A sign from Hera.
Ah, the sacred mandrake root.
Oh, great Hera I have done your bidding.
Now, I await the messenger who will bring this death to Hercules.
This is silly. I need to get back.
Be patient, Rena, not much further.
OK, you can open your eyes now.
For us and for all the children the gods will give us.
Pallaeus.
I can finish it in a month if your stepfather
- doesn't send me off on a campaign. - Pallaeus, please listen to me.
- I've told you, I can't marry you. - Because of Hercules.
- I love him. - But you were promised to me.
I make my own decisions.
I'd be good to ya, Rena. I'd give you everything.
I'm sorry if I've hurt you but this isn't meant to be.
I'll have your hand in marriage
and nothing the great Hercules can do will stop me.
- Look. - How can she do this, Gorgas?
How could she care so little about my heart and your word?
I trusted you to watch over my domain when I waged war in Thrace.
Ha, I never expected to return home to your lovesick mewling.
Everything is just as you left it. You know I'd never shirked my duty.
I wish Rena cared as much about obeying you.
Calm down, Pallaeus. She's not a child, anymore.
The girl has a mind of her own.
You're as taken with Hercules as she is.
All you care about is having him as an ally.
And why shouldn't I? Only a fool would pass up
the chance to march into battle with the son of Zeus at his side.
But I've fought nobly for you
killed for you done everything you would ask of a soldier.
There's just one problem, Pallaeus. You'll never be him.
- Who is it? - Hercules.
Come on in.
This is the story of a time long ago.
A time of myth and legend,
when the ancient gods were petty and cruel,
and they plagued mankind with suffering.
Only one man dared to challenge their power-Hercules.
Hercules possessed a strength the world had never seen,
a strength surpassed only by the power of his heart.
He journeyed the earth, battling the minions of wicked stepmother, Hera,
the all-powerful queen of the gods.
But wherever there was evil, wherever an innocent would suffer,
there would be Hercules.
It'll be great to see your mother, again.
It's been a while.
Come on, Hercules. Will you stop it?
- I didn't know she was married. - Well, her husband knew.
Yeah, tell me about it. You know? You could a said something.
I don't know. Those kind of battles, I always avoid.
Did you see the way she was flirting with me?
Uh, yeah, she was.
- Need some help? - Huh? Oh. Oh.
Take everything only don't hurt me or the animal.
- She's all the family I've got left. - Nah, take it easy. We're not bandits.
- Gorgas didn't send you after me? - Gorgas?
No, working for a warlord isn't our style.
Now, why don't we help the lady with her wagon?
OK.
It didn't look like it a couple of minutes ago,
but this is my second lucky day in a row.
Yesterday, I sold my most expensive pair of sandals to Hercules.
Yes, sir, cost him thirty dinars, but he didn't think twice about it.
You see? He's gonna get married in those sandals.
- Herc, my foot! - Oh, sorry, Iolaus.
I-I just hadn't heard the news about Hercules. Who's he marrying?
The stepdaughter of Gorgas himself.
Too bad Hercules isn't here to help you two with that wagon.
Why, he'd probably pull it out all by himself.
You mean something like that. Good day to you, Ma'am.
- Hope nothing's broken. - You all right?
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
Hades was worse than your foulest nightmare.
It was pitch black sweltering hot and evil lurking around evey corner.
So I had to find Cerberus, the three-headed dog?
And bring him back to King Eurystheus without using any weapons.
No! No! No! Really!
So using nothing more than my bare hands I choked this biting,
clawing, fire-breathing beast and I dragged him outta Hades!
The thing is the king didn't want this monster! I mean, who would?
So I had to turn around and take him back!
Indulge me, great priest.
I desire revenge against Hercules, for stealing the woman I love.
But no mere mortal can overcome the son of Zeus by himself.
So it is that I seek help from the goddess, Hera.
I have been waiting for you.
I hoped you'd stay longer.
I'm sorry Mother, but a man has to defend his name.
A name is all it is, Hercules. Whomever this imposter is,
he'll never be the force for good that you are.
Not if he's taken the side of Gorgas, he won't.
When people will see what's happening,
they won't have anything to do with him.
I'm afraid it's more complicated than that.
