Are They or Aren't They?

One considered perspective
on the "subtext" of Xena and Gabrielle

By Jack Shaver

I was aware of speculation about a possible lesbian relationship between Xena and Gabrielle for a long time before I ever gave it any thought. One day my sister, who had never followed the show, mentioned the issue, sounding dubious about the possibility. "Kelly," sez I, "they're awfully fond of each other." Since then, we've discovered that XENA is one of those shows we enjoy watching together and bitching about. I turned her on to Callisto and she got me appreciating Ares. We live half a continent apart, and I tend to only watch episodes featuring guest stars I like when she's not around. Nonetheless, while visiting we've spent many an hour watching reruns on USA and talking. We think differently enough that my insights have benefited greatly.

Kelly has a woman's interest in relationship stories, something that leaves me cold. I know this is precisely what the bulk of XENA's hard-core fans love most about the show. I suspect most people's opinion of the "subtext" reflects pre-existing bias. Me, I don't really care if they're romantically involved, which makes my moderate perspective worth listening to. My opinion will probably please no one, but may provoke thought. Of necessity my argument wanders far afield, so be patient.

We should all ask ourselves if really deep love can't exist in Platonic friendships. Xena and Gabby may have more, but we should ask.

While writing an article about the meaning of XENA, ("Thesis and Antithesis in Xena: Warrior Princess", elsewhere on this site,) I realized the basic reason the two are so fond of each other. I believe XENA is about growing up. Xena used to be bad, and the show is about her struggle to be good. She's frequently credited Gabby for her new-found virtue, though Hercules had influenced her to take that path before Gabby insinuated herself into Xena's life. I think Xena believes she'd have long since reverted without Gabby's influence. (I guess it'd be hard for a [straight or bi] lady to tell Ares no about anything. Not that he'd keep hanging around in person if she gave in.) Xena gave up being bad partly because it turned out to be unrewarding in the long run, but mostly because she was sick of bloodshed. In Gabby, Xena met someone who was everything she'd like to be; innocent, untraumatized by misfortune and betrayal, peaceful, someone who held firm moral beliefs. To a woman finding herself without friends, purpose, or belief, the combination had to seem irresistible. She tried to wave the kid off, but didn't have the heart to stand firm. Xena longs for Gabby's innocence and values.

If you ask me, Gabby's motivation is kinda dumb. I hope no one just stopped reading because I said that; her naivete is one of the things the jaded Xena loves about her. Gabby grew up in a peaceful village, probably one of those kids who "can't wait to leave this hick town." She wanted to be a bard; she craved excitement and adventure. When Xena rode up, it must have been like the girl working in a diner who wants to be a movie star, and sees a slick producer come in. She couldn't follow quick enough to suit her. She's found out since that having adventures often sucks, but only long after the two had bonded; and Xena still makes for good bardic material. Just like Xena, who's found being good is tough but still wants to be good, Gabby craves the excitement anyway.

There's evidence something's going on between them; they are awfully fond of each other. Especially if you want to see it that way and know that being up front about it would hurt ratings. But critical analysis needs to concentrate on the story's internal reality, so I'm just ignoring that last factor. I'm satisfied I've discovered why they're so emotionally involved, but the evidence of their behavior is ambiguous as to a physical involvement. I think you have to examine ALL their interaction, including the mundane stuff, and remember that they don't know we're watching. I recall something like twice they've handled each other in a really suggestive way in all the time they've known each other. And the kiss was in front of Autolycus, a guy they don't trust.

We see them alone constantly, playing twenty questions, fighting over the problems of life on the road, talking about where they're going or the adventure they're currently enmeshed in. They don't even hold hands when they're alone. They bother with separate bedrolls. The bedrolls are the smoking gun; for the sake of argument, I'll buy that we're not shown everything, but not that the characters take steps to deceive an audience they're not aware of.  Maybe something physical is going on off-stage, but I really doubt it.

The men they've gotten involved with don't exactly foster confidence in my doubt though. Xena tends to have her heterosexual flings with repulsive fellows sporting ugly clothes, hair, faces, attitudes, and as much tattoos as skin. Yuck. (One might also wonder at the sexuality of a woman who keeps turning down Ares. I swear I didn't notice how attractive he is until my sister pointed it out. I guess this obligates me to state that I'm very straight, but open minded about other's preferences.) The boys Gabby takes her sport with tend to be as interesting as watching water evaporate. Yawn. Even though both go for guys who sort've exaggerate their own traits, they're both good-looking enough to do better, and one has to wonder.

I do think it's more than friendship between them. They talk way too much about how much they love each other for it to be that simple. Involvement in the deaths of each other's kids and an attempted murder is heavy stuff to work past successfully. My friends, the conclusion is inescapable; they're in love, and either don't realize it or are in denial. That explains why their het flings are so lame; at least subconsciously, their hearts aren't in it. It explains why they don't touch much when they're alone. It explains everything consistently with the story. It doesn't even conflict with a future where they start making out like drunken prom dates every episode - I wouldn't care, except I'm sure it'd be boring to me. My only interest here is to try to make sense of it all; I challenge all of you to think about it.