Michael Hurst Movies

Season four of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys adheres to the basic premise of the previous three seasons: Half-god, half-human Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) continues to spread good will and good deeds throughout the known world, accompanied by his mortal friend Iolaus (Michael Hurst), aided and abetted by various and sundry gods, demigods, and humans and antagonized by an equivalent number of villains, chief among them the Queen of Gods, Hera (played this season by Meg Foster), who is still determined to destroy her stepson Hercules as a means of getting even with her husband (and Hercules' father) Zeus (Roy Dotrice). That said, the fourth season offers a number of entertaining diversions and digressions, beginning with the first episode, "Beanstalks and Bad Eggs," which incredibly but successfully transposes the Jack and the Beanstalk fairy tale to the milieu of Greek Mythology. Other episodes in this irreverent vein include "And Fancy Free," a musical spoof of the recent theatrical feature "Strictly Ballroom," in which series regular Michael Hurst, normally cast as the virile Iolaus, has a high old time in the "drag" role of dance instructor Widow Twankey (a character who would continue to show up in future installments); "Men in Pink," an outrageous parody of Billy Wilder's Some Like It Hot, focusing on the two larcenous recurring characters Salmoneus (Robert Trebor) and Autolycus (Bruce Campbell); and perhaps best of all, "Yes, Virginia, There Is a Hercules," set in modern-day Hollywood, in which the production staff of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (played in mufti by several of the series' semi-regulars) frantically cast about for a replacement when their star Kevin Sorbo (playing himself, sort of) suddenly vanishes. The most spectacular digression from the series' "norm" is manifested in "Stranger in a Strange World," the first of several episodes set in a bizarre parallel dimension, wherein the personalities of the various Hercules characters are radically altered -- and not always for the better.

While it is pleasant to see the normally belligerent war god Ares (Kevin Smith) as a benignly sexy stud, for example, it is disturbing to witness Hercules "morph" into a despotic dictator known as The Sovereign. The cast's visits to this parallel universe would increase in subsequent episodes, with some fascinating interpolations and crossovers. A few new characters make their first appearances during this season, among them the appropriately named Discord (Meighan Desmond), troublesome handmaiden of the malevolent Ares, and Hercules' half-brother, Apollo (Scott Michaelsen), a source of envy and discomfort for Hercules vis-à-vis his tattered relationship with Zeus. Three of the "new" faces are, however, not all that new in the general scheme of things: a preponderance of flashback sequences during season four requires the presence of a trio of younger actors to play the earlier versions of Hercules, Hercules' stepfather Jason (portrayed as an "adult" by Jeffrey Thomas) and Iolaus. Season four ends with the death of Hercules' mortal mother,Alcmene (Liddy Holloway), and an invitation extended to Hercules from his father, Zeus, to become a "full immortal" and take his rightful place in Olympus. Curiously, this situation does not result in a cliffhanger, to be resolved at the beginning of Season Five, though Hercules' ultimate decision to retain his half-human status does make possible all that is to come in future episodes. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

To reunite blind 19-year-old Ruun (Dean O'Gorman) with his sister Siri, Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) must tangle with the renegade Amazon gang who long ago kidnapped Siri and killed the sibling's parents. Unfortunately, evil Amazon Mayem (Tina Cleary) has convinced Siri to join her gang, filling the girl's head with lies about her "enemies" -- including poor Ruun. To defeat Mayem and rescue Siri, Hercules engages in mortal combat at the well-named Fire Stakes Ceremony. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The ghost of her former lover Marcus (Bobby Hosea) tells Xena (Lucy Lawless) that all is not well in the Underworld. Sure enough, the hapless Hades (Erik Thomson) has been toppled from his throne and imprisoned. Meanwhile, a psycho wreaks even more havoc than usual in the Underworld with Hades' stolen Helmet of Invisibility. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) is somewhat startled to learn that his mother, Alcmene (Liddy Holloway), has agreed to marry King Jason (Jeffrey Thomas). Even more startling is Jason's willingness to give up his throne to wed a commoner -- and his choice of successor: Hercules himself, who declines the honor in favor of his mortal half-brother Iphicles (Kevin Smith). Meanwhile, the evil Patronius (Simon Prast), who covets the throne himself, conspires with Hera to sabotage the wedding. The upshot of all this intrigue is the surprise appearance of Perfidia the sea serpent, who puts a damper on the ceremony by swallowing both Hercules and Jason! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) offers to help the revived mummy of Prince Ishtar (Mark Newnham) to locate his descendant, Princess Anuket (Galyn Gorg). Meanwhile, villainous high priest Sokar (John Watson) has gotten hold of Ishtar's golden pendant, with which he hopes to gain complete control of Egypt. The mummy manages to destroy Sokar -- but in the process, he becomes so dangerously powerful that Hercules must take drastic action. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Ever since his son Icarus (Ryan Lowell) perished when he donned artificial wings and flew too close to the sun, the famed inventor Daedalus (Derek Payne) has wallowed in guilt and bitterness. So disillusioned is Daedalus that he has given up inventing for the good of mankind and is now creating weapons of mass destruction for the evil King Nikolos (Frank Stevens). Together with feisty "investigative scribe" Katrina (Rebecca Hobbs), Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) tries to talk sense into his old friend Daedalus -- and avoid being wiped out by the inventor's newest death machine, the Megalith. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Conspiring with Hera, warrior queen Parnassa (Jane Thomas) convinces the amnesiac Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) that he is really her long-dead son, Millius. It is all part of a master scheme to have Hercules lead Parnassa's army into battle -- and to pledge loyalty to Hera on Equinox Day. But though Millius' widow, Kirin (Sam Jenkins), has been forced to go along with this sinister charade lest her children suffer, she tries to save Hercules from the fate in store for him. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Happily reunited by Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) in a previous episode, gentle giant Typhon (Glenn Shadix) and his wife Echnida (Bridget Hoffman) (aka "The Mother of All Monsters")are now the proud parents of a bouncing baby, the squid-like Obie. Alas, the tiny tot is kidnapped by sneaky thief Klepto (Grant Heslov), who plans to deliver the child to the warlord Bluth (Tony Wood) -- who, in turn, intends to give Obie to Hera for her own evil purposes. As Hercules tries to retrieve the slimy little bundle of joy, Klepto finds himself turning over a new leaf, much to his own amazement. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The titular sword in this episode is well named: Anyone who holds the weapon is incapable of telling a lie. Hoping to prove that warrior-turned-pacifist Amphion (Brad Carpenter) is innocent of murder, Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) and Iolaus (Michael Hurst) search for the sword in the grim Thalian caves. They are guided in this endeavor by Amphion's virginal sweetheart Leah (Kim Michalis) -- while the real murderer, not wishing to be forced into a confession by the sword, plots the demise of the three intrepid do-gooders. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

