For this one episode I think I will have to make the subtext section become the main text, because this is an episode that to me constructed a very solid foundation for their future relationship. Up to this point subtext has been plentiful and beautiful, but their relationship was despite that friends, and platonic friends with no real aspirations (and was kept to the background). This however rocked that notion.
Gabrielle's Insecurities
On the surface the episode deals with Gabrielle’s need to prove herself to Xena, and to the world. She’s travelled alongside this impressive warrior for quite some time and she needs to prove her worth. This insecurity is a reoccurring theme with Gabrielle throughout the show, it is also one of the reasons why she can be so incredibly easy to manipulate. In fanfic Gabrielle’s background is often painted as painful and her family relationships as problematic at best, and I understand where that comes from. Gabrielle can be brash, arrogant even, but there is also (and always so) an underlying insecurity. She doesn’t see her own worth, but only how she can be helpful to those around her. Like how she lit up as she was bragging to the villagers about all the things the Titans were going to do, she got personal gratification through others. She makes herself into a tool to be used for the greater good, unlike Xena who fights for and personally controls the greater good. I am now questioning whether or not Gabrielle ever got over that insecurity and got to live life for herself. Considering the events of AFIN where she made the ultimate sacrifice in order to protect Xena’s legacy, I am now feeling horribly depressed on Gabrielle’s behalf.
Now I’ve strayed so lets move on from the maudlin stuff. Gabrielle’s curiosity once again lands her in trouble as she jumps right into a Titan-awakening ceremony and ends up playing the lead by successfully rousing the Titans from their stony sleep. At first the three Titans go about do Gabrielle’s bidding thinking her a deity, but soon the truth comes out and Gabrielle’s good intentions are once again turned into big trouble.
The Looks
This is an episode all about the looks. There is one thing to be jealous of your friend’s other halves and the time and attention they receive that once used to be yours. It’s something else entirely to show jealousy in regards to someone taking your “friend’s” virginity. Sure one could always argue that Xena was simply looking out for her younger and inexperienced friend, but Xena also makes it clear she does not see Gabrielle as a child. That would mean she sees the younger woman as just that, a woman and thus in charge of her own body. Sure Xena has appointed herself Gabrielle’s protector, but does she really believe sex with a gentle young man who adores Gabrielle would be something the younger woman needed protecting from? It is possible, but to me the jealousy is far more plausible. Xena feels the need to protect Gabrielle not out of rational sensibility, but because of that emotional storm that can’t be quite explained at this point. Though one should not necessarily completely write off Xena as oblivious. Her line to Gabrielle when discussing the possible danger of controlling the Titans is especially telling; “Do you realise the power you hold?”. A warning, but also a truth concerning Gabrielle’s effect on the Warrior Princess.
On the actual looks, it’s the type of looks that create a tension so thick it can be cut with a knife. I still remember this episode from when I was a kid and how I simply could not understand Xena and Gabrielle’s relationship. Every time they looked at each other I felt like I had missed something, like they had just shared a private joke that I had no possibility of comprehending. As an adult however, I still see their private conversation, but life has also taught me to decipher a lot of it. Obviously someone else’s life might have taught them something different, but I can’t help seeing the twinkle of a raging jealousy and a suppressed love desperately wanting to burst forth. To quote Crius (one of the Titans), “Was that a friendly look you just gave her?”.
The Subtle Text
In addition to the jealousy above we also have some random touching that is basic subtext, but instead of delving deeper into that (I’ve spent too much time on the subtext already) I want to mention one scene that to me stands out. Xena is ambushed and hauled off to be sacrificed to the Titans and Gabrielle and Crush-Boy get captured. Once Xena returns the two are removed out of their bounds and Crush-Boy takes deliberate pains rubbing Gabrielle’s hands. Over his head some more of that private and silent communication goes on and Xena can best be described as gently scowling while Gabrielle looks uncomfortable and apologetic, as if his touch was not her idea. The scene actually plays a lot more like they already were a couple and not just friends or even potential lovers. Very interesting, very nice.
And as if there wasn’t enough subtext in the actual interactions between Xena and Gabrielle we also have the tragic love triangle taking place between the three Titans. The Titans in this case not only representing a race of giant humans, but also reads like the blown up version of the same story that is told between X/G and this week’s loverboy.
Conclusion
I can understand why this episode seldom makes any lists, and unless you subscribe to the subtext theory it is quite possibly the episode feels a little strange and off. However what to one person can be seen as off-ness is to me the expansion of Xena and Gabrielle’s relationship. A relationship that begins to dip outside of the expected boundaries of friendship.
I recently had a discussion with a fellow subber who revealed she has a hard time picturing anything but friendship during the first season, I thought I agreed with her up until I watched this. Now I can picture the roots of a relationship containing both attraction and sexual desire. The tension between Xena and Gabrielle was a little too intense for me to be able to accept it as a purely platonical friendship.
And on a more general note we get a good look at Gabrielle’s insecurities and her need to prove herself to Xena, while her curiosity put both them and humanity in danger. TPTB also takes a very modern approach to virginity and attributes Gabrielle’s with the same approach to it as a cautious contemporary teenager.
All in all this was pretty much a standard episode. I enjoy those.
Randomness & Memorable
- “You were almost my first”
- The Priest abandoning the children while running away screaming.
- Xena actually being ambushed by a bunch of villagers.
- Xena to Gabrielle, “I could never hate you”.
Next Up:
I, Robot...You, Jane (BtVS)
I, Robot...You, Jane (BtVS)
