Recap / Atlantis S 2 E 13 The Queen Must Die Part Two

At the hunting lodge, Pythagoras meets with Icarus. The two discuss recent news, such as the death of Pasiphae and the possibility of peace talks between Jason and the Atlantean council. Pythagoras tells Icarus that the offer of peace talks are a genuine attempt to avoid more bloodshed. After Icarus returns to Atlantis, Pythagoras tells Jason “the bait is laid.”

Icarus comes before Cilix and Goran and tells them everything that Pythagoras told him. Icarus pleads with Goran to release his father, and Goran says it will be done.

Goran and Cilix discuss what to do next. Cilix decides to use the support of the army to claim the throne for himself. Goran points out that Cilix has no claim, especially compared to Ariadne or Jason. Cilix agrees, which is why he needs to kill them. The peace negotiation could be a perfect opportunity to lure the rival claimants into a trap.Goran keeps his word and allows Icarus to free Daedalus from the dungeon, though Daedalus is deeply ashamed of what Icarus has done.

Cilix and Goran take a platoon of soldiers to meet with Jason and Ariadne. Cilix has archers hidden on the hill to kill Jason when Cilix signals, but Jason had anticipated this and has his friends catch the archers by surprise before they can shoot. When his assassination attempt fails, Cilix yells for the foot soldiers to attack, but Goran tells them to stand down. Cilix suddenly realizes he has no power. He tries everything he can to save himself, justifying his actions, threatening, pleading, but nothing works. Cilix tries to flee but doesn’t get far before Jason throws a knife into his back and Goran finishes him off. Goran says he has seen enough bloodshed and tells Jason that he will ensure the army will not oppose them. Jason agrees that Atlantis should be ruled by consent, not by brutality. Jason also accepts Goran’s request that none of the soldiers be executed for their actions during Pasiphae’s regime. Goran tells Jason and Ariadne to return to Atlantis to receive the blessing of the high priest. This suddenly raises Jason’s suspicion, and he asks how he can trust Goran. Goran only offers his word.

Goran: It seems we will have to trust each other if this is to end.

Jason and his friends pack up the camp to return to Atlantis. Hercules notices Ariadne watching Jason with suspicion, and asks her if she thinks she can trust Goran. Ariadne says that Jason does, and Hercules supposes that they have to put their faith in him. Ariadne looks back at Jason with a troubled expression.The next day, the heroes return to Atlantis. Melas apologizes to Ariadne for his actions.

Ariadne: There must be forgiveness if there is to be peace. We should all strive to put the past behind us.

The army kneels before Ariadne. Dicoles shakes Jason’s hand, and Jason thanks him for all his help.

That night, Pasiphae’s body is carried off by a flying dragon and taken to the temple of Hecate.

Jason sees Ariadne staring out the windows of the palace and asks her what is wrong. Ariadne says Atlantis no longer feels like her home, and the words that Pasiphae said to her are preying on her mind. Jason tells her she can’t believe anything Pasiphae said, and Ariadne agrees, though she doesn’t look assured at all.

The flying dragon places Pasiphae’s body on the altar at the temple, and Pasiphae’s eyes start to blink.Hercules prepares for a celebration with food and wine, but Pythagoras is very sad, and storms off saying there is something he must do.Pythagoras confronts Icarus and tells him that Jason and Ariadne are going to rule Atlantis. Pythagoras notices the state Daedalus is in, and for the first time Icarus tells Pythagoras that his father had been arrested for helping Pythagoras steal Pandora’s box. Pythagoras reveals that he knew Icarus betrayed them. Icarus cries as he pleads with Pythagoras that he loves him and he had no choice, but Pythagoras can’t accept that answer.

Pythagoras: I understand the reasons why you did it, but I will never forgive you.

Unable to sleep, Ariadne goes to talk to Hercules. Ariadne is haunted by the memory of how Jason was during the time that his heart was blackened. She is also worried about Pasiphae’s claim that Jason and Medea were intimate. Hercules tries to assure her that Pasiphae was lying, but Ariadne can’t get over these thoughts because she knows that Jason and Medea have some sort of bond, and Jason seemed to be hiding something when he talked about Medea earlier.

Hearing the screech of the dragon, General Goran and several Atlantean soldiers investigate the disturbance. They step into the throne room to see Pasiphae on the throne.

Goran: How is this possible? I believed you to be dead.

Pasiphae: I was. For a brief time. But now I am returned.

Goran orders the soldiers to seize her, but Pasiphae throws them around with her magic. She says she will spare the lives of those who swear loyalty to her. Goran tries to attack her, but she snaps his neck with her magic. The other soldiers quickly swear loyalty to Pasiphae.

The next morning, some of the soldiers discuss what has happened: the palace guards have sided with Pasiphae, and plan to strike before the new King and Queen are blessed by the gods.Jason and Ariadne go to the temple together to receive the blessing of the gods. As Cassandra says a prayer for the new King and Queen, the palace guards attack. Pasiphae kills Melas, while Cassandra escapes with Jason, Ariadne, Hercules, and Pythagoras. The heroes fight their way out of the temple and hide in a warehouse. Jason plans to wait for nightfall to sneak out of the city.

