The whole gang is camping with Hercules grieving and
praying for Medusa and them still having to flee patrols because Jason decided
to let the big bad live last week because he’s a damn fool and totally
disrespected Medusa’s sacrifice.
Jason is even more angsty and mopey than Hercules (and
for much less cause). He has decided rather than run from Atlantean patrols he will
take them all on on his own. Ariadne and Pythagoras want to run to the rescue
while, reasonably, Hercules is quite done with Jason and his melodramatic
antics putting them at risk and ignoring their sacrifice.
The other two do help Jason slaughter the patrol (Ariadne
has her bow) and save his life a couple of times (not that he notices). Except
one guard who kneels before Ariadne, his queen. Ariadne welcomes him. Jason
stabs him
This is not how you win the loyalty of the crown. Ariadne
is doubly pissed that Jason ignored her command – to which he says “who are you
to give me orders.” Come on Ariadne the answer to that is “your queen.” Orders
are kind of in the queenly job description along with shiny hats, the permanent
smell of fresh paint and corgis.
Hercules is not very impressed by Jason’s heroic massacre
(I agree! He can massacre a surrendered guard but he can’t kill Pasiphae?) nor
of how effective it was – by killing several poor lads (robbing mothers of
their sons) and confirming that they’re out there. Hercules continues to
(rightly) criticise and scold Jason and Jason responds by hitting him.
Pythagoras eventually separates them
That night Ariadne tries to speak nicely to Jason but he’s
too bad tempered and pouty because he’s apparently so very sick of taking
orders (like he ever had to take a lot?). She tries to get him to talk through
his angst but he refuses, far too angsty for her to understand
Hercules is duly depressed – but for far more reason and
with a good deal less pouting. He points out that this, where they all are now,
is what Medusa died for. Pythagoras reminds them that the Oracle predicted that
Jason’s epic mummy issues would corrupt him. He clings to the idea that the
Oracle’s prediction that Jason can save Atlantis – and decides to consult Melas
the corrupt-cowardly-fool-traitor priest which means risking his life going
back into the city
Hercules does make a point of telling Ariadne she shouldn’t
be guilty over Medusa, but she wants them all to be friends again. Which would
involve Jason not being a whiny manchild.
In the city Pasiphae is all upset because Jason now knows
he’s her son and therefore heir to the throne (whoa there Pasiphae, your own
claim to that throne is damn shaky, unlike Ariadne’s) but Medea is sure that
being touched by the gods will draw Jason to them especially since he’ll turn
dark like she did. Pasiphae isn’t convinced – Jason needs killing. Alas, I
think I agree with her.
Per Hercules prediction, the massacred patrol confirms to
Pasiphae and co where Jason is.
Pythagoras returns to the city, helped by Icharus as the
city is now very heavily repressed by the guards – Icharus helps him get to
Melas with much unpleasant sneaking (and a nicely practical view of how a city
works – you can enforce a curfew but someone still needs to shovel shit.
There he tells Melas that his city has fallen apart and
that Jason has gone dark side now he knows Pasiphae is his mother – and may
become worse. Melas agrees to help, consulting with Oracle #2. She is actually
way way less cryptic than the previous Oracle – the only way to defeat mummy
issues is with Jason’s father who is wonderful and good. Melas tells Pythagoras
about
Jason’s leper father, Aeson in the silver mines (also the past Oracle
claiming he was dead is all explained through cryptic metaphor which,
thankfully, Oracle #2 hasn’t learned yet).
Pythagoras sets off – leaving Icarus to visit his father
in prison; he’s been locked up after helping Pythagoras last time and he is due
to hang. While Icarus lied to Pythagoras about him, he can’t let his dad hang.
And he tells Pasiphae’s minions about Pythagoras’s quest – though it doesn’t
win Daedalus his freedom since now they can continues to use and exploit Icarus
with the threat of his dad’s death. Pasiphae dispatches minions but Medea seems
to be playing her own game
Pythagoras meets Aeson and tells him what has happened
and how his son has become the most pouty of them all. Aeson isn’t exactly
ready to ride to the rescue, thinking his leprosy makes him unable to inspire,
protect or help Jason. Pythagoras sings Jason’s praises while harshly
criticising Aeson for abandoning them. He shames Aeson into coming with him to
help his terribad son. Hopefully with a swift slap upside the head
Of course on the way Aeson is worried Jason will reject
him
Alas we must return to the camp to be reminded that Jason
is the worst (and continues to have ominous Medea dreams). More importantly we
get some nice words on Hercules and Pythagoras’s long running friendship and
kore of Ariadne trying to make everyone play nice, especially to make Hercules reach
out to Jason
Gahhhhh noooooooo! HERCULES is to reach out?
Alas, it works and Hercules tries to make nice with His Poutiness. Hercules really tires – it doesn’t go well. Hercules plans to leave, finally having had enough. Ariadne begs him to stay but there really are limits.
Pythagoras and Aeson return – just as Pasipaeh’s minions
attack, led by Pasiphae herself. There’s a fight and they’re separated, Jason
running off alone and leading most of the troops with him – he I almost killed
(and is injured) but Medea intervenes with nifty magic to save him as Jason
collapses. Hercules, despite his leaving, hides Ariadne.
Pasipae also shows off her magic on a naughty minion –
hey this kind of instant power was quite rare. They’re reunited with Aeson and
Pythagoras but now they’ve lost Jason.
Medea heals Jason and encourages him to sleep. They talk
about the mystical darkness that apparently binds them and they kiss. Of
course.
Jason going dark really doesn’t work here – he’s deciding
to go all dark and edgy because Pasiphae is his mum? Has he ever cared about
his mother before? And he’s deciding to have this epic strop after rescuing
Ariadne and being with the woman he loves while at the same time Hercules has
just suffered the devastating grief of losing Medusa…. Yet Jason is the one who
sets the angst dial to 11? This just seems so utterly whiny and so horrifically
self-absorbed. Ariadne has lost her friend, her home, her city, her heritage.
Hercules has lost the love of his life. Jason has learns his mummy is nasty and
he’s the one stropping like a violent spoiled child – without even a pause to
comfort the people he supposedly cares about on their loss?
Honestly it made the whole episode, and Ariadne arguing
for him and Pythagoras and Icarus risking so much for him really annoying
