The question is, now what? Aside from the occasional rerun, how are we going to fill the void left by Xena: Warrior Princess?
There are several options for those feeling the effects of serious Xena Withdrawal Syndrome. A few television shows are available that may help give you that fresh dose of girl power. Being the sort of guy I am, I have done a little bit of research to help guide you along the path.
My top choice is the series Witchblade (aired Tuesdays at 9pm on TNT). This series follows homicide detective Sarah Pezzini as she uncovers clues to her own past, and the past of the mysterious weapon she has inherited.
The series is a wonderful mix of dark fantasy and cop drama. Yancey Butler, who plays Detective Pezzini, carries herself wonderfully, giving Sarah a balance of hard-nosed cop and sensitive femininity. The series has its share of clichés, but they owe more to the comic book roots of the show than anything else. In any case, the clichés don't come across as too heavy-handed.
There is a somewhat complex mythology that is developing in the series, but it is possible to miss a week or two and not feel left out. Each episode stands alone, and the important aspects of the back-story are recapped when necessary. The series has received quite a bit of critical acclaim, and certainly deserves more than a single look.
Another possibility is the series Relic Hunter, starring Tia Carrera as Sidney Fox. Her character is a modern-day Indiana Jones, teaching classes one moment and adventuring around the globe the next. The series is a lot more episodic than Witchblade (allowing a lot more freedom when it comes to viewing habits), but the characters are enjoyable and it is never hard to get into an episode.
The series bears more than a passing similarity to Xena in its cribbing from myth and legend for story ideas. Many of the artifacts Ms. Fox pursues have a piece of historical or legendary truth behind them. Fans of globetrotting adventure may find Relic Hunter to be an acceptable replacement for the Warrior Princess.
My third choice is Sheena, produced by former Xena scribe Steve Sears. I have only seen one episode of this series (set in the modern day, like the two previous shows), but there were a lot of echoes of Xena to be found in it. It recalled One Against an Army (one of my favorite Xena episodes) in terms of tone and plot - though the army in this episode was a column of dangerous ants devouring everything in their path.
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