Many fans will know how Disney's animated classic Hercules focused on the eponymous protagonist's quest to become a true hero. The first part of this quest led him to the satyr Phil when he was a teenager to undergo hero training. But whilst Hercule's training was covered in just a song montage, Disney released an animated series that went more in-depth into Hercules' teenage years as well as his hero training.
The series brought back some familiar faces from the movie (such as Pegasus and Hades) but also brought in some brand new characters from Greek mythology and history, most of which are portrayed by some excellent guest stars. These characters acted as both friends and foes for Hercules as he must go to school as well as undergo his training. As a result, the series is full of adventure, humor, and important life lessons for Hercules.
"Hercules And The World's First Doctor" (8.3)
"Hercules and the World's First Doctor" was one of the few episodes that used a figure from history rather than mythology as a character. Hippocrates was a doctor from Ancient Greek times and considered an early pioneer in medical history.
In this episode, Hippocrates is portrayed excellently by Mandy Patinkin of The Princess Bride as a humble yet dashing doctor ("I am Hippocrates. I cure the sick!"). His medical marvels not only inspire the young Hercules to take up medicine but are putting Hades out of business due to the number of dead arrivals dropping thanks to Hippocrates' healing. It's not only a very funny episode (particularly when Hades furiously kicks Hippocrates out of the Underworld for bringing the dead back to life) but highlighting doctors as heroes in their own right is a marvelous factor.
"Hercules And The Driving Test" (8.4)
As the episode's title suggests, Hercules takes his driving test, (which in this context is driving chariots.) But to shake things up, Hercules makes a bet with his school rival Adonis that he can get his license by sunset. And to make matters more interesting, Zeus makes the same bet with Hades, promising to give him the Elysian Fields if Hercules fails.
What's great about this episode is seeing his grouchy mentor Phil try and teach Hercules what is essentially an everyday skill learned by most people rather than how to become a god and hero. It's made even better that Hercules is a terrible driver and he frequently makes references that he has a flying horse instead (Pegasus), which impresses no one. This is perhaps a fun example as to why Hercules is considered one of the best animated himbos.
"Hercules And The Yearbook" (8.4)
"Hercules and the Yearbook" is definitely a one-of-a-kind episode. Firstly, it's the only episode set after the events of the movie rather than during the movie, or a midquel. Secondly, it's surprisingly the only episode (save one) that features Meg, Hercules' love interest.
Normally, clip episodes can be droll but "Hercules and the Yearbook" proves to be a lot more. The audience learns what the series' main characters are up to beyond the show, and it adds more depth into Meg and Hercules as an established couple. One particularly funny moment is when Hercules finds Meg's own yearbook. Being one of the coolest Disney heroines, to see Meg as a dorky teenager is not something to be missed.
"Hercules And The Spartan Experience" (8.4)
Many history fans, mythology lovers, and people who have seen the movie 300 will know that the ancient city of Sparta plays a key part in ancient history and mythology, although the latter is an inaccurate movie about ancient war. So it's not surprising to see Hercules be thrown into an adventure in the famous city.
"Hercules and the Spartan Experience" sees the hero-in-training help Adonis to pass his training in Sparta in order to become the king of Thrace. As true to Spartans, the training is rigorous, tough, and exhausting so to see Hercules help someone who is normally rude to him shows his heroic side. What's more, this episode features a well-known character from Greek myth, Agamemnon, who is voiced by beloved actor Patrick Warburton.
"Hercules And The Song Of Circe" (8.4)
In Greek mythology, Circe was a sorceress most well known for transforming Odysseus' crew into pigs. In "Hercules and the Song of Circe", the sorceress is depicted as a beautiful young lady whom all the men fight for her affection, including Hercules. What they don't know is that Circe has other plans for them, and her methods for dealing with ex-boyfriends could send them running.
Whilst the episode focuses on the relationship of Hercules' best friends Icarus and Cassandra, the episode's stand-out star is easily Circe. Sassy and bewitching, Circe is voiced by none other than Elsa herself, Disney legend Idina Menzel. Whilst not as iconic as "Let It Go", Circe's song in the episode is a lot of fun. It's a pity she didn't appear in any more episodes.
"Hercules And The Arabian Night" (8.5)
Disney animated series from the late 1990s and early 2000s often crossed over into one another. But perhaps no crossover is as iconic to Disney fans everywhere as Hercules and Aladdin in "Hercules and the Arabian Night."
What makes this episode so brilliant is seeing two of Disney's most popular villains team up to take down their respective rivals. Hades and Jafar onscreen together is such a joy to watch as their egos clash and the two make biting remarks at each other, all the while failing miserably to take down Hercules and Aladdin. However, Genie hardly appears in the entire episode, which is very surprising considering he's one of the most likable characters in Aladdin.
"Hercules And The Big Show" (8.6)
In "Hercules and the Big Show", Hades is humiliated by Hercules on a spoof of The Merv Griffin Show (which is hosted by an actual griffin) and in fury, takes over the show to highlight his achievements and victories, such as when he tricked Poisedon into running the Underworld river Styx through Greece so it's part of his domain.
Hades being aware of teenage Hercules is a glaringly large plot-hole of the series that really cannot be ignored. But he's such a lovable Disney villain that despite its inconsistencies to the movie, the plot hole is forgivable. Like in the movie, Hades is a brilliant character and has a number of brilliant moments across the series, and this episode is one such example.
"Hercules And The All-Nighter" (8.6)
In this episode, Hercules and Icarus didn't study for their final exams. So in an act of desperation, they turn to the Greek god of sleep Morpheus for help. But after accidentally putting the deity to sleep, this causes all sleep in the world to disappear and as a result, people start acting odd, and Hades sees an influx of dead arrivals.
"Hercules and the All-Nighter" is a typical high-school misadventure turned into a mythological misadventure, which is partly what makes the series so fun, as well as standing out from the movie. One noteworthy mention is seeing the normally pessimistic and sarcastic Cassandra become cheerful and upbeat as a result of no sleep.
"Hercules And The Long Nightmare" (8.7)
Morpheus returns in "Hercules and the Long Nightmare", only this time he needs Hercules' help rather than the other way around. Since his brother Phantasos is causing everyone in Greece to suffer from nightmares, Morpheus asks for Hercules and Phil to confront their bad dreams in order to help put a stop to them.
"Hercules and the Long Nightmare" is perhaps one of the most unusual episodes because of Hercules and Phil going to Dreamland, in which almost anything can happen, the episode focuses on everyday fears rather than the usual frightening monsters. One example is that Cassandra dreams about being Snow White, which could not be more juxtaposing.
"Hercules And The Spring Of Canathus" (8.8)
The highest-ranking episode of Hercules: The Animated Series on IMDb is "Hercules and the Spring of Canathus." Interestingly, this episode focuses on an unexpected team-up of Cassandra and Panic when an accident involving water from the Spring of Canathus turns Hercules, Icarus, Pain, and Adonis into babies.
Overall, this is a fascinating episode as it features things audiences never thought they would ever see - Pain as a baby and Panic working together with a mortal. What particularly makes this episode stand out is seeing a softer and more caring side of Cassandra, who is normally very closed off to others.