Hercules: The Legendary Journeys - Season 02 (1995)

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Season two of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys finds the titular half-human, half-god Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) and his mortal friend Iolaus (Michael Hurst) persisting in their efforts to spread peace, kindness, and goodwill throughout Greece and the known world, despite the formidable opposition of several nasty Olympian gods, disgruntled demigods, hideous monsters, and a few mean-spirited human beings. Among the new recurring characters introduced during this season is Autolycus (Bruce Campbell), a former sideshow escape artist and part-time pickpocket who strives to live up to his self-anointed title, "The King of Thieves" -- the results usually being disastrous for Hercules and his friends. We also meet Aphrodite (Alexandra Tydings), gorgeous goddess of love, whose sometimes bird-brained capriciousness makes almost as much trouble for Hercules as does Autolycus. Likewise making his first appearance as Hercules' envious mortal half-brother, Iphicles, who bears a disturbing resemblance to our hero's longtime enemy, the war god Ares (both characters are of course played by the same actor, Kevin Smith). And in another development, Hercules is forced to tangle with Echidna (Bridget Hoffman), the Mother of All Monsters, who is determined to avenge the deaths of her many offspring at the hands of the muscular superhero. Additionally, Hercules forms a curious relationship with Hades (Erik Thompson), king of the Underworld, requiring our hero to make a few side trips into the Land of the Dead -- where, for a brief and touching moment, he is reunited with his long-departed bride Deianeira (Tawny Kitean). And in another "earthly" reunion, Hercules touches base with Jason (Jeffrey Thomas), former commander of the Argonauts, with whom both Hercules and Iolaus had once set sail in search of the elusive Golden Fleece. The friendship between Hercules and Jason is solidified near the end of season two when Jason asks Hercules' mortal mother, Alcmene (played this season by Liddy Holloway, replacing Elizabeth Hawthorne) to become his bride -- an act that brings joy into the hearts of all but Hercules' spiteful immortal stepmother Hera, who, though never actually seen on-camera, remains an ominous and dangerous presence throughout season two's 24 episodes. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi