"You're not much for girl talk, are you? Of course, you're not like most girls."

[ealgylden]

I think I mostly agree with this list of the 5 Most Influential SciFi Shows of the '90s. "SciFi" can be an unwieldy label- I often use "cult" myself, but that's far from ideal. Saying "Scifi and Fantasy" might have been better, but... well, it hardly matters. Anyway. I never got into Babylon 5, though I liked some of the characters quite a bit, so I wouldn't recognize that one's influence, but the rest all seem like very solid choices, especially X-Files. It's almost strange to remember just how huge X-Files was in the good years, considering how downhill things eventually went. In its heyday, though, it was one hell of a show, and an impressive phenomenon. But I have to admit, I'm most pleased to see Xena on the list. Not just because I love the show unreservedly, though I do, but because Xena really was a groundbreaking show in a lot of ways, and it doesn't always get the kind of credit it deserves. Yes, I know it could be silly or cheesy at times, what with the budget effects and the idiosyncratic use of history and the abundance of beauties wearing leather. But when everything in an episode or an arc was clicking, Xena was something special. As was Xena herself. I really miss her. (And yes, I will be taping Lucy's movie about the man-eating locusts later this month. Oh, shush.)

Still, I have to wonder about comments like this:

Who can forget "The Bitter Suite," a musical episode/parody from the third season featuring Lucy Lawless' own voice (and nude scenes from both actresses)? Since then, we've seen lots of musical episodes from other TV shows- but none with the lightheartedness and fun of "Xena."

Er... huh? "The Bitter Suite" is lighthearted and fun? It has moments, I guess. Fool!Callisto and Hanged Man!Joxer get some funny bits playing off Xena and Gabrielle, and the beginning of Gabrielle's bit of "War and Peace" is sort of lighthearted (colorful, anyway). But... Xena dragging Gabrielle behind her horse? Trying to throw her off a cliff? Them attacking each other with scythe and sword and Xena actually stabbing Gabrielle through the chest and killing her? Visions of Xena's first crucifixion and Gabrielle's torture by Dahok? All their words of bitterness and betrayal and pain? I'm just not seeing the fun. And "parody"? What's it supposed to be a parody of? It's a wonderful episode, one of my favorites, and I tear up every damn time during "The Love of Your Love" (and when Gabby reaches through the wall of water to grasp Xena's hand... sob!), but not so much with the lightheartedness. Or the nudity, really. It's as doubled as Renee's singing.


I've been meaning to post a little about Season 5, but I've been putting it off because some of the plotlines I want to talk about wrap up in Season 6 (the Eli stuff, mostly), and I've only been nibbling at that so far. Once I watch them all, that's it. No more new Xena DVDs. And it's not like I haven't seen the episodes before, but still, it's different somehow, watching it on DVD. I wonder if the lost Alexander the Great episode is complete enough to ever be released. I got the impression it was from some of the comments in the S5 commentaries, but... maybe someday. A girl can hope.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Hi, passerby here, and I saw that Xena thing too and the only explanation i could think of was they got Bitter Suite confused with the other musical ep...dunno the title but the battle of the bands one where Jayce shows up, Joxer and Jett's gay triplet? That was played for laughs.

[ealgylden.livejournal.com]

"Lyre, Lyre, Hearts on Fire." Yeah, that's the only thing I could think of, too. Because otherwise, that's just weird.

[killabeez.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the happy Xena memories. I do so love that show, and I'm looking forward to eventually getting to watch the rest of my DVDs. And vidding! There must be vidding. Nothing has ever been like Xena, has it? I never was able to explain it to people adequately.

[ealgylden.livejournal.com]

There should definitely be more vidding! My poor little multiple copies of "Salome" are lonely, and afraid they'll be worn out. They need friends! *g* And not friends set to Evanescence or whatever horrors lurk out there in the wide world. ;)

It can be a tough sell, because on the surface it can look so silly, and even the strongest plotlines can sound... unfortunate when summarized (I tried outlining the Dahok/rift arc for someone once. Yikes!). But you're right, there's nothing else like it. It's always nice to see it get some of the recognition it deserves. I miss my show! ::sniff::

[holyschist.livejournal.com]

The Bitter Suite was definitely not happy and lightheated. Nope.

[ealgylden.livejournal.com]

Yeah, not even close. Unless you've escaped from a Russian novel or Dickens or something, and it looks chipper in comparison. I mean, it is colorful. But I doubt that happens often.

[ophidiae.livejournal.com]

Bitter Suite is about as happy and fun as a nail-studded 2x4 to the head. Seriously, that ep makes me bawl like a baby whenever I watch it or listen to the soundtrack. The only thing I can think is that the writer was confusing it with the other musical ep--am blanking on the name, but it's the one with the kick-ass rendition of "Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves" and had Lucy dancing on stage in a go-go dress that left her VERY pregnant belly bare at the end.

Alternately, the writer could very well be on crack.

[ealgylden.livejournal.com]

Ha! You always have such a way with words. *g* Yeah, she had to have been confusing it with "Lyre, Lyre, Hearts on Fire," or else my standards for cheerful television have become severely warped.

That was a kick-ass rendition of "Sisters..." wasn't it? I always forget how much fun stuff is in that episode, since I watch/listen to it so much less than "Bitter Suite." Might be time for a rewatch.

[ide-cyan.livejournal.com]

I think the author of this list is on crack.

"Remember the episodes (...) in which Commander Riker fell in love with an individual whose culture brutally enforced androgyny?"

Don't I ever. It was a piece of bullshit heterosexist propaganda.

[ealgylden.livejournal.com]

Seriously! Talk about wasted opportunities. Sheesh. But then TNG was always more shiny than it was daring (or interesting). Yeah, I can't really fault her choices, but her reasoning is sometimes pretty odd.