Flora, Homer and Helen: Missing in Action

Written: 1998
© Julie Ruffell 1998
Description: This article was published in Warrior Princess Press.

"Flora, Homer and Helen: Missing in Action"

The Xenaverse is full of lively and interesting, good and bad characters. Most characters return to grace the TV screen like old friends: Autolycus, Salmoneus, Joxer and Ephiny to name a few. Even those we love to hate like Callisto and Ares. However, some characters seem to become lost forever in Xena's world. Some you wouldn't mind seeing but you can move on without them; while with others, you just can't understand why TPTB have yet to bring them back.

Flora, the Black Wolf made her first and only appearance in (surprise, surprise) "The Black Wolf." Flora was one of Xena's old childhood friends; the Warrior Princess taught Flora how to wield a sword and embroider (she has many skills!)

Flora grew into a no-nonsense young woman, following the good example Xena had set before Lyceus' death. Xena had taught Flora that people have to stand-up for themselves because only they can make their lives better. Flora followed Xena's example of strength and when her village was threatened by a tyrant king, she wasn't about to take it lying down. She formed a group of rebels and stood against him. Her bravery was admirable, but it did take the help of her old friend to finish the job.

Flora was a powerful character and one must question why she has yet to return to the Xenaverse. Not only can she hold her own in battle and use her brain, but Flora could be a window into Xena's childhood (something all Xenites would love to see!)

From Flora's one appearance we learned that Xena had trust issues. She used to climb a tree with some other village kids, but Flora needed help. Xena would reach down her and say, "You've got to have faith, you've got to!" Flora would reach up her hand, but every time Xena would pull away her hand at the last second. Xena had been trying to tell Flora that she needed to have faith in herself. Perhaps Xena felt this way because she didn't believe people could be trusted. Why? We might never know. Sounds like a great reason to bring Flora back. (Hint, hint, Rob!)

Homer, the most famous of all bards (well, maybe Gab just hasn't been discovered yet) made an appearance in "Athens City Academy of the Performing Bards." Apparently it was Gabrielle who taught this bird to sing, enlightening not only him, but several other famous bards as well.

While Homer wasn't much of a love interest (is any relationship on Xena?) he was an interesting friend. Where did he disappear to? Too busy at the Academy I suppose. Couldn't Xena and Gabrielle have some business in Athens? Maybe the next time Lucy needs a break, Gabrielle can be the main hero and Homer can be the irritating little blonde!

Helen of Troy (or 'once of Troy' anyway) showed up in "Beware Greeks Bearing Gifts." Helen had dreamt that trouble was coming and sent for her old friend Xena. This factor alone should bring Helen back. Fans want-no, need-back stories! Xena seems to know everyone, but we are only told about some of them in detail (like Lao Ma or M'Lila). Helen wasn't one of them! Where did these two meet? Details, writers, we need details!

The interesting thing about these two was that it seemed like they didn't part on the best of terms. When Xena first heard Helen's name, there was an odd look in her eyes; granted, once they met up again, Xena was fine, but there was definitely something there.

Helen might not have been a warrior like Flora, but she was still strong and independent, wanting to leave Troy and stop the bloodshed. She was willing to give up her happiness by going with the Greeks; anything to stop the war. She has courage in her heart and a past with Xena that needs to be explored. So, why hasn't she returned? She wasn't even mentioned in "Return of Callisto." Xena could easily have asked, "So, Perdicas, where did you last leave Helen?" Nope, didn't happen.

So that makes three great characters from season one who should have returned by didn't. I would like to see Melosa too, but, hey, there's only so much ambrosia to go around. I can't explain why these three have yet to return. Maybe the writers thought that Homer was boring and that Flora and Helen would reveal more of Xena's past then they wanted to. We can only hope that soon a writer will look back at the first season and say, "Hey! I forgot about them!" Until then, Flora, Homer and Helen are missing in action. Argo knows what that's like!