- When people hear my name, they just... - I know, dear.
They expect help good deeds--
And if this fraud can't deliver them, they might get hurt.
All right, I guess you've got to go. But all these heroics,
Hercules, it's not exactly the best way to start another family.
Now Mother, please, don't start with that again.
Then be careful, will ya? Stay in one piece for a happier day.
I will.
Oh, I'll make sure he does long as he can prove he's the real Hercules.
Goodbye, Mother.
Don't worry. He's the real one.
It looks like Gorgas has been busy.
I wonder if there's anybody left to tell us what happened.
Ah-h-h-h-h-h-h! Die, you swine!
Whoa! Hold on, there! Hold on! We bring you no harm.
You mean, Gorgas hasn't sent ya back to... to finish me off?
- Never met the man. - Ya haven't?
Well, be glad that you haven't suffered the taxes
that he's inflicted on everyone.
My daughter and her husband fought him but they're now dead.
Nice guy.
Why don't you come with us? We're on our way to Phlegra.
- We'll find you some help. - Who from?
Certainly not Hercules. We thought he'd be our salvation.
- But even he won't stand up to Gorgas. - Wait a minute.
- I thought this Hercules was a good man. - So did we.
But so far, he's done nothin' to prove it.
We'll tell the people in town that you're here.
Don't bother.
Gorgas has left me nothing to live for.
You know, Iolaus... this Hercules character is really starting to bother me.
This comes from the mighty Hera.
Do with it as I instruct you, and you will have your revenge.
Take it to where Hercules is put it close to him.
Only then will it open only in the presence of Hercules.
What's in it?
Death.
Gorgas saddles us with an unfair tax and slaughters those of us who resist it.
He plunders our crops and our livestock and he assumes we'll never
be able to rise up against this ceaseless campaingn of repression.
But rise up we must. It's time for us to realize there is power in numbers.
We can get weapons but they are no good to us
if we run at the first sight of Gorgas' soldiers.
We must stand together or we are doomed to live out our lives in fear.
That's all you're good for!
Look at them run.
I guess they didn't believe all your fancy talk.
Not now, but someday. They will drag you through
the streets and let the dogs chew on your bones. Uh!
Watch your mouth! Otherwise you won't live to see that day.
Use your head. You're outnumbered.
I don't care! I can take 'em
one at a time or all at once however they want it!
That's something you don't wanna find out.
Yeah. Step over here. We need to talk.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
- Who are you? - Just someone who hates fights.
Yeah? Well, maybe you should stay out of them.
Believe me, I try.
Because I'm always worried that someone's gonna get hurt.
Oh. You mean, like this.
Exactly.
That's my friend.
This won't take long.
That'll teach you!
There you go.
Come on.
Hurry!
- Quick, come with me. - Why?
Well, you saved me, now, I'm gonna save you.
Hercules is coming.
- I don't believe it. - Do you know this guy?
Yes.
He's my brother.
- It's been a long time. - Longer than I thought.
I understand you've changed your name.
Let's let these two get better acquainted.
- What's your name? - Josephus.
- Josephus. Yeah, come on. - You're lookin' good, Hercules.
Hmm, aren't cha worried someone'll hear you call me that.
Oh, come on. Don't be so sensitive.
You know I'd never do anything to dishonor your name.
From what I hear, you already have.
You've joined up with Gorgas, haven't you?
Coincidence is all. See, I'm marrying his stepdaughter
who just happens to be the kindest, most beautiful woman I have ever met.
So what am I supposed to do? Tell him I don't like the blood on his hands.
That's a good place to start, then people might still respect my name.
You will never hear of Hercules doing anything to help Gorgas.
But will I hear that Hercules overthrew him?
Look, I'm not making things any worse than they are.
- Can't you be satisfied with that? - No, I can't.
Oh, I forgot. You're the brother who's always right.
When you're being this foolish, you make it easy.
You know what? I don't have to listen to this.
What was going on back there with Hercules and that other big guy?
I'd rather find a nice pomegranate.
You're not gonna find one of those in Phlegra.
OK, well, the other big guy,
as you call him that was the real Hercules.
- Get outta here! - Yeah.
And, uh, the guy who's lying to everybody,
- that's his brother, Iphicles. - The finest produce in all of Phlegra.
