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."

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

            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.)

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

            9) 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!

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

            10) 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 or send

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


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

subscribed

            at

            http://www.xenaexine.f2s.com, or you requested to be added to our

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            To unsubscribe, send a blank e-mail to

            xenaexine-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

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

            11) Credits

            The Xena E-Xine Staff:

            Chief Editor/Head Reporter: Lady Adrell

            Editor/Head Writer: Bacchae2

            Assistant Editor/Research: Cindy

            Researcher/Writer/Assistant Editor: Sue

            Writer: ArdentTly

            FanFic Critic: Staff

            Website Analyst: Staff

            Episode Guides: Bacchae2

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

            12) Archives

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

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

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

            13) DISCLAIMER

            Not a golden hair was harmed in the production of this xine, but the

            DNA will be available at auction in the near future.

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

            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.

            All contents Copyright © 2001 The Xena E-Xine, except where 

indicated

            otherwise. All rights reserved worldwide. All trademarks are the

            property of their respective owners.

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

            THANKS FOR READING!

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












       

          

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