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To do that kind of emotion over the course of a week and through multiple takes...of course, this is what they train to do and excell at, but I think the reactions of Lucy and Renee are among the most raw I've seen on television...and that's saying a LOT. Again, makes me wonder if they break character between takes or if the directors are aware enough to just keep the film rolling and let the actors continue when they deem appropriate.

LadyKate63 wrote:

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Beautiful pictures, carpechakram!

I get the impression from some of the bloopers on the DVDs that Lucy is great at slipping effortlessly in and out of character. I remember an outtake from The Way with the scene where Xena is saying that if she can't kill without hesitation because she has to worry about jeopardizing her reincarnation as a saint, "then I can't be a warrior anymore." And then Lucy says, with a totally straight face, "And then the series is over!"

I do agree that Lucy's approach to acting is very instinctual but it's also fundamentally a craft for her, whereas for Renee I think it's more about literally inhabiting Gabrielle's skin. It's telling that when they discuss the characters in the DVD interviews/commentaries, Lucy invariably refers to Xena as "she" whereas Renee often refers to Gabrielle as "I" and to Xena as "you" when talking to Lucy. There was actually a hilarious moment illustrating this in one of the interviews for Season 5 -- the one for God Fearing Child, I think -- where they're talking about Ares and Renee says, "So you think he was really in love with you?" and Lucy replies, sounding rather amused, "Not me -- XENA!"

It's interesting, because I notice that too (Renee referring to Gabrielle as "I". Renee is very much a part of her character, as her character is a part of her. You're right when you say it's more of Renee "being" Gabrielle...she takes the role quite seriously (as does Lucy, just in a different way). I've also heard in some commentaries that Lucy says "I" when talking about Xena, but mostly she's describing what she does AS Xena. So, basically I just repeated everything you said, LadyKate!

Sylvius, that's interesting to hear about Renee having her family with her to help her "come back" from playing Hope. What a change of character to go from one who is so pure (Gabrielle) to one who is the complete opposite (Hope). I wonder, again, how they can differentiate that feeling. I wonder if the director has her shoot all her scenes as Gabrielle in one block, then has her play Hope in another. I would assume that playing Gabrielle one day and Hope the next, followed by another day of Gabrielle would be emotionally and mentally taxing.

It's quite interesting to hear the actors talk about their craft and the ways they do it. (And I know, I've said "interesting" to start off each paragraph, but I don't know what other word to use! )

JSolo, while me watching the series went too fast for me to really experience the emotions (I just wanted to see what happened next!), I'm sure my second go-around of viewing will hit me. Indeed, when I watched FIN Part II for the second time, the last five minutes really got to me, not because I thought the story was good, but completely because of how Renee and Lucy portrayed those emotions. Again, to me, it's what makes this show so great: the actors' ability to completely dive into their characters with such passion.

They use their facial expressions and their eyes quite a bit actually. That's part of what caught my attentiOn and started this thread. I just rewatched Fallen Angel last night, and especially at true end when Xena and Gabrielle wake from the dead, they express so much in their eyes. There are several episodes where I'm sure if you muted the sound, you would be able to know exactly how those characters feel, simpl based on body language and facial expressions. Lucy and, in particular Renee are quite adept at showing emotions their eyes. I think part of that comes from how much they know and have learned about their characters and part, of course, is talent.