"Hercules and the Underworld Takeover"
Definitely "Must-See T.V." I really liked this episode.
I liked this episode so much I've already watched it about 3 times, but I can't express why I like it so much? Even so, here are some of my thoughts (mostly one-liners). Another fantastic episode!
GOOD POINTS:
It was certainly nice to see Amphictryon again. Where was Alcmene?
HERCULES: "I've come to reak vengeance upon the scum who injured you." AMPHICTRYON: "Truth is I stepped in a gopher hole." HERCULES: [whining] "You said it was urgent. I rushed over to reak vengeance!"
Artemis, the Huntress, an animal rights advocate? Who'da thunk? And how's that for irony?
Where was Apollo? Perhaps, since Artemis is the Goddess of the Moon, and Apollo is the God of the Sun, depending on the time of day (or night, as it were), only one is really ever available for these Pantheon Meetings?
It was nice to see Demeter... I'm still waiting for her spotlight.
Hekate! A deliciously evil foil for Hades! Someone who plays his game even better than he does!
Revisit with the Underworld denizens: Cerberus, the Fates, the Furies, Charon and Memnon.
Some interesting role-reversal.... Hades the victim... Pain & Panic working on the side of "good." Hercules fighting to save Hades.
Some great lines (and even more throughout the episode):
PAIN: "Hekate is worse than Hades! The devil you know is a lot better than the devil you don't."
HADES: "Have your minions call my minions."
ATHENA: "Athens has wisdom and reason. What does Sparta have?" ARES: "Battering rams and flame throwers! That's what!"
Ares & Athena cringe and hold eachother in fear of Hades' strange behavior.
PAIN: "You and that sweater sure are becoming awfully chummy." [Do I detect some jealousy? Does Pain think Pokey is moving in on *his* territory? :-) I like "Pokey." :-)]
BAD POINTS:
I think of all the characters seen this episode, I liked Hekate's winged hounds the least. Their design was cool, but their minion lingo was superfluous (IMHO).
I still don't know if I would actually trust P&P with the care of Amphictryon's sheep, despite their amazing change of temperment this episode.
Great job Tad & Team!