Nah, you're just tryin' to fool me. This is a joke, right?
No, this is a joke. Is there nothin' to eat in this entire village?
Gorgas takes whatever he pleases, and leaves us with his leftovers.
Look, if you're hungry, uh, you haven't even told me your name.
- Iolaus. - Iolaus?
Well, come on, let's go get sum in to eat.
OK?
Iphicles. Iphicles!
Fine, have it your way.
Now, listen to me!
I'm tryin' to make you understand how evil Gorgas is.
I hope his dau-- what's her name?
- Rena. - Rena.
Well, I hope Rena is nothing like her father.
Actually, she's his stepdaughter and no... they're nothing alike.
- Smart, too? - Of course, she's smart.
Then how much longer do you think it'll be before
she figures out you've been lying to her.
I'm gonna tell her, don't worry.
If you really love each other, you can tell her now.
- Well, the time's not right. - Well, maybe the time will be right
when you introduce your new wife to Mother.
- I haven't seen Mother in a long time. - I know.
Be yourself, Iphicles. It's a lot easier.
Yeah, well, that's easy to say if you're Hercules.
I'm the son of a man, not a god.
Nobody cares we came out of the same womb.
Nobody cares that my birthright's not the same as yours.
Forget about that!
We are what we are because of the lives we've lived, nothing else.
I do no harm to anyone. I try and help others when I can,
but I might as well be a grain of sand for all the good it does me.
- Maybe you expect too much. - All I want is happiness and contentment.
And I can have that if you just leave. Can't you do that, Hercules?
You help strangers all the time.
Just this once I'm asking you to help me.
I'm sorry, Iphicles. I wish you everything you want but not my name.
If you refuse to understand the situation,
we're not brothers, anymore. We're enemies.
Lunch?
Josephus, I can't take any of that from you.
Nonsense! Around here, this would be considered a feast.
- There's plenty to go around. - How long has it been like this?
Almost a year.
I suppose if Hercules wasn't in love with Rena
he would a helped us overthrow the murdering pig already.
Josephus, even if Hercules is marrying Rena,
which he isn't you can't stake everything on one man.
I heard what you were saying out there, before.
You've got the idea standing up for what you know is right.
- I just wish I wasn't alone. - You're not... not anymore.
Thanks.
That's one of them right there, with the rabble-rouser!
- Move it! Move it! - Get out of here.
Finish our lecture later.
I'm not afraid!
This is not about bravery!
Just make sure Hercules gets to hear about this!
- Right! Hercules! - Yeah! The real Hercules!
My friend! Get outta here!
- What's bothering you, Hercules? - Nothing.
But you've always been such an open book,
and... and now it's like... it's like I don't know who you are.
- What is it, Hercules? - Well, it's, um... it's, um...
Whatever it is, you know I'll be here fore you.
It's sumin' I gotta deal with myself. Don't worry, I'll be fine.
He's the one who flattened an entire patrol.
- How can you call yourself soldiers? - It wasn't just him.
He's got a partner some big guy.
So, you're the top dog around here. You should try my friend for size.
Show some respect.
You should take his advice. Maybe you can start by
telling me why you and your friend are here.
- We came for the waters. - Waters.
- There are no waters in Phlegra. - Oh, we were misinformed.
You should have been that tough with his partner.
We'll track him down after we've killed this one.
You're not gonna kill anyone, soldier.
Take him to the catacombs.
He's the best bait we've got if we're gonna capture
his friend and find out what they're doing here.
You won't catch my friend, and you don't wanna see him mad!
And as for you, forget about your heartbreak, and go find Hercules.
I got a job for him.
Iolaus gave the soldiers all they could handle,
but there were just too many of them. I'd be proud to fight at his side.
You may get the chance to do that. Where would they take him?
The enemies Gorgas doesn't kill go
to the catacombs underneath his compound.
We found a remote entrance, but it won't be easy.
For some reason, it never is.
Take me there.
- Hey, what time's dinner? - Dinner?
Yeah. You know roast quail, bread a little wine.
You want dinner, you'd better catch yourself a rat.
Of course, you'll have to eat it raw.
I'd rather have quail.
This is where the labyrinth begins.
