In Memoriam: Joxer the Mighty
I'm taking a break from my series on the Hero's Journey for the next couple of weeks. The season finale is airing this week, but as of press time I haven't seen it yet. Next week I'll have a review of the season as a whole -- where we started, where we went, and where we ended up. I'll also have a comment or two about the first season of Jack of all Trades and Cleopatra 2525.
But this week I want to take a moment to look back at the third member of the Xena family, Joxer the Mighty. For those of you who don't know what's been going on this season, the last three episodes of season five take place twenty-five years into the future of the Xenaverse. Ares inadvertently placed Xena and Gabrielle into suspended animation, Eve has grown up, and much of the world the girls knew has changed dramatically.
For one, Joxer married Meg and started a family of his own (never mind that in Key to the Kingdom (X78) Meg reveals that she can't have children -- anything is possible in the Xenaverse, after all). He's a tired, middle-aged man who clearly raised his kids on the stories of his glory days with Xena and Gabrielle.
Joxer died in Eve (X111), the episode that aired this past weekend on most stations. He left a hero, sacrificing himself to save Gabrielle's life.
From his first appearance in Callisto (X22), there has been a flood of controversy (of sorts) surrounding the character. Some fans love him, while others hate him. Some wanted to see him get romantically involved with Gabrielle, while others saw him as a threat to Xena and Gab's relationship.
Personally, I liked him. In many ways he reminded me of myself during my adolescence. Unsure of myself, a little clumsy, and dreaming big dreams about what I would accomplish. I knew that he had a heart of gold, and he would do whatever he could to help his friends. It didn't matter what the personal risk was, he was willing to do what he could.
This is clear from his earliest days. In Return of Callisto (X29) he charges into the cave where Callisto's men are staying. The distraction he provides gives Xena the opportunity to free herself and Gabrielle. In The Bitter Suite (X58) he is willing to protect Gabrielle from a Xena bent on killing her. In Sacrifice II (X68) he is the one who smuggles the Hind's Blood Dagger into Dahak's temple. In Fallen Angel (X91) he risks his life to protect his friends' bodies and swears to return them to Greece.
Latest Articles