10 How is X:WP like HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS, and how is it different?
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This article is from the Xena: Warrior Princess FAQ, by Paul Hilling p.hilling@bigfoot.com with numerous contributions by others.
10 How is X:WP like HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS, and how is it different?
This is VERY rudimentary -- any helpful rephrasing, comments,
suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
How the shows are alike....
1. The characters know each other and "exist" in the same time
frame.
2. Each show incorporates mythological tales/concepts. Both
have a primary star/character who roams the countryside
righting wrongs with their best friend, who usually travels
with them. Xena and Herc are both capable and accomplished
fighters who are brave and true.
3. By the way have you noticed that both Iolaus and Gabrielle
are shorter, more light-hearted/carefree, and of lighter
complexion than Herc and Xena?
How the shows are different...
1. Let's get the obvious out of the way: Hercules and Iolaus
are very male. Xena and Gabrielle are unquestionably
female!
2. Hercules is half god. Xena (as far as we know) is not.
3. Xena is much more the warrior -- complete with armor and
weapons.
4. Herc is in lots of fights, but he doesn't seem to
"enjoy"/revel in it as much as Xena does. (Although more
and more it seems Xena is trying to avoid unnecessary
confrontations.)
5. Xena usually kills or maims a minimum of 2-3 people per
show. (Note: There is an apparent decrease in this kind of
behavior in the 2nd season.) Hercules will knock a half
dozen heads together but seldom actually kills or seriously
wounds anyone.
6. Xena rarely takes on monsters. She focuses on warlords.
Hercules usually takes out the monsters, gets embroiled with
the gods, and generally deals with situations where mortals
(except for Xena) are outclassed. Xena DID defeat a very
nasty Titan, and she and Herc together helped to free
Prometheus. As noted above, she has also gotten involved
with Ares and Hades a few times.
7. She definitely has a dark and horrible past/side that she is
trying to live down and deal with. Herc has had some bad
things happen, but *he* has always been a good guy. I think
that it is this darkness, their very different pasts, that
helps the writers to create the distinct
tones/moods/environments that makes the two shows more
different than I have been able to put into words here.
8. Finally, the sidekicks differ tremendously. Iolaus is a
warrior and hunter. Gabrielle is just learning to find her
way through the world but is trying NOT to become a warrior.
The Gods took Iolaus down a notch on a couple of occasions
because of his tremendous ego. Gabrielle has not developed
that problem.
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