Married with Fishsticks took top 2, what is everyone's top 3rd placement?

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IseQween@reddit

Whaaat?! MWF? I'm free to move on to my next candidate (and # 1 on my underrated list)!

DREAMWORKER (S1, E3)

This Sears ep introduces, lays foundation for multiple themes, maybe taken for granted, overlooked precisely because so much has become Cannon.

*Xena confronting her dark side, recognizing without it "I wouldn't exist," that it will always be her greatest threat, that she can "control" it, finally accepting it as also "the key" to her enormous potential to fight for good.

*Gabs' desire to have a weapon (which opens the ep), despite the warrior's wishes and warnings, discovering she was "capable of killing" and "scared" by how close she came.

*Striking evidence of how quickly Gabs has touched Xena's heart, worth the WP's risking all to save and protect, as well as start lessons (which Gabs actually listens to) about surviving without a sword.

*First negotiations to deal with ongoing conflict about Gabs' desire to be a full partner in the fighting department, with Gabs appreciating (for the time being) that she has "talking" and "mind" skills Xena deems sufficiently "defensive."

*Xena's "forever changed" rare self-revelation at the lake, getting Gabs to understand the "rock" still underneath the WP's calmer surface, emphasizing the permanent impact "when you kill."

*Images giving a taste of Xena's innocent and bad guy victims that haunt her conscience and nightmares.

*Gabs responsible for the breast dagger that becomes a signature part of Xena's arsenal.

*The good Mystic recognizing Xena as "the one" -- "strong, brave with a dark past." Evil mystic deeming Gabs "the one" -- "perfect" both for her "fire" and blood innocence.

*Foreshadowing of S3: Good Mystic about Gabs -- "She will be tricked into killing. As soon as she does that, she'll be sacrificed." Soldiers to Xena in dreamscape, reprised in BITTER SUITE -- "You're a warrior to be feared and obeyed."

I rest my case. 😉

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Overall_Sandwich_671@reddit

I've always assumed Dreamworker is regarded as a top tier season 1 episode, and that season 1 is heavily underrated any way, because it's long before we got Eli and reincarnation and modern day episodes and all that bollocks.

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IseQween@reddit

I also "assumed," but haven't seen much mention during my couple years on Reddit. I admit I also tend to overlook S1, as my passion is for S4.

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JackofAllStrays@reddit

I’ve been pretty neutral on this ep in rewatches but tou make a strong case

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IseQween@reddit

True, it's more cerebral, not particularly passion-inducing -- exciting or controversial. In the early days of discussion groups, DREAMWORKER got referenced a lot, maybe because Sears seemed to capture what attracted many of us to Xena, while also giving attention to Gabrielle's journey (e.g., S1 HOOVES, GREATER GOOD). In retrospect, it's a good touchstone for seeing what themes continued, how they shifted, why some fans felt "betrayed" by S3-6 developments that others accepted as foreseeable or part of the XWP ethos.

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Sheepie_Dex@reddit

One of my favorites in S1. Very well put.

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IseQween@reddit

Thank you. I just rewatched to refresh my memory. I always thought of this as an important early ep, but hadn't recalled how much so. So weird to go back in time and find continuity amidst all the later jumping back and forth or inconsistencies. Plus it's "fresh" X&G getting to know each other.

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Latte-Catte@reddit (OP)

I was just as surprised as you when it got more nomination than the others

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IseQween@reddit

LOL! You mean MWF? I voted for it out of respect for a production I thought is one of the most unfairly rejected for being "different." Figured I'd have to keep voting for it in between picks I feel more strongly about. I was shocked but glad MWF got its due.

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Overall_Sandwich_671@reddit

Interesting that the top two underrated episodes are both Discord-heavy episodes. Clearly our girl Meighan was underutilized post Hercules.

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Pop_Stensbold@reddit

YES!!! Finally MWF gets some justice! :-) Ok I'm going to vote for next Purity/Back In The Bottle. VERY underrated pair of episodes in my opinion which I've never understood the antipathy for from a lot of the fandom.

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IseQween@reddit

LOL! I see we share a warm spot for "against the odds" eps and joy when they triumph. Not sure I can join you in placing a bet for these two, though I agree they have good qualities worth at least one rewatch.

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Pop_Stensbold@reddit

I know I'm probably the only one who's going to champion those two episodes that seem to be hated across the board. I think because a lot of fandom compares them to The Debt. I don't mind the readjusting of the lore from that story to be honest because I feel it actually opens some interesting doors. And Purity and BITB for me are two pretty cool and spectacular episodes. I also love that Joxer for once is allowed to contribute some essential skills to combatting the enemy and gets to show his more sensitive caring side also when trying to help the refugees. I like the Gabrielle/Lin Chi chemistry as well and I'd still like to see the deleted kiss scene. Given all the Xena/Ares scenes in Season 5 and her later flirtation with Antony, I feel Gabrielle deserved some attention from elsewhere.

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IseQween@reddit

Well, I think that's good and may lead others to take another look at eps that get dismissed. My objection to LIFEBLOOD is that it uses XWP as a prop for scenes from a different series, even though I like many of the "guest" actors. Still, I wouldn't suggest a newbie skip it.

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Pop_Stensbold@reddit

Lifeblood just has no entertainment value for me whatsoever honestly. I'm not a fan of the following episode either Kindred Spirits as I don't like its treatment of Joxer and the Amazons at all and the whole wrestling match sequence with Xena and Joxer is for me one of the worst examples of humour in the entire series - someone was having a bit too much fun there to the detriment of the episode. Too loud and too obvious. Both I tend to skip on rewatches. But for any newbie I would recommend watching all episodes for sure and not skipping any on first viewing because everyone is different.

