The Xena E-Xine - March 26, 2001
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THE XENA E-XINE - Ephiny Issue
Volume 2, Issue 3, 2001
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Today's issue includes:
1. Feature Article -- "Sister Amazon"
2. Xena quote/Xena Joke
3. Feature FanFic and Short Review -- "Intermezzo", "Troika", "After the Game's End", "Blood Sisters"
4. Xena News -- "Pwaise Ephiny, Pwaise Ephiny!", Danielle's new movie, "The Price of Milk" and play, "The Blue Room"; Lunacy Announcement; ROC Pregnant!
5. Featured links -- The Ephiny Page, Cryssi's Ephiny Page
6. Xena: Warrior Princess Episode Guide -- "Remember Nothing", "Giant Killer"
7. Xena Poem
8. Feedback
9. PRIVACY/NO SPAM POLICY
10. Subscribe/Unsubscribe Information
11. Credits
12. Archives
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This issue is dedicated to Ephiny, the Amazon who lives on in our hearts.
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Shameless Advertising
CDs
For great Rock `N Roll music, produced by a fellow Xenite, check out Mary Paulson´s "Just Because"
http://www.swiftsite.com/marypaulson/index.htm
Original TV Soundtrack "Xena: Warrior Princess - Lyre, Lyre..."
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004T9VK/thexenaexine
Video Games
Xena: Warrior Princess for the Sony PlayStation, by Universal Interactive Studios
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00002R28Q/thexenaexine
Books
Life Lessons from Xena, Warrior Princess : A Guide to Happiness, Success, and Body Armor
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0836267672/thexenaexine
Lucy Lawless & Renee O'Connor: Warrior Stars Of Xena
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/155022347X/thexenaexine
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1) Featured Article
"Sister Amazon"
by Sue Winter
3/18/01
It's not at all hard for me to admit that I'm a huge Ephiny fan. I've always been intrigued by Amazons and everything they've stood for, so when Ephiny made her first compelling Xena appearance in the first season's "Hooves and Harlots" I sat up and took special notice of the feisty warrior. Here was a unique character who didn't back down from Xena, who was jealous of - and more than a little annoyed with -Gabrielle, who was immature yet always true to her Amazon heritage above all else. In the end her proud and righteous but ultimately fair and decent nature led her to grudgingly respect and befriend Xena, and especially Gabrielle. Here was a three dimensional character, wonderfully played by the talented Danielle Cormack, and a perfect complement to Xena and Gab. In my opinion Ephiny would have been a much preferred "side kick" for our heroines than the silly and buffoonish Joxer. But with her ferocity, intelligence, independence and regal manner Ephiny could never have been anyone's tag along.
In the second and third Xena seasons we saw Ephiny mellow with motherhood and not only befriend Gabrielle, but become her loyal ally and staunch champion as well. She became a sisterly figure, giving Gab advice and council and wanted desperately for Gabrielle to come and live with, and be Queen of, the Amazons. This last wish wasn't only for the good of the Amazon Nation, but to protect Gabrielle as well. To protect her not only from the dangers she faced in her everyday life with Xena - but also to protect her from Xena as well. While Ephiny respected and admired Xena, she was also aware of Xena's dark side and it's possible negative effect on Gabrielle's well being. Ultimately, she was willing to stand up to Xena's rage, as no other character would do, to defend Gabrielle's welfare, and in the episode "The Bitter Suite" paid for it with a broken arm while trying to stand between Xena and the target of Xena's dark revenge - Gabrielle.
Then we come to Xena's fourth season and what I consider one of the series great injustices. Ephiny, one of Xena's most beloved characters' was unceremoniously killed in "The End Game". I was lucky enough to see Danielle Cormack at a Chicago convention, and while she admitted to wanting to move on from Xena and pursue other characters, she was just as shocked and surprised as the rest of us that Ephiny was dead. Not only was Ephiny dead, but her death was used as a simple plot devise for the episode. There was no long range plan to use Ephiny's death as a catalyst for future direction in the series. Her death was simply a means for TPTB to devise a way to get Xena and Gabrielle to come and help the Amazons fight the Romans. While Ephiny was mourned, briefly, in "The End Game" - she has never been mentioned again in the series. Ever. Ephiny's death was bad enough, but the cavalier treatment this much loved character received at her end has added insult to injury. There is some good news on the horizon for Ephiny fans though. Danielle Cormack has agreed to come back and do one last Xena episode, "The Last Centaur", before the end of the series. Whether she's coming back as Ephiny, or Ephiny's grand daughter 25 years in the future, isn't known. But whichever character Danielle plays, it's nice to know Ephiny at long last will have some closure. She's been sorely missed.
