History Tearjerker / Hercules

* Phil after it seems like Hercules [[DisneyDeath dies]] along with the hydra.

* When Phil discovers that Meg is working with Hades and attempts to warn Hercules, Hercules doesn't believe it and they have an argument that ends with Hercules smacking Phil in a blind rage [[NotHelpingYourCase when he begins to insult her]], with Phil just giveing up on Hercules and ditching him. The look of hurt on Phil's face right after this shows just how much this has affected him emotionally.

** Although the scene stops here and switches to the Gods' point of view as they get captured, as soon as Meg makes it clear that Hercules won't survive if he doesn't do something immediately, Phil immediately stops in utter shock, realizing that he really screw it up, as he made a big mistake in walking out on Hercules in his darkest hour, the moment he needed his help the most. He doesn't even know that this is of the planetary allignment, which allows Hades to release the Titans as part of the plan he hatched after the Fates' prediction when Hercules was born eighteen years prior, nor that Hades himself enfeebled Hercules with a deal that caused him to lose his superhuman strength for the rest of the day, and Hades showed up to weaken him as soon as he was alone, meaning that it's his fault if Hercules is in this mess, and now he knows that. At this point, Phil accepts to go back to Hercules, unable to be mad at him anymore. Gods know what was going through his head.

** Tying into both of the above is Meg's furious attempts to keep from admitting she's in love with Hercules. She's been dumped by a boyfriend before and doesn't want to even entertain the possibility, just go with the idea that Hercules is a mark and once she gets what Hades wants out of him, she can get her soul back and leave. "I Won't Say I'm In Love" is Meg refusing to admit, not to the Muses, but to HERSELF that she's fallen for Hercules, partly due to either fear that Hercules will do the same as the ingrateful she sacrificed her soul for.

* When Phil discovers that Meg is working with Hades and attempts to warn Hercules, Hercules doesn't believe it and they have an argument that ends with Hercules smacking Phil in a blind rage [[NotHelpingYourCase when he begins to insult her]], with Phil just giving up on his. The look of hurt on Phil's face right after this shows just how much this has affected him emotionally.
-->'''Phil:''' I thought you were gonna be the all-time champ...not the all time ''chump''.

* After Hercules loses his strength, Hades, Pain, and Panic humiliate him in front of Meg, causing her to cry. Hades even gleefully reveals that Meg was under his employ the entire time and mocks that Hercules gave up his strength for a lie. Cue Hercules screaming out that Hades is lying. Yikes, way to rub it in, you three.

* Hercules loses his strength after fully realizing his betrayal by Meg and his betrayal of Phil. The Cyclops is yelling for him to come fight, and he goes, ignoring Meg's warnings and ending up in mortal danger, alone.

* As the Cyclops [[CurbStompBattle is absolutely destroying Hercules]], Meg can't take it anymore as the man she fell in low with is getting himself killed and rushes to free Pegasus and look for Phil, but at first, when she tells him that Hercules is in trouble and he didn't listen to her when she tried to tell him not to go, he refuses to come back, still upset at him over the argument they had earlier and for his slap, leading an upset Meg to tell him directly that Hercules will get killed if he doesn't go back and help him right now.

** Although the scene stops here and switches to the Gods' point of view as they get captured, as soon as Meg makes it clear that Hercules will get killed if he doesn't do something, Phil immediately stops in complete shock, realizing that he screwed up in abandoning Hercules in his darkest hour, the moment he needed his help the most. He doesn't even know that this is of the planetary allinement, which allows Hades to release the Titans as part of the plan he hatched after the Fates' prediction when Hercules was born eighteen years prior, nor that Hades himself enfeebled Hercules with a deal that caused him to lose his strength for the rest of the day, and because of his mistakes (that and not finding out that Meg didn't want to be involved with Hades any longer), Hades showed up to weaken him as soon as he was alone, just because he left him in a bad time. At this point, Phil accepts to come back to Hercules, unable to be mad at him anymore. Gods know what was going through his head.

