Discussion: Joxer (2)

Discussion: Joxer (2)
Subject: Likes and Dislikes

I just wanted people to know that
I do not Hate Joxer. Just because I
really strongly oppose a romantic Gab/Joxer
match, doesn't mean I don't like the
guy. I just don't like the match.

At all.

Okay that being said:

things I like about Joxer:

I like his nobility
I like his bravery
I like his willingness to stick up for his
friends.
I like his relationship with Meg. I wish they'd
develop it further.
I love that he's a character with some
specific talents. (Music. . .)

Things I don't like about Joxer

I don't like His space invasions. The chaperoning of the grrrls, from Amazons
to X&G themselves. I don't like the feeling associated with his
"constancy" (not consistency). I don't like the "message" being passed
that Girls are only safe if they're "taken care of," or "watched over," by
Boys.

Ironically that doesn't feel very safe to me at all. .

I don't like the attitude that just because
someone loves you, you have to love them back. . .That doesn't
feel healthful to me. . .

Actually. .. .these aren't personally related to Joxer,
just peripherals of how his character is presented.

Okay. .here's one. .

I don't like Joxer's sexism. I don't like how he instantly
thinks "less" of a woman in a given situation.

I realize that's supposed to be part of the clown
effect, but. . . there are so many who are seeing the
character as victim hero, rather than witless hero. .

know what I mean? So, I"m not sure the message is
being passed along that maybe is supposed to be underpinning
the character. . .

I think, there is more to like about Joxer, as a person
than not to like, but. . .

I have to say I find the Jox/Gab "romance," very uncomfortable.

I liked Been There Done That. Not because Joxer Got Stuck,
but because his "foil" attitude was spot on. That Hickey moment
was perfect. Subtext supported, Joxer still a friend/family, but
not the "threat."

I didn't like his appearance in Bitter Suite in the
Amazon Village. Gave me a real sense of "one of these
things is not like the others." and though I found his
bravery valiant, I found his presence invasive. . . .

(you can look at other things I've written http://bearblue.simplenet.com/nonfic.html)
to see what I'm talking about)

I did like Ted's "hangman," and fool. . .in BitterSuite
I thought that played out well.

I believe that Joxer could be a "useful" charater in
the Xenaverse. If he didn't detract from Gabrielle's intelligence
or compassion in the process. I think he deserves to be
treated better, by X/G at least. ..even if no one else.

Though I guess dippiness has its own reward. . .

I still get treated well by my family when I say dippy things.
They don't smack me around though they may guffaw. .or give me
strange looks. . .I tend to end up laughing too, know what I mean?

So maybe it's the type of humor I have a hard time relating to.
I like Danny Kaye's Slapstick, but never really got into
Three Stooges. I liked Warrior Priestess Tramp for the most part,
but I was kind of turned off by Joxer's sexism towards both MEG and
Gabrielle. I happen to like the character of Meg. . .what's wrong
with a relationship with her? She treats him kindly, but the raunchy
humor is still capable of being there . . .

What I'd love to see, is a better use of the character.
Not as love interest (unless outside of the X/G dynamic)
but as Friend/family. I liked BTDT because it seemed like he
was trying to work through the "warrior" vs. "peacemaker."
I liked BTDT because he "observed" things for us. He
"saw" the Hickey, so *we* saw the hickey too. I liked the subtlety of it too. You don't get hickeys
just any ol' way. . .
We got a real
sense of "oh, yes, they are." without it being heavy handed. . .
It was still sexy and fun though.

As I pointed out a long time ago, it's not a case of whether X/G
like Men, so much as it's a case of whether they like each other.
I like the playfulness of BTDT 's approach to supporting the
"They like each other." I *LIKE* when Joxer's character is used
to affirm that.

I *HATE* when Joxer's character is used to "devalue" that (like
when he interupts hugs or demands personal attention. That makes
him less likable as a character. I don't like that when it happens in real life
so naturally I don't like seeing it on TV) I really Hate the "feeling" of being
chaperoned. . . I hate it in real life, so why would I like it in teevee land?

If little kids need to be "chaperoned," while Xena is on, let the
parents do it and get Joxer out of there. I'd rather see him better
used as a character than. . .as a baby sitter for my conscience. ..

Anyhow. ..

The point is, there are several things that I like about the character
of Joxer and couple of things I don't really like. I think he could be used
better, more effectively, as a character. I really oppose a Jox/ Gab match
because I like the current X/G dynamic (I started watching with the Quest. .you know
. the almost Ghostlike smooch episode. .. very subtexty. ..)
Their was an affirmation of "friend/family" bond with Joxer in
Forgiven and in Forget Me Knot. Personally, I'd like to see that
worked out. .instead of a romance. ..

bearblue