When the awesome beauty of Holidus' (Martin Baynton) daughter Psyche (Susan Ward) begins to evoke comparisons with Aphrodite (Alexandra Tydings), the goddess of love is consumed by jealousy. Unable to tolerate competition as the world's most beautiful woman, especially from a mortal, Aphrodite dispatches her son Cupid (Karl Urban) to shoot the girl with one of his love arrows in order to pair her off with someone once and for all. Cupid, however, is himself in love with Psyche and refuses to carry out his mother's plan. Aphrodite implores Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) to talk to her rebellious son, who has been hanging around with a shiftless group of satyrs. Correctly guessing Aphrodite's real motivation where Psyche is concerned, he tells his nephew to stay out of trouble and sets out for Psyche's village. On the way, he runs into Salmoneus (Robert Trebor), whose latest get-rich-quick scheme is selling bouquets of flowers and maps to Psyche's house to a long line of would-be suitors. While Hercules is enjoying a happy reunion with Psyche and her father, Aphrodite devises a plot: she sends Salmoneus to Psyche's door and orders Cupid to shoot the girl when she opens it, sending her straight into Salmoneus' arms. At the last minute, however, Cupid balks and accidentally shoots an arrow into Hercules, causing him to fall immediately in love with Psyche. This unexpected turn of events thrills the beautiful young girl, who has had a crush on the handsome hero since childhood.
Cupid's jealousy at watching the public display of affection that follows causes him to sprout claws and wings and transform into a green-eyed monster. He swoops down onto the happy couple and grabs Psyche in his talons, carrying her off to Hephaestus' old mountaintop cathedral. Hercules quickly finds Aphrodite and learns the truth behind his sudden love of Psyche, as well as the reason for Cupid's grotesque transformation: as the result of a curse placed on him by Hera following a fight with Aphrodite, Cupid will turn into the monster every time he feels the pain of unrequited love with a mortal. Eventually, if Cupid continues, the horrible transformation will become permanent. Hercules, still suffering the effects of the love arrow, sets off to the cathedral to save Psyche from Cupid and Cupid from himself.
On the way, however, Hercules' thoughts turn to his late wife Deianeira, the only woman he truly ever loved, and the spell of Cupid's arrow is broken. Meanwhile, a subtle but noticable attraction is growing between Cupid -- who has now transformed back to his normal self -- and Psyche, whom he treats with kindness and respect. Aphrodite appears and tries to reason with her son, who refuses to give Psyche up even when she tells him about Hera's curse. When Hercules finally reaches the cathedral, he must defend himself from a furious attack by Cupid's satyr companions, who have been standing guard. During the battle, Aphrodite tries to lead Psyche to safety, but is stopped by Cupid. When Hercules intervenes, Cupid is again transformed into the terrible green-eyed monster and the two leap into battle. The fight is suddenly interrupted, however, when Psyche, who has been tricked by Aphrodite into drinking a magic elixir, turns into an old woman right before their eyes. When Cupid declares his undying love for Psyche despite her looks, Hercules suggests a happy ending for all. Aphrodite takes his advice and restores Psyche's youth on condition that she become an immortal and live with Cupid on Mount Olympus. Psyche happily agrees and accepts the goblet of ambrosia Aphrodite offers. As the young couple disappears, Salmoneus, who has found the bow and arrows Cupid discarded earlier, rushes in, trying to escape the advances of a lovestruck goat he accidentally shot.
Starring: Kevin Sorbo (Hercules)
Guest Starring: Robert Trebor (Salmoneus), Alexandra Tydings (Aphrodite), Susan Ward (Psyche), Karl Urban (Cupid), Martin Baynton (Holidus), Patrick Brunton (Satyr #1), Maria Fiossetti (Stout Woman), Beryl Te Wiata (Old Psyche), Simon Gomez (Suitor), Paul Robinson (Cantankerous Gent), Mike Howell (Pelops (Man))
Written by Steven Baum
Directed by Chuck Braverman