Dear God The final episode needs to come with a trauma warning
Posted by helladonnna@reddit | xena | View on Reddit | 60 comments
Dear God! I had to find this community. I'm so heartbroken by what I've witnessed. I can't stop crying. I know this all fake but Jesus I'm in so much pain. I watched these two lovers grow together through so many episodes only to be separated by death. And no Gabrielle deliriously imagining xena is still with her while alone on a boat isn't good enough. I'm devastated! Please help me đđđ
Traditional-Pen2110@reddit
I'm so sorry, I can understand how you feel, it's really painful... over the years I've rewatched Xena episodes many times, but never the latest ones... only the first time in real time, for me it was a cruel ending, because she had found her redemption (even if it was immediately clear to me that her past would never have left her free despite all the good she had done) obviously I felt sorry for the separation of these two souls and for Xena herself, because she deserves a different ending... then leaving aside the sadness, no, and I liked the episode, I found the plot to be enormously confusing, and it's true that I only saw it once, but it left me with a bad feeling.
Popular-One-7051@reddit
Besides being incredibly sad, it didn't have some convoluted plot points like some of the fire stuff. I didn't really see where Xena set it. The ending was so stressful it was easy to gloss over.
Traditional-Pen2110@reddit
It's true that I watched it many years ago lol and I was younger now I'm an adult and when you see it as an adult it's different... but I don't remember this one it was very sad but all full of confusion too much stuff all together it was a so-so ending but it was really a beautiful journey. Just think that in my country it aired after the cartoons in the late afternoon and it was seen more as something for kids while in America it was watched by many adults right? The age group was different from yours
Popular-One-7051@reddit
Was watched more by adults in US. I wouldn't see it as a kids show as it's a bit brutal in places. im guessing they didn't play that last episode. The beheading would have given kids nightmares for months, and the screaming from parents here would have been crazy. Heck the obvious love story (even though a lot of people keep swearing they were friends) would have also had them going nuts. Heck by S6 their love story was absolutely main text. There's no way you couldn't see it.
Traditional-Pen2110@reddit
They are aware that in America it was rightly seen as a show for adults, while in Italy it was presented more for young people and was broadcast at about 6 pm more or less... even though I was little the first time I saw it I immediately realized that Xena and Olimpia (in Italy and Olimpia hahaha) were in love. Obviously it was a path that grew over time but if it had aired today their relationship would have been more obvious.
NoReach1699@reddit
I am so sorry you're going through this. AFIN is really trying for a lot of the fandom. I have one suggestion, if you'll allow it. The "Xena Warrior Podcast" has a 7-hour, in-depth analysis of AFIN that might help you process it, or even give it a new meaning. But please make sure that listening to it isn't going to hurt you; protect yourself first and foremost.
Also, I don't really think that Gabrielle is delirious. I think it's just a visual representation of how people speak to the recently departed. We see throughout the show that Gabrielle tends to deal with Xena's death better than Xena deals with Gabrielle's death, so I think Gabby will be fine. Also, remember, we just witnessed one of their lives together. They are soulmates who find each other again and again throughout space and time. So I am sure in many of their lives they are just chilling on some farm until they grow grey
SakuraTacos@reddit
I also think Gabrielle will be okay, better than Xena wouldâve been. Gabrielle went from being the dutiful daughter straight into being the dutiful sidekick/partner tied to Xenaâs quest and, now, Gabrielle is truly independent for the first time in her life. It couldnât have worked any other way. Gabrielle wouldâve always prioritized Xena, and Xena wouldâve never allowed herself redemption so theyâd always be on that journey to atone for her sins â which Iâm sure Gabrielle wouldâve done until the end of time but Gabrielle deserved to be the protagonist of her own, or some other young bardâs, scrolls for once.
Popular-One-7051@reddit
I always hoped that Xena would quit flogging herself. I think she knows what she has with Gabrielle but hasn't forgiven herself enough to let herself settle into a life with her. She won't be able to kick butt forever
SakuraTacos@reddit
I wonder what it wouldâve taken for Xena to forgive herself if she hadnât have sacrificed herself in Japan. It was always so much easier for Xena to go on suicide missions than to give herself grace and forgiveness for her sins, it just hurt her too much to live with what sheâd done, even if Gabrielle made it easier.
I donât think Xena was ever going to allow herself forgiveness without a sacrifice as big as Japan, which is why I love the idea of putting When Fates Collide after or just lots of fanfic Iâve seen about Gabrielle finding a way to resurrect her (which is what the Rob & Co. wouldâve done anyway if the stars had aligned properly for a movie or reboot). Xena need something as magnificently selfless to counteract the absolute horrific genocidal atrocities sheâd committed, I donât think she wouldâve let time alone heal her wounds.