--->''[Cut to the next morning as Amphitryon and Alcmene see off their son on his journey, with Alcemene giving him a cloak against the weather]''

* While Hercules is talking with a proud Zeus about his heroic deeds, he's convinced that he's finally gonna come home to Mount Olympus. But Zeus tells him he ''is'' proud but he's not yet proven himself a "[[ATrueHero true hero]]"; being a rich and famous monster hunter doesn't count. When Hercules asks what more is there, Zeus can only say that [[ThisIsSomethingHesGotToDoHimself his son has to discover that for himself]] by looking into his heart. After Zeus leaves, Hercules slams his fists on the floor in anger and confusion.

** Tying into both of the above is Meg's furious attempts to keep from admitting she's in love with Hercules. She's been burned before and doesn't want to even entertain the possibility, just go with the idea that Hercules is a mark and once she gets what Hades wants out of him, she can get her soul back and leave. "I Won't Say I'm In Love" is Meg refusing to admit, not to the Muses, but to HERSELF that she's fallen for Hercules.

* When Phil discovers that Meg is working with Hades and attempts to warn Hercules, Hercules just goes into complete denial, leading him to smack Phil in a blind rage [[NotHelpingYourCase when he begins to insult her]]. The look of hurt on Phil's face right after this shows just how much this has affected him emotionally.

** To make matters worse, Phil failed to hear Meg's refusal to help Hades on two separate occasions ''in the same conversation''. The first time can be forgiven since he was still unconscious from falling off of Pegasus, but on the second occasion, he was so desperate to warn Hercules that he didn't think to wait until he heard the end of Meg and Hades's conversation before going to notify Hercules of his discovery and rushed out too early. Had he waited just a few seconds more, Phil would have not only learned of Meg's reluctance but might have also realised what Hades intended to do and been able to HELP both her and Hercules.
* After Hercules loses his strength, Hades, Pain, and Panic humiliate him in front of Meg, causing her to cry. Hades even gleefully reveals that Meg was under his employ the entire time and mocks that Hercules gave up his strength for a lie. Cue Hercules screaming out that Hades is lying.
** Take a look at Meg when Hades flies off: she drops to the floor crying in the ''exact same'' position as she did when her old boyfriend betrayed her, except now the situation is worse, since this time, she's the one who ended up betraying the man she loves.
* Hercules loses his strength after fully realizing his betrayal by Meg and his betrayal of Phil. Cyclops is yelling for him to come fight, and he goes.

* When Phil arrives and tries to pep talk him during the fight with the Cyclops, Hercules just tells him dully that he was right; "[[SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids dreams are for rookies]]." As he says this, he's glaring at Meg, who can't even bring herself to meet his gaze.
* Hercules's BigNo when he sees that Meg's been crushed after [[TakingTheBullet pushing him out of the way of a falling column]] is gutwrenching. Sadly, the mood does ''not'' improve as Hercules gets his strength back and gets the column off her.

* Meg's death. The movie gives a lot of focus to her agony as she lies dying. Once Hades throws the knowledge back at him as a last taunt, Hercules [[OhCrap stops in his tracks]] and rushes back to try and see her before she dies (even though there's not a whole lot he can do), while the Fates prepare to snip her thread. [[DiedInYourArmsTonight And she]] ''[[DiedInYourArmsTonight doesn't]]'' [[DiedInYourArmsTonight die in his arms]]. She dies without even get to see him. Phil can only helplessly hold her hand before he feels it go limp as the Fates cut her thread of life. Hercules arrives to see her just lying there, clearly dead, as Phil sadly shakes his head at him when he comes back, non-verbally saying "She didn't make it, kid, we lost her. There was nothing I could do". He ''doesn't'' get to tell her he's won, or say sorry, or that he loves her. No, he can only cradle her limp, cooling body in his arms and sob ManlyTears. And even ''Phil'' is crying during this scene; he hated Meg up until she came to tell him that Hercules was in trouble. Both Creator/TateDonovan and Creator/DannyDeVito's [[SugarWiki/HeReallyCanAct voice acting is just amazing for this]].
-->'''Phil:''' I'm sorry, kid. There are some things you just can't change.

* Meg and Hercules have a philosophical moment on their first date. Listen to Meg. We already know she's a BrokenBird, but here, it's taken UpToEleven.

