39: 3x16 “When in Rome…”

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, all roads lead to Rome! Vera, Katie, and Livy take on the Triumvirate in 3x16 “When in Rome…”, an epic sequel to “Destiny” that introduces us to a new place, culture, and several significant new characters, all while putting Xena and Gabrielle through the emotional wringer. (Mmm, just how we like it!) We discuss the evolution of the relationship between Xena and Caesar, how amazing Xena looks in Roman finery (always a GOOD LEWK for Lucy Lawless), the vast quantities of fruit everybody seems to eat in Rome, Pompey the Bro, Vercinix the Hot, and finally the HUGE decision Gabrielle makes and the complicating feelings surrounding it. If you liked it, you should have put a ring on it!

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38: 3x14-15 "Forgiven" & "King Con"

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, we’re here to protect wimps and kick the crap out of jerks! Vera, Katie, and Livy are talking about the sweet, thematically rich post-Rift episode 3x14 “Forgiven,” in which baby Shiri Appleby sports a horrible mullet and bites off Gabrielle’s ear and yet still somehow manages to be lovable. We discuss whether young sidekicks are important audience surrogates or just plain annoying, Gabs as the bad cop, Xena’s mysterious punk phase, the difference between telling and showing, and the many paths to forgiveness. Speaking of forgiveness, 3x15 “King Con” needs a lot of it, because it is very bad and very heterosexual. We chat about the Bechdel Test, Gabrielle’s hobbling, how much punishment does it take for us to care about Joxer, and Lucy Lawless’s open-mouthed kissing style. (Hey, It’s still better than “Ulysses.”)

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37: 3x13 "One Against An Army"

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, things are getting sweaty! Vera, Katie, and Livy are swooning over 3x13 “One Against an Army,” the sweetly intimate semi-conclusion to the Rift arc. In this episode, things go from bad to worse as Gabs sprains her ankle and then gets poison-arrowed! The result is a hurt/comfort extravaganza, and we talk all about this trope’s history in fanfiction, why it’s so appealing, and the important truths it exposes about Xena, Gabrielle, and their relationship (omg Xena is the little spoon!?). This ep has a Significant Theme, movingly depicting the struggle between the characters’ personal feels (SO personal, SO MANY feels) and their commitment to the greater good. Plus: the lewks, the faces, the touches, the tears, Xena’s Home Alone-style booby traps, Gabrielle the oracle, and did we mention everyone is very, very sweaty?

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36: 3x12 "The Bitter Suite"

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, we’re not in Kansas anymore. Buckle up, Totos, we’re going on a magical mystery tour through the land of Illusia! That’s right; Vera, Katie, and Livy have reached the musical masterpiece, 3x12 “The Bitter Suite.” Join us as we explore the rich symbolism and dense cinematic referencing of this seminal episode of television. We discuss its hugely influential place in the history of TV musicals (SIT DOWN, Once More with Feeling!), its connection to tarot, Qabalah, and the occult; and its very eccentric use of CGI. Plus, a hot take on where reality ends and dream begins, the pros and cons of Broadway Gabs, Ares’ best lewk, and what REALLY caused the rift between Xena and Gabs. So click your heels thrice and repeat after us: "There’s no place like Xena’s bosom! There’s no place like Xena’s bosom! There’s no place like Xena’s bosom!"     

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35: 3x11 "Maternal Instincts"

This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, Vera, Katie, and Livy take on a real mother of an episode, 3x11 “Maternal Instincts.” The conclusion to the trilogy begun with “The Deliverer” and “Gabrielle’s Hope,” “Maternal Instincts” picks up the dangling threads of the Rift arc and weaves them into the most devastating tapestry ever. We discuss the catharsis of a good tragedy, the Rift’s deconstruction of Xena and Gabrielle’s characters, the futility of Callisto’s vengeance quest, whether Hope was born bad or just born with bad hair, and finally we debate the ultimate question: what time of day is it during Gabrielle’s suicide attempt? #YIKES

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