Gabrielle (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
potedeiabard) wrote2021-12-19 07:59 pm
potedeiabard) wrote2021-12-19 07:59 pm
110 Canon Facts (Part II)
Part two of the facts series. I figured there was still a bit to tie up in regards to some canon facts, so I figured I'd give some more!
Note: Up for change, rearrangement and some additions. Huge thanks to the RespectThreads on Reddit for compiling some clips. Enjoy anyways.
CANON FACTS II
1. Has met Brunhilda and Beowulf in her quest to find Xena, who was -- at the time -- after Grindl. She's also fought alongside them.
2. But also she's fought against Brunhilda, Brunhilda says she still can't assess if Gabrielle is a better warrior than she is, but knows that if she were to find out one of them wouldn't come out alive.
3. Gabrielle has also fought a Valkyrie beside Brunhilda.
4. Laid dormant for a year, surrounded by a ring of fire (which is Brunhilda who transformed herself into an eternal flame) that would keep everyone away, protecting Gabrielle and the ever powerful Ring. Only her eternal soulmate could walk in.
5. Gabrielle's way is NOT the way of love. Although there's some debate on whether or not Gabrielle's warrior way was truly meant for her, we know canonically that the way of love was not it. The way of love, at least for her and for the time (so full with violence, etc), wasn't the way to go. Her way could have been disturbed when she decided to tag along with the turbulent Xena, who was on her own path for good, but perhaps that way was better than whatever destiny had in store for her. She technically coins her way. The way of Friendship.
6. Her parents (Herodotus and Hecuba) were beheaded sometime during Gabrielle's absence (the 25-year sleep).
7. Gabrielle has a niece, Sarah, whom she rescued from a raider (rider? sp?) and returned to her sister, Lila -- who is still alive. In turn, she managed to get the ring leader of this slave trade murdered by his own henchmen.
8. Gabrielle as an Amazon Queen leads like a leader. Even though she was reluctant at first, she's grown more and more firm into this position. During difficult times she's more war-oriented than her usual peaceful self. Her eloquence and charisma rallies the troops and what she learned from Xena makes her a remarkable Queen. She admits that she may not agree with her decisions as a leader during war, but she knows and distinguishes that it's what needs to be done. War changes people and Gabrielle is no exception.
9. Because she's an Amazon, she can see the spirits of the Amazons that have passed.
10. Has a good sense of balance, shown quite a few times.
11. As per 'A Friend In Need', Gabrielle has a dragon tattoo on her back. Even though it is never explicitly said, one can only assume she has it for a while. However, her mehndi tattoos are gone, so who's to know. (Edit: Mun goes over this tattoo and its symbology in more detail in This Post).
12. She keeps Xena's ashes with her, though there's no telling what she will do with it.
13. Gabrielle talked and tricked her parents into getting her a pony when she was five.
14. On her birthday, Xena and her always play practical jokes/pranks to one another. On that note, her birthday is celebrated twice on the show (that we see).
15. Has trained/fought with a Katana (I believe this discipline is called Shinkendo) and has fought against a Samurai as well.
16. Fights a pirate with a chair once, and is later on seen fighting off a couple of pirates with a Mop.
17. Despite being a bit pure and innocent at first, Gabrielle has definitely had her smug moments where she's proven to be quite skillful in less-than-legal things. Sneaking into countless places for one, Stealing Autolycus' ring (sleight of hand), picking locks, etc.
18. It is shown quite a few times that while Gabrielle has moved on from the situation with Hope, she has never truly healed those wounds. As someone who wanted to be a mother once, she got to be so through nefarious and traumatizing means, she still struggles (in some subconscious way at least). She has forgiven Xena and has forgiven herself for what happened, but there's still that sting there.
19. Has a tendency to say 'I'll say', 'everyone's a critic' and 'By the gods!'
20. Seems to be quite skillful with her feet, shown in Chin when she grabs the blackpowder from Joxer's pants and in Jappa where she kicks the falling urn up in the air after prying it free from a bird's nest.
