Xena and Ares

The former relationship between Xena and the God of War was obviously one of intense admiration and even passion, despite the fact that it was never consummated. Xena may never have seen Ares face-to-face until she'd gone good, but the lingering sexual tension between them demonstrated that her love of war was probably more than just a figure of speech. Given their mutual passion for violence, and their mutual sexuality, the sparks fly between these two when the time is right- as the show began to really demonstrate during seasons five and six.

This pairing is interesting, since it's not *really* subtextual at all. All interactions between Xena and Ares are quite openly seen on the show. What keeps it "subtext" as this site sees it, is the unresolved nature of it: although we know how Ares feels, we're left uncertain regarding Xena's emotions. For years, Ares tormented Xena- at times apparently trying to trick her into joining him again, at other times apparently just fighting her as a nemesis. Yet, though throughout the first seasons of the show he was undeniably an enemy, during season five Ares' position in the show shifted to a sort of neutrality. By season six, he was an ally to Xena and Gabrielle, and Xena may have even developed a renewed soft spot for him.

Has she? Is it just the sensuality, and the beckoning of the familiar? Or is there more to it, as Amphipolis Under Siege implies when Xena admits she felt "something" with Ares? Throughout season six, Xena's own uncertainty as to where she stands towards Ares grew, and with it, the varying possibilities of the true nature of their relationship. They could remain enemies, or could in fact be considered two halves of the same whole, feeling a pull towards one another in a need to become one.