"). And the (Gab's) last line...harking back
to the beginning...their beginning... Sigh. Perfection. It doesn't
take a lot to move me, no, it takes such sweet simplicity. Telling a
story straightforward from the heart. This really opened the
floodgates, very therapeutic. The author says it really helped
cushion the blow for her to write it too. The first phrase, the
first
sentence, first paragraph and last line were all simply perfection.
I give it ***** five stars! ("Without a moment's hesitation.")
=========================
"Solitaire"
by Temora
http://ausxip.com/fanfiction/s/solitaire.htm
Another superb short story. Set during season five and managing to
gild the dross. Bless the bards for giving us the between the lines
lowdown when the series would not. A taciturn, implacable warrior
does whatever it takes to defend her partner and child. It's a whole
new Chakram...with a twist.
I give it ***** five stars!
=========================
"Wish you were here"
by Lariel and Temora
http://www.geocities.com/lariel_a/xena/wish.htm
A wonderfully funny epistolary characterized by ancient postcard
snapshots sent to virtually everyone in their orbit by the
vacationing warrior and bard. It's a package tour. The bard wants
culture, Xena wants war and gore. Travel broadens.
I give it **** four stars!
=========================
"The Lady Knows When to Leave"
by Temora
http://ausxip.com/fanfiction/l/lady_knows.html
Another season five inspired story. Set during Gab's out of body
experience with Alti in "Them Bones" this story gives voice to the
bard's inner struggle in failing her partner in the nether world.
Reminiscent of her soul searching in "Forget Me not." Powerful.
I give it ***** five stars!
=========================
"Yeah, but with a really big sword"
by Temora
http://ausxip.com/fanfic10/yeahreallybigsword.html
A truly excellent longer story of an angry young bard trying to find
her latest path in protecting her partner who has newly given birth.
They have time to head on home (for Gabrielle) for the first time
since "Family Affair" and the ensuing story takes them right up to
that whirlwind we see chasing them on horseback at the beginning of
a
fifth season ep as they race with baby Eve from the wrath of the
gods.
I give it ***** five stars!
=========================
"Shade"
by Temora
http://ausxip.com/fanfic11/shade.html
A wonderfully written creepy pov soldier's tale. If Joxer were a
stalker he might've been something like this fellow fixated on
Gabrielle. Tremendous emotional atmosphere from a unique
perspective.
I give it ***** five stars!
=========================
"GabriSybil"
by Temora
http://ausxip.com/fanfic12/gabrisybil.htm
Check this one out on Temora's Webpage listed in Links section below
for the charming display of Gab/Angel and Gab/Demon on
either 'shoulder' of this hilarious story of a bard on the edge.
I give it ***** five stars!
=========================
"Initiation"
by Temora
http://ausxip.com/fanfic12/initiation-temora.html
A character study of a little girl being shaped into the ruthless
warrior she will become.
I give it **** four stars!
=========================
"Fighting the Good Fight"
by Temora
http://ausxip.com/fanfic10/fightingthegood.html
A wildly funny typical generic Xena episode from beginning to end
(including commercial breaks). Subtitled "Warlord of the Week."
Satirizes every series cliche we know and, mostly, love.
I give it ***** five stars!
=========================
"Quality Dying Time" and "This is a First Time Story" were reviewed
in issues 5 and 6 (Volume 2) respectively.
=========================
Star Rating
***** The Full Chakram!
**** Foreplay
*** Two sais and a whimper
** Half staff better than none
* Kiss Joxer or Caligula, your choice
==============================================
4) Xena News
Hey look! ROC communicates with fans via the family business.
http://www.threadgills.com/board/?topic=topic3&msg=910
===========
The production designers of X:WP make fans an online offer.
http://ausxip.com/jenniferward.htm
===========
Exclusive to your editor:
[This is in regards to the ongoing online auction of props and
costumes from the series. The item in question is Gab's leather vest
from "A Good Day."]
"I got mine today and I'm walking on air..can't wipe this stupid
grin
off my face. I got a big bonus too! When I took the costume out of
the box I just couldn't resist hugging it. When I pulled it away to
look at it I noticed that stuck to some rivets on the vest were a
bunch of long golden hairs! Need I say more? Stupid grin time. Hey
isn't that how Alti cloned X&G? Just kidding...."
==========
The new paperback of Xena stories is out!
