frayadjacent | Xena curriculum, updated for 2020

Back in 2014 I posted my Xena curricula -- several lists of episodes I recommend watching for varying levels of commitment. I recently revised the curricula because of a VidUKon-inspired virtual* group watch of Xena. I've decided to update all the curricula and re-post them. I know the show much better now! Obviously some of this is subjective, especially the comedy episodes (I like gross body humor, as it happens). Feel free to ask me about any episodes.

I have included the extremely controversial Xena finale on some of these lists. I like the finale but also am sympathetic to why many fans felt deeply betrayed by it. If you have not watched Xena before and would like to know more then please message me.

I've put the following content warnings on:

*r -- racism of the following forms: extreme Orientalism; coding of characters as 'primitive' in a way that draws on images or stereotypes of Native Americans/Indigenous people (even though this is Ancient Greece and there are no Native Americans, this is totally a thing on Xena). Note that all episodes with Amazons have some of this as the Amazons are coded as indigenous, but I only use the warning for the more egregious examples.
*dv -- partner violence
*sv -- sexual violence -- this is always either a threat or is symbolic.

Please let me know if I've made any mistakes in my content warnings or if you think I should take a different approach. I have tried my best but my memory is imperfect and sometimes so is my judgement.

The highlights--One or two of the best episodes per season. Definitely leans toward the dramatic over the comedy episodes.

Season 1
Sins of the Past
Callisto

Season 2
Return of Callisto
A Day in the Life

Season 3
The Debt I
The Debt II
One Against an Army

Season 4
Endgame
Ides of March 

Season 5

Season 6
When Fates Collide

Low commitment--A handful of the best episodes per season. You will definitely miss out on quite a bit of context/plot arc/character arcs, but because it's a 90s show they're pretty good at filling you in. Definitely leans toward the dramatic arcs over the comedy episodes.

Season 1
Sins of the Past
The Greater Good *sv
Callisto

Season 2
Return of Callisto
Destiny *r (in teaser only)
A Day in the Life
The Price *r

Season 3
The Deliverer *sv
Gabrielle`s Hope
The Debt I
The Debt II
Maternal Instincts
The Bitter Suite *dv
One Against an Army
When in Rome

Season 4
A Good Day
Crusader
Paradise Found *r
Endgame
Ides of March

Season 5
Fallen Angel -- TBH this episode is not as good as the rest on this list, but it resolves the cliffhanger from the Season 4 finale.

Season 6
Who`s Gurkhan? *r
The Abyss *r
To Helicon and Back
When Fates Collide

Medium commitment--About a third of the show, with all the very best episodes. You will definitely miss out on some context/plot arc/character arcs, but because it's a 90s show they're pretty good at filling you in. Definitely leans toward the dramatic arcs over the comedy episodes.

Season 1
Sins of the Past
Dreamworker
Hooves and Harlots
The Greater Good *sv
Callisto
Is There a Doctor in the House...?

Season 2
Return of Callisto
Destiny *r (in teaser only)
The Quest
A Necessary Evil
A Day in the Life
The Price *r

Season 3
Been There, Done That
The Deliverer *sv
Gabrielle`s Hope
The Debt I
The Debt II
Maternal Instincts
The Bitter Suite *dv
One Against an Army
When in Rome
Sacrifice I
Sacrifice II

Season 4
Adventures in the Sin Trade I *r
Adventures in the Sin Trade II *r
A Family Affair
A Good Day
Crusader
Paradise Found *r
Endgame
Ides of March

Season 5
Fallen Angel Looking Death in the Eye
Livia
Eve
Motherhood

Season 6
Heart of Darkness
Who`s Gurkhan? *r
The Abyss *r
To Helicon and Back
When Fates Collide
Many Happy Returns
A Friend in Need 1
A Friend in Need 2

High commitment--this is about 75% of the show, and has all the major plot and character arcs as well as the best standalones.

Season 1
Sins of the Past
Dreamworker
The Path Not Taken *sv
The Reckoning
Hooves and Harlots
Beware Greeks Bearing Gifts
Athens City Academy of the Performing Bards
Warrior...Princess
The Royal Couple of Thieves
The Prodigal *sv
Altared States
Ties That Bind
The Greater Good *sv
Callisto
Is There a Doctor in the House...?

Season 2
Orphan of War
Remember Nothing
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
Return of Callisto
Warrior..Princess..Tramp
Intimate Stranger
Ten Little Warlords
Here She Comes..Miss Amphipolis
Destiny *r (in teaser only)
The Quest
A Necessary Evil
A Day in the Life
The Price *r
Lost Mariner

Season 3
The Furies
Been There, Done That
The Deliverer *sv
Gabrielle`s Hope
The Debt I
The Debt II
Warrior..Priestess..Tramp
The Quill is Mightier
Maternal Instincts
The Bitter Suite *dv
One Against an Army
Forgiven
When in Rome
Forget Me Not
Fins, Femmes and Gems
Tsunami
Vanishing Act
Sacrifice I
Sacrifice II

Season 4
Adventures in the Sin Trade I *r
Adventures in the Sin Trade II *r
A Family Affair
In Sickness and in Hell
A Good Day
A Tale of Two Muses
Locked Up and Tied Down
Crusader
Past Imperfect
Key to the Kingdom
If the Shoe Fits
Paradise Found *r
Devi *r
Between the Lines *r
The Way *r
The Play`s The Thing
The Convert
Endgame
Ides of March

Season 5
Fallen Angel
Chakram
Succession
Animal Attraction
Them Bones, Them Bones
Seeds of Faith
Lyre Lyre, Hearts on Fire *sv
God Fearing Child
Eternal Bonds
Amphipolis Under Siege
Married with Fishsticks
Kindred Spirits
Antony and Cleopatra *r
Looking Death in the Eye
Livia
Eve
Motherhood

Season 6
Coming Home
The Haunting of Amphipolis
Heart of Darkness
Who`s Gurkhan? *r
Legacy
The Abyss *r
The Rheingold
The Ring
Return of the Valkyrie
Old Ares Had a Farm
The God You Know
Path of Vengeance
To Helicon and Back
When Fates Collide
Many Happy Returns
A Friend in Need 1
A Friend in Need 2

The comedies! What it says on the tin -- the best comedy/camp episodes according to me.

Season 1
Athens City Academy of the Performing Bards
Warrior...Princess
The Royal Couple of Thieves
Altared States

Season 2
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
Warrior..Princess..Tramp
Here She Comes..Miss Amphipolis
A Day in the Life

Season 3
Been There, Done That
Warrior..Priestess..Tramp
Fins, Femmes and Gems

Season 4
In Sickness and in Hell
Key to the Kingdom
If the Shoe Fits
The Play`s The Thing

Season 5
Married with Fishsticks

Season 6
Old Ares Had a Farm
Many Happy Returns

*via Discord -- let me know if you want to join! We watch Mondays at 19:00 UTC, and are following the high commitment list.