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2) Xena Quote/Xena Joke
Xena Quote
From "A Necessary Evil" before Velasca showed up and all hell broke loose:
Gabrielle: (handing the ceremonial Amazon Queen headdress to Ephiny) "This belongs to you. Melosa would want you to have it."
Ephiny: (smiling) "I'll take it on one condition, I'll only hold it while you're gone. By Amazon law you're Queen."
Gabrielle: (face lighting up) "Queen Gabrielle! Hmmm..." (turns and leans towards Xena) "Does an Amazon Queen beat a Warrior Princess?"
Xena: (chuckling) "Do you really want to find out?"
Gabrielle: (pretends to think it over, grins and turns back towards Ephiny) "Alright. Don't expect me to show up at any parades or anything."
Ephiny: (feigning seriousness) "Amazon's don't have parades."
Gabrielle: (perplexed) "That was a joke."
Ephiny: (raising her eyebrows indulgently, drawls) "I know."
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3) Featured Fan Fiction
Bacchae's FanFic Review
"Intermezzo" by Sharon Bowers
http://ausxip.com/fanfiction/i/intermezzo.html
A haunting short story about our other favorite amazon's undeniable attraction to the Warrior Princess. We caught Ephiny looking way back at the time of her introduction to the series in "Hooves and Harlots," though most of the other bards tend to make her more interested in Gabrielle. Here she is a rather lonely woman feeling some jealousy toward the bard for her very secure (and envied) place at Xena's side and some nostalgia for a previous encounter with the warrior that Xena seems not to remember.
I give "Intermezzo" **** (four stars).
TROIKA by AztecAmazon
http://www.xenafan.com/fiction/content5/azteca_troika.html
A compromise on the 'which one is Ephiny more attracted to' issue. A ménage is the perfect solution (depending upon whether you're into that sort of thing or not) in this erotic tale as the amazon's friendship with our heroines spills over into passionate understanding and mutually assured desire. Oddly enough this jolly threesome is also a First Time story. There is some rather delightful romantic sparring between Eph and Xena competing for the bard's affections before they settle down to...the business at hand.
[Warning: graphic depiction of three-way sex.]
I give "Troika" *** (three, of course, stars).
Star Rating
***** A must read for any Hard Core Nutball!
**** It is worth your while to read.
*** It's better than getting punched in the face by Xena.
** Maybe a go-round with Xena isn't a bad idea…
* Shoot me...shoot me now!
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Guest critic Sue Winter's fanfic pic:
"After the Game's End" by Velvet
http://www.xenafan.com/fiction/content5/velvet_gameend.html
Review: For all Ephiny fans who mourned, and still mourn, her death here's a bittersweet and compelling story of what happened to Ephiny in the afterlife. Ephiny meets up with Cyane and many holes in the stories of both characters are filled. Wonderful closure to a sad time in the Xenaverse. Alt fiction.
I give "After the Game's End" **** stars
*****A must read for all fanfic fans, exceptional.
**** I couldn't put it down.
*** Good for a rainy day.
** Well, it's alright if you've got nothing better to do.
* Xena'd have to break my arm to get me to read it.
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Guest critic Brian Davis' fanfic pic:
"Blood Sisters" by atara
http://callistofic.8m.com/bloodsis.html
Review: Dark story set on Gabrielle's wedding night in "Return of Callisto", in which a distraught Xena takes comfort from an unexpected source. Steamy, short, very well written, and a psychologically insightful look into the darker side of Xena's psychology. Not a light read, but very highly recommended.
I give "Blood Sisters" **** stars.
***** Truly superior in every way; a fanfic classic
**** Excellent; fine writing and characterization
*** Good, entertaining read
** Better than an episode of Baywatch: Hawaii
* You'd rather be kissed by Joxer
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4) Xena (Cormack ) News
"Pwaise Ephiny, Pwaise Ephiny!"
