In the late 90s and early 00s, two groundbreaking genre series emerged: Xena: Warrior Princess and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. These shows changed the face of television and inspired a generation of female heroes. While both series had a significant impact, the question of which one is superior remains a subject of debate.
Xena: Warrior Princess
Xena, portrayed by the talented Lucy Lawless, initially appeared as a supporting character in the cult classic Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. She started as a villain attempting to turn Hercules’ friend, Iolaus, against him. However, her popularity led to her own series, Xena: Warrior Princess, which aired from 1996 to 2001. The show followed Xena’s adventures as she travelled the world alongside her sidekick, Gabrielle. Over time, their relationship evolved from a platonic bond to a strong romantic connection. Xena’s archenemy, Callisto, provided a riveting and complex antagonist, while Ares, the Greek God of War, added a love interest with a twist.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Created by Joss Whedon, Buffy the Vampire Slayer premiered in 1997. The show starred Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy, the latest in a long line of young women gifted with supernatural strength and skills to fight vampires, demons, and other monsters. Set in the town of Sunnydale, Buffy and her friends and allies, including mentor Rupert Giles, witch Willow Rosenberg, and best friend Xander Harris, battled the forces of darkness. Buffy not only ran for seven seasons but also spawned a successful spin-off, Angel, which ran for five years.
Influential impact
Xena: Warrior Princess and Buffy the Vampire Slayer were not only influential in their own right but also paved the way for future genre series. Shows like New Doctor Who, Merlin, Supernatural, Charmed, Torchwood, and Teen Wolf have all drawn inspiration from Buffy and Xena, adopting similar tropes and themes. Additionally, both series were known for their strong female leads and LGBT representation, with Buffy featuring a lesbian character in Willow and Xena and Gabrielle becoming LGBT icons.
The shows also shared a similar style, blending humour and surrealism with serious drama and darker content. This unique combination attracted a dedicated fan base that appreciated the complex storytelling and character development. Joss Whedon himself has acknowledged Xena’s influence on his work and the impact it had on paving the way for female heroes like Buffy. The mutual respect between the two shows was evident through affectionate references made in both Buffy and Angel.
Lorne: “Just remember, keep your heads down. Xenophobia kind of a watch-word where I’m from.”
Gunn: “I don’t get it. Why’re they afraid of Xena? I mean, I think she’s kind of fly.”
Wesley: “Xenophobia. Fear of foreigners?”
Main characters: Xena vs Buffy
Xena
Xena, the Warrior Princess, is a larger-than-life character who exudes strength and intimidation. Played by Lucy Lawless, Xena is a hero who always has the upper hand in fights, even against gods. Her backstory is dark and complex, as she was once a villain responsible for slaughtering innocent men, women, and children. Xena’s journey towards redemption and her relationship with Gabrielle adds depth to her character, making her one of the most compelling anti-heroes in television history.
Buffy
Buffy, portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, is the epitome of the underdog hero. Despite her supernatural strength, Buffy is often vulnerable in fights and faces overwhelming odds against powerful villains. Her life is a balancing act, navigating the challenges of being a high school student, holding down a job, and dealing with personal loss. Buffy’s relatability lies in her ability to face everyday problems while battling supernatural forces, showcasing the complexities of being a teenage hero.
When comparing the two main characters, Xena and Buffy, it becomes clear that they are polar opposites. Xena is a larger-than-life figure with a dark past, while Buffy is a relatable underdog. Both characters have their strengths and unique qualities, making it difficult to determine who is superior. However, personal preference leans towards Xena for her originality and complex journey of redemption.
Heroes’ best friends: Gabrielle vs. Willow
Gabrielle
Gabrielle, played by Renee O’Connor, starts as Xena’s loyal sidekick but evolves into a multifaceted character throughout the series. Initially, Gabrielle idolises Xena and follows her everywhere, but over time, she becomes a source of strength and reason for Xena. Gabrielle’s growth as a character is evident in her ability to hold Xena back when she loses control and her willingness to challenge Xena when necessary. However, as the show progresses, the writers somewhat waste Gabrielle’s potential. They reduced her to Xena’s cheerleader in the middle seasons before turning her into a pacifist and then a Xena clone in the later seasons.
Willow
Willow Rosenberg, portrayed by Alyson Hannigan, is one of Buffy’s closest friends and a powerful witch. Starting as a shy and nerdy character, Willow undergoes significant character development throughout the series. She gradually discovers her magical abilities and struggles with the temptations and consequences that come with them. Willow’s journey also includes exploring her sexuality and forming a significant relationship with Tara Maclay. Overall, Willow’s character arc is well-developed and showcases her growth from a vulnerable sidekick to a powerful and independent individual.
When comparing Gabrielle and Willow, it’s a tie. Willow had continuous character development and exploration of complex themes. Gabrielle had a strong presence in the early seasons of Xena, and although her character took some strange turns in later seasons, her love for Xena made her arc believable.
Who is your favourite kickass hero, Buffy or Xena? Or do you like both shows and don’t think they should be compared as they are in entirely different genres and are number one in their categories?
Leave a Reply