The pro novel we've been waiting for. At least in so far as online
and Xena scriptwriting bard Melissa Good's contribution is
concerned.
The volume includes Diane Duane and Greg Cox, pro Star Trek
novelists. Cox has a very interesting (and anticipated for years, at
least by this fan of TOS) project out now with the Volume One
hardback of classic Trek, "The Eugenics Wars." (Remember Khan and
his
wrath?) Our pre-eminent online bard Melissa Good is presented by
name
on the cover (along with a teeny Joxer...we trust she will not break
her Joxerless record within however). The cover painting gives the
overwhelming glory to Xena with Gab presented as a smaller,
profiled 'sidekick' several 'paces' behind the warrior. But as Lucy
pointed out to great applause at the Big Con, this was always a two
star show. And anyone who doesn't realize that yet (such as the
bonehead in TV Guide) is sadly out of the loop.
==========
"TABOO"
Erotic music video directed by "Alti," starring "Dite"
Reviewed by Sue
It's here! It's here!
And it's as hot as advertized! Phew...way hot!! Alex looks amazing.
And the song itself is totally lesbian...I'm really starting to
wonder about Claire's orientation I tell ya'. She just seems to
enjoy
this stuff an AWFUL lot! It's also kind of funky in a way, there's
no
credits for instance and the singer does weird waving things with
her
hands...but it's way cool. You guys have just got to see this.
============
Virtual Season
Greetings,
As most of you have probably already heard, members from the online
Xena community are banding together to create a virtual seventh
season of Xena: Warrior Princess. We currently have forty-seven
individuals working to make the virtual season a reality. Five
episodes are in the process of being written with the season opener
almost complete. Our goal is to create a virtual season which
mirrors
the feel of the original series. The season will consist of 22
episodes which will be "aired" in script format following the
original air schedule Xena followed. The first episode is due to air
on September 24, 2001. Episode plots will reflect the events of the
original series, picking up where the finale left off. We invite
each of you to visit the Virtual Season website at xwpvs.tripod.com
for more information. If any of you have questions, please do not
hesitate to contact us.
We hope to see you in September 2001.
Sincerely,
The Virtual Season Team
http://xwpvs.tripod.com
xwpvs_team-owner@yahoogroups.com
==============
PLAY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR HUDSON AND KEVIN SMITH in DEARBORN:
From: "Creation Entertainment" <fanclubs@...>
Hi,
This is pretty cool news: we told you about this first-time dramatic
on-stage performance by two of our all time favorities. Well, now it
is official: HUDSON LEICK and KEVIN SMITH will be starring in LOVE
LETTERS at our Dearborn Convention coming in October! For full
details please visit our convention calendar page at:
http://www.creationent.com/cal/
We also have the schedule of events for our CHERRY HILL OFFICIAL
XENA
CONVENTION this weekend currently on-line so those coming can plan
their weekends. Lots of fun stuff!
Take care,
Your friends at Creation Entertainment
http://www.creationent.com/
==========
Another fascinating interview by the great folks at Whoosh with the
writer of "When Fates Collide"
http://www.whoosh.org/palace/fugate1.txt
==========
Bard Challenge Winners!
The votes are in and the winners of the alt FINale contest are
posted. Amazingly, all three of my favorites won in the Synopsis,
Script, and Epic format! "Hi No Tori" is a masterpiece and one of
the
best pieces of fanfic I've seen, a two-hour script that manages to
achieve the near impossible and fix Rob and R.J.'s mess. "Heart of
the Matter" is a simply beautiful, moving piece of work and the
ending is just so damn brilliant, I had to smile through my tears.
It's "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir." Clever bard.
http://www.merwolf.com/academy/contest/contest2/synopsis5.html
Alexiares' site The Great XWP Alternative Endings Archive will
become
host of the above winners and the other entries in the contest.
http://www.1freespace.com/women/alexiares/enders.html
=========================================
5) Featured Links
Temora's Page
aka "Bard of Dubious Talent" (au contraire) We love the mouse!
http://www.geocities.com/lariel_a/temora/main.html
==========
Lick 'em.
Cool site...
http://xenastamps.com/
==========
ScullyXena
An excellent page chock full of essential episode information
pleasingly presented.
http://ewlyn.hispeed.com/scullyxena/xena/xepguide.html
==========
Alex Tydings group at Yahoo! Groups.
