Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) learns that an imposter has stolen his identity, allied himself with the cold-hearted warlord Gorgus (Kenneth McGregor), and is engaged to marry Rena (Simone Kessell), Gorgus' beautiful stepdaughter. Meanwhile, the warrior Pallaeus (Ross Duncan), himself in love with Rena, plots to destroy Hercules with the help of an evil mandrake root supplied by one of Hera's priests. Setting out to defend his name, Hercules arrives in town with Iolaus (Michael Hurst) just in time to save Josephus (Paul Glover) from Gorgus' soldiers, who have been ordered to stop the brave young man's attempts to organize a rebellion. As the dust settles, the imposter arrives. To Hercules' surprise, he discovers him to be his mortal half-brother, Iphicles (Kevin Smith).
When Hercules forbids Iphicles to use his name, his brother refuses and angrily storms off, certain that he will lose his beloved Rena if she learns the truth. Meanwhile Iolaus, recognized by one of Gorgus' soldiers, is arrested in the town marketplace after trying unsuccessfully to convince Josephus that Iphicles is an imposter. As Iolaus is dragged off and thrown into the dreaded catacombs, Josephus rushes to tell Hercules of his friend's capture. Descending into the perilous dark labyrinth, Hercules is unaware that Iphicles has been ordered by Gorgus and Pallaeus to follow his brother underground and kill him.
The catacombs, from which no man has ever escaped, hold a number of ingenious death traps. First, as Hercules walks through the darkened tunnel, he trips a wire which causes five deadly blades to come whizzing out at him from all directions. He manages to evade all but one and is pinned to a wall just as the opposite wall begins to move forward, threatening to crush him. He wriggles free and strains to squeeze through the narrowing space without any idea where it will lead. Managing to escape at the last minute, he is immediately faced with a line of heavy spiked booby traps which come swinging down from above. After evading the final trap, he finds himself at the feet of Iphicles, who is poised with a sword and ready to kill him. Hercules refuses to fight and an argument ensues. Their confrontation is interrupted, however, by the arrival of Rena who -- having overheard the brothers' exchange -- is shocked and angry to discover that her fiance has lied to her about his true identity.
Meanwhile, Gorgus, Pallaeus and squads of soldiers begin their showdown with Hercules. Iphicles joins in the fray, fighting side by side with his brother and Iolaus. The three men seem to gain the upper hand until Pallaeus releases the Mandrake, which immediately transforms into a snarling, hideous monster which attacks Hercules. Iphicles and Iolaus take on Gorgus and Pallaeus as Hercules battles to escape the snapping jaws and vicious tail of the raptor-like beast. While Iolaus subdues Gorgus, Iphicles rescues Rena from the clutches of Pallaeus, recapturing her heart. Hercules finally succeeds in trapping the Mandrake back in its jar. With the warlord defeated, Hercules brings Iphicles and Rena home for a reunion with their mother, Alcmene (Liddy Holloway).
Starring: Kevin Sorbo (Hercules)
Guest Starring: Michael Hurst (Iolaus), Kevin Smith (Iphicles), Simone Kessell (Rena), Kenneth McGregor (Gorgus), Liddy Holloway (Alcmene), Ross Duncan (Pallaeus), Paul Glover (Josephus), Lewis Martin (Priest), Joy Watson (Peddler), Simon Prast (Soldier #1), Jason Garner (Young Trooper), Bernard Moody (Elderly Man), John McKee (Gruff Soldier)
Written by Michael Marks
Directed by Bruce Campbell