20: 2x09-10 "A Solstice Carol" & "The Xena Scrolls"

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, it’s beginning to look a lot like...Solstice? Vera, Katie, and Livy get into the holiday spirit (yes, even though it’s April) by watching 2x09 “A Solstice Carol.” We chat about our favorite TV Christmas specials, praise the magnificent acting talent of Tobias the donkey, and debate whether or not Julia Child’s voice is sexy. *purrs* Boeuf Bourguignon… Then it’s on to 2x10 “The Xena Scrolls,” a clip show light on clips and heavy on... sets, costumes, and action? Um, guys, I don’t think Xena understands what a clip show is, and thank god for that because this episode has a significant impact on the show’s mythology. We discuss the gender masquerade of Melinda “Mel” Pappas and Dr. Janice Covington, how the introduction of the Xena Scrolls adds levels of intertextuality and subjectivity to the show’s narrative, and the important framework this ep laid down for Xena fanworks. Plus Vera just will not shut up about Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull. 

Apple Podcasts    |    Google Play    |    Download 

19: 2x08 "Ten Little Warlords"

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, who will be the next God of Waaaaar? /reality show announcer voice. Vera, Katie, and Livy attempt to solve the mystery of 2x08 "Ten Little Warlords." This mediocre ep, with its half-baked Agatha Christie premise (like anyone was clamoring for the return of King Sisyphus and his Haunted Mansion?) would be pretty unremarkable if not for the fact that Hudson Leick is playing Xena to a T. We discuss her heroic, incredibly seamless performance, the psychologically rich implications of this predicament for both Xena and Gabrielle, and the Season 2-that-could-have-been had the producers extended it. Plus we talk about Rob Tapert's favorite boat set, new developments in the Xena/Ares relationship, and Gabrielle the hangry bargain hunter.

Apple Podcasts    |    Google Play    |    Download 

18: 2x07 "Intimate Stranger"

This week on BUFFY: THE VAMPIRE PODCAST, get ready for --*record scratch*-- wait, what? Who are we?? Which series is this?!?! Identity crises are the name of the game because Vera, Katie, and Livy are talking about 2x07 “Intimate Stranger.” With the show's first foray into body swap territory, this Xena and Callisto classic sure has an uncanny resemblance to another famous body swap episode at the time...you know the one. We lose our minds over how great Lucy Lawless and Hudson Leick are at inhabiting each other’s roles, try to puzzle out why feeling guilty always leads to SPINNING INTO A ROCK, navigate through the minefield of consent issues that is the Callisto/Ares hook-up, and discuss the terrible extenuating circumstances that forced the ep’s unnatural ending into existence. (Y'all, Gilbert Gottfried is always bad news.)

Apple Podcasts    |    Google Play    |    Download 

17: 2x06 "Warrior...Princess...Tramp"

Beware the trusty shamrock on this week’s XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST! Vera, Katie, and Livy continue on the topic of sequels with 2x06 “Warrior...Princess...Tramp,” a comedy sequel to last season’s “Warrior...Princess.” We talk about the strategies this sequel uses to achieve success: by being bigger, bolder, and finding new ways to be funny. Most notably via the introduction of Meg, one of our all-time favorite supporting characters on the show, and a great showcase for Lucy Lawless’s comic chops. We discuss Meg’s incredibly sweet and romantic meet-cute with Joxer (Joxer/Meg OTP!), sexual mores in the 90s, and baby-throwing 2.0.

Apple Podcasts    |    Google Play    |    Download 

16: 2x05 "Return of Callisto"

On this week’s XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, guess who’s back and badder than ever? AIIIIIIIEEEEE its Callisto!!!! Vera, Katie, and Livy dedicate the podcast to an in-depth discussion of 2x05 “Return of Callisto.” In the tradition of all great sequels, this ep takes what came before and elevates it to a whole new level of dramatic intensity. Because Callisto isn’t the only one who’s back; Perdicus 2.0 returns on bended knee and Gabrielle embraces a heterosexual lifestyle with him...for a couple of minutes. (It’s tough out there for a Perd.) We discuss why Perdicus is Gabrielle’s type, swoon over sex scenes both literal and metaphorical, speculate on whether Callisto is a murderous manifestation of Xena’s repressed jealousy or maybe just her number one fan, cry a thousand tears over Xena resorting to prayer to save Gabrielle’s blood innocence, and lose our minds over that final, shocking scene. Is it vengeance or is it justice? IDK, but it sure is AWESOME!

Apple Podcasts    |    Google Play    |    Download