Xena: Warrior Princess is an American television series that was created by Robert Tapert and John Schulian. Xena is a historical fantasy set primarily in ancient Greece, although it has a flexible time setting and occasionally features Oriental,[1] Egyptian[2] and Medieval[3] elements. The flexible fantasy framework of the show accommodates a considerable range of theatrical styles, from high melodrama to slapstick comedy, from whimsical and musical[4] to all-out action and adventure. While the show is typically set in ancient times, its themes are essentially modern and it investigates the ideas of taking responsibility for past misdeeds, the value of human life, personal liberty and sacrifice, and friendship. The show often addresses ethical dilemmas, such as the morality of pacifism; however, the storylines rarely seek to provide unequivocal solutions.
The character of Xena debuted on March 13, 1995, on the TV series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. Three episodes featuring Xena, collectively called The Xena Trilogy, initially aired as part of the first season of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.[5] Xena's own series began on September 4, 1995.[6] The series ran for six seasons and 134 episodes until its final episode aired on May 21, 2001. The series won an Emmy Award in 2001, and was ranked in #10 in TV Guide's Top 25 Cult TV Shows of All Time.[7]
Series overview
| Season | Episodes | Originally aired | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First aired | Last aired | |||
| Intro | 3 | March 13, 1995 | May 8, 1995 | |
| 1 | 24 | September 4, 1995 | July 29, 1996 | |
| 2 | 22 | October 12, 1996 | May 10, 1997 | |
| 3 | 22 | September 27, 1997 | May 16, 1998 | |
| 4 | 22 | October 3, 1998 | May 22, 1999 | |
| 5 | 22 | October 2, 1999 | May 20, 2000 | |
| 6 | 22 | October 7, 2000 | June 23, 2001 | |
Episodes
Introductory episodes (1995)
The program and its namesake character are introduced during the first season of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. The Hercules: The Legendary Journeys episodes, "The Warrior Princess", "The Gauntlet" and "Unchained Heart", served as pilot episodes for the show.
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 9 | "The Warrior Princess" | Bruce Seth Green | John Schulian | March 13, 1995 | 76608 |
| Iolaus is seduced by the cunning and cruel Xena, Warrior Princess, who aims to use him to destroy Hercules, leaving her free to take over the world… | ||||||
| 12 | 12 | "The Gauntlet" | Jack Perez | Peter Bielak | May 1, 1995 | 76612 |
| Xena is betrayed by her lieutenant, Darphus, and forced to walk "the gauntlet". Determined to get her revenge, she forms an alliance with Hercules, who tries to make her see that there is more to life than vengeance and evil. | ||||||
| 13 | 13 | "Unchained Heart" | Bruce Seth Green | John Schulian | May 8, 1995 | 76613 |
| Hercules, Salmoneus and Iolaus team up to fight Darphus, who has risen from the grave and plans to feed Hercules to Ares' dog of war Graegus. In the end, Ares loses his most valuable pawn as Xena turns her back on evil once and for all. | ||||||
