The P.O.O.T.L.s (People's Order of Titanic Liberators) take the students of Prometheus Academy hostage to gain a bargaining position with Zeus regarding the imprisoned Titans. Can Hercules and school guidance counselor Parenthesis regain the upper hand and stop the Titans from rising again?
This episode includes examples of the following tropes:
- Both Sides Have a Point: Hercules and Parenthesis spend the episode debating the merits of heroes and scholars, as well as the lack thereof, after Parenthesis says Herc has a future as a librarian. The climax proves they're both right, as the situation requires both fists and knowledge, not just one or the other. In the end, Hercules asks to work part-time in the library and Parenthesis agrees in exchange for some fighting lessons.
- The Cameo: The Titans, though barely.
- Do Wrong, Right: When the Home Economics teacher gets taken captive by the P.O.O.T.L.s, she objects to her abductor grabbing her from the wrong side.
- Funny Background Event: While Parenthesis and Hercules are sneaking around in a tunnel, Parenthesis casually asks Herc to take care of a nearby giant rat. The battle rages in the background while Parenthesis tries to reason out their next move.
- Fun with Acronyms: The People's Order of Titan Liberators or P.O.O.T.L's (pronounced "poodles") is the main villain of the episode.
- I Have Your Wife: The hostage takers capture the entire school solely to get Hercules, given that Zeus's son would serve as the best bargaining chip.
- Running Gag: The fact that P.O.O.T.Ls sounds like poodles (and therefore inspires a lot of confusion and lack of fear) comes up multiple times.
- Shout-Out:
- Icarus, who's been told he's destined for a career in theatre, says, "I hope I get it."
- While searching the library, Herc finds a book called How to Win Fights and Influence Monsters.
- Take That!: The guidance counselor, Mr. Parenthesis, says that the school uses oxen guts to predict students' future careers. Hercules asks why they don't use an aptitude test, and Mr. Parenthesis says they tried that, and that the oxen guts were more accurate (by 72%!)
