"Why is everybody telling me to think? I think, I just don't show it."
- ―Joxer, "Eternal Bonds"
Joxer the Mighty was a major character on Xena: Warrior Princess and a minor character on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. He was one of the closest friends of Xena and Gabrielle. Although he was incapable of fighting and wasn't the smartest of people (and mostly oblivious of this), he was a loyal friend and extremely trustworthy. He was one of three identical triplets, his brothers being Jett, a professional assassin, and Jace, a rather flamboyant performer. He didn't have a close relationship with either of them, although implications would lead one to believe that he was closer to Jett than he was to Jace.
When he was first introduced, Joxer wanted to join Callisto's army and seemed to have convinced himself that he was a villain of a sort. His far-fetched self-belief lead him to realize that he would be more useful as a "good-guy" type, thus he began to see himself as the hero instead of the sidekick. Traveling with Xena and Gabrielle, they built a strong friendship and trust. By the end of Season Two, he had fallen in love with Gabrielle, something that he would not tell her until three seasons later. This was one of the longest continuing relationships on Xena: Warrior Princess.
When Xena and Gabrielle were presumed dead to prevent the Twilight of the Gods, Joxer was convinced that they were alive and searched for their bodies for years. He looked after Argo and her daughter and dedicated his business to the duo, creating an inn that was filled with pictures and artwork related to them. He and Meg had three known children, two of which were shown but never named and the other was Virgil. When Xena and Gabrielle escaped the ice cave, they found Joxer's Inn and were reunited with him. In order to find Eve, they traveled to Rome, where they discovered that Eve was, in fact, the Roman Empress-to-be, Livia. Once Xena had managed to expose her affair with Ares and split her and Emperor Octavius, she went on a killing spree of the Elijans. Joxer attempted to protect Gabrielle, who had been captured by Eve but was killed by her. However, he was reincarnated along with Xena and Gabrielle in modern day in the 20/21st century.
Joxer built several relationships throughout the show. His love and strong relationship with Gabrielle, close friendship with Xena and love interest with Meg, being the most obvious. He also had other notable friendships with Amarice, Autolycus, and Arman. He also had a notable antagonistic relationship with Callisto.
Joxer was played by Ted Raimi.
Early Life
Joxer is the youngest of his triplet brothers, Jett and Jace. He grew up on Olympic Street, close to Aghmar the Meatman. His father came from a line of warlords, a path which he tried to follow, unsuccessfully. Little is known about the rest of his family, only that his father was serving time in prison for an unknown crime and Jett was in there with him, for his assassination attempt on Cleopatra in "The King Of Assassins". Jett possibly escaped from prison, due to the bounty on his head in "Takes One To Know One".
Story
Meeting Xena and Gabrielle
Joxer first appeared in 'Callisto', where he was turned down by Callisto for joining her army. He later went on to travel with Xena and Gabrielle, where he decided to fight for the Greater Good. He isn't trained in any fighting skill, weapon or hand-to-hand, despite carrying a sword. Considering this, he does have a heart of gold and often shows extreme bravery.
Adventures with Xena and Gabrielle
In 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' Joxer team up with Xena, Gabrielle, and Orpheus to bring down Bacchus and his Bacchae. It is revealed he can play the Lyre. He does so and it causes all of the Bacchae to be temporarily disabled and to kill Bacchus, Xena shrewdly allows Gabrielle to bite her and she transforms into a deadly monster. She stabs Bacchus again and this time, he explodes in a ball of fire. All of his victims, including Xena and Gabrielle, are transformed back into their mortal forms and brave Orpheus is reunited with his body.
In "Return of Callisto" Callisto and her army escape of prison and find Joxer. Callisto orders Joxer to tell Xena that he escaped from prison and that he should have killed her when he had the chance. Meanwhile, Xena and Gabrielle are awakened in the middle of the night by Perdicas, a warrior once engaged to marry Gabrielle. They start traveling together and in the way, they are joined by Joxer, who brings news of Callisto's escape.