Yeah.
You should always wear your helmets.
I, uh... don't know how to tell you this, but nobody
who's gone in this way has ever made it back out.
Don't worry about it. This is as far as you go.
But I can go with you. I'm not afraid.
I know you're not. But you'd be more help to me in Phlegra.
But you'll be alone in there, battling only what the gods know what.
And what if Hercules shows up?
He's already here.
Just once, I'd like to battle a villain who insisted on sunshine and fresh air.
Excuse me.
Will you pipe down?
Hey.
Hey, you.
Hey, you! I'm talking to ya!
- What? - You know?
I really wasn't kidding when I said I was hungry.
Yeah? Well, I wasn't kidding about the rat.
Ah, great.
I'll just grab a rat and eat it raw.
Who feeds you?
- Wrong way, Hercules. - What are you talkin' about?
There's trouble in the labyrinth. You're supposed to take care of it.
- Me? - That's right you.
The guards say the big troublemaker's going to rescue his partner.
Gorgas wants you to kill him.
Kill him? Well, why? What happened to his partner?
He was captured after the two of them attacked a patrol.
- Oh, I, um... I hadn't heard. - Not much for news, are you?
Let's see how you are with this.
You're not Hercules.
- Only a crazy man'd say that. - Then kill me.
That's what the real Hercules would do, isn't it?
He'd be so outraged at being called an imposter,
he'd strike me dead where I stand!
- Never. - Liar. Everything you do is a lie.
You don't know the first thing about the way he--
- Oh? - I mean, 'I,' operate.
I know all I need to know about you... you fraud.
And Gorgas and Rena are gonna know, too.
They won't believe a word of it.
They know how twisted you are with jealousy.
Well, you're going to find out, aren't you?
Whoa! Ahh! Whoa! Whoa! Ahhhhhh.
- When you finish all that-- - Send it this way!
Food.
Oh, great, I knew you guys wouldn't let me starve.
Down, boy, this isn't for you. This is for us.
- This pheasant is magnificent! - pheasant?
- Care for some wine? - Wine?
I believe I will!
My mouth? Yeah? Well, you just go ahead and eat.
- I-I got plenty of rat. - I want more of it.
Iolaus, you better be alive.
Oh-h-h-h. Ahh! OK, what do you do?
Ya... ya use an old hunter's trick.
Huh?
All right.
OK.
Come on.
You're insane!
This jar comes from Hera's most trusted priest. What's in it will kill Hercules.
But when I help it up to this imposter, nothing happened.
A jar that will kill Hercules? I knew that your heart was broken,
but Rena's obviously affected your mind, too.
Gorgas, listen to me. She's not gonna have Hercules for a husband,
and you're not gonna have him for a son-in-law.
- Why can't you understand that? - Because I don't have blinders on.
Yes, you do. The intruder is Hercules, and he's inside these very walls.
How do I know this isn't just another one of your jealous ramblings?
The mandrake in this jar will prove me right.
It will kill this intruder.
And your rule will remain unchallenged forever.
Ready the guards. We're goin' after Hercules, the real Hercules.
That's it. Now come to Papa. Come on. Gotcha!
Ha-ha. Come on. Come on, come on, come on.
Oy!
Ready your weapons!
- Soldier, what's happening? - I-I-I'm under orders not to talk, Ma'am.
- I'm sorry. - You'll be a lot sorrier if you don't.
- Do you know who my stepfather is? - Yes, Ma'am... Gorgas.
- Now, what's all the excitement? - There's an intruder in the labyrinth.
They say he's heading for the catacombs, to free a prisoner there,
- and we're going to stop him. - Move along, Soldier!
- Ma'am, I've gotta go. - Then go and thank you.
Move out!
Who makes these things?
Are you ready to die, Brother?
Put that thing down, before you hurt somebody.
All I asked you to do was leave.
But you couldn't even do that for your own brother.
So get on your feet. We're gonna settle this for all eternity.
Settle what? There's nothing for us to fight about.
You've got your name, and I've got mine!
That should be good enough for both of us!
Quit talkin' and take the sword!
Sorry, I've got better things to do right now.
Pick it up and fight or I'm gonna have to do this the hard way, Hercules.
Hercules?
