Hercules and the Disappearing Heroes
O.K. This was a mixed bag.... Everytime I see that more heroes from G&R Myths are going to be featured I get excited and I think I expect too much... I need to stop that.
Things I liked:
I was glad to see the return of Hekate! I liked the use of more of the great heroes like Mentor, Odysseus, Nestor and Meleager. I also really liked the way the whole plot was resolved without Hades ever being the wiser to Hekate's nefarious plans. In fact I really like this subplot of Hekate trying to take over Hades' realm... It intrigues me to see the primary villain, Hades, have his own villain!.. I also liked seeing how nonchalant Herc & Charon's relationship has become.. the joke about the "frequent-dyer" plan made me laugh. Herc's use of his brains to defeat Hekate, and even creating a case for her *owing him one* was good. I also liked the little statuettes of Hades with the saying "Dear Hekate. Thanks for the blind obedience" And finally, I liked the turnabout in the relationship between Chipacles and Phil & Herc! This is good and I'll be happy to see how they work together in future episodes. It is only natural, I guess since Herc & Phil are good guys, and it's a much better thing to see them working together WITH the law than against it.
That was about it for the likes.
Things I didn't like:
I didn't care for Hekate's empusae (flying hounds)... their banter doesn't do it for me. I was really annoyed by Meleager's constant use of the ear-gag! I know it was important to point out his specific talent, but after three times it was grating, then to have him keep doing it really bugged me. I didn't like Hekate's magical creature... I would have preferred maybe if Hekate had cast a spell on the heroes and made them work for her against Hades, rather than her creating this beastly vessel... I didn't like the whole Merv Griffin portion, except for the fact that he was a cool looking furry. [Oh, and Juan, as to whether there were any furries in the audience, the answer is "no." Unless you count Hekate's beastie. Though Phil and her minions were also somewhere off-stage]. The use of the heroes was disappointing... infact so far I haven't been impressed by any of the guest starring heroes [Achilles, Odysseus, Meleager, Mentor, Nestor or Jason...did I miss anyone?]. Maybe it was felt that playing them up would be too much competition for the show's main hero, Hercules?
CHARON: "You sure come down here alot for someone whose not dead!" HERCULES: "Well, I'm a hero...uhh well, in training. So I go whereever the battle takes me...even the Underworld." CHARON: "Then may I suggest our multiple pass discount ticket? Saves time and money." HERCULES: "Uhhh, no thanks." CHARON: "We also have a frequent dyer program" [Charon cuts off the hand of a soul attmpting to exit the river] CHARON: "I'm this close to winning the cruise."
Rich (xephyr) HADES: "Just a small token of my appreciation. Love you. Mean it. Call me every ten minutes."