EMMY Volume XXI, #4 -August 1999

[only a small snippet of this article is essential for the ROC fan. sidekick discussion involving Anthony Stewart Head, among others.]

STRONG SUIT
by Hoyt Hilsman

The strength of a show's supporting players can make all the difference in it's success.


One actress who has to deal with a very unusual onscreen relationship is Reneé O'Connor, who plays sidekick Gabrielle in the syndicated Xena: Warrior Princess.
"Lucy [Lawless] is quite formidable and obviously dominates the show," says the diminuitive O'Connor. "There has never been a storyline where my character would step in front of her."

However, offscreen, O'Connor describes a different side of the relationship.
"Lucy is like an older sister to me. I'm always learning from her, whether I realize it or not. Our relationship has developed over the course of the years. I started socializing with others [on the show] before I did with her, mostly because Lucy has a daughter at home."

The onscreen relationship between Xena and Gabrielle has gotten much attention because of its romantic undertones. But O'Connor describes the bond between the characters this way:
"It's simply a strong love between two people."

O'Connor recalls a recent incident on the set during a funeral scene.
"Xena was holding Gabrielle in front of the fire. There were a couple of strangers on the set who had puzzled looks on their faces. But it was really a genuine moment between friends, whatever their sexuality. We are simply portraying soulmates who happen to be women."


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