Intro:

Hello and Welcome to the Website! This site intends to offer new ways to watch Xena: Warrior Princess and thereby keep it fresh and new to Xenites! I came up with this idea while pondering the different trials and tribulations Xena and Gabrielle experienced over the course of the show. An in depth analysis of these trials provides a new episode order to watch the episodes in so as to see the progression and long term effects of different situations that occurred.

The Vision

Up first I will work from season four because it is my fav season! Full of high action and drama and suspense! Season four featured amazing story lines, costumes, locations and new characters. The big theme running through this season, of course, was “The Vision”. This was the first season that the show actually had a running theme or certain destination that each episode was headed toward. Some may say season three's “Hope” storyline was the first, but not really it wasn't because we were lead to believe that Hope died as child and had no inkling that she might return as she did in Sacrifice. Anyway what a nail biter it was tuning in each week knowing that “the vision” was getting closer and closer to coming true or being circumvented.

It all starts in seasons four's second episode Adventures in the Sins Trade II. This is when Xena first sees the vision after Alti, allows her to experience it during their battle. In the vision Xena and Gabrielle are crucified by Romans at a location on a snowy peak. From here on out Xena is haunted by threats that the vision will come true. Continuing on, I will focus solely on those episodes which feature clips of the vision.

Xena makes it through a few episodes without the visions plaguing her thoughts. It's not until episode 8, Crusader, that she has another bout with the foreseeable future. Episode character Najara too has experienced the visions because of her spiritual connection with something she calls the “Jinn”.

Xena worries she will tell Gabrielle. Instead Najara offers to keep Gabrielle on as her own companion. Xena wants to leave Gabrielle with Najara to protect her from the vision not realizing Najara is not right in the head herself.

 Immediately following in the next episode, Past Imperfect, Xena sees the vision again as she battles a strange enemy who has led an attack on a village. Xena finally tells Gabrielle about the vision, but Gabrielle will not believe it. Xena tries to get her to stay behind, but Gabrielle of course refuses to let Xena go alone. Gabrielle then forbids Xena to speak of the vision again.

 

A few more episodes go by and then Xena is haunted again in episode 13, Paradise Found.  Xena is becoming more and more tormented and this alleged paradise has an opposite affect on her physically and mentally as she imagines herself driving the nails into Gabrielle. Once again Xena tries to leave Gabrielle with someone she thinks will be good for her, only to find out she's got another lunatic on her hands. I really like the deep spiritual feel this season's episodes have although they turn out to be negative pictures of religious/spiritual nuts like Najara and then Aidan. I do not believe the intent is to portray religion negatively, however. I myself am a Christian and believe the show was an equal religion opportunist when it came to exploring several religious beliefs. I will delve into that topic sometime in the future. For now, back to the vision.

Two episodes later in Between the lines, Gabrielle is shown the vision by Alti herself during another battle, this time with Alti reincarnated. Gabrielle gets a hair chop too, boo hoo! I always preferred it long and when did they start making it blonde? I liked it red like in Girls just wanna have fun! Anyway, I digress. Gabrielle takes seeing the vision with much poise and dignity and still wishes to remain by Xena's side no matter the outcome.

The duo continue on their way having their adventures with a few comedic episodes thrown in to lighten the mood and prepare for the ultimate tear jerker episode 21, The Ides of March. Xena desperately tries to prevent the vision from coming true, and just when it seems she will come out on top, Callisto runs everything! I remember watching this episode and thinking “oh no! They're dead! The shows over! This must be the last season because they weren't getting enough viewers!” I was 15 when this episode aired and I was saddened. Xena couldn't save them! How could she let that happen! I remember thinking it had all come to an end. But, alas they threw in Deja Vu All Over Again! But, still, I didn't know what to think until I saw the promos for season 5.

Okay, that does it for the vision episodes go back and watch those episodes only and experience the thriller all over again! Here they are:

The Vision Episodes

2. Adventures in the Sins Trade II

8. Crusader

9. Past Imperfect

13. Paradise Found

16. Between the Lines

21. Ides Of March

I'll see you next time where I will explore the topic you vote for in the poll at the top of page!