21. Likes to read history, science, poetry and philosophy. She knows quite a bit of stories and legends and it is seen quite a bit.
22. On that subject: loves Sappho and her poetry.
23. Knows how to play the pan flute.
24. Gabrielle has interesting repertoire of gestures and quirks. She has a tendency to talk with her hands, even though in later seasons is less common. She also does, occasionally, an eyebrow twitch, she pokes at the people she's reprimanding, points at them, has a quick head shake or a head twitch when she sees someone or something she likes (a lot) and also has a nose scrunch here and there. Overall, she's very expressive, tends to pace while musing to herself as well.
25. Even though she's a writer/bard and knows quite a few words, there's the instance where even she gets flustered and doesn't know what what means. As shown by this moment with Aphrodite.
26. She proposed the Atomic Theory to Xena once, that's a thing.
27. She saved Potedeia once!
28. As shown by her time in 'Heaven', Gabrielle still has a hard time moving on from Callisto and what she did to her. Despite this, she learned to forgive her and make peace with this. Thanks to this, she passes the test to become an Archangel. This is one of the open wounds that does heal near the end of the series.
29. Out of most, if not all, the characters in the show, Gabrielle is the only one that actively walks the path of light and darkness with ease, swaying from one to the other.
30. Brunhilda confesses Gabrielle has the most courageous and truthful heart she's ever seen. It changed her enough to disobey Odin and change her mind on how warriors should be.
31. Oh yeah, Brunhilda fell in love with Gabrielle... and so did Beowulf. Y'all, I can't blame them.
32. Fought a group of men with just a rope and a little bit of fire. And it's something she learned on her own, considering Xena has never been seen fighting with a rope like that.
33. In that same scene, by the way, Gabrielle is protecting an unconscious Xena. She says that she wished Xena could've seen that. So, we know that even if Gabrielle is a capable fighter, she still likes a little praise from her mentor and that's way too fucking cute.
34. Is almost entirely selfless. If it's for the greater good, then she is willing to even sacrifice herself to make sure it happens. Has learned from Xena, however, that if there's a trick to it then she better exploit it. If it must be done this way, she would do it. The only times she'd be selfish are the times where Xena is in danger or she has to bring her back, but even this had a limit. The very last episode is telling enough of this. She was willing to let go of her lover, her soulmate, just so that the 40,000 souls trapped to eternal anguish (By Yudoshi) could be released and free. This meant sacrificing Xena. And as much as I hate AFIN (I think I will write about this later on), this does showcase the ultimate decision. At Xena's request, and after a quick deliberation, Gabrielle keeps Xena's ashes and lets the time run out.
35. Is effectively Xena's only true successor, as a warrior at least. The others she's mentored are never heard from again and Eve went from being a feared warlord to a messenger of Eli, who has forfeited fighting to undo her wrong doings. In a way Gabrielle is the only one that has directly learned from Xena for years and continues to carry that knowledge (the pinch, for example, which Gabrielle is very likely to never use).
36. Has fought Ares (in his immortal form), I can't believe I haven't mentioned that. Actively avoided his temptations, too. Hated bonding with him, but when he was a mortal she tolerated him enough, for Ares was a bit pathetic as a mortal.
37. She fought the gods??? I mentioned this in passing before but it's so bizarre, so I had to do so again. Obviously, she didn't win nor killed them as she had no chance to do so, but she slipped through their fingers along with Xena quite a few times. Withstood blasts and hits, look at her go!
38. Met Castor and Pollux, Zeus' twins, and managed to steal Castor's oil to save Xena and Daphne, a little girl who had Xena's soul trapped inside of her...? Listen, it was a strange episode.
39. I completely forgot about this, but when she briefly went into that pacifist era, she created a device that allowed her to throw blinding powder and opted to fight more passively. It's never seen again after she revives, but this brings into question what other devices she could make.
40. She learned the ritual to enter the Spirit World from Xena, something she uses to try and fight Alti. She nearly dies fighting Alit, however, and she never does it again.
