From: owner-chakram-refugees-digest@smoe.org (chakram-refugees-digest) To: chakram-refugees-digest@smoe.org Subject: chakram-refugees-digest V4 #299 Reply-To: chakram-refugees@smoe.org Sender: owner-chakram-refugees-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-chakram-refugees-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk chakram-refugees-digest Tuesday, December 14 2004 Volume 04 : Number 299 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: [chakram-refugees] Conquest -- and Friend in Need?? [IfeRae@aol.com] [chakram-refugees] Xena 2005 Calendars Now Shipping! ["Creation (Sharon D] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2004 00:22:25 EST From: IfeRae@aol.com Subject: Re: [chakram-refugees] Conquest -- and Friend in Need?? In a message dated 12/11/2004 7:49:42 PM Pacific Standard Time, cr@orcon.net.nz writes: > I think much of that was in response to the Gabfans' desire to have > Gabrielle > doing something important, and - until she became Gabzilla in Season 5 - she > > didn't have much to do in an action series, or at least, nothing very > positive. So making Xena somehow dependent on her was one way of doing > that. > > I think the Warrior Princess was much more self-sufficient than that, both > when she was evil and when she reformed. My cynical view is that half that > > stuff she said to Gabs, she only said to keep Gabby off her back. "Yes > dear, you're very important to me, I really do love you and by the way, have > > you seen where I left my golf clubs?" ;) > Heh. I won't comment on that last view, as it no doubt reflects your "reality." My own view of Gabs' importance to TPTB may be less romantic than Gabfans', but I don't think the latter were entirely responsible for Gabs' significance as Xena's reinforcement to stay on the right track. Beyond needing someone who could articulate Xena's (especially early on) cryptic, nonverbose references to her motivations, Gabs provided someone to bounce ideas off of, to offer a different perspective, to help Xena deal with change and emotions, to give positive reinforcement to the risks Xena took in opening herself up more. Xena was a bright woman who loved learning and was brutally honest about her shortcomings, who strove for excellence and improvement. She was not someone who thought or acted as if she knew everything. Her ego was strong enough that listening to somebody else did not diminsh it Regardless of the importance TPTB originally saw in Gabrielle -- beyond the need for telling Xena's internal story -- I believe they were wise enough to allow that importance to evolve in a way that added depth and humanity to Xena's "strong silent" character. I give TPTB a lot of credit for that, for seeing on their own and encouraging what also resonated with many fans. To me, it made for a much better story. It also acknowledged what most "heroes" would say - -- that they could not have achieved what they did without someone in their lives who encouraged them, supported them, stood by them during their darkest hours. I always thought it was particularly good for young people to see that Xena had flaws and was willing to accept help in overcoming them. It provided a model of independence that substituted growth for bull-headedness, where both characters remained true to the best in themselves without trying to dominate the other. Of course it can be irritating to be challenged about what you've become comfortable with or what's worked in the past. But I never saw Lucy play Xena as dismissive of Gabs in the way you suggest. I saw the normal annoyance and resistence of any relationship as close as X&G's. But I also saw genuine respect for for Gabs' importance on all levels -- telling the story and making believable what Xena would've been hard pressed to do as well alone. - -- Ife ========================================================= This has been a message to the chakram-refugees list. To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@smoe.org with "unsubscribe chakram-refugees" in the message body. Contact meth@smoe.org with any questions or problems. ========================================================= ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2004 11:12:01 -0800 From: "Creation (Sharon Delaney)" Subject: [chakram-refugees] Xena 2005 Calendars Now Shipping! They've arrived and are flying out the door. Just whizzing right past my office, down the elevator and into the red, white and blue post office truck Our printer, as usual, did an incredible job. And heaps of thanks to the Xena photographers, especially Geoff Short, and the lovely and patient Lucy and Renee and all the guest actors for the georgous photos. Enjoy, Sharon Official Xena Fan Club ========================================================= This has been a message to the chakram-refugees list. To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@smoe.org with "unsubscribe chakram-refugees" in the message body. Contact meth@smoe.org with any questions or problems. ========================================================= ------------------------------ End of chakram-refugees-digest V4 #299 **************************************