“I remember wanting to remember one last thing about her in case Gabrielle didn’t live through the night. And I remember thinking she’s such a beautiful woman.” - Renee O’Connor
Posted by SakuraTacos@reddit | xena | View on Reddit | 34 comments
Source — Been working my way through the interviews in these old newsletters. They are an absolute gold mine for learning more about what was going into making some of their more iconic episodes while everyone’s memory was still fresh.
TaniksHasNoCorn@reddit
Wild_Willingness_190@reddit
Was this in the DVD commentary by any chance?
SakuraTacos@reddit (OP)
No, I read that quote in this interview: https://www.whenheartscollide.net/magazines-and-newsletters/postcards-from-the-lava-pit
Hour_Dog_4781@reddit
What a great interview. I had no idea Gab betrayed Xena in The Debt out of jealousy. I just assumed she didn't trust Xena and decided to follow her. That was the episode that started my dislike of Gabrielle and I felt kinda bad about it because I adore Renee, but now that I found out the betrayal happened for completely selfish reasons, I feel it's justified.
SakuraTacos@reddit (OP)
To be fair to Gabrielle there were other factors as well. One big one was that Ares was manipulating the situation. Gabrielle’s feelings were already there from herself but Ares took advantage of them, she was initially ready to accept Xena’s choice in spite of her anger. Then Ares pops up and does his whole “Wow. Can’t believe she did that. After all you’ve done for her and she cares about someone else more. Aren’t you so mad? Hm. If only you could do something about it.” He did the same thing to Xena in Bitter Suite
Also, Gabrielle was young and naive with a very strong righteous sense of morality. And Xena just kept putting on Gab’s shoulders more and more how important Gabrielle was to keeping Xena on her path, keeping her from slipping back to the darkness, how good and right Gabrielle always is. And Gabrielle really does always do what she thinks is right for Xena, however misguided, however much worse she makes things. Gabrielle thought it was her duty to stop Xena from murdering Ming T’ien.
And yeah, she was also super jealous over Xena’s ex-girlfriend 😂
The important thing is she learned her lesson after a bit of singing and dancing, memory wiping, and jumping into a lava pit
Hour_Dog_4781@reddit
The thing that gets me is that when Perdicus shows up, Xena puts her own jealousy aside and is so selfless she gives Gabby her blessing and lets get go, even though it's clearly breaking her heart. She obviously has great love and respect for Gabs. But when Xena goes "I have to do this alone, just trust me", Gabby's like "nah, I don't trust you, actually".
I did think she was trying to stop Xena from becoming evil again, but then in the interview Renee says that it was just jealousy and nothing else. I can't even excuse Gabby's actions because of her youth cause I'm not sure how old she's supposed to be and they look about the same age anyway.
At least Callisto is honest. She is a murderous psycho, but an honest one. 🤣
SakuraTacos@reddit (OP)
Yeah but Xena was in a totally different place in her life with much more experience. And early on, Xena still thought Gabrielle would be better off, and safer, away from her. So it hurt her to see Gab go off with Perdicas but she was also like “Yeah that’s probably a good idea.”
Xena does have a pretty strong jealousy streak in her too, she’s just not as destructive about it by the time she meets Gabrielle. But remember how she acted with Borias and Lao Ma, she sabotaged everything just like Gabrielle
Ok-Jackfruit-6873@reddit
she took a pretty strong instant dislike to Brunhilda too ...
Narrow_Currency_1877@reddit
That scene cracked me up when Xena was like "I don't like her." And it was so obvious why 😂😂😂
MusicIsLife81@reddit
The one that will always crack me up is I found one where Lucy and Renee are watching The Return of Callisto and it is the scene with Gabrielle and Perdicus on their wedding night and Gabrielle says that she has never been with a man before and Renee says, "I said man, right?" 😂
ObnoxiousConsistent@reddit
omg i need to watch that hahah! Renee knows what's up
MusicIsLife81@reddit
I know right! I love that they embraced that Xena and Gabrielle were together and they just went with it. And the fact that they are true Allies all the way for the LGBTQIA+ community just makes me so very happy especially in this world right now. At least we know they will never break our hearts when it comes to that.
Wicked68@reddit
The commentary on the DVDs or that can be found on YT is so good
lad1esman_217@reddit
Just watched this episode 2 days ago and sobbed how good it is. Rewatched series a few times and every time it's like a gift that keeps on giving. Renee is such a good actress. She embraces the emotions of a character perfectly. It's so unfair she doesn't have any awards for such an iconic role. So annoying that fantasy series back then didn't get recognition on the same level as other film media.