The first time he meets his future wife, Meg, was in 'Warrior... Princess... Tramp'. Meg, a Xena look-a-like, shows signs of attraction to Joxer. Joxer, thinking it is Xena who likes him, becomes secretive towards Meg. The two become closer and both drop hints throughout the show that they are having an affair.
It isn't until 'A Comedy of Eros', that we first get an insight into Joxer's character. Cupid's son, Eros, wreaks havoc by shooting people with his father's arrows. When he shoots Gabrielle and she falls in love with Joxer, he basks in the attention he gets from her. When Cupid returns to put everyone right again, he tries to heal the love-sick Joxer, but after a few attempts, Xena tells him to leave Joxer, as it's real, hinting that Xena had known about his secret crush all along. Later that day, Gabrielle jokes with Joxer by saying that she couldn't imagine the two of them in love. He looks rather depressed, when Xena places her hand on his shoulder and smiles, as if to indicate that everything will be fine.
Joxer in Chin
Joxer's brother, Jett, puts in his first appearance in 'The King Of Assassins', where he tries to kill Cleopatra. Joxer seemed to be scared of his older brother. This was later revealed to be just sibling rivalry, when Jett kills Cleopatra's rogue guard, who hurts Joxer. Jett then says that no one harms his little brother but him.
When Joxer makes it big at a local Casino, owned by Titus, he sets himself up to be conned—or worse. Promptly, Joxer is tricked by two con men, Rafe and Eldon, into giving up all his winnings (twice as much money as he should have paid for real gold) for a lump of fool's gold. The con men also steal Joxer's sword. Joxer is then beaten to death by the Casino guards, including Leo: Titus' son, who don't believe anyone could be stupid enough to trade all the money he won for a worthless rock. When this happens, Xena and Gabrielle show a more loving and protective side to Joxer, by trying to stop this Casino owner. An almost dead Joxer manages to get out of bed and despite his condition, tries to face up to Titus and Leo. Xena manages to bring down Titus and Leo with the help of Rafe and Eldon. (XWP "King Con")
Relationships with other heroes
Joxer sought to ingratiate himself with other heroes when he felt out of place with Xena and Gabrielle. He visited Hercules and Iolaus and tried to join them just before Hercules married Serena. When Hercules gave up his strength and he and Iolaus briefly parted ways, Joxer tried to travel with Iolaus and become his new partner. This only served to remind Iolaus that his place was at Hercules' side. (HTLJ "When a Man Loves a Woman")
Gaining Xena's Trust
Joxer may be the 'comic relief' of the show, but Xena knows that she can trust him. She shows this, immensely so, by entrusting with him the location of the Hind's Blood Dagger and asking him to retrieve it for her, So that she can kill Gabrielle's demi-goddess daughter, Hope. He does so, proving him worthy of her trust.
Xena then tries to find Gabrielle and Ares claims he knows where she is, but there is a catch. She must marry him. Xena confides in Joxer, due to Gabrielle's absence. This proves that she thinks of Joxer the next in line to Gabrielle as her closest friend.
Relationships with other heroes
Joxer sought to ingratiate himself with other heroes when he felt out of place with Xena and Gabrielle. He visited Hercules and Iolaus and tried to join them just before Hercules married Serena. When Hercules gave up his strength and he and Iolaus briefly parted ways, Joxer tried to travel with Iolaus and become his new partner. This only served to remind Iolaus that his place was at Hercules' side. (HTLJ "When a Man Loves a Woman")
First Kill and Aftermath
"...Or maybe he could be a monkey and his tail could get longer."
- ―Joxer on an alternate version of Pinnochio, "If the Shoe Fits..."Joxer had never killed (despite what he says) until the episode, 'The Convert', where he kills a warlord, Cryton, who has ransacked a church and is trying to kidnap the virgins. Joxer is speechless and slumps into depression after this. Xena tells him to face up to what he's done by telling someone - his son, Arman. He does so and Armand is livid at Joxer's actions. After Armand calms down, he tells Joxer that he is no longer angry with Joxer, as he knows that his father was evil and that someone had to stop him. Armand and Joxer stay good friends. Joxer seems to mature after this. He seems to be more aware and engages a bit more in the combat.