To become a member of the alextydings group or if you would like to
learn more about the alextydings group, please visit:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/alextydings
Also, you can link to the group thru Alex's site, which is loaded
with everything Alex including periodic messages from her:
http://www.alextydings.com
==========
We apologize that by the time the last xine got published the link
below was no longer as advertised, i.e., "Xena/Buffy bring 'em back
alive contest winners announced," and the results seem not to have
been archived. But it's still a site filled with wonderful critiques
of fantasy and SF TV.
http://www.newsguy.com/features/archpenn.htm
==============================================
6) Xena: Warrior Princess Episode Guide
by Bacchae2
Episode Forty-two "Blind Faith" and Episode Forty-three "Ulysses"
"Blind Faith"
This is surely the best thing critical and criticized director Josh
Becker contributed to the series. A measure of Xena's devotion to
Gabrielle, Xena is ennobled in her blindness. Willing to go blind
permanently to get to Gabrielle in time. The kid is beautiful in
blue. And the cleavage. Amazing. And the flaming Pygmalion
reminiscent of Salmoneous who sidekicks hunky bad boy gone good at
the end is pure camp. Silly elements in an ep with a heart. This one
always reminds me that there ain't no mountain high enough to get to
where you are. (To mix musical styles.)
Subtext Rating: "That must be some friend."
"I'd give my life to save her." She means it. And the
self-revelation
on her features when she says it is very, well, revealing. Is this
the first time she's given voice to the depth of her love? Gab is
the
damsel in distress here. Rescued at the last minute, in the nick of
time. By her warrior. The little catch in her voice when she says
Gabrielle and in Gabrielle's when she notices Xena's eyes. The hunk
is embarrassed, has to turn away from their deeply felt emotional
intimacy. He knows. So do we. Now.
"Ulysses"
Quality time--the girls together at the beginning of this ep. But
the
hero is a bore. What would a woman like Xena see in him? Yawn. Xena
outsings the Sirens. Pissed off Poseidon. Gab is so cute when she's
seasick. This is the last (and only the second) man Xena was serious
about. I don't include Draco. Or the con man. Been an amazingly
spare
dance card considering. But they know what we really like... I don't
hate this ep as much as some of y'all seem to--since it clearly
showed an unattractive and boring man totally unworthy of Xena,
especially compared to Gab. And the ep has some serious subtext.
Subtext Rating: "I need to know."
"You're part of my heart." "Gabrielle, you've been so good for me--
teaching--love." Gabrielle is not jealous, nor threatened for a
moment by Xena's attraction to the legendary hero--she knows where
she stands in Xena's affections. If X had sex with U than she did it
for the second time kinkily with Gab sleeping nearby. Xena is still
attempting to resist her attraction to Gab. It's abundantly clear at
this point. Part of my heart is another way of saying, where you go,
I go (or whither thou goest...). Xena assumes even if she is
attracted to a particular man that Gab will still remain by her side
with the inclusive "we." Interesting arrangement. But, of course, a
disservice to the truth and beauty of their relationship, firmly
established in previous eps. If this is the het nonpareil then Gab
is
the only viable reality or rational solution. When Xena uses the
word
love in relation, mostly, to what she's found with Gab, the bard
fairly pounces upon it, her face lighting up at the thought of it.
This coming after Gab has overheard suggestive murmurings between
her
friend and the legendary hero and looks as though she's overheard
the
love of her life slipping away from her, who then goes to Xena and
faces her with a very direct, "I need to know." An odd thing for a
mere friend to say to another. That's clearly lovers' talk and that
was how ROC played it. I'd always thought LL was the keeper of the
subtext, but ROC has had her own shining moments when she steps up
to
the plate and hits it right out of the park. Bless you, darlin'
==============================================
7) The X-files plus X
Agent Scully and her female lover settle down to watch our favorite
subtext tv show in a story by Katelin B. called "Something Left to
Chance" and the ep in question is of course....ADITL. It's about 30
pages total, and under "non-Xena stories" on her site:
http://members.tripod.com/~katelin_b/
==================================
============
8) Feedback
Our friend Brian responds to our rant re the FINale.
"Well, at least you got it all off your chest.... :) Can't say your
detailed, emotional, and literate tirade wasn't well earned by Grand
Master Tapert."
=============================================
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