Gabrielle comes from a small village that Xena saved from destruction by the forces of Draco. In fact, this was the first village that Xena had rescued after her "conversion." Gabrielle saw an adventure in the making and wanted to come along. At first, she more or less insinuated her way into Xena's company. But a friendship quickly grew. In Gabrielle, Xena saw what she could have been if things had been different. There is a fire in Gabrielle that Xena recognizes in herself. And, perhaps, in Gabrielle, she sees a way to protect that part of her own soul that was damaged. *

It has been interesting to watch the growth of this character over the five seasons. Renee has really taken Gabrielle and made her someone to remember. There were times we were cheering for her and times where she was just plain driving us crazy. (We won't even talk about the India episodes.) Gabrielle has truly become a woman. In every sense of the word.

And along the way we have been able to share in the friendship between Gabrielle and Xena. I have always been adamant about the fact that I don't think show would have ever made it without Renee. Now don't get me wrong... Lucy Lawless is Xena. Completely. No other actor could have played that part with the success that Lucy has. But I believe a big part of that successful formula has been not just Lucy. But Lucy and Renee. The friendship, the bond, the chemistry between the two actresses. Lucy and Renee are really wonderful together. They have a spark that you don't see often.

I don't mean in the romantic sense either. They just have it, plain and simple. They inspire each other well. Lucy fills up the screen with her larger than life presence. She can't help it. It's natural for her. And it takes someone special to make you turn your eyes away. Renee does that. Point in check, the episode "One Against an Army". Gabrielle is laying in the loft of a barn dying slowing from the effects of a poisoned arrow. Xena is at her physical best. Tall, dark, and brooding. Gabrielle is barely hanging on and as much as I dearly love Renee, she was not looking her best. But she blew the show away.

Her soft spoken plea to Xena to not leave her behind. The ever memorable line, "I accepted the consequences of our life together. I knew it could one day come to this." She was utterly amazing. And her comic timing is brilliant. "Fins, Femmes, and Gems" is a classic. "Looking Good." I could go on and on. This lady has some talent. And she has really let it shine with this role. The smartest thing Rob Tapert and RenPics have ever done was to hire Renee.

Gabrielle is only a stepping stone for Renee. One that should help propel her where she deserves to go. Farther than the eye can see. She's got the talent, she's got the strength, and she knows how to pick her parts.