Joxer had "" (despite what he says), until the episode "" where he kills a warlord "", who has ransacked a church and is trying to kidnap the virgins. Joxer is shocked that he has actually taken a life and stares at the body of his first kill: Xena tells him they must take the body to the nearest village and send Najara back to prison. Joxer is crushed by what he has done and is uncomfortable at being hailed as a hero by the locals for killing Kryton. Learning that Kryton had a son, Arman, Joxer feels he has to tell him what happened. When he know Arman, Joxer relents when he realizes that Arman believed his father to be a brave, righteous man. Learning of his father's death, Arman swears vengeance on the killer and Xena lets him ride with them. Joxer and Arman uneasily bond, but all that comes to an end when Najara tells Arman of his father's evil deeds and Joxer's involvement in his demise. Arman wants to kill Joxer, but Xena intervenes and asks him to spare Joxer's life. The boy reluctantly agrees, but leaves camp, as Xena reminds him that the man Joxer killed was not the man Arman thinks of as his father. After Arman. Joxer seems to mature after this. He seems to be more aware and engages a bit more in the combat.
Soulmate
The first reference to Joxer being Xena and Gabrielle's soulmate is made in 'Deja Vu All Over Again', where, he is alongside Gabrielle and Xena in the present day. His in the body of a woman, Annie Day(Played by Lucy Lawless).
In the next episode, 'Fallen Angel', he then tells Amarice that he had been having dreams that Xena and Gabrielle were in trouble. This is true (They had been crucified), showing that there is a psychological link between the three.
Admitting His Love for Gabrielle
After Eli and Callisto resurrect Xena and Gabrielle from the dead, he realizes that he nearly lost her and it was this that was the catalyst that made him tell Gabrielle that he loves her. He confides in Eli the 'Love Guru', in his own words, that he wants to tell her but doesn't know how to. Eli tells him that he should just say what he feels in his heart. Joxer chooses a rather stupid moment to tell her - in the heat of battle. Gabrielle is shocked by the news, but accepts it and moves on, as does Joxer.
Reconciling with His Brother
Joxer's other brother, Jace, makes his debut in 'Lyre, Lyre, Hearts On Fire'. He is portrayed as being a very flamboyant, camp, pop king. He wore a pink, frilly all-in-one and speaks with a fake Spanish accent. He is nothing like Joxer or Jett, despite being triplets. He is also possibly homosexual, judging by his stereotypical appearance. Joxer doesn't speak of his brother, as he is embarrassed by him. After some thinking, Joxer decides to reconcile with his brother and put their differences aside.
After Xena and Gabrielle's Death
After Xena and Gabrielle's death, he began searching for them non-stop. It is during this time that he had his first son, Virgil, with his long-time lover, Meg. He opened up a tavern in memory of Xena and Gabrielle, which had Xena and Gabrielle themes to its food and was decorated with replicas of the Chakram and Gabrielle's sais. He also gained possession of Argo, Xena's horse. He put her in foal and named her offspring Argo II. He never let anyone ride her, and kept her in a field outside his tavern.
After Argo died, he gave up hope and stopped looking for Xena and Gabrielle. He had more children with Meg and settled down and focused on his business.
An older Joxer, as he appears in 'Livia'
Years later, the local auctioneer came into Joxer's tavern, trying to flog a scroll, entitled 'Looking Death In The Eye'. It is said that it was the chronicle of Xena and Gabrielle's last adventure. He skimmed through it and realized that it was indeed written in Gabrielle's hand and bought it for 65 Dinars, with hope that it would give answers to Xena and Gabrielle's whereabouts. He reads the story to two of his younger children. Although it allowed him to confirm that Ares had unknowingly interfered with the pair's plan, Joxer was devastated to learn that the scroll gave no hint as to Xena and Gabrielle's location.
