In this episode of Chatz, we take a step back from episode-by-episode discussion to look at Xena: Warrior Princess as a complete series, focusing on its production history, cultural impact, and the enduring legacy of its queer fandom. We discuss how Xena was made, how it evolved over six seasons, and why its relationship with fans, especially queer fans, helped shape what television could be. Drawing from the Rob Weisbrot Official Guide to the Xenaverse and Xena: Their Courage Changed Our World, a collection of essays by fans, we explore how Xena became more than a cult fantasy show and why it still matters decades later.
0:00- Intro, Before the Storm, and 2015 Was Worse
5:30- Setting Up What We Read and Fandom Discussion
35:36- The Production of Xena: Warrior Princess
1:17:30- Chatzums