Written by John Schulian
Directed by John T. Kretchmer
This episode provides examples of:
- Adaptational Heroism: In the myths, Typhon was a vicious monstrosity that challenged Zeus for control of the cosmos and terrified the Olympians. Here, he's a jolly, friendly giant that quickly befriends Hercules and keeps his wife on the side of good.
- All-Loving Hero: Breanna says Hercules is known for always putting others before himself.
- Avenging the Villain: Maceus is out to avenge his brother, Demetrius, any way he can.
- Cassandra Truth: Hercules tells Echidna that Typhon is right outside the cave, but she thinks it's a diversion tactic and thus becomes even more enraged than she already is.
- Celibate Hero: When asked about it by Typhon, Hercules says he has no romantic interest in Breanna, as he just doesn't feel that way about anyone since Deianeira died.
- Condescending Compassion: Pylon sort of gets he's being insulted here, just not quite clear how exactly.Iolaus: [to Maceus] You know, you should take it easy on poor Pylon. It's not his fault that he's intellectually challenged.
Pylon: What do you mean?! - Covered in Mud: On the run, Iolaus does this in order to hide from Maceus and his men, sneaking off when they all walk by. It works until Hera intervenes to alert Maceus to what's going on.
- Cycle of Revenge: Maceus wants payback against Hercules for what happened to Demetrius, going as far as to ally with Echidna (who also wants revenge). Septus notes that the pursuit of revenge just leads to more pain.
- The Dragon: Pylon to Maceus, being the violent and incompetent thug type.
- Dramatic Irony:
- Maceus wants to avenge Demetrius by killing Hercules and even teams up with Echidna to that end, but it was actually Echidna that killed the guy in a fit of rage.
- Anyone familiar with Classical Mythology will know the name of Typhon's wife before Hercules learns it.
- Dumbass Has a Point: Pylon suspected early on that Iolaus was plotting to escape.
- Easily Forgiven: Though crushed to learn what became of his children, Typhon doesn't begrudge Hercules and says it was all the fault of Hera. He also doesn't hesitate to forgive Echidna for what she's done.
- "Eureka!" Moment: While searching the woods, Maceus realizes that Iolaus lied to them about which town Hercules would be in and deduces where he really is.
- Foil: Pylon is the angry, vengeful type like Maceus, but he lacks the guy's self-control and brains, which makes it really easy for Iolaus to keep getting the better of him.
- Friend to All Children: The kids in the village love playing with Typhon.
- The Gadfly: While a prisoner, Iolaus actively antagonizes and annoys Pylon just because he can.
- Good Parents: Typhon adored his children and nurtured their pursuits of individual hobbies.
- Hair-Trigger Temper: Pylon is quickly irritated by Iolaus's snark. Maceus has to restrain him at one point.
- Happily Married: Typhon consistently speaks fondly of his life with Echidna and picks up right where he left off.
- Heel–Face Turn: With Typhon back in her life, Echidna reforms and gives up her vendetta against Hercules.
- Hidden Depths: According to Typhon, his kids had assorted hobbies: the Stymphalian Bird loved to dance, the Hydra enjoyed knitting, and the She-Demon had a beautiful singing voice.
- Honor Before Reason: Septus insists on doing repair work in the village, despite getting on in years and nearly throwing his back out. Breanna is able to convince him to go home to rest, and he remarks he can fix whatever Hercules messes up.
- I Did What I Had to Do: After learning they weren't naturally evil, Hercules is apologetic over killing Typhon and Echidna's children and fighting Echidna, but he insists that he didn't have any other choice.
- I Owe You My Life: After being freed, Typhon insists on doing something nice for Hercules no matter how much the half-god says he doesn't have to.
- Impaled with Extreme Prejudice: Maceus dies after accidentally being stabbed by Echidna.
- It's Personal: Maceus is obsessed with taking down Hercules to avenge Demetrius, while Pylon quickly develops a hatred of Iolaus for all the snark and trouble that the hunter keeps sending his way.
- Jack Bauer Interrogation Technique: Maceus and Pylon subject Iolaus to torture in order to learn where Hercules is. He suffers repeated punches, a broken arm, and more.
- The Klutz: By his own admission, Typhon is not what you'd call graceful. He trips over soon after being freed and later accidentally destroys a house by dropping a collapsed tree on it. He even bangs his head against the entrance of Echidna's cave and falls over... twice.
- Morality Chain: Typhon was this for Echidna and their children, which is why Hera imprisoned him a century ago.
- Mundane Utility: Hercules notes he likes working with his hands but "other things keep getting in the way."
- Nature vs. Nurture: According to Typhon, his kids were actually quite benevolent whenever he was around. He acknowledges they got into trouble now and then, but he insists they were generally well-behaved and typically engaged in mundane hobbies. After she imprisoned Typhon, Hera got her hooks in the kids and used them to torment others.
- Never My Fault: Echidna blames Hercules for her accidentally stabbing Maceus.
- Oh, Crap!: Hercules upon learning that Typhon's beloved wife is Echidna.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Typhon is pissed to learn that Hercules fought Echidna.
- Outliving One's Offspring: Typhon is devastated to learn that his kids are dead.
- Pragmatic Villainy: After seemingly getting Hercules's whereabouts out of Iolaus, Maceus tells Pylon to give him medical attention. He wants Iolaus capable of making the trip in case he needs more information and leverage. When Iolaus later makes his escape, Maceus explicitly tells Pylon and the men that they better bring him back alive or else.
- Real Life Writes the Plot: Michael Hurst's arm was injured during the filming of "Prometheus" over on Xena: Warrior Princess. In this episode, Iolaus is subjected to brutal interrogation and the same arm is left in a cast. It stays that way for a couple more episodes, as Hurst recovered.
- Revenge: Maceus wants payback against Hercules for Demetrius's death.
- Sarcasm Mode: "I wasn't thinking of escaping. I really love you guys. Great conversation. Great social skills. Excellent dental hygiene."
- Sequel Episode: Hercules has to deal with the aftermath of "The Mother of All Monsters" when he meets Echidna's husband and faces Demetrius's vengeful brother.
- Shock and Awe: Hera sends down a lightning bolt to alert Maceus and his men to Iolaus sneaking off.
- This Cannot Be!: Typhon over learning Hercules killed his three kids.
- This Is Gonna Suck: Hercules over having to tell Typhon about his past encounters with Echidna and their children.
- Thou Shalt Not Kill: Hercules is against killing Echidna, especially after learning more about her from Typhon. He tells the villagers he won't kill her, but he'll find a way to ensure they don't have to fear her. Ultimately, it's reuniting her with Typhon solves this issue.
- Torture Is Ineffective: Iolaus is tortured into giving up Hercules's location, but it actually doesn't work. Iolaus deliberately gives Maceus a different location and plots to make his escape during the lengthy trek.
- Villain of Another Story: As it happens, Plinth is one of the villages that Demetrius and his gang ransacked. Hercules tells Breanna that the village won't have to worry about him anymore and gets to work helping fix up the damage that the gang caused.
- Villain Team-Up: Maceus gets Echidna to help double team Hercules. It works out the same as it did for Demetrius.
- Warts and All: Typhon is well-aware that Echidna has a severe temper problem and that his kids weren't perfect, but he dearly loves all of them.
- Wham Line: "Boy is Echidna gonna be surprised to see me."
- Witch with a Capital "B": How Hercules refers to Hera. He says he was being kind.