Popular-One-7051@reddit
She softened so much over the years with Gabrielle's love, so I had hopes. I definitely see your point they she maybe never would let it go. Her death would have been hard to see from a fan perspective since everyone wanted a happy ending, but if it hadn't been so brutal it might have been easier to stomach.
I still think Akemi was an utter slimy scumbag
SakuraTacos@reddit
Without something really crucial like the incident in Japan, I think Xenaâs creaky bones wouldâve been the only thing to slow her down. Thatâs why I canât ignore AFIN because, in a way, itâs just as sad for me imagining Xena endlessly seeking redemption. Xena deserved peace and Gabrielle deserved to go on her own journey disentangled from someone elseâs regrets. Iâm not a monster though, I donât leave her dead in my mind, Gabrielle figures it out eventually and they can live truly free from the sins of Xenaâs past :â)
When I was a kid, for whatever reason, I thought the Ides of March was the last episode and I was like âThat was a weird ending, that was really scary and sad for Xenaâ so I 100000% understand why people hate AFIN because thatâs what they actually did, a violent and depressing ending. Itâs definitely a choice lol But itâs also so meaningful and they worked so hard on it and itâs a gorgeous story, even as difficult as it is.
WritngSingngThesbian@reddit
I rewatch Xena every so often and I can never get past season 5.
FunCase8801@reddit
Agreed. This finale is just terrible. It traumatised me as a teen when it came out and it still does. And I donât even ship Xena and Gabrielle. I donât mind if theyâre a couple, but thatâs just not my focus or reason I watch this show.
I found it devastating cause they killed off my biggest hero. Uncool Ron Tapert and other Xena writers. SMH
Cute_Choice_5248@reddit
When I first watched xena when I was young and it came out , I never watched the last episode . I didnât watch it until 2017 lol
Error404Opinion@reddit
I never watched the final episode for that reason. I prefer to believe that Xena and Gabrielle continued fighting and going on adventures and then met Eve.
Confident-Club1310@reddit
After "AFIN", you absolutely must watch "When Fates Collide." The episode gives no indication of when it happens in the story's chronology. If you watch it after the final episodes, everything works out perfectly: Caesar, by messing with the threads of fate, created an alternate universe. And then Gabrielle blew it to smithereens. So, if you watch this episode after the Japan arc, it turns out that this universal explosion brought them back to their familiar worldâa world where the Japan events either never happened at all, or they did, but Xena survivedâlet's say, it's a gift the Fates gave Gabrielle for saving everyone. And in this finale, Xena and Gabrielle ride off together on Argo towards new adventures. Now, isn't that just beautiful! :)
Xena2025@reddit
So true! I was also devastated by this final episode. And looking at it this way is perfect. If only they could re-order the episodes now on streaming services so that it shows When Fates Collide as the final episode instead.
IseQween@reddit
It's hard for me not to consider all the "data" I have, from multiple angles. In my head, X&G continue on together after the finale -- first, with the WP as a spirit Gabs carries with her, then with the WP resurrected in a way that doesn't diminish her decision to stay dead. They've learned or confirmed important aspects about themselves and their respective journeys that they might not have otherwise.
Your idea can still take into account the hard, sad, moving moments I saw in AFIN, with FATES providing an alternate (and more uplifting) visual transition to their future as I imagined. I love both/and (vs. either/or) solutions! đ
Popular-One-7051@reddit
I LOVE this idea! I can't watch AFIN when I rewatch. It makes me so sad to see Gabby sail off. She didn't have a mission like redeeming herself. I like to think of her teaching in bard school instead of ending up in Eli's cult. She's so young, I hate thinking of her being alone after losing the love of her life.
ChippieChamp@reddit
Yeah, it sad that. Gabrielle is on the boat alone without Xena.
Yes, I also can see Gabrielle. Doing a journey like Xena as her to a warrior like is complete, which can see teaching people how to be a bard.
Or Gabrielle could continue her writer and storytelling, which is another thing that she loves to do.
TellThatDevil@reddit
This is the way!
Wicked68@reddit
Don't watch them again. For most of us they did not happen. Many Happy Returns was the end lol
ChippieChamp@reddit
Me too, cannot rewatch AFIN again. I too, would have Many Happy Returns as a finale to the series.
princesschirrut@reddit
Iâm so glad I never watched this! The cross episode always broke my heart!
Popular-One-7051@reddit
The cross episode was downright cheerful in comparison
MizzIzzSlays@reddit
There are comics and Gabrielle gets Xena back.
pokonight@reddit
Watch the director's cut, Xena never leaves Gabrielle in the boat.