41. Fought against the Romans, killed romans -- what else is new.
42. She's lost her memories once!
43. This seems redundant to point out but it's good to do so anyways. She seems to have quite remarkable skills for swimming. And probably has big lung capacity to boot. Several times she's seen swimming, underwater, etc.
44. As per mun's count, Gabrielle has been close to death or dead around five or six times. Number subject to change because this show is wild.
45. Despite grabbing a more "lethal" weapon after the India Arc (debatable), she seems to still opt to use the Sais in a less-lethal manner. She twirls the Sais and use them to punch people and knock them out instead of stabbing, slashing and cutting -- unless the situation calls for it. It shows that she's still consciously fighting to defend herself, never aiming to kill.
46. Gabrielle's philosophy shifts and evolves through the seasons, and they all mostly come from experiences. However, the core belief that propels her is: The Greater Good. To do good things, to FIGHT for good, to fight for what you love. That is the ultimate message she actively believes and seeks to live by.
47. This desire and belief to do good, however, has led her to be strangely suceptible to some cult leaders and their own eloquence. This all makes a lot more sense when you look at her context in the moment, but eventually she's grown enough to not be as easily swayed. For she knows now that people who speak of good and pose to do things for the greater good can sometimes be just as bad as ruthless warlord thirsty for power (Najara and Aiden, for example).
48. This doesn't bear repeating either, but she's quite well travelled. From Greece to Chin, from Asia to Africa and all. However, the places she hasn't visited include South America and North America, at least not in the show. The girl is well travelled, as is Xena.
49. Seems to have knowledge on how to build traps and is quite resourceful when she wishes to escape something, using anything at hand to device a plan. If she can talk her way out of things, she will and if she can't, she will talk her way into getting something to help her escape.
50. After Xena's death, she continues on her adventures without her -- living on as Xena's legacy. Last thing we hear of Gabrielle is that she plans to go south in the land of the Pharaohs, because she's heard they need a girl with a Chakram.
Bonus. Her wish is -- when the time comes -- to be buried next to Xena. And her last 'I Love You' is to Xena.
Go back? Here it is.
Note: Up for change, rearrangement and some additions. Huge thanks to the RespectThreads on Reddit for compiling some clips. Enjoy anyways.
1. Has met Brunhilda and Beowulf in her quest to find Xena, who was -- at the time -- after Grindl. She's also fought alongside them.
2. But also she's fought against Brunhilda, Brunhilda says she still can't assess if Gabrielle is a better warrior than she is, but knows that if she were to find out one of them wouldn't come out alive.
3. Gabrielle has also fought a Valkyrie beside Brunhilda.
4. Laid dormant for a year, surrounded by a ring of fire (which is Brunhilda who transformed herself into an eternal flame) that would keep everyone away, protecting Gabrielle and the ever powerful Ring. Only her eternal soulmate could walk in.
5. Gabrielle's way is NOT the way of love. Although there's some debate on whether or not Gabrielle's warrior way was truly meant for her, we know canonically that the way of love was not it. The way of love, at least for her and for the time (so full with violence, etc), wasn't the way to go. Her way could have been disturbed when she decided to tag along with the turbulent Xena, who was on her own path for good, but perhaps that way was better than whatever destiny had in store for her. She technically coins her way. The way of Friendship.
6. Her parents (Herodotus and Hecuba) were beheaded sometime during Gabrielle's absence (the 25-year sleep).
7. Gabrielle has a niece, Sarah, whom she rescued from a raider (rider? sp?) and returned to her sister, Lila -- who is still alive. In turn, she managed to get the ring leader of this slave trade murdered by his own henchmen.
8. Gabrielle as an Amazon Queen leads like a leader. Even though she was reluctant at first, she's grown more and more firm into this position. During difficult times she's more war-oriented than her usual peaceful self. Her eloquence and charisma rallies the troops and what she learned from Xena makes her a remarkable Queen. She admits that she may not agree with her decisions as a leader during war, but she knows and distinguishes that it's what needs to be done. War changes people and Gabrielle is no exception.
