It’s a much different world today than the one that TV shows had to navigate in the 90s.
Networks are a lot more willing to put certain storylines on mainstream airwaves nowadays, and what used to be limited to sub-text, at best, can now be celebrated out in the open.
Which is absolutely excellent news for the planned reboot of the hyper-excellent Xena: Warrior Princess.
The series that originally ran in syndication from 1995 until 2001 was confirmed to be in line for a revival by NBC last August, with Javier Grillo–Marxuach, who previously worked on Law & Order: SVU, Lost, Charmed, and currently serves as a writer and co-executive producer on The 100, set to pen the new pilot.
And unlike the original series, Grillo-Marxuach has no intention of beating around any bushes.
Whilst Xena in the OG show was always of an ambiguous sexuality, if the new series goes ahead its likely that all doubt will be erased.
In a Tumblr response post, Grillo-Marxuach alluded to the fact that he has no interest in re-hashing the character unless he can fully and openly explore a relationship that was merely hinted at during the show’s original run – that of Xena and her “very close friend” Gabrielle.
“Xena will be a very different show made for very different reasons. there is no reason to bring back Xena if it is not there for the purpose of fully exploring a relationship that could only be shown subtextually in first-run syndication in the 1990s.”
And while he doesn’t explicitly state that that’s the relationship that’s going to be explored, come on.
Xena being gay isn’t exactly the world’s best kept secret, though. Fans long ago cottoned on to the overt subtext inserted into the show, and the plethora of charged moments Xena and Gabrielle shared, so this isn’t exactly the biggest revelation in TV history.
But an openly gay Xena returning to kick more ass, chew more bubblegum, and freely pash babes? That’s absolutely something everyone can get behind.
No word yet if Lucy Lawless will be brought on board to reprise her iconic role.
Source: Vanity Fair.