Popular-One-7051@reddit
I try those last ones in order but can't watch AFIN. I stop on WFC since Xena have her "I'll love you forever" and that they got to ride off together
Royal_Reach@reddit
One hundred percent agree with you. I don't even watch it anymore. I stopped watching it after the third time. I just watched when the fates collide; to me, that was the perfect ending to the show.
rockandrollfun@reddit
I am rewatching in order, just on the beginning of the journey, and I have a vague sensation that Iâm taking a beautiful hike straight towards a cliffs edge lol Iâve never watched AFIN in its entirety but Iâm sadistically determined to do so (Iâll be back in a few months to shake my fist at the clouds with you)
NoReach1699@reddit
Keep a open heart. It's actually an amazing episode. It hurts, but it's really beautiful.
SakuraTacos@reddit
Lol itâs going to hurt so good when you get to the end. When I watched the series knowing Xenaâs fate, I was like âOkay this is just gonna be like a Greek Tragedy, I can do thisâ. Oof, I cried so much before I even got to the finale just knowing what was coming.
MusicIsLife81@reddit
The ending of the show pssed me off so much! Jerkules and Iolaus got to walk off into the sunset and Xena was killed! Fk that! My mom heard me cussing and swearing all the way downstairs when the show ended! I am still upset and angry about how the show ended all these years later even though it will forever be my all-time favorite show. In a way I saw it coming when she was teaching Gabrielle the Pinch and she made that statement to her about if she only had 30 seconds left to live but I didn't think that they would really do that to us fans and to Gabrielle but sure as hll they did. I have only ever watched the ending twice, when it originally aired on TV and when I bought the Director's Cut for my collection, that is it. I couldn't even bring myself to watch it with my ex when they became hooked on the series, it was just too painful. They also were just as upset with how the series ended. đ
StyraxCarillon@reddit
I watched it when it aired, and I'm still pissed off about it. You have my sympathy.
SakuraTacos@reddit
I know, it was so hard. I went into the episode knowing she was going to be beheaded and I was crying like I was about to put my dog down to sleep.
I hated them showing Xenaâs headless body. I thought that was so unnecessary to do to our hero in her big finale, I found that degrading to the legacy of the character.
But the thing I told myself is: Xena and Gabrielle will meet in every single lifetime they ever live. Right now at this very moment, according to Send in the Clones and Soul Possession, there are not only clones of Xena and Gabrielle living happily ever after but Xena and Gabrielle themselves as Hattie and Annie have been happily married.
Itâs also so easy, for a show thatâs killed Xena and Gabrielle like 2-3 times each already, to imagine that Gabrielle likely figured something out. Iâm sure there was something or someone in the Land of the Pharaohs that helped Gabrielle bring Xena home for real.
I loved the finale but, yeah, I cried for like 2 days. Itâs not an easy episode. But itâs beautifully-made and has some really poignant, gorgeous full-circle moments.
Ill_Consequence1755@reddit
I managed to share original trauma with a group of friends. We had a viewing party for that travesty when it originally aired.
ChippieChamp@reddit
Yes, it just a tv show. But it heart that, Gabrielle have to lose Xena. As she cannot bring her back to life, which was the hardest thing for Gabrielle to do and accept.
I too, believe that. Gabrielle imaginated Xena on the boat. As I donât think, Xena was there as a ghost either.
Because she disappeared from Gab sight on the mountain, when both of them watched/stared at the sun and Xena was gone.
helladonnna@reddit (OP)
Yup because why else show that scene of her vanishing? I think Gabby was so heartbroken from her trauma of losing the amazons and now xena that her mind broke.
ChippieChamp@reddit
Definitely, I heard people say that. Xena will be there for Gabrielle, but I donât believe that the case. Because how can Xena be there for Gabrielle, if she choose to be dead for the souls then.
Disappear from Gabrielle sight on the mountain, staring at the sun together before Xena was gone from her.
I agree that, I think Gabrielle has imagined Xena. On the boat with her as sheâs probably is trying to process, her grief of losing Xena and perhaps discovering her dead corpse.
As it course Gabrielle some trauma in the long run, if she hasnât suffered now already at the end of the episode.
As I donât think Xena was there as a ghost or spirit, as I Believe it was Gabrielle Imagination Xena is there with her.
ChippieChamp@reddit
Definitely, I heard people say that. Xena will be there for Gabrielle, but I donât believe that. Because how can Xena be there for Gabrielle, if she choose to be dead for the souls then.