Death and Legacy
Years later, Xena and Gabrielle finally awoke without a clue where they are. They make their way towards Rome, stumbling upon Joxer's inn along the way. They interrupt Joxer and Meg arguing; both are astonished to see them again. He catches them up on what they've missed and he introduces them to Virgil. Joxer tells Xena and Gabrielle that Octavius swore that they were alive. Xena then asks if he said anything about Eve, but Joxer lost touch with him and he never found out what became of her. They resolve to continue on to Rome with Joxer and Virgil.
They discover that Eve is now called Livia and is known as 'The Bitch Of Rome'. Joxer, Xena, and Gabrielle try to talk her into sense and tell her who she really is, but they fail. Xena chases her down on her own, but Gabrielle follows and tells Virgil to not to tell Joxer where she's gone. Virgil tells him after persuasion and he follows Gabrielle, but the decision proves his undoing – why trying in vain to defend Gabrielle from Livia, he is struck down by his dearest friends' own daughter.
After his death Virgil traveled with Xena, Gabrielle and Eve, eventually forgiving her for killing Joxer. Virgil took up his father's sword after his death. When Eve apologizes to Gabrielle for killing Joxer, Gabrielle assures her Joxer's spirit is at peace. In the future, he is reincarnated into Xena's body with the name Annie Day. And Xena is reincarnated into his body with the name Harry O'Casey. Later on, Ares switches their bodies back to normal though. Then Xena Gabrielle and Joxer were reunited once again.
Gallery
Running Gags
Part of being the comic relief of a program comes running gags, with Joxer having a few of them:
- Fainting whenever kissed.
- Gabrielle pinching his nose.
- Unspontaneously saving the day.
- Never taken seriously.
- Oblivious to his deathly cooking.
Background Information
- The Joxer family may be based on the Booth family, the parallels are:
- Joxer and Junius Brutus Booth both are overshadowed by their renowned brothers: Junius Booth was even overshadowed by his famous actress wife (this could be reflected by how Joxer is overshadowed by his own wife Meg)
- Jett and John Wilkes Booth both are infamous assassins
- Jace and Edwin Booth are very famous entertainers, Edwin Booth is still remembered as probably the best Hamlet in American history and commemorated in dedications and statues
Trivia
- Although it is often overlooked, he is Xena and Gabrielle's soulmate, appearing in all of their future lives.
- Because of the design of his helmet, it's possible that Joxer was either an Ironhead or purchased one of their helmets after they fell from power.
- Joxer is one of the five characters to have appeared in every season of Xena: Warrior Princess. The other four are Gabrielle, Cyrene, Ares, and Xena.
- Joxer does not kill until the Season Four episode "The Convert", a rather impressive feat for a frequent star on a cult/action show.
- Joxer has appeared in 42 episodes of Xena: Warrior Princess. He is third only to Xena and Gabrielle, respectively, to have appeared in the most episodes.
- Joxer was part of one of the biggest super-arcs on Xena: Warrior Princess - His unrequited love for Gabrielle, which ran from "A Comedy of Eros" to "Chakram". Even after "Chakram", the two would be put in awkward situations and show great care towards one another, continuing the storyline. Some romantic tension even existed between Gabrielle and Joxer's son, Virgil.
- Joxer is allergic to sheep.
- Ted Raimi also plays Jett and Jace, his on-screen brothers. There is a 30-minute age-gap between Jace and Joxer, meaning that they are triplets with their brother Jett, who calls Joxer his "twin brother".
- Joxer has two known descendants: Jack Klienman and Ted, both played by Ted Raimi.
- It is unknown if Annie Day or Harry O'Casey are also his descendants. Day is more properly his reincarnation, but it is not clear how seriously we are meant to take O'Casey's resemblance to Joxer.
- "Joxer" is an unlikely name for an ancient Greek and is original to the series. The closest Greek rendering would be Ιοξερ or Ιοξηρ.
Equipment
- Joxer's Helmet
- Joxer's Scabberd
- Joxer's Sword
- Joxer's Outfit
Appearances
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