FULL EPISODE SYNOPSIS (spoiler!)

Iolaus comes running into the training room of the academy looking for Hercules. Iolaus has news: Orpheus is performing live at Kora's tonight. That throws Hercules off balance. He misses the ball thrown at him by another cadet. It catches him square in the chest. Hercules asks his training partner if they can finish the exercise later. The cadet agrees and walks away. Iolaus wants to know whether Hercules will come along to what he calls the biggest event ever. His friend reminds him of their last encounter with Orpheus when the minstrel and his girlfriend Eurydice had tried to suck them into the cult of the god Bacchus. Iolaus is not too concerned about that because the event will be held at Kora's and Hercules had beaten Bacchus and his cult once before. Hercules cautions that Bacchus is a god and therefore never out of the picture. Hercules agrees to come to the concert saying it is only to keep Iolaus out of trouble. His friend is not fooled however, he knows that the real reason is Eurydice.

They arrive at Kora's. A lot of people have lined up to see the concert which is heavily advertised with posters all over the inn. Bacchus warns the bouncer about their arrival and orders him not to let those two enter. Obediently the bouncer rudely pushes them back. Hercules does not want trouble and is willing to leave at once. As he turns away however they are spotted by Eurydice from inside. She happily greets them, especially Hercules and gives them backstage passes. The guys are ecstatic about this development! The bouncer scowls but stands aside as the girl leads the two cadets inside. Eurydice enthuses about Orpheus' music and promises the concert will be the most incredible thing they have ever experienced. Bacchus face again appears agreeing with Eurydice's use of the word incredible but adding it may be the last thing they will ever experience.

Inside the cadets lose Eurydice in the crowd for the moment. They get distracted by some girls who notice their passes in awe and enquire whether they are friends of the band. Iolaus enjoys their admiring attention. Hercules spots Eurydice on the stairs. She calls and motions to him to follow her. Hercules leaves Iolaus where he is and heads for the stairs.

Bacchus grabs the bouncer through a mirror that serves as a dimensional portal. The god demands an explanation as to why the bouncer admitted Hercules when he explicitly told him not to. The man, now turned into a Bacchae, explains that Eurydice interfered and let them in. As Bacchus had said not to make her suspicious the man had had no choice but to allow it.

Backstage, Hercules finds himself alone with Eurydice. She once more expresses her delight at seeing him again and hugs him. Upon Hercules asking Eurydice tells him that Orpheus made a deal with Bacchus that freed her from being a Bacchae. She praises Orpheus and Hercules is not too happy to hear how grateful she is to the minstrel. But he tries to hide his feelings from her. Instead he comments how well Orpheus is doing now. Eurydice agrees saying Orpheus is finally getting the fame he deserves.

Again at Kora's the bouncer tells Orpheus about Hercules' presence. The minstrel is not happy to hear this. Iolaus spots him from the dance floor and calls him. Orpheus is clearly unnerved but pulls himself together. He goes over to Iolaus greeting him friendly. They shake hands, Iolaus pumping the minstrel's enthusiastically until Orpheus yanks his hand free. Orpheus enquires about Hercules and hears that he is backstage. Orpheus tells the admiring girls around them that Iolaus has saved his life and asks them to treat him well.

Meanwhile Eurydice has changed into her costume. Hercules tries to talk to her. He feels that something is wrong. They are interrupted by Orpheus' entrance. The minstrel greets Hercules, saying it would be good to see him. His posture, somewhat arrogant, however makes it clear that he does not really feel that way. Orpheus picks up an instrument. Hercules notices the lyre recognising it as Bacchus' instrument. Orpheus explains he has made a deal with Bacchus which makes the lyre is his now. He continues to say that through it he can touch the very souls of his audience. He can feel them adore him. Hercules does not hide his shock at hearing about Orpheus making a deal with someone as obviously dangerous as Bacchus. Orpheus arrogantly replies that Bacchus is after all the patron of the arts. The minstrel challenges Hercules to question Eurydice how she likes her new freedom and his audience how they like his music. From outside they can hear the crowd chanting Orpheus' name. The minstrel tells Hercules to enjoy the performance and leads Eurydice towards the stage. She turns back to tell Hercules they appreciate his concern and reassuring him that everything is fine. Then they leave for the stage.

The concert begins. Orpheus is rocking away with his band on the stage with the audience living it up on the dance floor below. Hercules comes out. He stays on top of the stairs watching the performance from there. He is enjoying it. Casually looking around Hercules suddenly notices Bacchae among the audience. Hercules bolts down the stairs finding Iolaus dancing, totally oblivious to the danger. Iolaus refused to leave so Hercules simply picks him up without further ado and carries him away, watched by Orpheus. Just like a great rock star Orpheus ends his performance with a great finale - then basking in the applause and admiration of his fans.

Iolaus complains to Hercules about being dragged away from three girls who talked to him because he knew Orpheus. Hercules explains the girls only wanted Orpheus and that something at the concert was very wrong. Unseen by them the bouncer looks on as the two friends leave.

