Kevin Sorbo is absent for nearly half the run time (resulting in some Iolaus-centric scenes), but returns with a vengeance in the second half. Hercules is truly in back in action.
"Golgoth" is the name of the prison in this episode. Golgotha aka Calvary was the site outside of Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified.
The creatures outside the prison walls are sand sharks which move beneath the surface of the sand with only their fins showing. Perhaps they were the inspiration for Sand Sharks (2012). Or perhaps both versions are inspired by the Sandworms of Dune (1984).