* Meg's death. The movie gives a lot of focus to her agony as she lies dying. Once Hades throws the knowledge back at him as a last taunt, Hercules [[OhCrap stops in his tracks]] and rushes back to try and see her before she dies (even though there's not a whole lot he can do), while the Fates prepare to snip her thread. [[DiedInYourArmsTonight And she]] ''[[DiedInYourArmsTonight doesn't]]'' [[DiedInYourArmsTonight die in his arms]]. She dies without even get to see him. Phil can only helplessly hold her hand before he feels it go limp as the Fates cut her thread of life. Hercules arrives to see her just lying there, clearly dead, as Phil sadly shakes his head at him when he comes back, non-verbally saying "She didn't make it, kid, we lost her. There was nothing I could do". He ''doesn't'' get to tell her he's won, or say sorry, or that he loves her. No, he can only cradle her limp, cooling body in his arms and sob ManlyTears And even ''Phil'' is crying during this scene; he hated Meg up until she came to tell him that Hercules was in trouble. Both Creator/TateDonovan and Creator/DannyDeVito's [[SugarWiki/HeReallyCanAct voice acting is just amazing for this]].

* Meg's death. The movie gives a lot of focus to her agony as she lies dying. Once Hades throws the knowledge back at him as a last taunt, Hercules [[OhCrap stops in his tracks]] and rushes back to try and see her before she dies (even though there's not a whole lot he can do), while the Fates prepare to snip her thread. [[DiedInYourArmsTonight And she]] ''[[DiedInYourArmsTonight doesn't]]'' [[DiedInYourArmsTonight die in his arms]]. She dies and doesn't even get to see him. Phil can only helplessly hold her hand before he feels it go limp as the Fates cut her thread. Hercules arrives to see her just lying there, clearly dead. He ''doesn't'' get to tell her he's won, or say sorry, or that he loves her. No, he can only cradle her limp, cooling body in his arms and sob ManlyTears. And even ''Phil'' is crying during this scene; he hated Meg up until she came to tell him that Hercules was in trouble. Both Creator/TateDonovan and Creator/DannyDeVito's [[SugarWiki/HeReallyCanAct voice acting is just amazing for this]].

** To make matters worse, Phil failed to hear Meg's refusal to help Hades on two separate occasions. The first time can be forgiven since he was unconscious. On the second occasion however, he was so desperate to warn Hercules that he didn't think to wait until he heard the end of Meg and Hades conversation before going to notify Hercules' of his discovery. Had he waited, Phil would have not only learned of Meg's reluctance but might have also realised what Hades intended to do and been able to HELP both her and Hercules.

* When Phil discovers that Meg is working with Hades and attempts to warn Hercules, Hercules just goes into complete denial, leading him to hit Phil in a blind rage [[NotHelpingYourCase when he begins to insult her]]. The look of hurt on Phil's face right after this shows just how much this has affected him emotionally.

* Hercules's BigNo when he sees that Meg's been crushed after [[TakingTheBullet pushing him out of the way of a falling column]]. Sadly, the mood does ''not'' improve as Hercules gets his strength back and gets the column off her.

* When Phil discovers that Meg is working with Hades (and misses her reluctance) and attempts to warn Hercules, Hercules just goes into complete denial, leading him to hit Phil in a blind rage [[NotHelpingYourCase when he begins to insult her]]. The look of hurt on Phil's face right after this shows just how much this has affected him emotionally.

* Zeus and Hera [[AdultFear losing Hercules]]. You're not given as much time to feel bad thanks to happy adoptive parents and Pain and Panic getting the crap beaten out of them, but it's still pretty sad. It's bad enough when Zeus [[SkywardScream howls in rage]]; all Hera does is scream, then collapse into tears. Also, even after they find Hercules, the mortality forced on him by Hades and his minions means they can't bring him home.

** Hercules leaving Amphitryon and Alcmene to go find the Temple of Zeus.
** Amphitryon finally accepting that he has to tell his son the truth.