Orpheus goes backstage still radiating with the energy of his performance. He puts the lyre back in its case. Then the minstrel walks over to the mirror, admiring himself. Suddenly a clawed hand emerges from the mirror surface, grabbing Orpheus' scarf, pulling him through. It's Bacchus. The bouncer, again turned into a Bacchae, is with him. Orpheus is unimpressed when the god tells him that Hercules is on to them. The minstrel blames the god for not being able to lay low for just once concert. Bacchus snaps he will not be intimidated by his half brother. Orpheus sees this not as his problem as he is upholding his part of their deal. His concerts bring Bacchus more new Bacchae than he can handle. But the god disagrees. If Hercules succeeds in stopping them it would mean the end of their deal - Eurydice's freedom and Orpheus' fame. Still Orpheus is unimpressed. He feels safe in the knowledge that the end of the deal would also mean the end of supply of new servants for Bacchus. Furthermore he is aware of Hercules' feelings for Eurydice. Therefore he is confident that Hercules will only try to stop Bacchus, not him. Orpheus tells Bacchus that he has to deal with it and pats the god's cheek condescendingly. Enraged Bacchus shoves Orpheus back through the mirror. To the bouncer Bacchus remarks that fame has made the musician arrogant. The god plans to take Eurydice from him when everything is over. Just as a reminder who is responsible for all of Orpheus' glory. But first, Bacchus will prepare for Hercules' destruction at the next concert.

The following day Hercules talks to Cheiron. He asks about a weapon to fight off the Bacchae. Cheiron explains that the undead can only be defeated by their own. So Hercules and Iolaus set out into a deserted part of the land looking for the bones of a Dryad - flying human skeletons with wings and a long tail. They don't have to search for long before they find one. Hercules quickly manages to defeat it and they each pick a large bone. Then they head back.

The bouncer informs Bacchus about their spies' report that Hercules is on his way to the concert. The god feels certain that his will be his last encounter with Hercules He sends out all his Bacchae to destroy his half brother.

At Kora's another concert is in full swing. The Bacchae move among the audience, making many like themselves. Her suspicion raised by Hercules' concern Eurydice pays more attention to her surroundings and realises in horror what is going on. Has been going on from the beginning. She stops and calls Orpheus' name in a way that make him and the entire band stop playing at once. Incredulously she asks him if this had been his deal with Bacchus, to keep recruiting behind her back. Orpheus, alarmed at her anger, replies he only did it for her. But he is not looking at her, making it obvious that he is lying, again. He feels that their freedom is worth delivering a few slaves to Bacchus. Eurydice disagrees. She tells him in no uncertain terms she will not be part of this an that it is over between them. Now, at last, he turns to look at her, surprised by this development. But Eurydice has turned away from him.

This is when Hercules and Iolaus arrive. Eurydice calls Hercules' name. He and Iolaus charge through the angry Bacchae who have turned their attention to them and reach the stage. Hercules pleads with Eurydice to leave before Bacchus can get her back. Part of her however is still concerned about Orpheus. Suddenly Bacchus appears. Orpheus slips from the stage, clutching his lyre. He is grabbed by Bacchus, who yanks the minstrel to his side. Eurydice demands from Bacchus to leave Orpheus alone. The god announces their deal is over and that they both belong to him again. Never, vows Eurydice, will Orpheus and herself serve Bacchus again. Orpheus tries to stop her but too late. Bacchus roars they must pay the price and throws Orpheus back onto the stage where he crumbles into a corner. Eurydice calls his name, concerned, and hurries to his side. Iolaus bravely attacks Bacchus only to be thrown back. Now Hercules attacks, a Dryad's bone in each hand. Bacchus brags that he is eternal but Hercules reminds him that his hold on these people is not. The cadet drives Bacchus back and then crashes the Dryad's bones down in front of him. The bones break. Bacchus roars, disappearing in a flash. The Bacchae fall to the ground, dazed and rise again moments later as mortals. Hercules helps Iolaus up. His friend suggests telling Eurydice the truth. But Hercules has no intention of telling her that Orpheus is a lying creep. He motions to her kneeling beside the minstrel who is still holding on to the lyre. Obviously Eurydice has made her choice. Hercules addresses Orpheus, enquiring if, now that he has rejected Bacchus, he will get rid of the lyre. Orpheus agrees hesitantly. Eurydice tenderly strokes his hair to comfort him.

Iolaus and Hercules accompany Orpheus and Eurydice to the edge of a cliff. The rays of the setting sun make the water look golden. Hercules and Eurydice exchange a look. With a hint of sad bitterness in his voice Orpheus bids good-bye to the glory, the music, the fame and Bacchus' lyre. Then he throws the case over the cliff watching it fall into the ocean. It immediately disappears between the crashing waves. Orpheus keeps staring at the spot where it went down. Eurydice, sensing his sadness, takes his arm, reminding him that he still has his music - and her. Hercules turns his head to her, stung by her words. Orpheus too turns around to face his girlfriend. He takes her hands, agreeing, saying he does not need Bacchus - or the lyre - to make it after all. Eurydice adds that sometimes following your destiny involves great sacrifice. Hercules hers her. Although he knows her words are meant for Orpheus he feels that they are true for him as well. Eurydice and Orpheus turn away and leave without a word of goodbye. Hercules watches them go, feeling sad. Iolaus senses his friend's emotions. He agrees with what Eurydice has said, and pats him friendly on the back. Then the two friends walk away as well.

Young Hercules © Renaissance Pictures and Studios USA 1998-2001