Disappear from Gabrielle sight on the mountain, staring at the sun together before Xena was gone.
I agree that, I think Gabrielle has imagined Xena. On the boat with as sheâs trying to process, her grief of losing Xena and perhaps discovering her dead corpse.
Probably course Gab some trauma in the long run, if she hasnât suffered now already at the end of the episode.
Tricky_Direction_897@reddit
I loved it as an episode, hated it as a finale. Watched it when it originally aired and never again. I was 12? 13? Couldnât stop crying.
jdpm1991@reddit
im honestly amazed this episode wasn't edited and censored the beheading was rather violent even for Xena standards
napalmnacey@reddit
Iâll never watch it.
napalmnacey@reddit
It doesnât exist to me. The entire 6th season is fan fiction as far as Iâm concerned because I canât deal with that kind of pain in my life. I know there was quality sapphic content in season 6 but I feel like it stopped being the show I loved in late season 5 (time jump) so I just gave up after that point. Couldnât cope with the rest of it for a few kisses and sapphic stories. I have fanfic for that anyway.
I know my view is probably unpopular but I avoid IPs with gruesome shit and season six had Xena inducing someone to commit suicide, and because I had been suicidal for years I felt that was a betrayal of who she was as a character and too triggering to cope with. I just couldnât trust the show anymore. It had all new production anyway because of the talent drain for Lord of the Rings, so I wasnât attached for any reasons outside of wanting to support Lucy and the cast.
IseQween@reddit
I've seen various ways fans cope: pretend AFIN never happened; choose a different order, where AFIN is like an alternate reality, followed by other (mostly S6) eps where they're riding or flying off into the proverbial sunset, residing happily on a farm, living in the future as X&G clones or under other names (e.g., Annie & Mattie, Janice and Melinda). Outside of the series itself, bards took matters into their own hands through continuations in several virtual seasons at Ausxip.com and in fanfic. You can also weep and gnash freely in this group among those who understand and/or share your devastation.
ChippieChamp@reddit
Yes! Most fans who hated the finale of season 6, would have loved to believe that 2 episode final did not exist.
Or put it other episodes in order to have their own version of the finale of the 6 season.
Persistent_Parkie@reddit
When people complain that series finales are terrible "now" I point to Xena and say there may be fans still in therapy.
I fortunately was warned, it took me 20 years to finally watch it. In some ways it's very beautiful in a full circle kind of way, but if you weren't prepared đŹ
ChippieChamp@reddit
Everybody has their opinion on the matter, and they choose not to like it, including me.
helladonnna@reddit (OP)
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Goth_Spice14@reddit
I saw it the day it aired. Traumatized my little child self. All these years later, and I still haven't put myself through that again. I'm the same with the last 2 seasons of Buffy. I don't need to hurt myself like that.
Persistent_Parkie@reddit
The last 2 seasons of Buffy can be tough but the finale was so lovely and poingent.
Unless you really loved Anya, in which case my condolences.
Goth_Spice14@reddit
I identified with her a lot as an autistic girl who had zero idea I was autistic lol
Persistent_Parkie@reddit
Fair enough. đŤÂ
Jahon_Dony@reddit
That really was Xena's ghost. But the loony is Gabi must carry on, alone, without Xena. "Take me with you, teach me everything you know."
Persistent_Parkie@reddit
The full circle is beautiful but the trauma đ
Evilbuffy14@reddit
Oh, my friend. My heart goes out to you. If only I could go back and warn you. AFIN is truly disturbing and should never, ever be watched again. I truly sympathise with you. I only watched it once, when it originally aired and I was traumatised for two weeks. The pain will get better. Go and watch your favourite episodes again, tell yourself Xena never truly dies and banish AFIN to the back of the closet where it belongs.
helladonnna@reddit (OP)
Thank you I will
Persistent_Parkie@reddit
Go look up the spaghetti order, you can still have a happy ending!
Traditional-Pen2110@reddit
I'm so sorry and it's really hard (also đ I think it was really cruel and I still can't explain why. What I can tell you is that I've seen reruns of many episodes many times but I only watched this one once in real time, I was so young that I couldn't believe it really ended like this... then honestly, no, I just found it sad for obvious reasons but it's such a confusing episode full of so many things and it was a bit disappointing
Traditional-Pen2110@reddit
I'm so sorry the first life and dsvv lasts (even the 100th actually) đ I think it was really cruel and I still can't explain why. What I can tell you is that I've seen reruns of many episodes many times but I only watched this one once in real time, I was so young that I couldn't believe it really ended like this... then honestly, no, I just found it sad for obvious reasons but it's such a confusing episode full of so many things and it was a bit disappointing