By Lady Adrell
March 19, 2001
Danielle Cormack, who played Ephiny, on "Xena: Warrior Princess," left the show at the end of the fourth season, after her character met an untimely, if not anti-climactic, death. Danielle's sights at that point were set on a new series based on Amazons called "Amazon High." This new series, produced by Ren Pics, was one of a series of new projects undertaken by Ren Pics to fill an hour time slot. But the pilot never aired in its entirety because the stations did not pick it up. Instead, curious fans were able to view the ill-fated "Amazon High" pilot by watching an episode of "Xena: Warrior Princess" in which the two shows were co-mingled to produce a mosaic hack job. One of the redeeming factors of the episode was getting to see Danielle running around in a skimpy Amazon outfit. Yummy. Though the character of Ephiny is not slated to return, Danielle is rumored to be making a return to "Xena" nonetheless. She is to be in a different role, but fans will watch her and long for the days of the strong and beautiful Amazon Queen. Thank Artemis she is very alive and well in fanfic. Danielle, minus her Amazon personas, can be seen on the silver screen and on the theatre stage. Her latest film project is a New Zealand film entitled, "The Price of Milk" co-staring Karl Urban (Caesar) of "Hercules" and "Xena" fame and featuring Willa O'Neill who played Gabrielle's sister Lila in "Xena." If you think you're going to miss out on your chance to see it in the US, no worries. The film will be making its run in American theatres. Keep an ear to the vine to be sure when it is released. Unfortunately, only those who can make it to Auckland can see Danielle live and in person in the play "The Blue Room," which opened March 21. Those lucky few will be able enjoy a very "revealing" show. Danielle and her co-star Kevin Smith (Ares) are to perform several nude love scenes onstage. How I wish I were a Kiwi. Call the travel agent. I'm going to Auckland!!!! Having seen and talked to Danielle at the Pasadena Con in 2000, it was clear to me that she took pleasure in the adoration her character Ephiny has brought to fans. She is easily one of the most beloved supporting characters. Her presence has assuredly been missed since her departure two seasons ago. Ephiny's life, spirit, and courage, breathed to life by Danielle Cormack, is one of the enduring markers that made "Xena" one of the all-time best syndicated shows in the history of television.
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Danielle has recently completed a movie, with Karl Urban (Cupid, Caesar) and Willa O'Neill (Lila), which is soon to be released. She is currently doing a play in New Zealand with Kevin Smith. Both play and movie look very interesting indeed! Read articles about both by linking below:
Both of the articles featured here are linked thru MaryD's site: http://ausxip.com/new.html
Danielle's Mo(o)vie: "The Price of Milk"
http://www.msnbc.com/news/530183.asp
Danielle's Play: "The Blue Room"
http://ausxip.com/articles18/womans_day0301.html
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**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM LUNACY**
http://lunacyreviews.com/whatsnew.shtm
For a while now on a number of lists the topic of archiving has continued to come up. Every time a site closes or a bard disappears or we loose Xena fanfic or art or videos for some other reason, Xenites inevitably mourn the loss and start to discuss what can be done but so far we haven't really organized any type of manageable, long-term archiving effort. Thanks to fellow Xenite AND fellow librarian Frankie, we now have a starting point :-) Frankie has created a list on Yahoogroups called Xena-archivists for discussing, planning and hopefully implementing the archiving of XWP fandom materials long-term. I'd like to invite any of you out there that are interested or have a stake in this, from bards to artists to webmasters to regular Xenites who think they might be able to help with the effort or at least offer ideas, to join us on the list. It is not going to be a list for chatting or discussing the show in general. It's purpose is specifically to discuss archiving so it will not produce an over-whelming amount of e-mail. If you treasure the contributions our Xenites have shared with us and think it would be great to keep those available in the years and decades to come - consider joining us. You can do so by clicking on the list-name above or by sending an e-mail to Xena-archivists-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Please feel free to cross-post this message to any mailing lists you're on that may be interested or to announce the lists on other sites.