-->'''Hades:''' ''[smiling]'' I think he does, Meg. I truly think he does. ''[burns the flower that Hercules gave Meg to a cinder just to prove the point]''

* Meg's death. The movie gives a lot of focus to her agony as she lies dying. Once Hades throws the knowledge back at him as a last taunt, Hercules [[OhCrap stops in his tracks]] and rushes back to try and see her before she dies (even though there's not a whole lot he can do), while the Fates prepare to snip her thread. [[DiedInYourArmsTonight And she]] ''[[DiedInYourArmsTonight doesn't]]'' [[DiedInYourArmsTonight die in his arms]]. She dies and doesn't even get to see him. Phil can only helplessly hold her hand before he feels it go limp as the Fates cut her thread. Hercules arrives to see her just lying there, clearly dead. He ''doesn't'' get to tell her he's won, or say sorry, or that he loves her. No, he can only cradle her limp, cooling body in his arms and sob ManlyTears. Tate Donovan's voice acting is just amazing for this. And even ''Phil'' is crying during this scene; he hated Meg up until she came to tell him that Hercules was in trouble.

-->'''Hercules:''' ''[to Phil]'' This stuff doesn't seem to be getting me anywhere. I gave this everything I had, and it's still not good enough.

** Take a look at Meg when Hades flies off: she drops to the floor crying in the ''exact same'' position as she did when her old boyfriend betrayed her, except now the situation is worse, since she's the one who betrayed the man she loves.

-->'''Hades:''' [[DealWithTheDevil You sold your soul to me to save your boyfriend's life]]. And how does this creep thank you? [[UngratefulBastard By running off with some babe.]] He hurt you bad real bad, didn't he, Meg, huh?

-->'''Hercules:''' ''[[[KubrickStare looking up]], [[Determinator deter]][[DeathGlare mined]]]'' [[TranquilFury Yes, I can]].

-->'''Hercules:''' ''[[[KubrickStare looking up]], [[DeathGlare determined]]]'' [[TranquilFury Yes, I can]].

* When Phil arrives and tries to pep talk him during the fight with the Cyclops, Hercules just tells him dully that he was right; "[[SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids only rookies have dreams]]." As he says this, he's glaring at Meg, who can't even bring herself to meet his gaze.

* Zeus and Hera [[AdultFear losing Hercules]]. You're not given as much time to feel bad thanks to happy adoptive parents and Pain and Panic getting the crap beaten out of them, but it's still pretty sad. It's bad enough when Zeus howls in rage; all Hera does is scream, then collapse into tears. Also, even after they find Hercules, the mortality forced on him by Hades and his minions means they can't take him home.
--> '''Muses''': ''But Zeus and Hera wept, for they knew their son could never come home. They had to watch their precious baby grow up from afar...''
* Herc being [[AllOfTheOtherReindeer bullied]] by everyone else in the town he grew up in. Herc is REALLY good at [[TheWoobie looking like a kicked puppy]].
* The first part of Herc's number "Go The Distance", where he sings about how he feels like he doesn't belong. For anyone who [[AllOfTheOtherReindeer was a loner as a teenager]], it's too relateable.
** Herc leaving Amphitryon and Alcmene to go find the Temple of Zeus.

--> '''Amphitryon''': Hercules there's... something your mother and I have been... meaning to tell you...
--> '''Hercules''': ''[some time later]'' ...but, if you found me, then where did I come from? Why was I left there?
--> '''Alcmene''': This... was around your neck ''[gives Hercules the medallion Zeus gave him]'' It's the symbol of the Gods...
--> '''Hercules''': This is it! Don't you see?! Maybe they have the answers! I'll go to the Temple of Zeus, and-and... ''[looks to his parents]'' Mom...pop... you're the greatest parents a boy could have but... I gotta know...
--> ''Cut to the next morning as Amphitryon and Alcmene sees off their son on his journey, with Alcemene giving him a cloak against the weather.''

--> '''Hades''': You sold your soul to me to save your boyfriend's life. And how does this creep thank you? [[UngratefulBastard By running off with some babe.]] He hurt you bad real bad, didn't he, Meg, huh?
** Meg's face when Hades brings this up says it all. It's not angry, it's more like, "Yeah, I know... I don't wanna talk about this..."
* While talking with his proud dad about his heroic deeds, he's convinced that he's finally gonna come home. But Zeus tells him he ''is'' proud but he's not yet proven himself a "[[ATrueHero true hero]]", being a rich, famous monster hunter doesn't count. When Herc asks what more is there, Zeus could only say that [[ThisIsSomethingHesGotToDoHimself Herc has to discover that for himself]] by looking into his heart. After Zeus leaves, Herc slams his fists on the floor in anger and confusion.

