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Newsletter 06 (1998)
This interview is property of the DXF (German Xena Fan Club). Copying this in any way without written permission is prohibited. All rights are (c) by the DXF 1998.
Exclusive Interview with R.J.Stewart (Executive Producer)
What did you do before "Xena"?
I was trying to find the meaning of life. I'm only half kidding.
How did you meet Robert Tapert & Sam Raimi?
My agent sent me over to meet them. We hit it off and agreed we should try to find something to do together. Xena was it.
How long do you normally work on a script?
The entirely too simple answer is one week on concept, two weeks on story, two weeks on script and if you think we ever really get that much time you don't know television.
Do you have "brainstorming" sessions and come up with ideas collectively?
Sometimes.
Or does everyone work for him-/herself?
Sometimes.
Who makes the final decision whether or not a script is accepted?
That would be Rob and I.
Where do you get your ideas, your inspiration?
Life, movies, novels, philosophy and a great little bar I frequent in Koreatown.
Which episodes are you proudest of as a writer and why?
"Callisto" [Die Furie, 1. Staffel] because I created in that one a character that I love. I thought it was important the Xena deal with the consequences of her past. And this is the way I expressed it. I think it really worked.
"Return of Callisto" [Callistos Rückkehr, 2. Staffel] because I was able to put the following lines in Callisto's mouth, "Love is a trick nature plays to get us to reproduce." I love that line. It sums up rather well Schopenhauer's essay "Metaphysik der Geschlechtsliebe".
"A Day in the Life." [Ein harter Tag, 2. Staffel] I always think of what Xena and Gabrielle do when they're not on film so it was a lot of fun to write an episode where I explored that.
"The Debt, parts I&II" [3. Staffel] I'm very proud of the way I intertwined the Tao Te Ching into those scripts. I worked on that story with Rob so I had to clear things with him as I went. When I called and pitched him the idea that Lao Ma was the author of the Tao Te Ching he said, "RJ, that's a terrific idea." There was no stopping me from then on. Of course Lao Ma's philosophy wasn't entirely from the Tao Te Ching. All the stuff about the blind will is right out of Schopenhauer.
Do you have a general concept that you have to adhere to when you start writing for a new season or are you flexible when it comes to storylines?
The first two seasons we sort of just made it up as we went but in season three and now coming up in four we're doing more planning ahead.
Do Lucy and Renee have any kind of influence on the scripts?
Not really.
Is there room to improvise?
Sure.
Although Robert Tapert recently said that Xena is episodic television, it cannot be denied that there are indeed story arcs (which make the show so fascinating - among other things). How important are these arcs in your opinion?
The arcs allow us to push the characters farther because we know in advance how we're going to bring them back from whatever abyss we shoved them into.
How do you personally see the relationship between Xena & Gabrielle?
Passionate love.
Could you outline for the German fans - who haven't seen season 3 yet - how the dynamics of X&G's relationship will change and what we may expect for the future?
Well, if you all haven't seen them yet, I'm not in the business of giving anything away. Just keep watching.
Will the so-called "subtext" remain an integral part of the show?
Absolutely.
How do you personally see Gabrielle? We sometimes get the impression that the writers can't seem to agree when it comes to her. One week she's an Amazon fighter, next week she's the damsel in distress from Season One (King of Assassins/Blind Faith/The Quill Is Mightier).
Gabrielle was 17 when she left home to follow Xena. She was an unformed person. She's finding herself. She has changed and will continue to change but she will always retain some of what makes her Gabrielle to begin with.
You've said time and again that you are strongly influenced by Schopenhauer's philosophy. Could you elaborate on the effects this has on your vision of Xena and her search for redemption?
In her evil past, Xena was driven by what Schopenhauer believes is the metaphysical basis of the entire universe - the Will - a force that blindly creates and destroys in a pointless drive towards experiencing itself. By leaving that path of selfish desire and starting a life of living for others, Xena took a step toward the Schopenhauerian concept of the Denial of the Will (Verneinung des Willens) which Schopenhauer believed was the only way to liberate oneself from the Ixion wheel of suffering that is life on this earth. Early in the series, Xena saw that Gabrielle practices this denial almost naturally and this is one of the reasons Gabrielle is so important to Xena. As the series goes on, Gabrielle's ability to practice this sort of Denial becomes seriously challenged by the suffering she experiences. How Gabrielle handles these challenges is one of the things we're exploring in the coming seasons. The episodes that I was most able to plant Schopenhauerian themes in were: Sins of the Past, Callisto, Return of Callisto, Destiny, The Furies, Gabrielle's Hope and The Debts.
There seems to be a lot of controversy regarding Joxer. Why do you think there are such extreme reactions? People either love or hate him passionately! Why is that?
Well, I'm one of the people who love him. I have no idea why some people hate him.
Has the success of X:WP changed anything regarding the creative process (more pressure, more demands from all sides)?
Yeah, all of that.
And last but not least: What is it like to work with Lucy and Reneé?
These women are truly very special. I'm so lucky. They're not only super talented but they are also fine, fine human beings. A day doesn't go by when I don't feel grateful for working with these two remarkable women.
Can you tell us what kind of people they are?
Lucy is tough, witty, intelligent, generous and a remarkable actress. She deserves an Emmy [höchster amerikanischer Fernsehpreis]. She has a huge heart. She's someone you really feel you can count on in a pinch. Renee is even sweeter than her character on the show. She's the real thing. A truly beautiful human being.
Thanks again for taking the time! If there is anything else you would like to add, please do!
I love Germany and hope to get back there soon.
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