Season 1 (1995–96)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Sins of the Past" | Doug Lefler | Story by : Robert Tapert Teleplay by : R.J. Stewart | September 4, 1995 |
| 2 | 2 | "Chariots of War" | Harley Cokeliss | Story by : Josh Becker & Jack Perez Teleplay by : Adam Armus & Nora Kay Foster | September 11, 1995 |
| 3 | 3 | "Dreamworker" | Bruce Seth Green | Steven L. Sears | September 18, 1995 |
| 4 | 4 | "Cradle of Hope" | Michael Levine | Terence Winter | September 25, 1995 |
| 5 | 5 | "The Path Not Taken" | Stephen L. Posey | Julie Sherman | October 2, 1995 |
| 6 | 6 | "The Reckoning" | Charles Siebert | Peter Allan Fields | October 16, 1995 |
| 7 | 7 | "The Titans" | Eric Brevig | R.J. Stewart | October 30, 1995 |
| 8 | 8 | "Prometheus" | Stephen L. Posey | R.J. Stewart | November 6, 1995 |
| 9 | 9 | "Death in Chains" | Charles Siebert | Story by : Babs Greyhosky & Adam Armus & Nora Kay Foster Teleplay by : Adam Armus & Nora Kay Foster | November 13, 1995 |
| 10 | 10 | "Hooves & Harlots" | Jace Alexander | Steven L. Sears | November 20, 1995 |
| 11 | 11 | "The Black Wolf" | Mario Di Leo | Alan Jay Glueckman | January 8, 1996 |
| 12 | 12 | "Beware Greeks Bearing Gifts" | T.J. Scott | Story by : Roy Thomas & Janis Hendler Teleplay by : Adam Armus & Nora Kay Foster | January 15, 1996 |
| 13 | 13 | "Athens City Academy of the Performing Bards" | Jace Alexander | R.J. Stewart & Steven L. Sears | January 22, 1996 |
| 14 | 14 | "A Fistful of Dinars" | Josh Becker | Steven L. Sears & R.J. Stewart | January 29, 1996 |
| 15 | 15 | "Warrior... Princess" | Michael Levine | Brenda Lilly | February 5, 1996 |
| 16 | 16 | "Mortal Beloved" | Garth Maxwell | R.J. Stewart | February 12, 1996 |
| 17 | 17 | "The Royal Couple of Thieves" | John Cameron | Steven L. Sears | February 19, 1996 |
| 18 | 18 | "The Prodigal" | John T. Kretchmer | Chris Manheim | March 4, 1996 |
| 19 | 19 | "Altared States" | Michael Levine | Chris Manheim | April 22, 1996 |
| 20 | 20 | "Ties That Bind" | Charles Siebert | Adam Armus & Nora Kay Foster | April 29, 1996 |
| 21 | 21 | "The Greater Good" | Gary Jones | Steven L. Sears | May 6, 1996 |
| 22 | 22 | "Callisto" | T.J. Scott | R.J. Stewart | May 13, 1996 |
| 23 | 23 | "Death Mask" | Stewart Main | Peter Allan Fields | June 3, 1996 |
| 24 | 24 | "Is There a Doctor in the House?" | T.J. Scott | Patricia Manney | July 29, 1996 |
Season 2 (1996–97)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 1 | "Orphan of War" | Charles Siebert | Steven L. Sears | October 12, 1996 | V0206 |
| 26 | 2 | "Remember Nothing" | Anson Williams | Story by : Steven L. Sears & Chris Manheim Teleplay by : Steven L. Sears | October 19, 1996 | V0201 |
| 27 | 3 | "The Giant Killer" | Gary Jones | Terence Winter | October 26, 1996 | V0204 |
| 28 | 4 | "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" | T.J. Scott | Nora Kay Foster & Adam Armus | November 2, 1996 | V0202 |
| 29 | 5 | "Return of Callisto" | T.J. Scott | R. J. Stewart | November 9, 1996 | V0210 |
| 30 | 6 | "Warrior... Princess... Tramp" | Josh Becker | R. J. Stewart | November 16, 1996 | V0205 |
