In 1995, USA network spunoff a series from Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, that would change the face of women’s television forever. Starring New Zealand actress Lucy Lawless, Xena: Warrior Princess scaled the grounds between history and fantasy in epic fashion. Xena tells the story of a warrior and healer who once wreaked havoc throughout ancient Greece. Upon reflecting on her past and her deeds, Xena sets out to try and make right many of the wrongs she’s committed against humanity. Traveling with her companion, Gabrielle (Renee O’Conner), the two women combine forces to battle evil, facing enemies from the heavens and the supernatural bowels of the underworld.

The relationship between Xena and Gabrielle has been cited among reasons for the shows six-year run and longstanding popularity and cult status.

Impacting the lesbian community immensely, the shows ambiguous approach to Xena and Gabrielle’s relationship led to alternative-fanfiction (female/female sex-pairings) in which the duo were more than just friends. Though the writers never reveal the truth about Gabrielle and Xena, they did end the series-finale on a rather tempting note: a life-saving kiss that empowered and reinforced the notion, confirming the nature of the relationship for many a viewer.

Xena: Warrior Princess was also a pioneer of sorts, paving the way for empowering female warriors all across the entertainment business like Joss Whedon’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Buffy, which aired in 1997, featured a teenage cheerleader in a modern day high-school setting who fought nightly to save the world from eternal darkness.

Though the series only ran until 2001, it is immortalized in syndicate and fanfiction forums all over the Internet. Numerous books, comics and graphic novels were created, as were video games and a cartoon film featuring Xena and Hercules. All six seasons are currently available for sale on DVD and download in the iTunes store.