Xena: Warrior Princess is a hit tv-series about two women travelling in ancient Greece while defending innocents against evil warlords. The show lasted for six years, having 134 episodes in six seasons. The first episode, Sins of the Past, was broadcasted in autumn 1995.

Xena was introduced to tv viewers already before she got her own series. In January 1995, another Greek mythology -based tv-series was started, that is, Hercules: the Legendary Journeys. Xena appeared in three episodes, which were later unofficially named as "Xena Trilogy", these episodes were "The Warrior Princess", "The Gauntlet" and "Unchained Heart". Back then, Xena surely wasn't a good girl, instead her only mission was to destroy Hercules. Easy to guess, this didn't happen. It was Hercules who managed to pull Xena away from her bloody way and to convince her that she could do much more good than what was she doing then. Of course the co-operation between two heroes usually turns into a romance. Hercules and Xena were not an exception. They too shared a short romance, but in the end Xena decided to move on, independently, and left Hercules and his friend Iolaus.

This is the start of Xena: Warrior Princess the series. Xena is on her way home Amphipolis when she reaches the town of Poteidia where a warlord named Draco has attacked. In the forest, a little outside of the town, Xena saves a group of captured women by using her strength and fighting skills, and her special weapon, round sharp-edged chakram.

One of the women she saved is Gabrielle, who wants to join Xena and to become a warrior like her. Gabrielle have a fiance called Perdicas, but she refused to marry him and claims that she doesn't belong in Poteidia. Xena doesn't show any interest to take Gabrielle with her, and she continues her journey to Amphipolis, alone.

Xena finally reaches her hometown, but has no idea that Gabrielle has followed her after all. Soon Xena realizes that no one in the town doesn't trust her anymore, not even her own mother. This becomes clear at the point, when the villagers start to stone Xena, attempting to kill her. To Xena's surprise, it's Gabrielle who saves her life telling the villagers that Xena really is changed and manages to get Xena away. This softens Xena's feelings towards Gabrielle, and their journey together is ready to start.

Xena: Warrior Princess is tv fantasy and girl power in its best format. Greek mythology plays a big part in the series, this can be seen through many ancient Greek gods which appear often in the show. Especially Ares, the god of war, visits the show every now and then, because he claims to "own" (the old) Xena and wants her back.

Along with Greek mythology, the series contains episodes about other known events, such as David and Goliath. Also, the timeline is quite jumpy, Xena's adventures can be timed between 2000 B.C. and 2000 A.C. The episodes don't always take place at Greece, but Xena and Gabrielle also get to know Egypt, northern Africa, India, Great-Britain, Siberia, Scandinavia, China and even Japan, not forgetting Rome and Julius Caesar. They meet many enemies, but where there are enemies, there are always friends too.

During the first season, Gabrielle becomes an amazon princess, which requires her to learn to fight. This enables her wish: to become a warrior like Xena. Of course practice is needed, but later on, Gabrielle is fighting with Xena's side, almost as good as the warrior princess.

Six years is a long time for a series, and in Xena: Warrior Princess, there is no lack of events. Events including having babies, dying (more than once!), angels and demons, lookalike daughters, sacrifices, musicals and so much more. For people enjoying fantasy, Xena: Warrior Princess, is a must see!


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