Hercules rescues a young man named Damon from some Elean soldiers who picked a fight with him (Unfortunately, Damon doesn't believe he is Hercules). Damon has some pretty painful wounds, so Hercules accompanies him to his aunt's house (who turns out to be none other than Atalanta). Herc and Atalanta talk, and she worries that his interest in nothing but fighting will only lead him to the grave right next to his father.
Meanwhile, the head of the Elean soldiers, Tarkon, berates his soldiers fleeing from Hercules. They are working for Ares and are trying to kill Hercules (as usual).
Back in the village, while taking a walk through, Herc sees several instances of fighting. However, when he sees some kids prove themselves better by running a race, a thought strikes him and he gets a great idea.
He speaks to Atalanta about having a contest with many different events to determine who is the best. She thinks it's a great idea, but when Damon hears that it was inspired from kids, he isn't so interested (This also has to do with his over-obsession of 'Spartan ways', but when his aunt beats him in an arm wrestle, he quickly relents).
Atalanta and Herc then proceed to where Salmoneus is living (who by the way is hiding in his brother-in-law's estate), to consult him about the idea. (Here, Atalanta gets corrected and finally stops calling him "Psoriasis"!). At first, Salmoneus is all in, until Hercules tells him that it is a strictly non-profit event.However, he sort of puts that aside (at least for the moment) and names it the "Salmoneus Games". Alas, due to some conflict he had with some gamblers who thought he cheated them of their money (not surprising, huh?), he quickly changes it (The gamblers' are still looking for him, which is why he is hiding).
He names it "The Olympics", after the Olympians, after asking Herc permission in fear of it reminding him of his family troubles. Hercules likes the name. So it is named the Olympics, and Hercules goes to find the Spartans and Eleans to invite them as well as ask what they think of it.
He goes to Taphius, a Spartan warrior, who loves the idea and then he goes to see Tarkon the Elean soldier. (Meanwhile, Salmoneus tries to think of ways to impress Atalanta. (At least, he comes up with some good ideas for the Olympics, such as prizes). But, instead of focusing on the Olympics as some athletic contest (or 'game' as Herc and the rest call it), Tarkon only sees this as a perfect opportunity for slaughter 'while they are playing' and a chance to kill Hercules. Meanwhile, Salmoneus and Herc also look for a symbol for the Olympics.
As everyone comes, the Olympic Games are about to start, Hercules yells to the audience:
- 'Ladies & gentlemen, could I have your attention please? Welcome to the first Olympics! I hope you discover the spirit of the games: that there are other ways for men to compete, than on the battlefields. [Applause] I salute the Spartans, for being brave enough to set aside their weapons and participate in these events. And equally to the Eleans, who had the courage to honor us, by doing the same. [Applause] We’re about to find out who is the best among them in five different athletic events. So, good luck to everybody. And now—
In comes a rushing Salmoneus who declares that they can't proceed without the Olympic Torch. Herc gives him a high-five for his idea and continues, "Let the games begin!"
As the Olympic events start, there is a tie in the first event, unless Hercules evens it out. He then gives the privilege to Atalanta (which causes some commotion about a woman being there, until Hercules says that everyone is welcome and gets them ready). Atalanta wins the javelin throw.
The next event is the foot race, and Atalanta thanks Hercules for not allowing the 'boys only' thing. Salmoneus is assigned to be at the finishing point of the foot race.
Before the foot race starts, Tarkon chooses that moment to have his soldiers attack. He then reveals his secret weapon to the crowd: a group of Mesomorphs, monsters who were once men. The Mesomorphs gave everyone a hard time, until Herc uses the Olympic Torch to burn down a wagon which acts as the source of the Mesomorphs' power.
After the big brawl, they proceed to pick up where they were 'so rudely interrupted'. Atalanta says that they had a race and three other events to finish, Salmoneus mused that none of it could have been done without Hercules, so he calls what Herc did "Herculean", but Hercules asks: why don't they call it "Olympian".
Then, Atalanta asks where the starting line was:
- Salmoneus: Huh?Hercules: Now, that's what I call Olympian.
This episode provides examples of:
- Amazon Chaser: Salmoneus
- Call-Back: This isn't the first time where Atalanta beats a character at arm-wrestling, tries to seduce Herc and kisses Herc passionately at the end of the episode ("Ares").
- Like in "Ares", the episode's antagonist is Ares, and Atalanta worries about a teenager as part of the plot.
- Herc remembers Falafel (the hot dog seller), who previously appeared in "The Other Side" and "Once A Hero". He also remembers the den of inequity owned by Sal's brother-in-law (ran by Sal in "Under The Broken Sky").
- Depraved Dwarf: The driver of the Mesomorphs' wagon.
- Effortless Amazonian Lift: Atalanta does this to Herc as her first scene in the episode.
- Good Is Not Nice: Atalanta is this to Salmoneus and his creditors. She beats up the creditors to save Sal's life, but convinces Sal to return the money he owes.
- Heel–Face Turn: Brontus, an Elean soldier who initially went along with Tarkon's plan, but later decided to side with Herc and peace.
- Jaw Drop: Damon, when he saw how buffed his aunt really was.
- Love Triangle: Salmoneus loves Atalanta, but Atalanta loves Hercules.
- Ludicrous Gibs: Once the wagon burns down, the Mesomorphs explode into these. A fireball from the wagon also does the same thing to the wagon driver.
- Rewarded as a Traitor Deserves: Tarkon demands to know which of his troops was the first to run away from battle. One soldier immediately fingers the other. Tarkon has the one who ran killed, but he has a dim view of those who betray each other's secrets, so he kills the one who ratted the other guy out.
- Running Gag: Atalanta never calls Samloneus by his real name throughout the episode.