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ROC Pregnant! For those fans who haven't yet heard, Renee O'Conner has announced that she and her new husband Steve are expecting a baby. This news comes after only 5 months of marriage. The couple was married last October to very little fanfare, just the way they wanted it, unlike the wedding of co-star Lucy Lawless and Xena Producer Rob Tapert, which was covered by the media. Our well wishes go to ROC and hubby Steve on their expected bundle."
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5) Featured Links
The Ephiny Page - Part of XenaRulz
http://www.xenarulz.com/ephiny/index.htm
A page dedicated to Ephiny at the essential Xenarulz site; a character bio/tribute to the Amazon as well as links to the actress' fan club and a few other pertinent pages.
Cryssis's Ephiny page - Index
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Heights/9677/index.html
The definitive Ephiny site. Thousands of great pics, lot's of fanfic dedicated to the Amazon and reviews of Ephiny's appearances in Xena and Hercules. If you love Ephiny this is the site to visit.
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6) Xena: Warrior Princess Episode Guide
by bacchae2
"Remember Nothing"
What if...? If Xena had not been there that day to rescue Gabrielle from the slavers. If she'd opted for a domestic life, not been forced to play the warrior. You gain something, you lose something. Her beloved younger brother lives and breathes again as a fine young man, but her mother is deceased...and there's no Gabrielle in her life. Or so they'd tricked me into believing during the first part of this clever, heartbreaking ep. This particular story is as fine an alternate time tale as anything put forward by Star Trek: TNG in its heydey. It is their destiny to meet in any lifetime, no matter what. Seeing the tough, angry, embittered exterior of this alternate Gabrielle for the first time is soul-shattering--for us as well as for Xena. We see a side of the sunny bard that, at this juncture, we never thought we'd see, surly and sour on life. Their scenes together are passionately heart aching. ROC gives a wonderful performance, she earned that co-star billing she began receiving full credit for a few eps back in this second season. This is one of the better versions of the 'Wonderful Life' scenario attempted by most series. Xena was born to be a warrior. She never would've been happy married to that simpering fool, wearing a dress, and staying put in Amphipolis.
Subtext Rating: You must remember this...(a sai is just a sai). Xena gives up her brother's life for Gabrielle, for the girl she knew and has come to love. She simply cannot live with the responsibility of killing the bard's soul and twisting her spirit by having not been there for her. To save her from the physical abuse that warped her nature. Xena makes a definite, considered choice. Taking the burden once more upon her own battered soul. She cannot bear the sight of Gabrielle killing without remorse. Those were the days, huh?
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"The Giant Killer"
One of several eps in which the writers showed surprising temerity in placing the bible in retrospect perspective as myth alongside all of the other myths of western culture. Goliath. Davy. Slingshot. Fall down, go boom. Behind every great man (and event and invention and discovery) is the archetypal woman, W-o-m-a-n, also spelled X-e-n-a.
Subtext Rating: It's the little things... The memorable moment when Gab berates herself for being interested in David and then immediately goes to find Xena. For solace. They stand and watch the storm brew as they clasp and grasp hands like drowning women, holding on for dear life. Perfect comfort, understanding and love. Which will always be within reach for both of them. The seemingly unnecessary close-up of their hands entwined has an erotic urgency, intensity and power to it. Gab looks as though she wants to reclaim that hand again at story's end. For more than a little comfort. David is placed in proper perspective as a "friend"...then what of the term "best friend," does it then become a code word?