The guards start searching every building to find Jason and Ariadne.Icarus is determined to try to save Pythagoras and Daedalus offers to help him.

Jason begins to worry that this might be the end. Ariadne asks him what happened between him and Medea, and Jason confesses that there was a moment between the two of them when he was going through his dark phase.Guards start chopping the door of the warehouse open with an axe.

At the highest point of the city, Daedalus gives Icarus a set of wings to glide with.

Daedalus: Remember that the wings are sealed with wax, and if the sun is too hot, the wax will melt and you will plummet to the ground and almost certainly die.

Icarus: It is night. There is no sun.

Daedalus: Mm-hmm. All right, you should be fine.

Icarus leaps off the tower and glides towards where the heroes are hiding, dropping bombs to take out the guards. An archer manages to shoot Icarus in the wing, and he crashes. Pythagoras finds Icarus on the ground and kisses him. Fortunately, Icarus is not badly hurt and is able to escape the city with the others.The heroes hide in the forest. The next morning, Jason asks Cassandra if they will ever be rid of Pasiphae.

Cassandra: It will be difficult. Not impossible. Pasiphae will only be vanquished if you find the source of her power and destroy it.

Jason: What is the source of her power?

Cassandra: There is a golden fleece woven long ago by the Stygian witches. No mortal man has ever seen it. The power it has is…unimaginable.

Jason: Where can I find it?

Cassandra: In Colchis. You will need great courage and huge sacrifice. Even then, you will not succeed alone. There’s only one person who can help you.

Jason: Who?

Cassandra: You already know the answer to that question.

Jason: Medea.

Hercules and Pythagoras are horrified when Jason tells them they will have to go to Colchis. The land is on the other side of the world and rumored to be full of witches and dark magic. Jason explains the situation to Ariadne, and she understands, since the Oracle had predicted that Jason was destined to one day save Atlantis. She resolves to go on the journey too, saying they will defeat Pasiphae together.

The heroes camp on the coast, planning to get a ship from the harbor the next day. That night, Cassandra has a vision of a storm-tossed ship named the Argo, of Jason kissing Medea through the bars of a cell, and of Ariadne waking up terrified and alone on a distant shore.

In Colchis, Medea stands on the shore looking out at sea. Her visions tell her that Jason is coming.

Tropes

• A Father to His Men: Goran asks Jason that none of the Atlantean soldiers be punished for their actions, as they were Just Following Orders. Jason agrees.
• Back from the Dead: Pasiphae, due to divine intervention from Hecate.
• Big Damn Heroes: Icarus comes flying to the rescue when all seems lost.
• Chronic Backstabbing Disorder: In just two episodes the palace guard of Atlantis switches loyalty from Pasiphae to Cilix, Jason, and back to Pasiphae again.
• Diabolus ex Machina: After finally being defeated, Pasiphae suddenly comes back to life and seizes Atlantis again almost immediately.
• Easily Forgiven: Melas is forgiven by Ariadne and allowed to remain Poseidon’s high priest after helping Pasiphae usurp the throne by aiding in the kidnapping of the previous Oracle, falsifying evidence, blatantly abusing his role as speaker for the gods, sentencing Jason to death, and having Ariadne arrested.
  • Downplayed with Icarus. While he is not punished by the law, Pythagoras does not forgive him for his betrayal until Icarus saves his life later.
• Heel–Face Turn: General Goran turns against Cilix and becomes loyal to Jason.
• Hope Spot: A soldier pounds on the door of the warehouse where the heroes are hiding but seemingly gives up and walks away…only to come back with more men and start chopping the door open with an axe.
• I Gave My Word: Goran frees Daedalus because he promised Icarus. This is notable because he had previously used Exact Words to blackmail Icarus for more and more information.
• I Surrender, Suckers: A variant in which both sides plan to abuse the flag of truce. The heroes send word to Cilix that they want to make peace, but it is a trap to lure him out. Cilix is tricked into thinking that they are genuine, but he decides to use the peace talks as a trap to kill Jason and Ariadne.
• Know When to Fold 'Em: Averted. Upon learning that the Golden Fleece is in Colchis, Hercules wonders if they should just give up and accept defeat, since they’ve already fought so hard against Pasiphae only to accomplish absolutely nothing. Jason refuses to give up, and the team prepares for a new voyage.
• Left Hanging: Unfortunately, the show was cancelled after this season, leaving the plot unresolved.
• Moment Killer: Pythagoras kisses Icarus after Icarus is shot down. Hercules loudly clears his throat and reminds Pythagoras that they need to get out of the city.
• Not Quite Flight: Daedalus warns Icarus not to flap his wings, as his invention is only good for gliding, not powered flight.
• Rewarded as a Traitor Deserves: Cilix is killed off by General Goran after attempting to seize the throne for himself.
• Single Tear: Cassandra when Jason says he will never see Medea again. As Oracle, she is probably having a vision that Jason’s future is linked to Medea.
• Two-Faced: After her resurrection, Pasiphae has a nasty mark on the left side of her face.
• Villains Want Mercy: Cilix begs for his life when cornered, but General Goran executes him.
• You Can't Go Home Again: Ariadne discovers this when she returns to Atlantis.