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Top 11 Lesbian/Bi Sidekicks

StuntDouble

July 9, 2009

2. Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan), Buffy the Vampire Slayer

She may have started out as a doe-eyed, bookish sidekick, but Willow Rosenberg didn't stay that way for long.

Willow was the beginning of a new order in Slayer history, in more ways than one. She befriended Buffy from nearly her first moment at Sunnydale High, and went on to test the theory that a Slayer should face the world alone.

When she wasn't restoring souls and studying magic and protecting Buffy and erecting magical barriers, she actually managed to fall in love — with another witch.

You could argue that her turn as Dark Willow should push her further down the list of sidekicks, but at the end of Buffy the Vampire Slayer's TV run, Willow did perform a spell to save the entire world. We'll just call it a wash.

1. Gabrielle (Renée O'Connor), Xena: Warrior Princess

While there were plenty of questions surrounding Gabrielle's relationship with Xena — Are they or aren't they? Will they or won't they? Do they already, and it's just not on-screen? — the one thing everyone agreed on was this: Without Gabrielle, Xena the Warrior Princess would never have survived.

The Battling Bard of Potidaea could talk her way out of (or into) anything; her flair for dramatic storytelling saved them numerous times. She also learned stellar warrior skills, arming herself with an Amazon staff, and agreeing to fight for the greater good.

Together, she and Xena traveled the world, forging literally to hell and back again.

Their subtext was eclipsed only by the number of times Gabrielle saved Xena's life, and in the end Lucy Lawless said it best: "They're married, man."

Because when you find a sidekick like Gabrielle, you want to make it permanent.

TAGS ::

Great article!

Submitted by

Tomahawk (3 posts)

on July 8, 2009 - 10:02pm.

I really liked this article, actually--seemed to fill a hole I didn't know we hadn't covered yet! But, small correction--under the "Shane" section, the last paragraph says she ruined "Shane's" lovelife, but I'm pretty sure that's not the name you want there :)

Molly

Submitted by

StuntDouble (1259 posts)

on July 8, 2009 - 11:29pm.

I was thinking of Jenny ruining Shane's chance with Molly. Of course, Jenny tried to sabotage so many love lives, I could have made that a [fill in the blank]!

"They're married, man."

Submitted by

moony (145 posts)

on July 8, 2009 - 10:10pm.

I freakin' love Lucy Lawless.

Really enjoyed your description of Angela on Bones. Spot on.

Yay Gabby wins!

Submitted by

Patti (25 posts)

on July 12, 2009 - 3:18am.

I read this article and prayed Xena & Gabrielle would win. I couldn't think of a better couple ... sidekick that came close. This just goes to show how loyal lesbians are. Over 10 years later and they are still number one... !!

I also had to agree with this comment because of the description of Angela. I love Bones better, but Angela comes in a very close 2nd on the show. They need more women on that show come to think of it. lol

We may even get to see some subtext between her and Bones this next season. Emily Deschanel mentioned the possibility during one of her interviews. Not like an out and out - oh yeah they will have an affair, but more like sutle saying she'd be open to something to happen between the two of them.

Who knows... we can hope! Pray... beg fox...can't we?? LOL

Gabrielle rocks

Submitted by

hotdoc (23 posts)

on July 8, 2009 - 10:21pm.

I'm so glad Gabrielle was the #1 sidekick!

Sigh.....

Gabrielle ROCs

Submitted by

Akiela Xal (2 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 1:16am.

Like anyone else *could* be #1 on this list. ;)

Best list ever!

Submitted by

eohl (137 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 2:43am.

I usually don't agree 100% with the lists that float about. This one though ... I agree with totally. Job well done, StuntDouble! Reading the posts so far ... everyone agrees.

Gabrielle is definitely the no. 1 sidekick and Lucy was 100% correct. They were married. You can't have one without the other. I don't think they show would have been successful as it was without Lucy and Renee as Xena and Gabrielle.

Lucy and Renee

Submitted by

hotdoc (23 posts)

on July 21, 2009 - 3:06pm.

