Heroines have existed since the earliest prehistoric myths, questing to become the all-powerful mother goddess in an epic that has them descend to hell and pit themselves against tyrants and vicious matriarchs. Nonetheless, the nineties TV show Xena: Warrior Princess was one of the first to face this journey onscreen. In it, heroic Xena and her companion Gabrielle battle their dark sides over and over, growing into legends through their struggle. Xena and the Heroine’s Journey explores the symbolism of the costumes, the talismans, the emotional struggles, the allegories of the musical episode. It lays out the journey step by step as Xena and Gabrielle face enemies that reflect their own submerged shadow sides, then plunge into true death through crucifixion and sacrifice. Along the way they battle their evil daughter-selves and thus reconcile with their dark sides, discovering the balance that makes a hero, whatever her gender.
