Paul Norell Movies

In the second of the series' musical episodes, Xena (Lucy Lawless) tries to negotiate a truce between the Amazons and the warlord Draco (Jay Lagai'aia). To that end, she proposes a Battle of the Bands, with songs rather than swords used to determine the outcome. Meanwhile, Xena's mom, Cyrene (Darien Takle), gets the matchmaking urge, and Joxer (Ted Raimi) again crosses paths with his disreputable brother, Jace. Highlights include a group of archaic villagers singing "The Telephone Hour" from Bye Bye Birdie and Xena's down-and-dirty lyre rendition of her TV series' theme song. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Having crossed over from the parallel universe and into the "real" world, Iolaus II (Michael Hurst) is curious about his late, lamented counterpart, Iolaus. To fill him in, Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) tells Iolaus II a story about a "typical" day in the lives of two superheroes. Thus begins a flashback, predicated upon the theft of a cursed ruby by the light-fingered Autolycus (Bruce Campbell) -- who ends up painfully swallowing the gem. Fans of Hercules: The Legendary Journey's companion series Xena: Warrior Princess will recognize this episode as a variation on the popular Xena installment "A Day in the Life." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Though flattered by Gabrielle's (Renee O'Connor) ongoing efforts to chronicle her exploits for posterity, Xena (Lucy Lawless) suggests that her friend forsake facts for the moment and turn to fiction writing. Unfortunately, this occurs just when the jealous Aphrodite (Alexandra Tydings), angered that even little kiddies prefer Xena to her, has decided to cast a spell upon Gabrielle's scrolls. As a result, everything that Gabrielle has written down suddenly becomes "reality" -- and suffice to say that it isn't a pretty sight. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

While arranging a surprise birthday party for Hercules (Kevin Sorbo), our hero's mother and several of his friends are served poisoned punch by the scheming Callisto (Hudson Leick in her first series appearance), acting on orders from Hera. To save his loved ones, Hercules must join Callisto on a journey into the Labyrinth of the Gods to locate an antidote in the Tree of Love. The mission becomes near-impossible when Callisto suddenly achieves immortality and engages Hercules in a fierce and deadly battle. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In a story set during the French revolution, crooked Count François Demarigny, who looks a lot like ancient peddler Salmoneus (as well he should, since he is played by Robert Trebor all the same), poses as a dashing bandit called the "Chartreuse Fox" in order to rob the rich and give to himself. The count's intended victim is Marie de Valle (Danielle Cormack), who turns out to be the real Chartreuse Fox. When Marie is captured and sentenced to the guillotine, the count's henchmen -- Robert (Kevin Sorbo) and Jean-Pierre (Michael Hurst), suddenly electing to pattern themselves after their archaic lookalikes Hercules and Iolaus -- vow to rescue the heroine and dedicate their lives to fighting for the rights of the downtrodden. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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, All Movie Guide

Hoping to avert a war between the Spartans and the Eleans in the village of Propontus, Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) and Atalanta (Cory Everson) organize a series of peaceful athletic competition. Ever angling for a profitable publicity stunt, itinerant peddlar Salmoneus (Robert Trebor) comes up with an enticing name for the upcoming event: The Olympic Games. Spoiling the spirit of fair play is the very unsportsmanlike -- and very deadly -- Tarkon (Chris Bailey), who, with the aid of war god Ares, is determined to win the games no matter what the cost in human lives. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Gods have thrown Prometheus (John Freeman) in chains, and Mankind is in danger of losing the gifts the captive has bestowed upon them -- including the ability to create fire and the capacity to cure disease. In order to rescue Prometheus, Xena (Lucy Lawless) must get her hands upon a mystic sword. But first she must fight for possession of the sword with her old "friendly enemy" Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) -- who knows full well the horrible fate awaiting anyone who releases Prometheus from his bonds. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide