"Very few shows highlight a significant relationship between two women characters
. Xena and Gabrielle talk to
each other, interact, work together to solve problems, respect each other
, and only rarely ditch the other to
pursue a man. True, this borders on fantasy but also taps into a deep
longing of many viewers to have a significant
relationship with another human being based not upon power, social
convenience, or fear. It is a strong social
cliche for women to abandon female friendships after finding a romantic
relationship with a man. In fact, not only
being a great subject for art and drama, this action is culturally
supported and encouraged.
"From this standpoint, is it any wonder that so many people are attracted
to the aspect of XWP which illustrates
that two women can find satisfying emotional and intellectual companionship
with each other without the apoxy
glue of a man? This could be why some fans react so strongly and negatively
to the Bonanza-wife type
relationships the characters find themselves in periodically and might
even in part explain the perceived intrusion
of Joxer."
-- Kym Masera Taborn
Whoosh! magazine #13