Why did you call him Hercules?
Well? Are you gonna to tell her?
Tell me what? Come on, I wanna know. Why did you call him Hercules?
It's his name.
What are you saying?
I lied. I didn't think you'd love me if I told you
I was just plain Iphicles, the half-brother of a hero.
Is that the kind of woman you think I am, Iph...
- whatever your name is? - Rena you don't understand.
I've always thought the best of you. It was myself I wasn't sure about.
Well, I'm sure about you. You're the type of man I prayed I'd never meet!
Rena, come back!
Hercules, you gotta help me.
You know? It won't be painful.
Just a quick and then I'm gonna start with your, uh, legs.
A little nibble there, and then I'm gonna go to the... the... oh,
what am I doing? Hercules?
Would hurry up and get me out of this place!
Place! Place! Place! Place! Place! Place! Place!
I mean, what could be so hard?
Rena? Rena, would you wait? Would you hold on a minute?
Why should I? You're probably just gonna lie to me
- the way that... that imposter did. - He's my brother.
I've known him a lot longer than you have.
He would never do anything to hurt you.
But how can I ever believe him again?
Everything we had together was based on a lie.
No, not the love you shared. Iphicles used my name.
I mean, it was foolish, he knows that.
But it doesn't mean he cares any less for you.
I'm sure this is all very hard to understand,
but I'm just asking you to give him a second chance
to find out if you can love the man that he really is.
I'm sorry, Hercules, but right now I don't know what to think.
- Well? - Nothing, sir. He's escaped the labyrinth.
Then you're too slow! You should have caught the intruder by now!
He's a dead man. You have our word.
He's Hercules. Do I still have your word?
- We fear nothing, sir. - Then bring me his head!
Let's go!
I'm never gonna see her again, am I, Hercules?
That's up to the two of you, now. I did what I could.
I've got to go find Iolaus while he's still in one piece.
We could use your help.
Herc!
- About time! - Now don't start with me.
- You gonna get me out of here? - That's the idea!
- A key'd be nice. - So would a little help!
- Thanks, Brother. - That's all right!
I'd have to fight these guys, anyway!
Thanks.
Very impressive! Soldiers! Say hello to the real Hercules.
- What? - Real Hercules?
Now say goodbye.
Behold the mandrake.
Hera sends her regards.
Get out of here, Rena! This is not your concern!
What are you standing there for? Kill them!
Think you're man enough? Whoever you are?
I'm Iphicles, brother of Hercules and you're about to find out.
Stop, Father! You'll kill him!
- Iolaus! Lock the door! - You're insane!
- Just do it! - Easy for you to say!
I'm gonna kill him!
It's what he deserves for lying.
You are going to be annoying, aren't you?
Next time!
Feed me, when I ask to be fed.
- Let go of me! - Not this time.
- Let her go, Pallaeus. - She's mine!
I'm warning you, let her go.
- Herc! How ya doin'? - That is a very good question.
She loves me or no one at all.
You harm her, you'll pay with your life.
Let's find out!
Ooh!
Ahhhhh!
Iolaus, grab that shackle!
Why does this always have to be so hard?
Because if it was easy anybody could do it.
- In here! - Charge!
Enough already!
Ahh, don't tell me we missed everything.
What are we gonna do with Gorgas?
Well, that's kind of an awkward question, uh, Rena?
No, it's not. My stepfather is an evil man
and deserves to be punished for his crimes.
I was gonna say I should have run away long ago.
But if I'd done that I never would have met Iphicles
the love of my life.
- Do you mean it? - With all my heart.
Iphicles? Well, that means you really are--
I knew you'd come around.
Great. Now, I can get sum in to eat.
- Hello, stranger. - Wrong guy.
The stranger's right behind me.
Iphicles!
It's been a long time, Mother. I hope you know how sorry I am.
Oh, shhh... this is a time for celebrating, not apologizing.
I'm just so glad you're home. And who's this?
- I'm Rena. - Isn't she beautiful?
- We're gonna get married. - Oh... that's wonderful.
Welcome to the family.
Family always is sooner or later.
Herc, do you have any, uh, bread or food of any kind?
Iolaus get in here! You're family, too.
Captioned by Grantman Brown