* Meg and Herc have a philosophical moment on their first date. Listen to Meg. We already know she's a BrokenBird, and here it is taken UpToEleven.

'''Hercules:''' Everybody's not like that\\

** Tying in to both of the above is Meg's furious attempts to keep from admitting she's in love with Hercules. She's been burned before and doesn't want to even entertain the possibility, just go with the idea that Herc is a mark and once she gets what Hades wants out of him, she can get her soul back and leave. 'I Won't Say I'm In Love' is Meg refusing to admit, not to the muses, but to HERSELF that she's fallen for Hercules.
* Megara is thrilled and bragging that Hercules will beat Hades, facing away from him. But then she turns toward him and he informs her of what she's just done:
--->'''Megara:''' ''[smugly]'' You can't beat him! [[ExplainExplainOhCrap He has no weaknesses! He's going to...]]
--->'''Hades:''' I think he does, Meg. I truly think he does. ''[He burns the flower that Hercules gave Meg to a cinder just to prove the point.]''
* When Phil discovers that Meg is working with Hades (and misses her reluctance) and attempts to warn Herc, Herc just goes into complete denial, leading him to hit Phil in a blind rage [[NotHelpingYourCase when he begins to insult her]]. The look of hurt on Phil's face right after this shows just how much this has affected him emotionally.
-->"I thought you were gonna be the all time champ...not the all time ''chump''."
** Herc looks back him as he leaves, [[WhatHaveIDone obviously horrified at what he did]], but still too mad at his mentor to make up with him properly.

* Hercules loses his super strength after fully realizing his betrayal by Meg and his betrayal of Phil. Cyclops is yelling for him to come fight, and he goes.
-->'''Megara:''' What are you doing? Without your strength you'll be killed!\\

* When Phil arrives and tries to pep talk him during the fight with the Cyclops, Hercules just tells him dully that he was right; [[SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids only rookies have dreams]]. As he says this, he's glaring at Meg, who can't even bring herself to meet his gaze.
* Hercules's BigNo when he sees that Meg's been crushed after pushing him out of the way of a falling column. Sadly the mood does ''not'' improve as Herc gets his powers back and gets it off her.
-->'''Meg:''' Hades' deal is broken, he promised I wouldn't get hurt.
* Meg's death. The movie gives a lot of focus to her agony as she lies dying. Once Hades throws the knowledge back at him as a last taunt, Herc stops in his tracks and rushes back to try and see her before she dies (even though there's not a whole lot can do), while the Fates prepare to snip her thread. [[DiedInYourArmsTonight And she]] ''[[DiedInYourArmsTonight doesn't]]'' [[DiedInYourArmsTonight die in his arms.]] She dies and she doesn't even get to see him. Phil could only helplessly hold her hand, before he felt it go limp as the Fates cut her thread. Herc arrives to see her lying there clearly dead, and pale, and limp. Herc ''doesn't'' get to tell her he's won, or say sorry, or that he loves her. No, he can only cradle her limp, cooling body in his arms and sob ManlyTears. Tate Donovan's voice acting is just amazing for this. And even ''PHIL'' is crying during this scene and he hated Meg up until she came to tell him Hercules was in trouble.
--->'''Phil:''' I'm sorry, kid. There are some things you just can't change.
--->'''Hercules:''' ''[[KubrickStare looking up]], [[DeathGlare determined]]'' [[TranquilFury Yes I can]].
** The music is even more heart-wrenching. When Meg is first crushed, a few bars from "I Won't Say I'm In Love" play in a slightly bitter tone... and then as we watch her die, "I Can Go The Distance" - a song full of joy and hope - plays in a tragic refrain as Herc cradles her body. If you didn't cry before... Who really went the distance? It was Meg...
* The end. When a constellation is created for Hercules, his trainer, Philoctetes is awed. Someone points out the constellation, saying, "That's Phil's boy!", and Phil sheds a tear of joy, having just realized his life's ambition.
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