| 31 | 7 | "Intimate Stranger" | Gary Jones | Steven L. Sears | November 23, 1996 | V0211 |
| 32 | 8 | "Ten Little Warlords" | Charles Siebert | Paul Robert Coyle | November 30, 1996 | V0215 |
| 33 | 9 | "A Solstice Carol" | John T. Kretchmer | Chris Manheim | December 21, 1996 | V0209 |
| 34 | 10 | "The Xena Scrolls" | Charlie Haskell | Story by : Robert Sidney Mellette Teleplay by : Nora Kay Foster & Adam Armus | January 25, 1997 | V0208 |
| 35 | 11 | "Here She Comes... Miss Amphipolis" | Marina Sargenti | Chris Manheim | February 1, 1997 | V0212 |
| 36 | 12 | "Destiny" | Robert Tapert | Story by : Robert Tapert Teleplay by : R.J. Stewart & Steven L. Sears | February 8, 1997 | V0207 |
| 37 | 13 | "The Quest" | Michael Levine | Story by : Steven L. Sears & R.J. Stewart & Chris Manheim Teleplay by : Steven L. Sears | February 15, 1997 | V0221 |
| 38 | 14 | "A Necessary Evil" | Mark Beesley | Paul Robert Coyle | February 22, 1997 | V0219 |
| 39 | 15 | "A Day in the Life" | Michael Hurst | R.J. Stewart | March 1, 1997 | V0223 |
| 40 | 16 | "For Him the Bell Tolls" | Josh Becker | Adam Armus & Nora Kay Foster | March 8, 1997 | V0220 |
| 41 | 17 | "The Execution" | Garth Maxwell | Paul Robert Coyle | April 5, 1997 | V0218 |
| 42 | 18 | "Blind Faith" | Josh Becker | Nora Kay Foster & Adam Armus | April 12, 1997 | V0214 |
| 43 | 19 | "Ulysses" | Michael Levine | R.J. Stewart | April 19, 1997 | V0213 |
| 44 | 20 | "The Price" | Oley Sassone | Steven L. Sears | April 26, 1997 | V0217 |
| 45 | 21 | "Lost Mariner" | Garth Maxwell | Steven L. Sears | May 3, 1997 | V0226 |
| 46 | 22 | "A Comedy of Eros" | Charles Siebert | Chris Manheim | May 10, 1997 | V0225 |
Season 3 (1997–98)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | 1 | "The Furies" | Gilbert Shilton | R.J. Stewart | September 27, 1997 | V0224 |
| 48 | 2 | "Been There, Done That" | Andrew Merrifield | Hilary J. Bader | October 4, 1997 | V0227 |
| 49 | 3 | "The Dirty Half Dozen" | Rick Jacobson | Steven L. Sears | October 11, 1997 | V0411 |
| 50 | 4 | "The Deliverer" | Oley Sassone | Steven L. Sears | October 18, 1997 | V0401 |
| 51 | 5 | "Gabrielle's Hope" | Andrew Merrifield & Charles Siebert | R.J. Stewart | October 25, 1997 | V0402 |
| 52 | 6 | "The Debt: Part 1" | Oley Sassone | Story by : Robert Tapert & R.J. Stewart Teleplay by : R.J. Stewart | November 1, 1997 | V0406 |
| 53 | 7 | "The Debt: Part 2" | Oley Sassone | Story by : Robert Tapert & R.J. Stewart Teleplay by : R.J. Stewart | November 8, 1997 | V0407 |
| 54 | 8 | "The King of Assassins" | Bruce Campbell | Adam Armus & Nora Kay Foster | November 15, 1997 | V0410 |
| 55 | 9 | "Warrior...Priestess...Tramp" | Robert Ginty | Adam Armus & Nora Kay Foster | January 17, 1998 | V0404 |
| 56 | 10 | "The Quill is Mightier" | Andrew Merrifield | Hilary J. Bader | January 24, 1998 | V0408 |
| 57 | 11 | "Maternal Instincts" | Mark Beesley | Chris Manheim | January 31, 1998 | V0405 |
| 58 | 12 | "The Bitter Suite" | Oley Sassone | Steven L. Sears & Chris Manheim | February 7, 1998 | V0409 |
| 59 | 13 | "One Against an Army" | Paul Lynch | Gene O'Neill & Noreen Tobin | February 14, 1998 | V0413 |
