GabLucy?
Posted by IseQween@reddit | xena | View on Reddit | 10 comments
Came across a 2024 article I hadn't seen about Lucy's "Never Look Away" film directorial debut. The writer compared the subject -- intrepid war camerawoman Margaret Moth -- to both Xena and Lucy. Lucy's response sounded like something Gabrielle might've said, in many respects about Xena:
“I’m an idealist. Margaret absolutely was not. She eschewed any kind of spirituality. Introspection was all woo-woo to her. Her attitude was: ‘Self-exploration? No thank you!’ The only way we’re the same is that curiosity can be more attractive to us than common sense.” 😆
Musical_Xena@reddit
It really says something about what a good actress Lucy is, that we automatically attribute Xena traits to her, like the no-nonsense, skeptical, and practical worldview. She makes it feel like that's really her, not just a character she played.
It is hilarious how much Lucy is more like a season 1 Gabrielle, in her personality. So open, intellectual, and curious.
IseQween@reddit (OP)
I'm not into celebrity "news," though there was something about the unknown actor playing Xena that piqued my interest. It wasn't until the media coverage of Lucy's accident on Leno that I sampled a couple of TV interviews about her.
I couldn't believe this slender, light-hearted, bouncy, somewhat ditzy, 20-something with the (to me) funny accent could possibly be the one playing my stoic, no-nonsense, solid-looking hero. I stuck with and found out as much as I could about her personally. I'm glad I did.
Over the decades, I've followed her on- and off-screen performances. She truly is a chameleon, seeming so natural and believable, it's easy to underestimate her talent. Her Lucretia in "Spartacus" blew me away -- a role that showcased her range and "star" qualities at the highest levels.
AuntyEmfromOz@reddit
I recently watched Seasons 1 and 2 of Salem - just because I knew Lucy was in Season 2. When she didn't turn up in Season 3 (despite what I'd read in the media) the series just felt so flat and boring I couldn't finish it.
She certainly brings something special to the screen, and I've found it quite easy to distinguish between all her characters as well. Also love the fact that she kind of makes fun of herself and her Xena past with oblique references in My Life is Murder.
IseQween@reddit (OP)
Same with me about "Salem." I now rewatch MLIM as much as XWP. I too love her XWP references, as well as all the graying guest actors I first saw on XWP. I especially get a kick out of Alexa interacting with the now 30-40 somethings who were children, like "Akemi" and "Alecia" (the little girl in SHOE FITS). One of the funniest is Alexa going on a date with the guy who played the boy in ALTARED STATES, probably about 15 years her junior.
AuntyEmfromOz@reddit
Yes! I remember realising that was the same kid. At one point I tried identifying all the actors in MLIM that I'd seen in Xena but there were too many.........
AuntyEmfromOz@reddit
Didn't realise that Rob Tapert was initially approached to do the documentary, according to this article. Far more appropriate that it went to a woman, Lucy, I think. Still haven't seen it yet, though.
IseQween@reddit (OP)
I've always admired how supportive he is of Lucy. It's like she found her real-life version of Gabrielle in that way. Makes me smile.
SakuraTacos@reddit
I’ve sorta had the same thought before with some things I’ve heard and read in Lucy’s interviews. I remember her talking about different out-of-the-box techniques she used to take care of herself when she was struggling on XWP; I can’t remember the exact details but they were alternative medicines along the lines of acupuncture and tapping. I found that surprisingly Gabrielle-like.
Or this other video I saw of her with Renee like “I’m going to try eating vegan raw foods!” that reminded me of something Gabrielle would do. Like she’s less skeptical and more down to experiment than I would’ve guessed
IseQween@reddit (OP)
Lucy? Skeptical? Cautious about experimenting? "Do something scary, the payoff is awesome" Lucy? I've always regarded her as a risk taker. I hadn't attributed it to "curiosity," but that fits with her "Ooo, I gotta see what that's about, maybe try it" choices to go where others may fear to tread (e.g., speaking her mind about social issues, sit-in protests on oil rigs, breast-feeding ads, prancing around set with pregnant belly, doing quirky cameos).
Come to think of it, maybe curiosity drew Xena to darkness and Ares, just as "light" stuff attracted Gabs. They were both insatiable students of what interested them -- maybe one of the characteristics that bonded them, despite all their differences. Lucy says she wants to be a life-long learner, no matter what her age. That really resonates with me and is an aspect of X&G I really loved. "Teach me." "Show me."
SakuraTacos@reddit
Haha that’s very true but between me watching XWP as a kid and coming back to it last year, I only knew anything about Lucy from following her on Twitter. So I didn’t know much outside of her social and environmental activism before I watched and read all these older interviews. She’s very different from how I imagined in a way that’s enlightened me
I definitely see now how she’s a life long learner, not becoming stagnant, she’s constantly evolving. I love that, it’s a really admirable way to be that not every person is capable of. Or I guess we’re all capable of it but not every person is willing, rather. It’s scary being out of your comfort zone but Lucy thrives in that scary space, she’s so cool