Hercules goes to where he has hidden Medusa – but she is
devastated over having killed the Oracle (and eternally cursing herself) and
there’s little he can do to comfort her. Pythagoras is definitely becoming
suspicious of his sneaking out
In Atlantis, preparations are being made for Jason’s
execution by red hot bull. Jason has 2 days before he is executed.
Pasiphae is controlling Melas by kidnapping Cassandra, the
next Oracle, she’s like a daughter to him and he’s also sworn a holy oath to
protect her (one would have thought he had also sworn a holy oath to protect
the current Oracle). Melas tries to absolve himself by accusing Pasiphae of not
telling him she’d kill the Oracle but she easily shoots down that terrible
excuse. He makes a desperate attempt to get Pasiphae to order clemency for
Jason though Pasiphae insists Jason has to die for “Blasphemy” (which is
bizarre since they both know he’s innocent). They both also seem to think
Ariadne has given up – that’s a whole lot of dubious decision making right
there
Ariadne does make a plea to Melas but, despite his guilt
face, he refuses. He continually tries to use the excuse of the gods’ will
(interpreted by him, honest) to excuse himself, Ariadne is not impressed.
Pythagoras and Hercules get an audience with Ariadne to
try and plead for Jason because they’ve both somehow forgotten that if she
could she totally would pardon him. She certainly can’t act unless they have
Medusa’s testimony. She refuses any clemency
They take the news to Jason and he decides it’s because
she doesn’t love him any more – y’know the more politically inept and ignorant
Jason behaves, the less he looks like a good candidate for the Queen to marry.
Perhaps a post of Royal Arm Candy can be created? Rather than coming up with a plot
to escape or prove innocence, Jason decides he simply must know if Ariadne
loves him or not
When you’re burning alive inside a metal bull, love won’t
do much to keep you cool.
Hercules finally cracks and tells Pythagoras he saw
Medusa, but he cannot give her up and bring her to the city to be executed. In
a stellar performance, Hercules is tortured by the choice but finally agrees to
see Medusa and tell her what is happening.
He goes to see her and she declares how much she loves
him and how lucky she is that she has him – that’s the knife in his heart
slowly being twisted. He cannot tell her about Jason’s execution. The next day
he continues to lie to her, telling her the city blames Pasiphae.
He bull is prepared, Ariadne forced to be part of the ceremony
despite her cold gaze for Melas. Cilix, Pasiphae’s agent, over-eggs things by
telling her how much she’s doing the right thing. With a crack voice she
accepts that what must be must be.
Jason makes a plea for an audience with Ariadne – and she
refuses.
Hercules goes for a new plan – arranging to be arrested so he can organise a jailbreak. Which he does most excellently until they get surrounded by an overwhelming number of guards. Ah well, it was a good plan at least. This means Hercules is due to burn in the bull as well.
Pythagoras pleads for them with Delmos, but can’t even
see them to say goodbye.
In prison, Hercules is full of regrets but Jason
reassures him – Hercules has always been a good friend to him. They’re led to
their executions, Jason trying to make eye contact with Ariadne, but she
remains emotionless. The ritual begins while, at home, Pythagoras despairs.
At least until someone leaves a letter outside of his door.
At the prison the guards are unconscious - and Delmos opens the prison and gives Hercules and Jason new clothes to wear. Nice Delmos, I underestimated him. Aided by Delmos and Pythagoras they escape and we have a dramatic night time chase through the warren like streets of Atlantis. Of course, Ariadne was behind it as well and Delmos has well and truly displayed his loyalty.
Out of the city, Hercules isn’t entirely convinced Ariadne helped (and worries about Pythagoras) but Jason’s faith has been restored. Hercules continues to worry about Pythagoras and, because they’re both politically inept, they both wonder why Delmos has his men looking for them. Seriously Ariadne, Jason isn’t a good match, he’s just not that bright; don’t let a pretty face fool you
Pasiphae isn’t happy and wants Councillor Cilix to blame
Queen Ariadne. Medea is wary about Jason being out there but Pasiphae is sure
that she can use Jason to bring Ariadne down. Cilix tells Melas to tell
everyone Poseidon is seriously pissed by Jason’s escape. Being a good little
minion, Melas agrees and fakes an augury.
At least Ariadne and Delmos have finally seen that the
very obvious traitors are traitors. The council meets and Cilix tries to cast
blame at Ariadne. But when they demand she swear on the golden bull she refuses
– declaring Jason’s innocence. Which is hugely blasphemous and hubris and
definitely naughty bad wrong and Ariadne gets arrested.
Actually, Jason and Ariadne are a great match. Let them
marry and have beautiful but very very very stupid children. All Delmos can do
is send word to Pythagoras who is way too smart for these people.
Pythagoras goes to Jason and Hercules to tell them that
Ariadne is even more of a fool than Jason and the city would probably be better
off with Pasiphae. Of course Jason wants to go back to the city and Pythagoras
mentions Medusa – they have to find her
In the city, Delmos is also thrown in prison.
Hercules goes and painfully tells Medusa – and it’s painful and beautiful and harsh.
But when they return to the city they find it oddly empty
– except soldiers running through the streets. And when they reach the temple,
Cilix, who has somehow gained the loyalty of the guards, hails Queen Pasiphae.
I suppose a religious trial doesn’t require reason, just
the fiat of the priest, but I would think someone would have asked exactly how
Jason turned the Oracle to stone. I also think some more people would have
twigged on Melas being compromised (honestly he may have a new tattoo on his
forehead announcing he’s a traitor. And doesn’t anyone notice the new Oracle
has gone missing, especially since the old Oracle is now an ornate rockery?). I
also expect that the actual priest of Poseidon may be somewhat perturbed
speaking bullshit in his god’s name. Isn’t that hubris? Don’t the Greek gods
object to that rather excessively.
But then this is an Ancient Greek setting, I suppose the
gods being fickle and random isn’t exactly unexpected.
I’m really glad to see a full scene with Hercules being
competent – it’s great to see, he’s too often played as the bumbling comic
relief. Sure his rescue attempt didn’t work – but it wasn’t for wont of skill
and planning. His conflict with Medusa is also wonderfully powerful. This scene
is why this episode gets the points it does – because the rest was pretty
appalling. The plot made little sense, people acted with little thought or
planning and I don’t even begin to grasp how Pasiphae could take over so easily.
It’s clumsy and cobbled together and makes me wonder if the writers knew it was
cancelled at this point and rushed towards a conclusion.