| 60 | 14 | "Forgiven" | Garth Maxwell | R.J. Stewart | February 21, 1998 | V0415 |
| 61 | 15 | "King Con" | Janet Greek | Chris Manheim | February 28, 1998 | V0403 |
| 62 | 16 | "When in Rome..." | John Laing | Steven L. Sears | March 7, 1998 | V0416 |
| 63 | 17 | "Forget Me Not" | Charlie Haskell | Hilary J. Bader | March 14, 1998 | V0417 |
| 64 | 18 | "Fins, Femmes and Gems" | Josh Becker | Story by : Robert Tapert and Adam Armus & Nora Kay Foster Teleplay by : Adam Armus & Nora Kay Foster | April 11, 1998 | V0418 |
| 65 | 19 | "Tsunami" | John Laing | Chris Manheim | April 18, 1998 | V0414 |
| 66 | 20 | "Vanishing Act" | Andrew Merrifield | Terry Winter | April 25, 1998 | V0421 |
| 67 | 21 | "Sacrifice: Part 1" | David Warry-Smith | Steven L. Sears | May 9, 1998 | V0420 |
| 68 | 22 | "Sacrifice: Part 2" | Rick Jacobson | Paul Robert Coyle | May 16, 1998 | V0419 |
Season 4 (1998–99)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 69 | 1 | "Adventures in the Sin Trade: Part 1" | T.J. Scott | Story by : R.J. Stewart & Robert Tapert Teleplay by : R.J. Stewart | October 3, 1998 |
| 70 | 2 | "Adventures in the Sin Trade: Part 2" | T. J. Scott | Story by : R.J. Stewart & Robert Tapert Teleplay by : R.J. Stewart | October 10, 1998 |
| 71 | 3 | "A Family Affair" | Doug Lefler | Story by : Liz Friedman & Chris Manheim Teleplay by : Chris Manheim | October 17, 1998 |
| 72 | 4 | "In Sickness and in Hell" | Josh Becker | Adam Armus & Nora Kay Foster | October 24, 1998 |
| 73 | 5 | "A Good Day" | Rick Jacobson | Steven L. Sears | October 31, 1998 |
| 74 | 6 | "A Tale of Two Muses" | Michael Hurst | Gillian Horvath | November 7, 1998 |
| 75 | 7 | "Locked up and Tied Down" | Rick Jacobson | Story by : Robert Tapert & Josh Becker Teleplay by : Hilary Bader | November 14, 1998 |
| 76 | 8 | "Crusader" | Paul Lynch | R.J. Stewart | November 21, 1998 |
| 77 | 9 | "Past Imperfect" | Garth Maxwell | Steven L. Sears | January 9, 1999 |
| 78 | 10 | "The Key to the Kingdom" | Bruce Campbell | Eric A. Morris | January 16, 1999 |
| 79 | 11 | "Daughter of Pomira" | Patrick Norris | Linda McGibney | January 23, 1999 |
| 80 | 12 | "If the Shoe Fits..." | Josh Becker | Adam Armus & Nora Kay Foster | January 30, 1999 |
| 81 | 13 | "Paradise Found" | Robert Tapert | Chris Manheim | February 6, 1999 |
| 82 | 14 | "Devi" | Garth Maxwell | Chris Manheim | February 13, 1999 |
| 83 | 15 | "Between the Lines" | Rick Jacobson | Steven L. Sears | February 20, 1999 |
| 84 | 16 | "The Way" | John Fawcett | R.J. Stewart | February 27, 1999 |
| 85 | 17 | "The Play's the Thing" | Christopher Graves | Ashley Gable & Thomas A. Swyden | March 20, 1999 |
| 86 | 18 | "The Convert" | Andrew Merrifield | Chris Manheim | April 24, 1999 |
| 87 | 19 | "Takes One to Know One" | Christopher Graves | Jeff Vlaming | May 1, 1999 |
| 88 | 20 | "Endgame" | Garth Maxwell | Steven L. Sears | May 8, 1999 |
| 89 | 21 | "The Ides of March" | Ken Girotti | R.J. Stewart | May 15, 1999 |
| 90 | 22 | "Déjà Vu All over Again" | Renee O'Connor | R.J. Stewart | May 22, 1999 |
Season 5 (1999–2000)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 91 | 1 | "Fallen Angel" | John Fawcett | Story by : Robert Tapert & R.J. Stewart Teleplay by : R.J. Stewart | October 2, 1999 | V0903 |
| 92 | 2 | "Chakram" | Doug Lefler | Chris Manheim | October 9, 1999 | V0901 |
| 93 | 3 | "Succession" | Rick Jacobson | Steven L. Sears | October 16, 1999 | V0902 |
| 94 | 4 | "Animal Attraction" | Rick Jacobson | Chris Manheim | October 23, 1999 | V0905 |
| 95 | 5 | "Them Bones, Them Bones" | John Fawcett | Buddy Williers (aka Steven L. Sears) | November 6, 1999 | V0908 |
| 96 | 6 | "Purity" | Mark Beesley | Jeff Vlaming | November 13, 1999 | V0907 |
| 97 | 7 | "Back in the Bottle" | Rick Jacobson | Story by : Robert Tapert & Steven L. Sears Teleplay by : Steven L. Sears | November 20, 1999 | V0909 |
| 98 | 8 | "Little Problems" | Allison Liddi | Gregg Ostrin | November 27, 1999 | V0913 |
| 99 | 9 | "Seeds of Faith" | Garth Maxwell | George Strayton & Tom O'Neill | January 15, 2000 | V0912 |
| 100 | 10 | "Lyre, Lyre, Hearts on Fire" | Mark Beesley | Adam Armus & Nora Kay Foster | January 22, 2000 | V0911 |
| 101 | 11 | "Punch Lines" | Andrew Merrifield | Chris Manheim | January 29, 2000 | V0910 |
| 102 | 12 | "God Fearing Child" | Phil Sgriccia | Story by : Chris Manheim Teleplay by : Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman | February 5, 2000 | V0915 |
| 103 | 13 | "Eternal Bonds" | Mark Beesley | Chris Manheim | February 12, 2000 | V0916 |
| 104 | 14 | "Amphipolis Under Siege" | Mark Beesley | Chris Black | February 19, 2000 | V0919 |
| 105 | 15 | "Married with Fishsticks" | Paul Grinder | Kevin Maynard | February 26, 2000 | V0914 |
| 106 | 16 | "Lifeblood" | Michael Hurst | Story by : Rob Tapert & R.J. Stewart Teleplay by : R.J. Stewart and George Strayton & Tom O'Neill | March 18, 2000 | V0924 |
| 107 | 17 | "Kindred Spirits" | Josh Becker | George Strayton & Tom O'Neill | March 25, 2000 | V0918 |
| 108 | 18 | "Antony and Cleopatra" | Michael Hurst | Carl Ellsworth | April 22, 2000 | V0904 |
| 109 | 19 | "Looking Death in the Eye" | Garth Maxwell | Carl Ellsworth | April 29, 2000 | V0920 |
| 110 | 20 | "Livia" | Rick Jacobson | Chris Manheim | May 6, 2000 | V0921 |
| 111 | 21 | "Eve" | Mark Beesley | George Strayton & Tom O'Neill | May 13, 2000 | V0922 |
| 112 | 22 | "Motherhood" | Rick Jacobson | Story by : Robert Tapert Teleplay by : R.J. Stewart | May 20, 2000 | V0923 |
Season 6 (2000–01)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 113 | 1 | "Coming Home" | Mark Beesley | Melissa Good | October 7, 2000 | V1411 |
| 114 | 2 | "The Haunting of Amphipolis" | Garth Maxwell | Story by : Edithe Swensen & Joel Metzger Teleplay by : Joel Metzger | October 14, 2000 | V1401 |
| 115 | 3 | "Heart of Darkness" | Mark Beesley | Emily Skopov | October 21, 2000 | V1402 |
| 116 | 4 | "Who's Gurkhan?" | Michael Hurst | Story by : Robert Tapert Teleplay by : R.J. Stewart | October 28, 2000 | V1404 |
| 117 | 5 | "Legacy" | Chris Martin-Jones | Melissa Good | November 4, 2000 | V1405 |
| 118 | 6 | "The Abyss" | Rick Jacobson | James Kahn | November 11, 2000 | V1406 |
| 119 | 7 | "The Rheingold" | John Fawcett | R.J. Stewart | November 18, 2000 | V1408 |
| 120 | 8 | "The Ring" | Rick Jacobson | Joel Metzger | November 25, 2000 | V1409 |
| 121 | 9 | "Return of the Valkyrie" | John Fawcett | Emily Skopov | December 2, 2000 | V1410 |
| 122 | 10 | "Old Ares Had a Farm" | Charles Siebert | R.J. Stewart | January 20, 2001 | V1414 |
| 123 | 11 | "Dangerous Prey" | Renee O'Connor | Joel Metzger | January 27, 2001 | TBA |
| 124 | 12 | "The God You Know" | Garth Maxwell | Emily Skopov | February 3, 2001 | TBA |
| 125 | 13 | "You Are There" | John Laing | Chris Black | February 10, 2001 | TBA |
| 126 | 14 | "Path of Vengeance" | Chris Martin-Jones | Joel Metzger | February 17, 2001 | TBA |
| 127 | 15 | "To Helicon and Back" | Michael Hurst | Liz Friedman & Vanessa Place | February 24, 2001 | V1419 |
| 128 | 16 | "Send in the Clones" | Charlie Haskel | Paul Robert Coyle | April 28, 2001 | |
| 129 | 17 | "The Last of the Centaurs" | Garth Maxwell | Joel Metzger | May 5, 2001 | |
| 130 | 18 | "When Fates Collide" | John Fawcett | Katherine Fugate | May 12, 2001 | |
| 131 | 19 | "Many Happy Returns" | Mark Beesley | Liz Friedman & Vanessa Place | May 19, 2001 | V1426 |
| 132 | 20 | "Soul Possession" | Josh Becker | Melissa Blake | June 9, 2001 | |
| 133 | 21 | "A Friend in Need: Part 1" | Robert Tapert | Robert Tapert, R. J. Stewart | June 16, 2001 | |
| 134 | 22 | "A Friend in Need: Part 2" | Robert Tapert | Robert Tapert, R. J. Stewart | June 23, 2001 |
Home media release
| Season | Episodes | DVD release date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region 1 | Region 2 | Region 4 | ||||
| 1 | 24 | April 23, 2003 April 20, 2010 (re-release) |
June 6, 2005 | June 23, 2005 (NZ) October 12, 2005 (Aus) | ||
| 2 | 22 | September 2, 2003 March 29, 2011 (re-release) |
August 1, 2005 | August 24, 2005 (NZ) October 12, 2005 (Aus) | ||
| 3 | 22 | February 10, 2004 March 12, 2012 (re-release) |
October 3, 2005 | September 22, 2005 (NZ) December 10, 2005 (Aus) | ||
| 4 | 22 | June 15, 2004 March 12, 2013 (re-release) |
November 21, 2005 | November 17, 2005 (NZ) December 10, 2005 (Aus) | ||
| 5 | 22 | October 19, 2004 July 22, 2014 (re-release) |
— | December 10, 2005 (Aus) | ||
| 6 | 22 | March 8, 2005 May 17, 2016 (re-release) |
April 3, 2006 | December 10, 2005 (Aus) | ||
References
- ^ "Purity". Xena: Warrior Princess. 1999-11-08.
- ^ "Antony and Cleopatra". Xena: Warrior Princess. 2000-04-24.
- ^ "When in Rome...". Xena: Warrior Princess. 1998-03-02.
- ^ "The Bitter Suite". Xena: Warrior Princess. 1998-02-02.
- ^ "Xena Full Summary". Starpulse.Com. Archived from the original on 2009-01-24. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
- ^ "Xena: Warrior Princess (a titles and air dates guide)". Epguides.com. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
- ^ "TV Guide Names the Top Cult Shows Ever". TvGuide.com. Archived from the original on 2008-07-01. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
External links
| TV movies | |
|---|---|
| TV series | |
| Direct-to-video film | |
| Video games | |
| Characters | |
| Xena seasons | |
| Related articles | |
This page was last edited on 9 October 2023, at 10:14