Geekscape Visits Xena Con 17: The Not So Final Journey

After fifteen years of wishing, wanting, begging for parental support to go to Xena Con, I finally mustered up the courage to ask J-Lo if I could go for the sake of nerds everywhere. To be honest, I didn’t know how badly I wanted to go until a few hours after I sent my request, I received the answer of “yes” and I nearly started crying in the middle of my internship. No joke. Xena is my first and most beloved fandom, but more on that is another article.

XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS has been off the air for ten years now and it’s interesting to attend a convention for a seemingly all but dead fandom (seriously, how many of you are self-proclaimed Xenites?). Nevertheless, the convention center at the Burbank Airport Marriott was packed full when the chance arrived to see our personal Jesus—the one and only Lucy Lawless—accompanied by her (to extend the metaphor) John the Baptist—the lovely Renee O’Connor.  But that was Sunday, there were still 2 full days before that, filled with Q&A’s, fan-made music videos and oodles of bass and feedback coming from the mic.

What the Con lacked in production quality, however, it made up for with heart, much like the show itself. At times, I felt like I had crashed a family reunion—you could tell that those who ponied up the dough for the front row tickets did so every year since its inception. Even so, there were a lot of newcomers—like my self—this year, since it had been billed by Creation Entertainment as the last Xena Con, “The Final Journey.” We learned quickly, however, that due to fan response that it was probably not the case. We’ll learn soon enough as the year progresses. Unless they meant the apocalypse was going to happen in 2012, in which case, yes, that may very well be correct. But as these things go, so long as they’re making money, they’ll continue to happen. Like sequels. Or prequels.

Throughout the convention, fans heard from a myriad of people who had worked on Xena. From staple writer and co-producer Stephen L. Sears (who was around all weekend with his Cavalier, Julian the Warrior Puppy) to editors to actresses who literally appeared in a single episode, and each of them received a standing ovation.

War cries could be heard all weekend throughout the convention. From fans ululating their version of Xena’s infamous cry in the halls of the convention to Adrienne Wilkinson performing her Livia cry, something she had previously sworn off, when after three fans told her she did is wrong after she performed it at her first convention she ever attended.

I also got to experience Ted Raimi’s alter-ego “T-Money” do a little rap after half the room had left, believing his time was over.

In addition to war cries and alter-egos, a few actors performed bits in character, like Tim Omundson (the only actor, it seems, whose career has survive since Xena, as he now plays Detective Lassiter on Psych) and Claire Stansfield who reprised their roles as Eli and Alti for an “Inside the Actor’s Studio” riff that they called “Occupy Creation”, so-called because Creation did not invite them to the convention.

The highlight of the convention—aside from breathing the same air as the Warrior Princess herself—was without a doubt Michael Hurst’s drag turn as the Widow Twanky (a Hercules character). It was like watching Rocky Horror live only enjoyable. Bawdy jokes, corsets and puns galore, in addition to in-character stories. I can honestly say, without a doubt, that I prefer Hurst as a woman.

Other highlights included a guided meditation by Lao Ma herself (Jacqueline Kim), meaning I have officially had some of Xena’s training, and the almost surreal moment when a fan confused Tim Raimi for Ed Norton and complimented him on his work in Red Dragon.

I witnessed a dress worn by Hudson Leick (Callisto—Xena’s archenemy) sell for under $2000, but a bra worn by Brittney Powell (Brunehilda—a character that appeared in 3 or 4 episodes in season 6) sell for over $3200. All proceeds went to charities, of course, but neither was encrusted with diamonds or made of gold.

And, of course, what would a convention be without a few cosplayers? Although I missed the costume contest (babysitting pays in dollars, Geekscape in fun times), I still captured some great shots and gained inspiration for future conventions (trade-in my fishnets for a leather cuirass? We’ll see). Here are some of my favorites:

On Saturday, Katharine Fugate—writer of “When Fates Collide” (often viewed by fans as the true series finale)—performed a skit that gave Xena the ending many fans wanted: instead of losing her head, Xena accepts Gabrielle wedding proposal. The sketch was performed with help of actors and actresses like Beverly D’Angelo, David Franklin and Claudia Black as Xena, with Renee O’Connor playing Gabrielle.

Sunday gave us a tribute to the late, great actor who played Ares God of War (and of my prepubescent fangirl heart) Kevin Tod Smith. Videos from past conventions and concerts (he had such a wonderful voice!), with pictures and stories from each episode of Xena, Hercules and Young Hercules he appeared in. It was a bittersweet look back on a career that ended far too soon.

Michael Levine—director of several Xena episodes—gave a few great anecdotes about his time with the cast. Regaling us with the tale of how overtime is decided by vote in New Zealannd, and his feelings about the would-be Xena/Gabrielle kiss in “The Quest” (Xena’s spirit is in Autolycus’s body at the time). The kiss was in the script, he says, so he shot it purposefully in such a way as to avoid it.

But stories and awesome b-roll footage aside, there was only one reason we were there and that was for the main event: Lucy Lawless and Renee O’Connor in person!

Lots of pictures, lots of videos. Of Renee, anyway. My camera died shortly after Lucy came out—but not before I captured her war cry!

Renee was very sweet and heartfelt, telling tales about her family and her son who has been elected an ambassador of compassion at his school, part of an anti-bullying campaign. She thanked the fans for their continuous support of her career and allowing her to try out new things at the cons (throughout the weekend we watched her “5 Ways to …” videos. Super low quality and ridiculous but it’s ROC, so of course this crowd was going to lap it all up).

Lucy, on the other hand, was no nonsense and began the Q&A without anecdote. Although she cracked jokes, she was too aware of the ridiculous nature of it all. As if she could put the warrior princess behind her. When a fan asked how she felt about being called the anchor and leader on set, she dryly quipped, “I was getting it on with the producer, so his business was my business”—basically she knew what Rob Tapert knew and so, if he was too busy she of course knew the answer to most any question.

Begrudgingly, she gave her iconic war cry and after much coaxing ever stated her typically screamed catchphrase, “Kill ‘em all!” but she never slipped from her Kiwi accent.

Finally, she called ROC back to the stage and after urging from the audience, they read Katharine Fugate’s ending. I say “read” because Lucy mostly made side comments, not once establishing herself as Xena, although Renee was definitely Gabrielle. Lucy gave a crazed “Yessss!” to the proposal before spinning her around and dipping her into a kiss. The crowd went wild—at least the Xena/Gabirelle shippers, which was the majority of the fans in attendance.

Overall, the con was an experience. Although not as intimidating as San Diego Comic Con, it was still hard for me to adjust around a group of hardcore fans—even if I count among their numbers (based on the trivia game, I know I’m up in the ranks, as well). But I would never—or perhaps “could never”—pays hundreds of dollars for a picture with Lucy or an autograph from Renee, but I had just spent a weekend with 2300 people who were willing to do just that. It’s intense.

This convention also gave me the first time in my life where I have officially felt old. I’m 23. I was six when Xena and Hercules were on the air, and I have always been the youngest person in a room of fans or interested parties, but there were kids there 17 years of age and older—not even alive, let alone cognizant, of the show in ’95. It’s crazy, but cool. A new generation has been given the warrior princess!  I wonder what they’ll do with her … film reboot, anyone?