Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) returns to Olympus with his father Zeus (Roy Dotrice) to become a full god, but is unsure if he has made the right decision to leave behind his old life as a half-mortal. As Zeus gives his awe-struck son a tour of his new home, the two enter the tapestry chamber, the nerve center of Olympus. Emerging onto a catwalk suspended above an endless chasm called the Abyss of Tartarus, Hercules looks below to see scenes from the past stretching off into infinity while the present unravels around them. Peering closer, Hercules is surprised and pleased to see his mother, Alcmene (Liddy Holloway), resting happily in the Elysian Fields. Hercules tells his father that although he is now a god, he still has the need to help people. Zeus reassures his son that he's proud of who he is and doesn't expect him to change. Meanwhile, in the aftermath of Alcmene's death, Iolaus decides it's time to pay a long overdue visit to his mother, Erytheia (Glenis Levestam). Though Erytheia is happy to see him, she initially holds back showing her affection. The reception he gets from his stepfather Pandion (Bruce Phillips), whom he has never even met, is even colder.
In a dark part of Olympus, Apollo (Scott Michaelson) materializes to inform his mother Hera (Meg Foster) that Zeus has made Hercules a god. It turns out that Hera has already heard the news and she assures her son that it won't take much to turn Hercules against his father. Later, as Hercules stands on a bluff overlooking a bustling village, Hera appears to him. Hating the very sight of her, Hercules is immediately hostile. But he soon finds himself paying attention when she suggests that Zeus has an ulterior motive for bringing him to Olympus other than to help mankind. Upon confronting Zeus, Hercules learns that the real reason he was brought to Olympus was to protect his father from Hera and the other gods, who have been conspiring to oust him. Hercules becomes livid and as he turns to walk away, Zeus angrily hurls a bolt of electricity at him. Hercules deflects it and storms off, leaving Zeus alone in his rage. But a short while later, while visiting his mother's grave, Hercules realizes that he can't turn his back on his own father. In the meantime, Iolaus and Erytheia begin to restore their relationship as Erytheia confesses how hurt and lonely she was after Iolaus left home.
Apollo shows up at Alcmene's grave to taunt Hercules, threatening to put a schoolhouse full of children in danger. An irate Hercules follows in hot pursuit. At the same time, Hera confronts Zeus on Olympus. Still enraged by her husband's love for Alcmene, Hera tells him that she no longer needs the help of the other gods to take away his power -- he will simply give it to her. To prove her point, Hera waves her hand and a "window" appears. When Zeus looks inside, he sees Alcmene's spirit writhing in agony as a great wall of fire burns around her. Hera tells him that she's taken Alcmene's spirit from the Elysian Fields and imprisoned it in a private hell where it will remain tormented for eternity unless he surrenders his godhood to her. Zeus ultimately concedes to Hera, crying out in pain as his godhood is ripped away.
Meanwhile, Apollo has set a village schoolhouse ablaze. Iolaus suddenly arrives and sees Hercules. Together again, they fight to save the innocents. As Apollo continues to careen around on his sunbeam wreaking havoc, Hercules realizes that the young god has been sent to distract him. Apollo confirms that the real action has been taking place on Olympus where Hera has reduced Zeus to a mere mortal. Hercules leaves Iolaus and heads to Corinth in search of his father. Soon Pandion arrives and reconciles with Iolaus after he sees all the good he is doing. Hercules reaches Corinth and finds Zeus in a tavern, completely drunk. Knowing he is in danger, Hercules attempts to drag his father out of the tavern, but Ares, ordered by Hera to kill Zeus, suddenly appears and launches a ball of energy at Zeus which blows a hole through the bar. Hercules and Ares square off in a spectacular fight. Soon the tavern begins to creak and sway and ultimately collapses, burying Zeus. Ares disappears as Hercules runs to his father's rescue and carries his broken body to a hilltop clearing. When Zeus comes to, Hercules tells him that he must retrieve his godhood from Hera. Together, they go to the dark side of Olympus where Hercules defends himself against Hera and Apollo. Hercules is able to take care of Apollo, but Hera eventually pins him against the edge of the catwalk hovering over the chasm. The two battle ominously close to the edge, but Hercules succeeds in hurling Hera into the Abyss of Tartarus forever, restoring Zeus' godhood. Hercules then tells Zeus that he has decided to become half-mortal again and leaves his father to rejoin his best friend Iolaus. Iolaus becomes tear stricken when Hercules tells his best friend that he left Olympus to be with him -- his family. As the two friends head off for more adventures, Iolaus asks Hercules about Olympus and Hera. Hercules smiles as he reveals that his stepmother is history.
Starring: Kevin Sorbo (Hercules), Michael Hurst (Iolaus)
Guest Starring: Roy Dotrice (Zeus), Meg Foster (Hera), Kevin Smith (Ares), Scott Michaelson (Apollo), Liddy Holloway (Alcmene), Jeffrey Thomas (Jason), Glenis Levestam (Erytheia), Bruce Phillips (Pandion), Jim McLarty (Teacher), Ted Clarke (Young Man), Stephanie Liebert (Young Woman), Callum Rowe (Student), Brett Higginson (Villager), Angela Franklin (Mother), Vicky Rodewyk (Child)
Written by Jerry Patrick Brown & Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman
Directed by Charles Siebert