9. Because she's an Amazon, she can see the spirits of the Amazons that have passed.
10. Has a good sense of balance, shown quite a few times.
11. As per 'A Friend In Need', Gabrielle has a dragon tattoo on her back. Even though it is never explicitly said, one can only assume she has it for a while. However, her mehndi tattoos are gone, so who's to know. (Edit: Mun goes over this tattoo and its symbology in more detail in This Post).
12. She keeps Xena's ashes with her, though there's no telling what she will do with it.
13. Gabrielle talked and tricked her parents into getting her a pony when she was five.
14. On her birthday, Xena and her always play practical jokes/pranks to one another. On that note, her birthday is celebrated twice on the show (that we see).
15. Has trained/fought with a Katana (I believe this discipline is called Shinkendo) and has fought against a Samurai as well.
16. Fights a pirate with a chair once, and is later on seen fighting off a couple of pirates with a Mop.
17. Despite being a bit pure and innocent at first, Gabrielle has definitely had her smug moments where she's proven to be quite skillful in less-than-legal things. Sneaking into countless places for one, Stealing Autolycus' ring (sleight of hand), picking locks, etc.
18. It is shown quite a few times that while Gabrielle has moved on from the situation with Hope, she has never truly healed those wounds. As someone who wanted to be a mother once, she got to be so through nefarious and traumatizing means, she still struggles (in some subconscious way at least). She has forgiven Xena and has forgiven herself for what happened, but there's still that sting there.
19. Has a tendency to say 'I'll say', 'everyone's a critic' and 'By the gods!'
20. Seems to be quite skillful with her feet, shown in Chin when she grabs the blackpowder from Joxer's pants and in Jappa where she kicks the falling urn up in the air after prying it free from a bird's nest.
21. Likes to read history, science, poetry and philosophy. She knows quite a bit of stories and legends and it is seen quite a bit.
22. On that subject: loves Sappho and her poetry.
23. Knows how to play the pan flute.
24. Gabrielle has interesting repertoire of gestures and quirks. She has a tendency to talk with her hands, even though in later seasons is less common. She also does, occasionally, an eyebrow twitch, she pokes at the people she's reprimanding, points at them, has a quick head shake or a head twitch when she sees someone or something she likes (a lot) and also has a nose scrunch here and there. Overall, she's very expressive, tends to pace while musing to herself as well.
25. Even though she's a writer/bard and knows quite a few words, there's the instance where even she gets flustered and doesn't know what what means. As shown by this moment with Aphrodite.
26. She proposed the Atomic Theory to Xena once, that's a thing.
27. She saved Potedeia once!
28. As shown by her time in 'Heaven', Gabrielle still has a hard time moving on from Callisto and what she did to her. Despite this, she learned to forgive her and make peace with this. Thanks to this, she passes the test to become an Archangel. This is one of the open wounds that does heal near the end of the series.
29. Out of most, if not all, the characters in the show, Gabrielle is the only one that actively walks the path of light and darkness with ease, swaying from one to the other.
30. Brunhilda confesses Gabrielle has the most courageous and truthful heart she's ever seen. It changed her enough to disobey Odin and change her mind on how warriors should be.
31. Oh yeah, Brunhilda fell in love with Gabrielle... and so did Beowulf. Y'all, I can't blame them.
32. Fought a group of men with just a rope and a little bit of fire. And it's something she learned on her own, considering Xena has never been seen fighting with a rope like that.
33. In that same scene, by the way, Gabrielle is protecting an unconscious Xena. She says that she wished Xena could've seen that. So, we know that even if Gabrielle is a capable fighter, she still likes a little praise from her mentor and that's way too fucking cute.
