Xena and Joxer

Okay, now with these two it's all about ambiguity. An actual physical relationship between them has never really been explored, barring episodes with Meg in them. Yet still, there is a certain level of subtext to their relationship, in that the level of closeness between them can be argued. The fact that Xena first viewed Joxer as a pest is inarguable, as is the fact that he first viewed her with an extreme level of hero worship. He wanted to impress her - and perhaps romance her; she wanted him gone. However, that relationship began to change, rather subtly at first, and is now very different.

The level of closeness between Joxer and Xena can be most easily observed in Punchlines, as they are together most often. Joxer speaks easily to Xena, whether he is complaining with her about the crying baby, conspiring with her to "get" Gabrielle, or cheerfully telling her what kinds of threats her baby will face. He is even more at ease with her than he is with Gabrielle, as he rarely even makes an overtly stupid comment. He has progressed from hero worship, past friendship, and sees Xena as an absolute equal- not just a respected warrior equal, but a personal equal. By season five, then, Joxer and Xena seem to have a bond rivaling what was seen between Xena and Gabrielle in season two: the bickering, teasing, and just sharing of opinions, underscored by an irrefutable fondness for one another. Xena and Joxer also seem to share a mindset more than Xena and Gabrielle, especially Gabrielle of earlier seasons, when their relationship was just forming.

For Xena's part, it is hard to deny that she sees Joxer as family, just as he does her. She fusses over him in Chakram, she refers to him as "family" in Lyre, Lyre, Hearts on Fire, and she hugs him and coos over him a bit in Punchlines. (Heh heh- I liked that part.;) Maternal instincts or not, Xena has never been high on tolerance. She cannot fake patience with someone, let alone fake the ease with which she relates to Joxer in Punchlines and other later episodes. The fact that he is around them so much in season five, when Xena is pregnant and unable to trust many people at all, is telltale.

The subtext comes into play in wondering just how strong her attachment to Joxer is. Many believe that she loves him every bit as much as she loves Gabrielle, if in a different way. But what way might it be, in either situation? Even in Chakram she doesn't seem to mind him being around while she's bathing, just behind the curtain. And Joxer's attempts at flirtation with Xena only really ended when he fell for Gabrielle - and occasionally resurface, regardless. Indeed, in both later reincarnations of Joxer that have been shown, his persona has at least a flirtation, if not more, with Xena's. Coincidence?