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7) Xena Poem
"The Fort"
THOSE THAT WERE LEFT - COULD BARELY COPE
AND WE BECAME - THEIR ONLY HOPE
WE ALL DID FOLLOW - BY HER RULE
EVEN THOUGH THINKING - IT QUITE CRUEL
THE DEAD MEN WERE TIED - TO THE WALL
HOPING FOR A LITTLE - MORE TIME TO STALL
FOR THE INJURED ONES - STILL ALIVE TODAY
ALL I COULD DO - FOR THEM IS PRAY
IN BATTLE AGAIN - WE DID ENGAGE
A WORTHY CAPTIVE - WE TOOK AT THIS STAGE
OF A CODE OF HONOR - WE DID LEARN
THE CAPTIVE RELEASED - KNOWING HE'D RETURN
A TRUCE WAS MADE - FROM THE SLAUGHTER
BY OFFERING DYING ENEMIES - A DRINK OF WATER
THE HORDE DID RETURN - IN FULL FORCE
THE CHALLENGE WAS MADE - TO RUN IT'S COURSE
THE WARRIOR'S CODE - HAD PAVED THE WAY
ONLY THE LEADERS - WOULD FIGHT THIS DAY
XENA WAS CHOSEN - TO FIGHT THEIR CHIEF
AS WE STOOD BY WATCHING - IN DISBELIEF
SHE LEFT HIM ALIVE - AND TURNED HER BACK
KNOWING THAT HE - COULD STILL MOUNT ATTACK
BY THIS ACT - THE CHIEF DISGRACED
HORDE THEY TOOK HIM - LAID HIM WASTE
by The Countess ( countessshefluffster@yahoo.com )
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8) Feedback
Comments on the Gab Fest Issue
"Bacchae,
Excellent job putting together your first Xine as editor. Your piece on Gabrielle's journey was very moving and eloquent--I agree that the journey of Gabrielle's character has been simply amazing to watch, and, if one can ignore most of season five after "Succession", has been very well handled, even if it might be hard sometimes to see the warrior that is now a part of who Gabrielle is inside. Still, I am so grateful to RJ Stewert, Rob Tapert, and writers Missy Good and James Kahn (in "Legacy" and "The Abyss" respectively), for giving us back a fully believable and fully human Gabrielle, and for doing such a wonderful job of incorporating all the aspects of her character into a fully integrated human being, one who is still on the journey, but is once again being given her due this season as the true equal partner of Xena. Cindy, nice piece on Gabrielle's choice of props as symbolic representations of her character, and of the changes we've seen in her. Enjoyed all the fanfic reviews and the subtext ep reviews of "Is There a Doctor in the House" and "Orphan of War", two truly fine episodes. Continued success to all involved with this venture.
Best,
Brian" ( fluffsterbrian@yahoo.com )
If you have any comments, suggestions for content, or articles to submit to this Xine, then please contact Lady Adrell at exine@exine.tvheaven.com (We are accepting submissions for featured articles. Send to above address.)
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9) PRIVACY/NO SPAM POLICY NO SPAMMING OR LIST SHARING!
You can rest assured that your subscription email address will be kept in the strictest confidence. We do not divulge, nor make available to any third party, our subscription list. Your privacy is paramount to us! Therefore, it receives the respect it deserves!
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10) Subscribe/Unsubscribe Information If this Xine was forwarded to you and you would like to receive your own free weekly copy; you can subscribe at http://exine.tvheaven.com or send a blank email to: xenaexine@listbot.com PLEASE NOTE: You are receiving The Xena E-Xine because you subscribed at http://exine.tvheaven.com, or you requested to be added to our subscriber list. To unsubscribe, send a blank e-mail to xenaexine-unsubscribe@listbot.com
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11) Credits
The Xena E-Xine Staff: Chief Editor/Head
Reporter/Writer: Lady Adrell
Editor/Head Writer: Bacchae2
Assistant Editor/Research: Sue, Cindy
FanFic Critic: Staff
Website Analyst: Staff
Episode Guides: Bacchae2
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12) Archives
Due to time constraints, Lady Adrell is a few issues behind in archiving past xine issues. She's working diligently however and will have all issues archived as soon as possible. To read previous articles, please go to http://exine.tvheaven.com/archive.html
Though changes are still being made, the new home of the archives is http://www.xenaexine.f2s.com. The old archive site will stay up for a while for everyone to make the adjustment.
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Disclaimer:
"Warning: The Surgeon General cautions practicing Weird and Grotesque Amazon rituals may be hazardous to your health."
To view a picture of what can happen when you get too carried away with Amazon ritual, link here:
http://members.nbci.com/calliweb/bluetime.html
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You have permission to forward this to other people, and by all means, please do. The contents of this E-Xine may be copied, reproduced, or freely distributed for all nonprofit purposes without the consent of the author as long as the author's name and contact information are included, unless where otherwise stated. Example: Reproduced with permission from Lady Adrell or said author. All contents Copyright © 2001 The Xena E-Xine, except where indicated otherwise. All rights reserved worldwide. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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THANKS FOR READING!
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