Hercules is a good show, with some interesting twists and turns, although it is hardly a correct re-telling of the Greek hero's life. The man himself was not the goody two-shoes portrayed by Sorbo, but was in fact a person wracked by personal problems and with a taste for bloody deeds, such as killing his entire family in rage, as well as smashing his music-teacher over the head with a lyre when he dared to criticize the would-be hero's lack of dexterity. Being a swede, the show that really stood out as another fine mess was the one with the Norse gods. Some enlightenment: The viking-age took place some 2000 years after Hercules had died. Odin is one-eyed, and he meets his end in Ragnarok. Thor's hammer (Mjollnir) has a shortened shaft due to Loki's interference. Loki is described as a dark-haired, beautiful man (with a devious mind). But since this is a fantasy - who cares ? The acting is mostly fine, with Iolaus as the most complex character of the two, giving the show some depth. And there are some great characters coming and going, such as the self-absorbed thief Autolocus, the money-loving Salmoneus, and Falafel the chef, for comic relief. The women portrayed are for the most part strong and independent, with a will and resourcefulness to match the men, especially Echidna, Aphrodite, and the no nonsense Amazon warriors. Its a pity though that they didn't put Athena in the script, since she is the embodiment of female ingenuity and power - it would have been fun to watch the ongoing feud between her and Ares, but as it is, Xena is a worthy successor to the part. On the whole, this is a very nicely produced series, which, although it isn't a history-lesson, should generate some interest in the original sources - and that is never a bad thing.
Review of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
