Hercules and the Bacchanal
This was another very good episode. Lots of new characters.
Yep, I liked this one... not as much as "Return of Typhon", but it's definitely up there.
BTW, Who's "Lefty"? (The guy whom Phil wanted to watch the island while he was away).
O.K., I'm scouring my brain but I can't think of the name for the basic gag that was sewn throughout the episode, but I'm sure there must be an archetype for it. It's where you have to det someone to do something so that someone else can do something so that another person will do something else so you can get what you need. Reminds me of the story "There was an old woman who swallowed a fly."
Anyhow, this tale was another time honored plot device, but it was used well. I liked seeing all the new characters... especially the further development of Bacchus. Dom DeLuise played him well. I enjoyed Harvey Fierstein's "Argus" and always seem to enjoy whenever Jason Alexander does a voice (Poseidon). Y'know, going into this series I was afraid that all these wonderful gueststar voices would only be one-shots, but Jason Alexander has voiced Poseidon on at least four different episodes now, as have many of the others. I still think that since Jodi Benson is providing a recurring voice for Helen, why can't we see a guest appearance by Ariel (hint-hint). Speaking of which, I felt that the Bacchanal sing-song act was very reminiscent of the episode of "The Little Mermaid" where Triton is out of town and Ariel also threw a party, where the noise level disturbed the sleeping Evil Manta who also wrecked havoc. This subplot has been used quite often as well. Hey, and speaking of "the Little Mermaid", there was the added guest appearance of the sea-witch Ursula at the Half-Humans Convention! Oh yeah, Amphitrite sure is a sound sleeper. I was hoping this would be her first speaking role.
Some recognisable gags related to Adonis' guards doing a trademark Beavis & Butthead routine. Also, the two male students reminescent of "Bill and Ted" and two female students doing a routine which I also recognised, but can't remember who they were spoofing.
Tom Arnold's Cupid made his second appearance this episode (Cupid's first appearance was in "The Secret Weapon" where Hercules gave him the bow Hephaestus made). This is an ugly looking character, and so far not very likable. I did like the reference to Aphrodite's theme. :-) Apparently Cupid, while an adult, still sports all of his original baby fat, and then some. He has a smal moustach and an extremely large pompadour. The 'stache & 'dour remind me of the character comedian from "Viva Variety", but I'm not certain that's the intended spoof. I'm confused about the model sheet for Cupid however, since I rewatched Hercules (the film) again, and saw a character I believe was suppose to be Cupid. This design though was based more on the myth "Cupid & Psyche" where he is a red-toned slender young man with wings and carrying a bow (sitting next to him were two other female gods whom I assumed were Psyche and Hebe (Herc's future wife). Why the redesign of the character? Or does he change back & forth from the two designs?
Anyhow my favorite part of this episode was when Herc & Hermes went to find Heph at the Convention. Lots of half-human furries, and even a centaurette (whom Phil was working)... Why Phil's eyes diverted to the Hermes-centaurette only the gods know for sure... yech! S/he was ghastly. Nice seeing the "Horus" looking character and all the other half-human (non-Greek) beasties.
Adonis' humiliation was wonderful as well, but he got his arrogance back by then end... oh well.
Good show Tad & team. :-)
ICARUS: "This is 'Speedy Pita'. Where's the 'Speedy' part?" CASSANDRA: "With the 'Pita' part?"
HERCULES: "I should have seen it coming. Why else would Cassandra wear a life vest to a party?" CASSANDRA: "I thought the subtle approach might work."
Rich (xephyr)