Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) and Iolaus (Michael Hurst) stop to enjoy an afternoon of swimming and fishing on their way to the wedding of Epius (Jonathan Blick) and Thera (Claire Yarlett), a union which promises to end the bitter and longstanding feud between the cities of Syros and Delos. While trying to help a young boy retrieve a plank of wood from the ocean, Iolaus (Michael Hurst) inadvertently discovers the ancient equivalent of surfing, and decides to remain at the shore a while longer as Hercules departs for the wedding rehearsal. When he arrives in Syros, Hercules is welcomed by the happy couple and their fathers -- Sidon (Ian Mune), King of the Syrosians, and King Diadorus (Stephen Tozer) of Delos -- longtime enemies who have agreed to the marriage and a peace treaty for the sake of their childrens' happiness.
Meanwhile, back at the beach, Iolaus is stunned when he reels in a giant clam shell, which opens to reveal the magnificent goddess Aphrodite (Alexandra Tydings). As he greets her, he turns to see Aphrodite's two sisters, the goddesses Athena (Amanda Lister) and Artemis (Rhonda McHardy), who explain that when Aphrodite asked their father Zeus to pick the most beautiful goddess on Olympus, he suggested that the three come down to earth and find a mortal to make the decision. Aphrodite asks if Iolaus will be the judge and he agrees. The striking and athletic Artemis tries to win his vote by promising to make him the world's greatest warrior. The smart and sexy Athena tries to bribe him with a promise of great wisdom. Finally, the stunningly beautiful Aphrodite offers him a golden apple, which will make any woman he wants fall hopelessly in love with him. Iolaus chooses the apple and decides to test its power as he strolls along the beach. Not realizing who she is, he approaches Thera, who falls instantly in love with him.
When Thera is late for the wedding rehearsal, Hercules searches for her, only to find her in Iolaus' arms. When he informs his friend that the lovely young woman is actually the bride-to-be, Iolaus tells him about Aphrodite's spell. As the two try unsuccessfully to convince the lovestruck Thera to return to her fiance, they hear Epius and his father, King Diadorus, approaching. Hercules whisks Thera away before she can break up with Epius and Iolaus rushes off to find Aphrodite in hopes that she will break the spell. To his surprise, the goddess shrugs her shoulders and agrees, urging him to hang onto the apple anyway since it's made of solid gold.
Back at the rehearsal, Thera starts behaving normally again towards her beloved Epius until Iolaus arrives. Once again, she rushes into his arms and Iolaus realizes that he's been duped by Aphrodite. The assembled Syrosians and Delosians are stunned and guards on both sides begin rushing each other. As Iolaus and Thera beat a hasty retreat, Hercules steps in to separate the two angry kings to prevent an all-out war. Off by themselves, Iolaus explains to Thera that she's under Aphrodite's spell and shows her the golden apple, drawing it back just in time to prevent their touching the object at the same moment, which would unite them as soulmates forever. After convincing the two kings and Epius that their predicament has been caused by interference from the gods, Hercules finds Iolaus and Thera, and sets out with the golden apple to return it to Aphrodite. When he finds her and questions her motives, the goddess finally confesses that she's been trying to foster a war between between Syros and Delos in order to gain control of both kingdoms. The two cities are rich in gold, which she'd love to see turned into shrines in her honor. As Hercules angrily heaves the golden apple far away, he fails to notice that a new one has instantly materialized in Aphrodite's palm.
The next day, Thera has returned to her senses and with Hercules and Iolaus, goes home to Syros where tensions are at the boiling point betweeen the two families. With the reunion of Epius and Thera, it seems as though all is now right until a disguised Aphrodite plants another golden apple near Iolaus and Thera once again rushes into his arms. As the two kings prepare to go to war, Hercules and Iolaus snatch Epius and Thera and all four leap from a castle window to the sea below. The armies meet and begin to do battle as the foursome steps into the fray to try to keep both sides from killing each other. In the end, Hercules takes one of Aphrodite's apples, grabs the hands of both kings and thrusts it into their joint grasp, causing them to become soulmates for life. Her hopes of instigating a war dashed, Aphrodite bids farewell to Hercules, but it is clear she will someday return to cause more mischief.
Starring: Kevin Sorbo (Hercules)
Guest Starring: Michael Hurst (Iolaus), Claire Yarlett (Thera), Alexandra Tydings (Aphrodite), Jonathan Blick (Epius), Ian Mune (King Sidon), Stephen Tozer (King Diadorus), Rhonda McHardy (Artemis), Amanda Lister (Athena), John Smith (Socrates), Peter Needham (Plato), Sam Williams (Comrade), Vicky Burrett (Old Woman)
Written by Steven Baum
Directed by Kevin Sorbo