When Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) agrees to try to talk some sense into a young woman who is obsessed with him, he departs with the girl's father, promising to resume his hunting trip with Iolaus (Michael Hurst) in a week's time. At Hercules' suggestion, Iolaus decides to look up some distant relatives in Attica. Upon arriving in the city, he notices that people are staring at him as if he's a ghost. Heading into the forest, he's almost struck with an arrow shot by hunters pursuing a deer. When he angrily confronts the hunting party, which includes Attica's Prince Orestes (Michael Hurst), his aide-de-camp Hector (Derek Payne) and the young lieutenant Linus (Ross McKellar), Iolaus is shocked to realize he's a dead ringer for Orestes, whose coronation as king and marriage to the lovely Princess Niobe (Lisa Ann Hadley) is scheduled for the next day. That night, Orestes invites Iolaus to his bachelor party, where the wine and women are plentiful, and they decide they must be cousins. When Hector and Iolaus finally retire for the evening, Orestes downs another glass of wine and instantly falls to the floor clutching his throat.
Meanwhile, Orestes' weak and jealous brother Prince Minos (Robert Pollock) protests to his military advisor, the ruthless General Archias (Will Kempe), that he should be king. Archias replies that he has taken care of everything to insure that Minos will be named king in Orestes' place. When Orestes is found drugged the next morning, Hector asks Iolaus to stand in for the prince to prevent Minos from usurping the crown, and Iolaus reluctantly agrees to be king for a day. After making it through the elaborate coronation ritual and subsequent marriage to Princess Niobe, he is disappointed to learn that the beautiful girl loathes Orestes who has treated her badly for years. Eager to resume his own identity, Iolaus sets out with Hector for the hunting lodge where they've hidden Orestes, only to find that Archias has kidnapped him. Hector persuades Iolaus that he must continue to play the role of king as Archias urges Minos to let him arrange for the imposter's unfortunate death. A note from Minos summons Iolaus and although he knows it's a trap, he decides to take the bait. When he and Hector arrive, they are attacked by Minos' guards, but manage to escape after a fierce battle. That night, Minos is horrified to overhear Archias plotting his brother's death.
In his new position, Iolaus works hard to act responsibly as king. He takes pains both to reverse Niobe's hatred for Orestes as well as dispense justice to the people of Attica, who are not used to a fair-minded leader. Meanwhile, Minos visits Orestes in the dungeon cell where he's being held captive and begs him to give up the throne. Orestes refuses and is drugged once again by Archias and his henchman Pylon (Brendan Lovegrove). Minos then steals into the palace at night and awakens Iolaus to ask for his help in saving Orestes from being murdered by Archias, who he knows will betray him once he's in power. Iolaus scales the wall of Archias' fortress by climbing a ladder of spears, axes and arrows thrown into the edifice by Hector, Linus, Minos and Niobe, who has followed the men after overhearing their plan. He frees Orestes from his cell but is quickly set upon by Archias, who is a master swordsman. As they battle, however, Iolaus manages to cut the rope holding the drawbridge and Iolaus' companions outside enter the fortress to join the fray. Minos tries to defend his brother, but is slain before Archias is defeated. In the end, Orestes is restored to the throne and vows he will try to rule with the wisdom Iolaus has displayed. Pleased with Orestes' change of heart, Niobe nevertheless bids a sad farewell to Iolaus, the man she thought she married.
Starring: Kevin Sorbo (Hercules)
Guest Starring: Michael Hurst (Iolaus & Orestes), Lisa Ann Hadley (Niobe), Will Kempe (Archias), Robert Pollock (Minos), Brendhan Lovegrove (Pylon), Derek Payne (Hector), Ross McKellar (Linus), Max Cryer (Priest), George Boyle (Court Bailiff), Zo Hartley (Landlord), Brendan Perkins (Attica Guard), Tony Williams (Farmer), Matthew Jeffs (Draxus Guard #1), John Roy Kempt (Draxus Guard #2), Tim Biggs (Peasent), Michael Bajko (Harried Man), Johanna Elms (Daughter), Matt Elliott (Whimpering Flunkie)
Written by Patricia Manney
Directed by Anson Williams