Varia appreciation thread
Posted by itsascreambaby96@reddit | xena | View on Reddit | 34 comments
My favorite character in the time jump. I always considered her the Callisto to Eve's story despite Eve being Callisto reincarnated.
Evilbuffy14@reddit
She was hands-down a terrible leader, but I enjoyed her for the eye-candy value.
Evilbuffy14@reddit
Can't believe I was today years old when I figured out she also played Darcy in Bring It On. Yes, yes, the rock was very heavy.
EasyEntrepreneur666@reddit
Well... I appreciate her looks.
theseedbeader@reddit
Her body is GOALS…
EasyEntrepreneur666@reddit
She's well cut. Though so is Renee.
theseedbeader@reddit
For sure.
I can’t help but think about her character being fat shamed in Bring it On, that sham of a coach was definitely crazy.
Agent8699@reddit
I think Tsianina Joelson did a good job in the role and was obviously in incredible physical shape for an Amazon, similar to Victoria Pratt.
But, Varia’s storyline seemed to be the same in very single appearance - an arrogant, hot headed and irrational Amazon who must learn a lesson from Xena in order to grow and mature to become a true leader. It was boring, especially in a series where character growth could be pretty decent (unless you were Joxer).
I also think there was a lot of wasted potential with the characters of Varia and Eve, whether romantic or otherwise, given Eve held Gabrielle’s right of caste and was therefore an Amazon. Instead, they repeated the same plot with Varia imprisoning Eve?
And solely establishing Xena as Varia’s mentor instead of giving that role to Gabrielle or at least sharing it between them also seemed to be a wasted opportunity. I know that was forced by ROC’s directing responsibilities in at least one episode, but it was still disappointing to see Gabrielle and her role as an Amazon Queen and all her growth as a warrior sidelined in favour of Xena yet again.
It’s probably more galling because they had setup a great mentor / mentee dynamic with Gabrielle and Amarice, only to jettison it when they pilfered Jennifer Sky for Cleo 2525.
It was aggravating that Xena kept being the star and hero of the Amazon episodes, yet she’s not even an Amazon!
JealousAstronomer342@reddit
Wait, all three of the ladies from Cleopatra 2525 were in Xena? Amazing, I love that cheese and rarely see another person even know what it is.
Agent8699@reddit
Yep, they loved to recycle actors!
MeAtHereDotNow@reddit
So hott!
disaster_chips@reddit
Absolutely not
Nipplasia2@reddit
Varia and Cyane were both drop dead gorgeous
thredith@reddit
My two favorite characters, after Gabrielle and Xena.
KingFox211@reddit
She would’ve been better as Xena’s daughter tbh
ThisSciFiGuy@reddit
Such a fun villain.
AshleyKerwin@reddit
Bring on the tyros, the neophytes, and the dilettantes.
pastajewelry@reddit
I would've loved to see an ending where Eve joined the Amazons and learned their ways and traditions through Varia. So much potential.
Agent8699@reddit
Especially as Eve held Gabrielle’s right of caste! And was technically an Amazon.
pastajewelry@reddit
Yep! Eve would be a good fit among the Amazons. She didn't seem to have a sense of community elsewhere. Except when she got all religious.
Agent8699@reddit
And given all of Xena’s past crimes against the (Northern) Amazons, Gabrielle’s frequent abandonment of the Amazons (leaving them without a true Queen) and all of Varia’s own past crimes against the Amazons - having the daughter of Xena and Gabrielle work with the Amazons to build a strong Amazon nation and atone for all their past misdeeds could have been really interesting and fitting for the character.
IseQween@reddit
Varia's "past crimes against the Amazons?"
Agent8699@reddit
My bad - Eve, not Varia!
Although, Varia’s bad attitude and repeated poor decision making, including betraying Gabrielle in THAB, aren’t great!
SakuraTacos@reddit
Yes! They dropped the ball hard having Xena’s daughter commit her life to Eli when Xena has such an extensive and checkered past with the Amazons.
“I’m not an Amazon.” But her daughter is! That should’ve been explored so much more. Xena had so much to atone for with them, I think she owed them the biggest apology out of anyone she wronged. Her daughter’s story should’ve been about the Amazons rather than copy/pasting Xena’s warlord-gone-good backstory and becoming the Messenger
ObnoxiousConsistent@reddit
especially because Eve is an Amazon princess by right of caste!!! which was done but then never acknowledged 😔
milehighgayguy@reddit
I always wished she had gotten the part of Eve instead.
SakuraTacos@reddit
I think the same thing. I was watching Path of Vengeance and To Helicon and Back last night and her energy and chemistry with Xena is so much stronger. I feel like she has so much more of Xena’s spirit
Might’ve been cool if instead of being raised by Romans, Xena’s baby had ended up with the Amazons instead so we still get Varia the Amazon but she’s Xena’s daughter
Jahon_Dony@reddit
Eve was boring, but the existing actress was perfect as Livia!
Seed0fDiscord@reddit
She could’ve become Gabrielle’s sidekick and traveling companion after A Friend in Need
Jahon_Dony@reddit
Teaming up with Iolas or even Autolycus would be a better fit.
itsascreambaby96@reddit (OP)
do you consider Varia the new generation version of Callisto like how Virgil was the new Joxer
Seed0fDiscord@reddit
I would suggest Ephiny
godsibi@reddit
I would suggest Tara 😅 They both attacked Gabrielle out of being insecure
Pop_Stensbold@reddit
Varia was definitely an improvement on the Amazons we were presented with in Seasons 4 and 5 in my opinion. And I would have liked to have seen more of her.
DameEris@reddit
Oh is this not the right answer? Lol