Since Plato first penned his foundational works, many a tale teller has spun a fantastic yarn of long-ago times and set it in ancient Atlantis. One of the most recent was a television series that explored the lost continent through the lens of Greek Mythology. Epic heroes like Jason and Hercules, along with historical figures like Pythagoras, adventure in a land not unlike mythic Minoan Crete and revisit the classical legends. Though unseen, Poseidon is all-powerful and forever present. Alas, the series was not renewed for a third season, which is unfortunate as it was leading to the Voyage of the Argo, but the two-season adventure is now immortalized on Blu-Ray and DVD.  

Warning: Spoilers Ahead!

BBC Atlantis: Season 1: Disc # 1

1-The Earth Bull

In modern times, Jason seeks to solve the mystery of his father's long-ago disappearance at sea. His mini-sub is engulfed by a bright light and he awakens in Atlantis. Culture shock causes him to become a fugitive. He unwittingly finds shelter with Pythagoras and his room-mate Hercules. He knows of them, but neither is quite what he expected. His father's necklace, the horns of a bull, leads him to the Oracle, who provides him with vague answers which, nonetheless, provide him with valuable information. The three companions live out the Theseus legend, slay the Minotaur, and lift the curse that plagued Atlantis. They then are honored by the royal family and hailed as heroes. 

2-A Girl By Any Other Name

Jason discovers that he is originally from Atlantis and that he has a Destiny. While seeking answers he rescues Medusa from Maenads and Satyrs. Though freed, she is cursed by a dying Maenad. 

3-A Boy of No Consequence

Hercules admits to having feelings for Medusa, and Princess Ariadne discovers that she has feelings for Jason. The three companions are condemned to the Bull pit for preventing Heptarion, Ariadne's intended, from further abusing a peasant. Despite Queen Pasiphae's use of sorcery, the heroes triumph (with some help from Medusa).

4-Twist of Fate

Jason, Hercules and Pythagoras discover an abandoned baby while hunting. With the help of Medusa, they unravel the mystery of the child's parentage. There is lots of intrigue and adventure as the Oedipus cycle takes root in Atlantis. 

BBC Atlantis: Season 1: Disc # 2

5-White Lies

Theros, Minos' son, thought to be a traitor and long dead, returns to Atlantis. The intricate schemes of the Royal House, spanning many years, are revealed. Heptarion is further revealed to be Pasiphae's creature. Hercules' feelings for Medusa, and the bond between Jason and Ariadne, grow stronger.

6-The Song of the Sirens

Insecure about himself and his future with Medusa, Hercules seeks the help of the Colchian witch Medusa. A potion he is given reveals the depths of Medusa's love, but poisons her. Hercules confronts Circe, who turns him into a pig.  Jason and Pythagoras seek the witch. She reveals herself to be Pasiphae's sister and Jason reluctantly agrees to be the instrument of her vengeance if she restores his friends to their earlier conditions. Hercules and Medusa become estranged.

7-The Rules of Engagement

In response to the announcement of Ariadne's upcoming marriage to Hepterion, Jason enters the Pankration, a deadly contest, in hopes of winning her hand. Seeking to destroy their mutual affection, Pasiphae blackmails Ariadne and arranges for Heptarion to poison Jason. She has also been poisoning Minos, slowly, and grooming Heptarion to be the next king. Hercules and Medusa manage to rekindle their romantic feelings. Jason triumphs, but does not kill Heptarion. This leads to the dissolution of Heptarion's engagement to Ariadne. Pasiphae then takes cruel vengeance on Minos' daughter.

8-The Furies

The three epic amigos are hired to escort a caravan to Helios, a perilous undertaking. Pythagoras' brother Arcas arrives and offers to accompany them, which disturbs the mathematician deeply enough to visit the Oracle. Her pronouncements are vague, but ominous. The desert crossing to Helios is dangerous enough, but the party is also tormented by raiders, omens, betrayal, suspicion, painful memories and vengeful wind-spirits. Pythagoras must confront, and reveal, his deepest, darkest secret and gain total forgiveness from the one person least likely to grant it.

9-Pandora's Box

Medusa and Hercules have rekindled their romance. But, to save their relationship, and their lives, Hercules must journey to the Underworld and retrieve a mysterious box for a merciless money-lender. Together with Jason and Pythagoras, he undergoes purification, initiation and instruction, then procedes with Jason to Hades' Realm, whilst Pythagoras guards their bodies. After many misadventures, and in the nick of time, the quest is accomplished. Alas, saving Medusa from thugs wasn't enough. The call of Pandora's Box and her own curiosity doom her into becoming the snake-haired monster of myth.  

BBC Atlantis: Season 1: Disc # 3

10-The Price of Hope

Where did Medusa go? Can she truly be saved from the curse of Pandora's Box? Is the price too high for Hercules to pay? Will Jason and Pythagoras allow it? The Oracle of Atlantis, the inventor Daedalus and a gangster named Crios provide our heroes with guidance and we meet Atalanta, who promises to someday return.

11-Hunger Pangs

Penniless and hungry, Jason partakes of a sacrificial meal laid out for the goddess Hecate. As a result, he grows increasingly more lycanthropic each night. Pythagoras finds a cure in an ancient scroll. It requires silver and a return to Hecate's Temple. Alas, Jason may not survive it. Heptarion agressively hunts the wolf. Ariadne is in danger. Pythagoras comes up with the concept of clocks and kills someone with a statue. The extent of Pasiphae's perfidy is further revealed. And... Jason is cured.

12 & 13-Touched by the Gods: Parts One and Two

Circe demands that Jason fulfill his vow and slay Pasiphae, or his friends will suffer. He attempts it, but finds that he cannot complete the act. Ariadne assists him with escaping. Minos is at death's door. Adriadne's faithful servant is a minion of the Queen and the princess finds herself convicted of treason and about to be burned alive in the belly of a bronze bull. Aside from the mythic trio, there are others who serve Poseidon, Atlantis and the King: a warrior, a priest and a seer. Together they rescue Ariadne and aid with her escape. While on the run, Jason meets his father Aeson (though he remains unaware of it) and we discover that Pasiphae is his mother (he remains unaware of this as well). Two villains meet their ends. Minos is restored to health and reunited with his daughter. Life returns to normal for our heroes. And Pasiphae learns from the Oracle that her son, who, like herself, is Touched by the Gods, is destined to someday destroy her.

Behind the Scenes

This informative featurette introduces the creative minds that brought us Atlantis, and the techniques they used to make the unfolding tale truly memorable. Fresh from their success with Merlin, also on the BBC, the epic production team mined the rich mythology of ancient Greece and combined the adventures of several heroes into a much longer, and tighter epic narrative. This is well worth watching if you enjoy the show.

Reviews by Hercules Invictus