Written by Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci
Directed by Christopher Graves
Tropes
- Accidental Hero: Autolycus accidentally crashing through the butcher's roof gives Hercules the opportunity to escape the chopping block.
- Actor Allusion: Katherine is voiced by Alexandra Tydings, so they work one in to her more prominent role.Hercules: I'm Hercules.
Katherine: Yeah, sure, and I'm Aphrodite. - Breather Episode: Though the preceding Clip Show also qualifies, this zany outing is the first episode with the regular cast of characters since the "Armageddon Now" two-parter.
- But for Me, It Was Tuesday: Iolaus is displeased to see Autolycus after their previous encounter, but after getting caught during a robbery attempt, the King of Thieves is barely aware of who he is.Autolycus: Hercules! [to Iolaus] Whatever your name was.
- Call-Back:
- In the opening scene, Ares is depressed over Strife's death, and Discord is angling to replace the guy.
- Iolaus recalls nearly getting executed because of Autolycus, which is why he's at odds with him.
- Hercules and Iolaus are only going to Alcmene and Jason's because it's the couple's second anniversary.
- Deus Exit Machina: According to Hermes, Artemis is tied up with business on Olympus and can't retrieve her bow herself, so she's sent him to ask Hercules for help.
- Did You Just Scam Cthulhu?: Autolycus stole from two gods in one day, and he is gladly patting himself on the back for it.
- The Dragon: With Strife dead, Discord wants to formally become this to Ares.
- Due to the Dead: Subverted. Discord remarks that Strife was so stupid that he's better off dead. Though still in a mood about what happened, Ares admits Strife was fun to kick around.
- Everyone Has Standards:
- Autolycus insists that he would never sell out a friend.
- The butcher might enjoy his work, but he intends a quick death on the chopping block rather than prolong an animal's suffering.
- Exact Words: Ares telling Colchis that he's fired.
- Fire-Forged Friends: Downplayed. Iolaus and Autolycus remark they would still hate each other, regardless of the circumstances, but they can at least agree on that and be civil to each other now. Hercules remarks it's a start.
- Forced Transformation: With the Bow of Artemis, Discord turns Hercules into a pig.
- Foreshadowing:
- After delivering the message, Hermes remarks he's gonna watch the mud wrestling over at the palladium. Iolaus and Autolycus later steal his sandals there so that they can track down Hercules faster.
- Setting up the next part, Hercules departs to take Katherine home, with the Bow of Artemis in hand. Iolaus and Autolycus are tasked with returning Hermes's sandals, which leaves them still together at the start of the next episode.
- Funny Background Event: As Ares and Discord argue about their affairs, Autolycus slowly lowers into view by way of Hermes's sandals in an effort to get the bow.
- Green-Eyed Monster:
- Learning that Iolaus used to be a thief, Autolycus accuses of him of being jealous of the King of Thieves.
- Ares is openly jealous of Discord's relationship with Colchis and jumps at the opportunity to kill him. She later expresses infuriation over the girls she's seen leaving his temple early in the morning.
- Honor Before Reason: Autolycus reasons that Hercules wouldn't want them to risk their lives for him under any circumstances. Iolaus says that's exactly why they're going to help him, adding that Hercules would do the same if their roles were reversed.
- If I Had a Nickel...: After Alcmene points out that Hercules is running late, Jason says he's not worried.Jason: Sweetheart, if we had a dinar for every time Hercules was late because he stopped to help somebody, we'd be rich by now.
- It Can Think: Hercules is surprised to learn that all animals are capable of thought and can communicate with each other. The parrot later observes this wouldn't be shocking at all if humans took the time to actually listen to animals.
- Laser-Guided Karma: Discord used the bow to turn Hercules into a pig, so Iolaus uses it to turn her into a chicken.
- Loophole Abuse: Averted. Ares laments that Hercules being turned into a pig doesn't negate Zeus's protection.
- Mirthless Laughter: Autolycus when Ares and Discord catch him sneaking around the Halls of War.
- Murder the Hypotenuse: Ares mainly kills Colchis for failing, but the fact that the guy was sleeping with Discord makes doing it satisfying for him.
- Neck Lift: Hercules does this to Autolycus (albeit by the collar) early on when the King of Thieves tries to scamper off.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Autolycus gets the ball rolling by stealing the bow and selling it to a woman that turns out to be Discord. He later botches a covert attempt to steal back the bow by fiddling with it in mid-air and dropping it.
- Noodle Incident: How Autolycus swiped the bow.
- Off Screen Moment Of Awesome: Autolycus pulled off stealing the property of a goddess.
- Pint-Sized Powerhouse: After getting the hang of his new pig form, Hercules displays his usual Super-Strength, even knocking Ares for a loop.
- Pre-Mortem One-Liner: "Hey, you're fired."
- Real Life Writes the Plot: Another one of the episodes written to accommodate Kevin Sorbo after his health issues reduced his screentime.
- Scarily Competent Tracker: Colchis claims to be the best hunter in the world. After the heroes get away, he eventually picks up the trail and deduces literally every important detail he missed just by studying the ground.Colchis: Two pigs; two men, one walking with a heavier gait. He has something on his shoulder, a bird of some kind. And look, the sideways shuffle of the pig on the left indicates she can't keep her eyes off the pig on the right. Hercules! Shouldn't be far, now.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Subverted. Once learning that Ares is involved, Autolycus prefers to walk away. Iolaus won't let him do that and forces the issue by slamming him into a tree.
- Shot in the Ass: Popping in with the bow, Discord takes aim at Hercules. She then aims a little bit lower and smiles before opening fire.Hercules: Oh, that hurts.
- Surfer Dude: Hermes. Iolaus immediately guesses that he and Aphrodite must be, like, totally tight.
- Talking Animal: The parrot can speak to both fellow animals and the humans, though the voice sounds different depending on which is listening.
- Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: Iolaus and Autolycus are forced to work together on this one, arguing every step of the way.Autolycus: You better stop looking down your nose at me, Blondie. I've had it up to my mustache with your insults.
Iolaus: The truth hurts, doesn't it?
Autolycus: Yeah, so does my fist. - Title Drop: "I suppose my brother is gonna hafta change his name to, um, Porkules!"
- Translator Buddy: The parrot tells the others what Hercules is saying.
- We Will Meet Again: Before departing, Ares warns that Iolaus is now on his list.
- Worf Had the Flu: Exploited. After Ares points out that Zeus's protection is still in effect, Discord reasons it's going to be a whole lot easier for a mortal to kill Hercules now and leaves to get Colchis.
- "You!" Exclamation: Ares to Iolaus when putting him on his list.
- You Have Failed Me: Ares roasts Colchis alive after the hunter brings in the wrong pig.