Xena2025@reddit
Oh wow, I love this so much. I never knew Renee said this about that moment. So touching. 🥰
ElegantAd1296@reddit
my favorite episode.
MaryW1965@reddit
Which is it. I am newly infatuated and don’t know episodes by just name
SakuraTacos@reddit (OP)
It’s One Against An Army, Season 3 Episode 13 :)
MaryW1965@reddit
Thank you! I can’t wait I must’ve missed it the first pass because THIS I would remember!
readyreadyvt@reddit
You are in for a treat!
rockandrollfun@reddit
This is such a great scene. Sooooo much in so little. Masterful
IseQween@reddit
I don't recall if Renee said in the interview that was an adlib?
SakuraTacos@reddit (OP)
Yeah I think it was the internal monologue Renee gave Gabrielle for that beat. Here’s the full quote for context:
“‘One Against An Army’ - the most touching moment for me was when Gabrielle stroked Xena’s hair as she was sleeping,” I told her.
Renee reminisced. “I remember wanting to remember one last thing about her in case Gabrielle didn’t live through the night. And I remember thinking she’s such a beautiful woman.”
I’d seen this briefly mentioned in another article somewhere ages ago, what Gabrielle was thinking as she watched Xena sleep in this scene, and I was so excited to find the direct quote from Renee
Dishslave37@reddit
Whoaaaaa.....so does that mean that Renee thought that???? Not just her character!! Of course it does.....I was being sarcastic. Lol She has said MUCH more intimate stuff to Xena/Lucy then that. Lol But it is sooooo touching!! The hair play, and her slowly inching closer to her is sooooooo sweet!!!!! I swear they are BOTH thier characters. Lmao
Ok-Jackfruit-6873@reddit
is this from One Against an Army? love that ep!!
MaryW1965@reddit
Please tell me the season and Episode
WanderWomble@reddit
https://www.whoosh.org/epguide/epguide.html
Cereal_Palsy7@reddit
It is!
Ok_Kangaroo_2160@reddit
Oh, my! The tenderness and the emotional stakes - what more could you ask for in a Xena episode?
The way Gabrielle looks at Xena here, the way Xena holds her when she awakes from a nightmare. Just typical soulmate stuff 😭
"Even in death, Gabrielle. I will never leave you."
Also, I'm an idiot bc it never occurred to me (until recently) that Xena was likely planning on joining her. She had a hard time bidding farewell to Argo. Why else do it? Poor Argo though...
Ok-Jackfruit-6873@reddit
I mentally contrast this scene with the one where Gabrielle cuddles up to her and Xena makes a face and pushes her off laughing haha. Granted, Xena's asleep here ... she'd probably still make that face through, oh, season four or five ...
Ok_Kangaroo_2160@reddit
Is that the scene from ADITL? I don't remember.
Xena profusely spoils Gabrielle with embraces. Only Gabrielle's allowed to be the little spoon ig 😅
SakuraTacos@reddit (OP)
Yup, good ol’ Xena; if her plan doesn’t involve seducing someone, it’s probably yet another suicide mission lol
She knew the odds didn’t look good, one vs an army. That’s also why she prepared that cauldron full of hot tar or whatever that was for Gabrielle to pour if she saw anyone coming up the ladder. Cuz if someone’s coming up the ladder, they got past Xena, and the only way they’d have gotten past Xena is if she was dead. She was ready to protect Greece, and most importantly Gabrielle, or go down trying!
Ok_Kangaroo_2160@reddit
Our girl desperately needs to see a therapist, but being the crap out of bad guys and spending time w her soulmate is the next best thing. As for her flings, well, I'm assuming Gabrielle is allowed her own fun...it would only be fair 😆
Yeah, she truly had everything planned out. She does have many skills! I love Xena's noble courage but I am obsessed w the fact that she really said "to hell with Greece, my first priority is you Gabrielle."
Ok_Kangaroo_2160@reddit
Our girl desperately needs to see a therapist, but being the crap out of bad guys and spending time w her soulmate is the next best thing. As for her flings, well, I'm assuming Gabrielle is allowed her own fun...it would only be fair 😆
Yeah, she truly had everything planned out. She does have many skills! I love Xena's noble courage but I am obsessed w the fact that she really said "to hell with Greece, my first priority is you Gabrielle."