As punishment for defying orders by sparing the life of Hercules (Kevin Sorbo), goddess of retribution Nemesis (Theresa Hill) is transformed into a mortal by the unforgiving Hera. To finish the job that Nemesis started, Hera creates a assassin called the Enforcer, who travels in the guise of a beautiful woman (played by Karen Shepard). Though stripped of her immortal powers, Nemesis vows to save Hercules from the Enforcer -- who has already sunk her well-manicured meat hooks into Hercules' impressionable friend, Iolaus (Michael Hurst). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Ramina (Josephine Davison), the future bride of King Bereaus (Joel Tobeck), is abducted by the warrior Tarlus (Marton Csokas) on the eve of her wedding. Knowing full well that Tarlus is not a villain by nature, Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) nonetheless promises Bereaus that he will bring Ramina back. Though the love-smitten girl refuses to leave Tarlus' side, Hercules is determined to fulfill his promise -- until he learns the whole truth behind the impending marriage. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Assuming the face and form of Hercules' sculptor friend Thanis (Paul Gittins), the hideously ugly shapeshifting god Proteus frames Thanis for murder. This he has done for the sake of love, reasoning that he would otherwise have no chance of winning the heart of Thanis' daughter, Daniella (Ashley Lawrence). It falls to Hercules to do battle with Proteus and to teach the errant god a lesson in "being yourself". The candidates of the 1996 U.S. presidential election are given a brief, good-natured ribbing in this episode. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Legendary half-human, half-god Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) continues his journeys throughout Greece and the known world to spread goodness and charity and defend the downtrodden as the character's weekly TV series enters its third season. Likewise, still on hand is Hercules' mortal friend and traveling companion, Iolaus (Michael Hurst), not to mention such colorful recurring characters as itinerant peddler Salmoneus (Robert Trebor), self-styled "King of Thieves" Autolycus (Bruce Campbell), impulsive goddess of love Aphrodite (Alexandra Tydings), malevolent god of war Ares (Kevin Smith), harsh but fair god of the Underworld Hades (Erik Thomson), and the never-seen Queen Hera, the spiteful immortal stepmother of Hercules, who continues wreaking havoc in her efforts to punish her husband, Hercules' Olympian father, Zeus.

New to the series is another antagonist, the ferocious female warrior (and later immortal) Callisto (Hudson Leick) -- one of several "crossover" characters from Hercules: The Legendary Journey's companion series Xena: Warrior Princess. An additional antagonist appears in the form of the aptly named Strife (Joel Toback), nephew of war gods Ares (Kevin Smith). Also introduced during season three is the beauteous demigod Serena, played by actress Sam Jenkins (aka Sam Sorbo), wife of series star Kevin Sorbo. Originally a pawn in the schemes of Callisto to destroy Hercules, Serena (who also goes by the name of the Golden Hind) instead falls in love with the mighty muscleman, leading to a tragically brief marriage between the two characters. But though Serena dies at the end of her story arc, her character would continue to pop up in future episodes with appropriate "explanations" given for her remarkable durability. Spicing up the proceedings with a bit of variety, season three offers the first of a handful of episodes set in a time period other than Ancient Greece. Laid in 18th century France during the revolution, "Les Contemptibles" sets the template for all subsequent "time-displacement" episodes by casting several of the familiar Hercules stars and recurring characters in markedly different roles -- presumably as means to prevent the actors from feeling as if they were getting in a rut. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi