Xena producers apologizing to no one

The New York Daily News reports that the producers of Xena: Warrior Princess are not apologizing for the way in which the death of the lesbian icon was handled in the series finale. While carrying half a dozen arrows around in your body and finally succumbing to a beheading might seem extreme to some, producer Rob Tapert explains, “The finale was really based on where the series started, and it seemed to complete her journey looking for redemption.... Dying in the midst of battle worked for me.” Apparently death was a necessary adjunct to defeating another immortal of equal strength, reasoning that makes sense only to the most devoted fan. Tapert mollifies those who found Xena’s demise gruesome by reminding viewers, “This is about the fifth time that Xena has died in the series, so I’m not worried about the franchise ending.”