Written by Doug Lefler
Directed by Doug Lefler
This episode provides examples of:
- Armor-Piercing Response: After Hercules makes it clear that he's taking Autolycus back to stand trial so that he can save Iolaus.Autolycus: Well, that's very herculean, but you see, there's just one small catch: if your friend lives, that means I die.
- Big Damn Heroes: Hercules returns with Autolycus just in time to stop the execution.
- Clear My Name: Iolaus is trying to prove that he didn't steal the chest Autolycus has taken.
- Didn't Think This Through: Hercules was so focused on saving Iolaus that it never occurred to him that he'd be delivering Autolycus to his death.
- Endearingly Dorky: Dirce is famous for her klutzy entrances and screwball causes.
- Escape Artist: Autolycus repeatedly undoes the increasingly elaborate restraints that Hercules puts on him. He also admits that there are times he lets himself get captured by the authorities just so he can break free later and enhance his reputation. Dirce says the kingdom's local constables freely admit that they can't hold him.
- Face Death with Dignity: On the chopping block, Iolaus calmly states his innocence and tells Menelaus to be nicer to his daughter.
- Fatal Flaw: Pride for Autolycus. Hercules notes it would've been a lot harder to pick up the trail, if Autolycus hadn't glad-handed every villager in sight.
- Fire-Forged Friends: Hercules and Autolycus reach an understanding through this episode.
- Forgot I Could Change the Rules: Though Autolycus confesses to the crime, Iolaus had already been found guilty and is on the chopping block, so Menelaus is unsure whether to follow through on established law or not. When Dirce suggests rewriting the laws, he asks if he can really do that. Dirce points out he is the king, after all. It turns out that his predecessors never took advantage of this, either.
- Friendship Moment: In the last scene, a hooded man passes Hercules and giving him a friendly greeting. Hercules has a pretty good idea it was Autolycus, but he lets him go.
- Gentleman Thief: Autolycus doesn't mind Iolaus taking the blame for the theft, but he changes his mind when he discovers that Iolaus may die because of it.
- The Great Serpent: The Treasure Room in the abandoned castle is guarded by a snake at least sixty feet long and far faster and tougher than any snake that size should be. It's implied that the snake is the reason that the castle was abandoned.
- Hero of Another Story: The Dragon's Eye Ruby is said to have been claimed by Maleus the Mighty from an actual dragon.
- Hidden Heart of Gold: Autolycus insists that going back to help Hercules against the serpent was just a lapse in judgment, but Herc doesn't buy it. Autolycus also ends up confessing to the crime without any prompting.
- Karmic Jackpot: Autolycus proves he's not such a bad guy by going back to help Hercules and getting Iolaus off the hook instead of making a run for it. As such, Hercules lets him walk in the last scene.
- Karmic Thief: Autolycus admits he'd be this, if he listened to his standards more often. He says it was how he got into being a thief, though. A merchant tricked his brother, Malagus, out of his land and later had him killed for protesting. When the authorities did nothing, Autolycus robbed the merchant blind and even gave away the spoils to the poor just to make it clear this was personal.
- Like Father, Unlike Son: Menelaus clings to tradition to preserve the kingdom's way of life, while Dirce actively fights for causes to create change.
- Loophole Abuse: How Iolaus views being failed on the final test. He was to avoid being injured while locked in a room with a boar and succeeded, only to cut his hand after being let out. Since no one saw that part, he's pronounced guilty, despite his protests.
- Nerves of Steel: Cornered by Hercules in the castle, Autolycus raises a fist.
- Never Found the Body: A funeral was set for Autolycus, but his body was never found.
- Never Going Back to Prison: It's not clear if Autolycus had ever actually been in prison before, but he definitely has this mindset. According to Dirce, he's made it known that he would rather die than be brought to justice.
- No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: Iolaus races in to help someone getting beaten up, only to learn the guy is a thief and the "attackers" were trying to recover stolen goods. Iolaus is immediately arrested and, with Autolycus on the loose with the biggest prize of all, faces being executed in his place.
- Not Quite Dead: After confessing to stealing the ruby, Autolycus seems to die on the throne. While everyone is distracted, he gets up and leaves, as well as lifts some money pouches from kingdom officials. Hercules is not remotely surprised.
- Off with His Head!: What Iolaus is facing, if Hercules fails to bring back Autolycus. He is literally placed in the Ancient Greek equivalent of a guillotine.
- Offscreen Teleportation: A Running Gag throughout the episode: Autolycus repeatedly escapes from Hercules and thinks he's left the hero far behind, then turns around to find Herc right in front of him again.
- Oh, Crap!: Autolycus upon learning that it's Hercules pursuing him.
- One-Steve Limit: Averted. King Menelaus has the same name as the character from the Trojan War, who would appear later this same year on Xena: Warrior Princess.
- Properly Paranoid: While Autolycus is in awe of the castle's massive treasure, Hercules points out that no one would leave such goods behind without a very good reason. A massive serpent quickly reveals itself.
- Race Against the Clock: Hercules is given three days to find Autolycus or else Iolaus will be beheaded. Unfortunately, the stall tactics don't take nearly as long as expected. Hercules returns with just seconds to spare.
- Royals Who Actually Do Something: Dirce is the local princess and serves as Iolaus's lawyer. She is also said to take part in a host of causes to try to make the world a better place. She clashes with her father in large part because she sees him as not doing enough to help people.
- Save the Villain: Iolaus to Autolycus, even though the former doesn't know of the later's thievery yet.
- Sealed Evil in a Can: The serpent in the old castle is left trapped inside.
- Tempting Fate: After nabbing Autolycus the first time, Hercules remarks that was rather easy. Then Autolycus demonstrates his Escape Artist credentials.
- Treasure Room: In the abandoned castle, Hercules and Autolycus fall through a rotten floor into a room filled with treasure. It turns out to be a Dragon Hoard, although the guardian is not a dragon, but rather an enormous snake, at least fifty or sixty feet long and so tough even Herc can't kill it.
- Understatement: Hercules asks Iolaus how he's doing. On the chopping block, Iolaus remarks he's had better days.
- What You Are in the Dark: Autolycus had the chance to escape, but he opted to go back and help Hercules.
- Who Are You?: Facing off the first time, Hercules notes he never heard of Autolycus before today and quickly begins restraining him.Autolycus: Who are you, anyway?
Hercules: Hercules. [smirking] Heard of me?