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AuntyEmfromOz@reddit

I loved the wrestling match! It was so over the top and looked like they had so much fun filming it. I also liked the whole Gabrielle-wants-to-settle-down thing raising a family with Xena - pretty well cements how Gabrielle sees their relationship as life partners - however, Xena doesn't. And once again, Gabrielle gives up what she really wants for the sake of the person she loves. However, I hated that they made Joxer a pervert - he deserved better than to be thought of that way.

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SakuraTacos@reddit

I loved the wrestling match too! When I was 10, immediately right after my Xena phase was my WWF/E phase. My brother showed me this one wrestler named Chyna because she was heavily influenced by Xena and I spent many many years a huge wrestling fan. So when I got to Kindred Spirits and saw the wrestling ring I was like “No. FREAKING. Way!!!!!”

gif

I also really really love the domesticity in the episode. I wish we’d gotten to see so much more low stakes Xena and Gabrielle conflict/resolution, it was so cozy and heartwarming.

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AuntyEmfromOz@reddit

I watched wrestling for many years with my son, on and off and earlier in the 80s but not during the time Chyna was on it. I guess seeing the normal day-to-day sort of conflicts that partners face just aren't dramatic enough for a tv episode, though of course, for those who were looking for it, there's the very telling "Not tonight" comment Gabrielle makes when she wakes up in her throne.

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SakuraTacos@reddit

Such a shame they had pesky ratings to worry about. Season 5 should’ve been Xena and Gabrielle navigating first time parenthood. Twilight of the Gods? Pfft. Give me Xena and Gabrielle with 4 hours of sleep between the both of them, Evie has an ear infection AND she’s cutting her first tooth. Just a full episode of them both with short tempers trying to watch their tones with each other. But that’s why I’m not in charge of making any television 😂

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IseQween@reddit

The relationship may be the "heart" of XWP, but I kept in mind it was first and foremost billed as an action-adventure show. I was pleasantly surprised by the little domesticity we got, let alone diapers and childcare issues.

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SakuraTacos@reddit

Lol very true! I’m just being facetious

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IseQween@reddit

Well, you're certainly alone in wishing the show would've leaned more into scenarios you suggest. I believe that led to a lot of great fanfic.

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AuntyEmfromOz@reddit

There are fanfics that cover raising Eve???

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AuntyEmfromOz@reddit

But what a great weapon to take down people attacking them - loaded diapers!

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AuntyEmfromOz@reddit

Been there done that for real with baby 'puking' from both ends, though I guess they covered that bit in "In Sickness and in Hell" kind of. Would have made a very different "A Day in the Life" that's for sure!

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IseQween@reddit

I felt the same way after years of rewatches. Some eps I thought were "cute" or funny enough to sample again, even if not the Xena/Lucy heavy eps I usually favor. Now I see others taking such eps seriously, with reasons I can relate to -- MWF, TAKES ONE, SOUL POSSESSION and KEY TO THE KINGDOM being examples so far. I may even give your two S5 long shots another viewing soon. 😉

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NiceRefrigerator4079@reddit

Dreamworker

She's so underrated that she probably won't win, but I'm going with her all the way anyway.

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NoReach1699@reddit

Antony and Cleo (they should have been on the top 5 BUT, here we are)

Amazing direction, convincing male love interest, Gabs jealousy, good dramatic moments, Gabs killing Brutus, and the most amazing eating of fruits ever

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SakuraTacos@reddit

Key to the Kingdom!

I just found out the other day this is one of the most hated episodes, along with Married With Fishsticks and I am befuddled and bewildered! It’s no ⭐️ The Debt ⭐️ but \~I just think it’s neat\~

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IseQween@reddit

It doesn't get much respect, but I didn't realize it was actually hated. Where did you see that?

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Latte-Catte@reddit (OP)

I did remember some hate thrown it's way, it's once of the more hated xena-lite episode. At least other xena-lites has Gabrielle, this has neither Gabby nor Xena.

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AuntyEmfromOz@reddit

And that's the downfall isn't it? Stories that are Gabrielle-centric are better - no offence to Lucy's acting ability as Meg. I really disliked this episode, though, because of the way Autolycus thought of both Joxer and Meg - he was mean.

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SakuraTacos@reddit

https://i.redd.it/ncldjqyx6svf1.gif

Is it this episode’s fault that it’s Xena-lite or are 131 episodes woefully Meg-lite? 😏😂

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QueenJeanAndHerCats@reddit

Exactly! 😉

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IseQween@reddit

Oh, I'd forgotten no Gabby, with Xena only at the beginning and end.

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SakuraTacos@reddit

I was Googling it to look for cute screen caps, fun facts, discussions about the ep and I wasn’t prepared for what I discovered! I am a land in turmoil!

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IseQween@reddit

LIFEBLOOD over KEY? Well, there ya go. 😂

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SakuraTacos@reddit

Lmao! I didn’t even see that, my tears were blinding me. Thank you, you’ve brought me to my senses.

One man’s Key to the Kingdom is another man’s Lifeblood!

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IseQween@reddit

Exactly. That's what so intriguing about these rankings. When people give their reasons, I actually find myself appreciating aspects I hadn't before. Except for LIFEBLOOD. 👿

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SakuraTacos@reddit

I’m still not 100% (or even 17%) clear on why Selma Blair was with the Amazons in modern-day clothes

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IseQween@reddit

Because she wasn't supposed to be there. 👿

OK, that's my snarky personal opinion. Maybe someone who likes the ep will provide you a better explanation.

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