Are Xena and Angel a lot alike?

[Joshua]

Am I the only one who's noticed how similar Angel and Xena were? They both were former murdering psychopaths, who walked on the side of good after being redeemed.

Angel had Cordelia who always looked out for Angel and knew him more than Buffy did.
Xena had Gabrielle who brought her back from the dark side multiple times and knew Xena more than Hercules did.

Angel and Xena had mortal enemies who sought out to destroy them and everyone they loved

Holtz and Callisto's families were destroyed by Xena and Angel when they were evil. Holtz kidnapped Angel's son; Connor. Callisto killed Xena's son Solan

and then there's the partnership and friendships they have:

Xena has three friends just like Angel does:

Gabrielle = Cordelia
Joxer = Wesley

Am I reaching?

 

[white avenger]

Actually, the image of Angel as a warrior princess does seem kind of fitting. Great observation.

Seriously, though, while I never was a great fan of the "Xena" series, the theme of the warrior seeking atonement and absolution for past crimes and sins is a fairly common one, and the hero in question having some sort of spiritual guide, a band of followers, and an arch nemesis fits pretty well within the general package. Similarities between the two shows wouldn't be hard to find.

As I recall, "Xena" was a spinoff of the series "Hercules," so, does your simile include Buffy and Hercules being parallels, since they were the original inspirations for Angel and Xena, respectively, beginning their individual quests for redemption?

 

[SiegePerilous02]

I definitely think Joss took a little inspiration from Xena at certain points for the character of Angel, although like WA said, the archetype had existed long before then. But I think doing it with a female character like Xena was more innovative than doing it with another tall, handsome white dude. While I ultimately slightly prefer Angel as both a character and a series, I can see why Xena is the more important one to pop culture, as it helped redefine the roles of women in genre television (along with BtVS).

Your parallels are right on the money with Callisto/Holtz, and I'd add Connor/Eve as well. Buffy definitely fits the Hercules role, though since I'm both a diehard Bangel shipper and Xena/Gabrielle shipper, I've also equated her to Gabrielle😛😀. They're both short, plucky blondes who keep their tall, dark and brooding love interests inspired to be better than they are.

 

[thetopher]

As a redemptive archetype then yes they're are similarities in the two characters, but the tone and approach to in both shows is entirely different. They walk similar paths of atonement and there are character types that inhabit both stories- as has been pointed out.
I see Gabrielle being to Xena what Doyle/Cordy/Faith is to Angel (just without any of those romantic/shipper undertones...) as in somebody who keeps them focused/grounded or motivated, gives them another touch of humanity for their mission.