This episode serves as the pilot for spin-off series 'Young Hercules'.
Celesta had previously been seen in the first season 'Xena: Warrior Princess' episode 'Death in Chains', although played by a different actress (and brunette rather than blonde as seen here). Hercules learns that she has come to claim the life of his friend Jaris (one of those many old friends that are never mentioned before or since the episode!), causing Herc to reminisce about how they first met.
The story isn't exactly riveting, but it's reasonable enough, as we are introduced to the teenage versions of Hercules and Iolaus.
Ian Bohen does reasonably as the Young Hercules. Bohen was recast for the series when he decided that he didn't want to commit to spending so much time shooting in New Zealand.
It is a good touch that Young Herc wears a brown top, rather matching up with the one that adult Hercules wore in the first television movie 'Hercules and the Amazon Women' (although obviously not the same one he'd never fit into it!!). ...And Dean O'Gorman makes a good young Iolaus, even though he doesn't get all that much to do in the story.
I like the way the 'current' events (i.e. those of adult Hercules) fade in with those from the past. The closing scene, of adult and teenage Hercules talking, may sound a bit corny, but it somehow works. I (at time of writing) haven't seen 'Young Hercules' as a series, so I can't say how this episode compares to it. Here in the UK, it was picked up by ITV, who in true form of the channel, only showed a few episodes, amongst many schedule changes, before just abandoning it. I wouldn't mind picking it up on DVD if it is released at some point.
As a stand alone episode, it is a reasonable if not outstanding one.
Oh, and one more than we are never told of what Jaris suddenly dies of, as even the claimer ('Jaris' cause of death remained a mystery during the production of this motion picture') jokes at. Seeing as the whole plot revolves around it, you'd think they'd at least give us a clue!moreless
EDIT
Episode Summary
Celesta, also known as "Death", came for Jaris, Hercules old friend. The goddess' appearance prompted Hercules to remember the time when, as a cocky youth, he met Celesta for the first time. It happened when young Hercules accidentally killed Jaris' brother, Bartoc. Hercules had kept the truth from Jaris and his family for a while, but finally revealed his secret when a teenage gang attacked. But that was all in the past; now Hercules had to stop his friend from a rampage against the evildoers of his town. Celesta finally took Jaris, leaving Hercules with his memories.moreless
Watch Online
-
Kevin Sorbo
Hercules
-
Nathaniel Lees
Cheiron
-
Colin Moy
Jaris
Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions
See All-
Trivia
ADD TRIVIA- Ian Bohen's (the original young Hercules) red vest closely resembles Hercules's vest from the original movie ("Hercules and the Amazon Women"). Edit
- This episode marks the only appearance of Celesta on Hercules (and her only one as a blonde), who also appeared in the Xena episodes "Death in Chains" and "Looking Death in the Eye", though each time she was played by a different actress. Edit
- Goof: For Hercules' first fight, it is obvious all the men are on wires from the way they float and bounce around for no apparent reason. Edit
-
Notes
ADD NOTES- Disclaimer: Jaris' cause of death remained a mystery during the production of this motion picture. Edit
- This episode was the pilot for the TV series Young Hercules. Edit
-
Quotes
ADD QUOTES- Celesta: (As Hercules takes Bartoc's body back to his family) What you're doing, taking him to his family, it's a very compassionate act. Most of us on Olympus are very proud of you, Hercules. Hercules: And my father Zeus? Is he proud of me too? Celesta: Of course! Hercules: Of course. Edit
- Kenickus: (Bragging over a beat up Iolaus) I float like a harpy, and I sting like a Stymphalian Bird! Iolaus: (Iolaus sucker punches him) And you drop like a rock! Edit
-
Allusions
ADD ALLUSIONS- Kenickus: (Bragging over a beat up Iolaus) I float like a harpy, and I sting like a Stymphalian Bird! This is a tribute to Muhammad Ali, who claimed to "Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee!" Edit
Show Forums
Add a Topic
See All
Last Activity
Replies
-
What's your favorite Hercules episode
10/22/117
-
hercule season five question theory
04/19/112
-
Claire Stansfield/Alti was in Hercules?!
10/08/102
-
Actor Glenn Shadix passes away
09/08/102
-
Massive Xena and Hercules Database!
08/09/101
-
Full Circle
S 6 : Ep 8
-
A Wicked Good Time
S 6 : Ep 7
-
City of the Dead
S 6 : Ep 6
-
Hercules, Tramps & Thieves
S 6 : Ep 5
Related Shows
Season 4 Episodes
See AllEp 22
Reunions
Ep 21
Top God
Ep 19
War Wounds
Ep 18
My Fair Cupcake
Ep 17
One Fowl Day
Ep 16
Porkules
Ep 15
Yes, Virginia, There is a ...
Ep 14
Armageddon Now Part 2
Ep 13
Armageddon Now Part 1
Ep 12
Men in Pink
Ep 11
Medea Culpa
Ep 9
If I Had A Hammer...
Ep 8
...And Fancy Free
Ep 7
Prodigal Sister
Ep 6
Two Men and a Baby
Ep 5
Stranger in a Strange World
Ep 4
Web of Desire
Ep 3
Regrets... I've Had a Few
Ep 2
Hero's Heart
Ep 2
Twilight
Ep 1
Beanstalks and Bad Eggs
Ep 1
Hercules on Trial
-
gabfan31 EDITOR
User Score: 2831
-
BuffyAnneLove TRUSTED
User Score: 2068
-
misstrious
User Score: 202
-
ksmith2208
User Score: 186
-
Jay-Spacedust
User Score: 155
-
crtoddity
User Score: 86
-
SirStack
User Score: 84
-
trfan
User Score: 62
-
TimDrakeRobin
User Score: 43
-
ilovedb
User Score: 38
More
Less