I agree 100%. Lucy and Renee acted the characters so beautifully...

Yay!

Submitted by

minsky (4 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 11:12am.

I'm so happy Gabrielle is number 1! This is a great list =) Who could question Gabrielle's loyalty to Xena afterall they've been through? That's why I think her being #1 is richly deserved.

A new classic

Submitted by

the linster (1026 posts)

on July 8, 2009 - 10:42pm.

Great article, StuntDouble!

Mmm, Tosh <3

Submitted by

Nelle Thaler (38 posts)

on July 8, 2009 - 10:53pm.

As far as I know, it's Gwen and Ianto who Jack is left with next season (Owen is gone, alas-wait, that's actually awesome).

Great article!

Ianto!

Submitted by

StuntDouble (1259 posts)

on July 8, 2009 - 11:27pm.

Yep, that was a typo. Sorry. We'll get it fixed. :)

Have you watched any of series 3 "Children of the Earth" yet? It is blowing my mind with its awesomeness!

Is it playing on BBCA yet?

Submitted by

TheWeyrd1 (766 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 12:16am.

I really enjoy Torchwood. But Xena and Gabrielle are still my NUMBER 1 after all these years... Fun article!

Children of the Earth...

Submitted by

Becky (14 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 1:43pm.

Is incredible!

The screaming children were really creepy...

And I loved Ianto's reaction to Clement Macdonald calling him queer XD

This new series is

Submitted by

ChocolateSprinkles (102 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 4:18am.

This new series is amazing!!! 9pm cannot come around fast enough!

& Xena and Gabrielle all the way!!!! :D

Word

Submitted by

Sarah from Chicago (150 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 8:11am.

I had a running crush on Tosh for both seasons, and just about bawled my eyes out on the couch when ... well, non-spoilers must prevail I guess.

Mmmmmm .... Tosh ....

But yes, I also do in no way mourn the fact that Owen is no longer there.

Sarah

***************************

http://kiwi-grrl.livejournal.com/

Torchwood

Submitted by

StuntDouble (1259 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 9:06am.

Wow, I had no idea there were so many Torchwood fans here!

I will be Facebook recapping Children of the Earth for our brothers over at AfterElton.com when it airs on BBC America. (It starts July 20th.) I've done a series 1-2 Facebook recap that will post next week, and then each day after it airs on BBCA, another Facebook recap will go up. Check it out if you love the show!

(I've seen the first two episodes and may I just say: WOWZAH!)

Great article, StuntDouble.

Submitted by

stephanie b (54 posts)

on July 8, 2009 - 11:21pm.

Great article, StuntDouble.

I love all the choices, and I probably would have added one more. I always thought that Alice in Adrian Tomine's Shortcomings was an awesome (queer) sidekick for Ben. I'd love an Alice spin-off story.

Xena and Gabrielle sigh

Submitted by

ladytia (12 posts)

on July 8, 2009 - 11:52pm.

Xena and Gabrielle *sigh* They take me back to my childhood, they really do. Xena remains one of my favorite shows, and to this day I still pull out the DVDs and do a mini-marathon. Lucy Lawless is right, and she continues to be awesome.

Xena and Gabby always # 1

Submitted by

RonnyDP (2 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 1:05am.

I totally agree with Lucy, they were married , Were there any doubts in the end??? love Lucy Lawless and Reneé O`Connor, and obviously love Xena and Gabby.... Great list

:D

Submitted by

Gaby (69 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 1:06am.

i love how i share a name with Xena's sidekick haha

Angela <3

Submitted by

Mel (53 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 1:47am.

Im Still Hoping For Her And Brennan...to realise they are in love, bye bye Booth!
Great article :D! Loved It :)

Faith!

Submitted by

blueinthefaceangel (87 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 2:02am.

What about faith! in buff she...she was...okay I'm a little faith crazed but can you blame me? anyway Gabby is number one she fought and kept xena from going crazy....sometimes.

"Has anyone seen Shane's Vagina?I think she dropped it somewhere." L word

My blog...plz comment!

http://princessbabydyke.wordpress.com/

this is a really great

Submitted by

shleebeans (6 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 3:25am.

this is a really great article! what a good idea.

and torchwood at the moment is AMAZING. i love the relationship between ianto and jack - they are sort of understated but beautiful! :)

Brilliant list

Submitted by

Psynomi (390 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 3:33am.

I agree with every one of them, well that is to say, the ones I know. Although I was outraged at first that Willow wasn't no. 1, but then I saw that Gaby had taken that spot and obviously I can't argue with that.

But anyway, great list :)

Awesome article

Submitted by

Cindayyy (40 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 3:53am.

LMAO at Marcie & Velma. Willow is AMAZING, but Gabrielle always takes #1. And Lucy Lawless was right--they're friggin' married, man.

The Chosen Two???

Submitted by

Anguissette (43 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 4:44am.

Really, no Faith from BtVS?? I mean, she was the other slayer. I guess having two sidekicks from the same show would be pushing it... Not to mention she flip-flopped from friend to enemy to friend to whatever. I do love Willow though! She's so damn adorable!

I love Faith and I certainly

Submitted by

pancreas (314 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 9:24am.

I love Faith and I certainly consider her to be bi, but I don't think her character was exactly 'out' - although neither were Marcie and Velma and maybe by the site's post-Lindsay Lohan position on outing she might qualify...

torchwood

Submitted by

monkeyINshoes (161 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 4:58am.

Torchwood is the best show ever!! My gosh...and Tosh rocked. It was because of Torchwood/'Janto'/Barrowman that I found Afterellen, funnily enough. Tosh+Janto? Best show ever!!!

I can believe anything, provided that it is quite incredible. -Oscar Wilde

WHY??????

Submitted by

AJ (16 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 8:03am.

WHY DID XENA WARRIOR PRINCESS HAVE TO END???? Shane, I need a hug.....

And this article is really adorable.

yay!

Submitted by

Jenny (1 post)

on July 9, 2009 - 8:15am.

XENA is No.1.. yay for that..

awww

Submitted by

Radicalmind (286 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 8:59am.

This is totes cute.

~The whole world will tell you who you are, until YOU tell the world!

Pop Ups

Submitted by

DameRhetorica (73 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 9:02am.

Fun article, AE, but what's with the pop-up ads for Montreal? Despite my several pop-up blockers, I get the same ad on every page of this piece. The d-mned thing won't close when I click the X. And the content seems better suited to our friends at AfterElton. While I used to think the Phoenix U ads were the worst ever, not least because no one is really helped that far along by an online degree from a "place" like that, Montreal is the new "winner." Merde.

This made me smile!

Submitted by

pancreas (314 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 9:22am.

This made me smile!

shining light

Submitted by

HER (5 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 10:13am.

Awesome analytical skills. If the shoe fits...

Xena and Gabby are always #1!

Submitted by

Renee (232 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 10:50am.

What a great list and what a PERFECT choice for #1! They are by far the best couple and Gabby was the best sidekick in TV history!

Although it did make me sad to see that photo again...I've been mourning the loss of the Xena movie for a while now...this just brought back some of the ache.

Oh well...maybe it's time for another Xena marathon.

~Renée

X & G always #1

Submitted by

dbackfan22 (18 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 12:50pm.

I just discovered XWP this year -- (D'oh! Where was I? I didn't even know who Lucy Lawless was when I was watching BattleStar Galactica!) Bought the whole series and have become an obsessed fan 8 years after the show ended. I am about to finish Season 4 this week, and already I'm mourning that I have fewer episides left to see than I have already seen.

So I've been having my own Xena marathon, and reading through all the articles on Whoosh.org, and have even read a little fanfic (hmm -- a VERY little -- most of it is pretty bad.) No news to anyone else on this site, of course, but really, XWP was the best show ever on TV, for us women who found ourselves looking for soulmates among women. Oh my.

Dbackfan22

x&g

Submitted by

orrsi (6 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 1:50pm.

if u are looking for good quality Xena and Gabrielle fan fics visit www.academyofbards.org. It is a goldmine. And yep, Gabrielle and Xena still rule.

x&g

Submitted by

dbackfan22 (18 posts)

on July 10, 2009 - 2:41pm.

thanks -- I will check it out!

You also must must must check out...

Submitted by

TheWeyrd1 (766 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 9:44pm.

www.merwolf.com for fanfic BY ONE OF THE EPISODE WRITERS, Melissa Good. And actually it was her early fanfic that got her the job of writing a couple of later episodes! In my opinion, she's the OFFICIALLY endorsed fanfic writer for Xena...heh.

Nice post...

Submitted by

hotdoc (23 posts)

on July 22, 2009 - 7:19pm.

"for us women who found ourselves looking for soulmates among women." Sigh...

Xenafiction.net is nice in that the stories are rated by readers, a general rating and a "spice" rating. Once you enter the site, go to "top rated." I, like you, mourn the loss of the show. I don't think I could ever finish all the fanfiction, though, so I'm pretty happy.

willow

Submitted by

AcePitcher (61 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 10:52am.

is not on top list. but anyway, nice article!

Willow!

Submitted by

Steph (209 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 11:14am.

I love. <3 :D

---

www.stephsoutinkl.blogspot.com

Xena and Gabs sigh

Submitted by

cosmiccowgirl (1077 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 11:40am.

I thought Willow was a shoe-in for this one. I guess I wasn't even thinking of Gabrielle as a sidekick by the end of the show. But good call. Xena and Gabs are still by far the best lesbian couple ever on screen. No other pairing has ever come close to the magic they had. I've been feeling nostalgic for them lately.

I have recently been watching Dark Angel for the first time and Original Cindy is the bomb. That show is under-rated.

Ditto...

Submitted by

TheWeyrd1 (766 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 9:47pm.

I was counting on Xena and Gabrielle coming in number one because as you say, they "are still by far the best lesbian couple ever on screen." I also agree with your assessment of Original Cindy.

Awesome!

Submitted by

StrawberryPanic (69 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 12:46pm.

As I was going down the list I was like... Com'mon.. who could be better than Shane? She should be #1. Then, I was like. Ok, I was wrong. Willow should be #1. Then I read who you picked as #1 and I was ashamed of myself.

You Rock! This list is perfect! It makes me very happy. Good job, as always! :)

hurrah for Casey inclusion

Submitted by

baubo (136 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 12:50pm.

who, in my perfect fantasy, would be played by Yvonne Strahovski in the Showtime series of SiP. Joss will produce. Jane will be head writer. Amber Benson will play Francine (not like Tara but more like her character in Chance). i will play Tambi and Bambi and Olivia Williams will play Darcy Parker. . . . still taking casting suggestions for Katchoo and David.

great list!

SiP!

Submitted by

StuntDouble (1259 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 1:20pm.

I love that you've cast yourself!

How come you pick Yvonne Strahovski for Casey and not Katchoo? Either way is fine by me. My Strahovski love knows no bounds.

one day StuntDouble and i will thumb wrestle

Submitted by

baubo (136 posts)

on July 9, 2009 - 3:18pm.

for the love of Ms Strahovski.

but she has to be Casey because if i'm Tambi then she and i end up together. well, fictionally, at first, but my humor will win her over. well, in my mind, but a restraining order will be impossible since we'll work together. until i can't stop drooling, and then i'll dehydrate, and then i'll go to the hospital and then they'll have to recast and . . .

and oddly enough this is the second time i've shared my SiP casting dreams today. maybe i should break it out when i go home and start a reread. or maybe i should read the second Scott Pilgrim. decisions, decisions.

maaaaybe...

Submitted by

kulhaha (192 posts)

on July 10, 2009 - 10:02am.

I think that if Elizabeth Banks could toughen up a bit then she would make an excellent Katchoo. I mean they kind of look alike right? Or maybe that's just me.

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