Xena, Gabrielle, and Joxer: The Trio

Or as I call it, the "Joxer as Third Soulmate Theory". For years, I and some others have believed that the initial pair of Xena and Gabrielle across the ages is destined to be a trio. The Xena Scrolls set into motion the idea of "Uber-Xena", the concept that Gabrielle and Xena's souls were connected and destined to meet again and again across the ages; what is neglected by many fans is the suggestion that Joxer is connected in this equation, as well. Two out of the three times we have seen into Xena and Gabrielle's future selves, Joxer has been there as well (including the first time).

In Fallen Angel we saw that Joxer had found his way to Rome, following nightmares that Xena and Gabrielle were "in trouble". With nothing more to go on than a strong subconscious awareness that his friends were in danger, he tracked them down. It has been said before by those in charge of the show that Xena and Gabrielle have a mental "link" and that when one is in trouble the other can "hear" them; this has been demonstrated in both Adventures In the Sin Trade and Back in the Bottle. Perhaps it was demonstrated here that Joxer has it, as well?

It is widely believed that a person has more than one soulmate. For Joxer to be a third soulmate would not be disruptive to Gabrielle and Xena's relationship, nor would it be disruptive to any kind of karmic balance; in fact, it would follow what many believe already, that soulmates fulfill a different role in each life. The one who is your best friend in this life may be your daughter in the next, and your lover in this life may be your father in the next. ...Creepy when you put it that way. ^_~

In addition, there is a balance when these three are together that is not quite the same when one is missing. Gabrielle and Joxer together are entertaining; Xena and Joxer together are rare, but it's happened (Key to the Kingdom... sort of). Xena and Gabrielle is common, of course. But there is an extra element when Joxer is there with them. Each member of the trio has qualities which at least one of the others do not, ranging from abilities like cooking or singing to things like beliefs, ways of approaching problems, and simple feelings. Without Joxer's presence in Purity, the secret of the black powder wouldn't have been discovered. I read a very good, insightful paper at Whoosh a while ago suggesting that Xena is the Body, Gabrielle is the Mind, and Joxer is the Heart (I believe it was by Carolyn Wallace).

This section would seem to suggest that I am saying that this "three-way" subtext should overcome and get rid of the others; that Joxer and Xena and Gabrielle should all have lived happily ever after and have no interactions that don't involve all three. No, I'm not saying that. I believe that these subtexts are mutually exclusive, and that for one to exist another does not have to be destroyed. As a matter of fact, I felt that the X/G and J/G subtexts on the show are what *comprised* the three-way subtext, and once Joxer was killed - in fact, once he was taken out of the equation with the 25-Year-Freeze - that dynamic was lost, and so was much of the charm of the show.

The possibilities, as well as the benefits, of the Trio potential were multi-varying. A comfortable friendship/family relationship between all three; a pairing between two with a sibling relationship towards the third; a Heinlein-style polyamourous situation, even. After Joxer was taken from the group, Xena and Gab descended into a much darker and more violent world. They may have felt that all they needed was each other, and many viewers may have agreed, but some of us - obviously, myself included - just saw the situation as being fairly depressing. It would be nice to think that, in their next lifetimes, they'll have another chance to catch up to one another and be happier together.