34. Is almost entirely selfless. If it's for the greater good, then she is willing to even sacrifice herself to make sure it happens. Has learned from Xena, however, that if there's a trick to it then she better exploit it. If it must be done this way, she would do it. The only times she'd be selfish are the times where Xena is in danger or she has to bring her back, but even this had a limit. The very last episode is telling enough of this. She was willing to let go of her lover, her soulmate, just so that the 40,000 souls trapped to eternal anguish (By Yudoshi) could be released and free. This meant sacrificing Xena. And as much as I hate AFIN (I think I will write about this later on), this does showcase the ultimate decision. At Xena's request, and after a quick deliberation, Gabrielle keeps Xena's ashes and lets the time run out.
35. Is effectively Xena's only true successor, as a warrior at least. The others she's mentored are never heard from again and Eve went from being a feared warlord to a messenger of Eli, who has forfeited fighting to undo her wrong doings. In a way Gabrielle is the only one that has directly learned from Xena for years and continues to carry that knowledge (the pinch, for example, which Gabrielle is very likely to never use).
36. Has fought Ares (in his immortal form), I can't believe I haven't mentioned that. Actively avoided his temptations, too. Hated bonding with him, but when he was a mortal she tolerated him enough, for Ares was a bit pathetic as a mortal.
37. She fought the gods??? I mentioned this in passing before but it's so bizarre, so I had to do so again. Obviously, she didn't win nor killed them as she had no chance to do so, but she slipped through their fingers along with Xena quite a few times. Withstood blasts and hits, look at her go!
38. Met Castor and Pollux, Zeus' twins, and managed to steal Castor's oil to save Xena and Daphne, a little girl who had Xena's soul trapped inside of her...? Listen, it was a strange episode.
39. I completely forgot about this, but when she briefly went into that pacifist era, she created a device that allowed her to throw blinding powder and opted to fight more passively. It's never seen again after she revives, but this brings into question what other devices she could make.
40. She learned the ritual to enter the Spirit World from Xena, something she uses to try and fight Alti. She nearly dies fighting Alit, however, and she never does it again.
41. Fought against the Romans, killed romans -- what else is new.
42. She's lost her memories once!
43. This seems redundant to point out but it's good to do so anyways. She seems to have quite remarkable skills for swimming. And probably has big lung capacity to boot. Several times she's seen swimming, underwater, etc.
44. As per mun's count, Gabrielle has been close to death or dead around five or six times. Number subject to change because this show is wild.
45. Despite grabbing a more "lethal" weapon after the India Arc (debatable), she seems to still opt to use the Sais in a less-lethal manner. She twirls the Sais and use them to punch people and knock them out instead of stabbing, slashing and cutting -- unless the situation calls for it. It shows that she's still consciously fighting to defend herself, never aiming to kill.
46. Gabrielle's philosophy shifts and evolves through the seasons, and they all mostly come from experiences. However, the core belief that propels her is: The Greater Good. To do good things, to FIGHT for good, to fight for what you love. That is the ultimate message she actively believes and seeks to live by.
47. This desire and belief to do good, however, has led her to be strangely suceptible to some cult leaders and their own eloquence. This all makes a lot more sense when you look at her context in the moment, but eventually she's grown enough to not be as easily swayed. For she knows now that people who speak of good and pose to do things for the greater good can sometimes be just as bad as ruthless warlord thirsty for power (Najara and Aiden, for example).
48. This doesn't bear repeating either, but she's quite well travelled. From Greece to Chin, from Asia to Africa and all. However, the places she hasn't visited include South America and North America, at least not in the show. The girl is well travelled, as is Xena.
49. Seems to have knowledge on how to build traps and is quite resourceful when she wishes to escape something, using anything at hand to device a plan. If she can talk her way out of things, she will and if she can't, she will talk her way into getting something to help her escape.
50. After Xena's death, she continues on her adventures without her -- living on as Xena's legacy. Last thing we hear of Gabrielle is that she plans to go south in the land of the Pharaohs, because she's heard they need a girl with a Chakram.
Bonus. Her wish is -- when the time comes -- to be buried next to Xena. And her last 'I Love You' is to Xena.
Go back? Here it is.