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Episode 1: ‘The Earth Bull’
Saturday 28 September 2013, 8.25pm
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> Read our review.
When Jason sets out to find his father, he could never have anticipated where his journey would lead. Far from home and desperate for answers, Jason washes up on the shores of an ancient land. A mysterious place; a world of bull leaping, of snake haired Goddesses and palaces so vast it was said they were built by giants – this is the city of Atlantis.
But under the surface of this enticing place is a dark and simmering past, a complicated web of treachery and deceit, with which Jason himself seems inexplicably bound. He soon finds himself embroiled in a perilous game of politics and power from which there is no escape.
Episode 2: ‘A Girl By Any Other Name’
Saturday 5 October 2013, 8.25pm
Despite their newfound fame after slaying the Minotaur, the boys are still penniless and hungry. When an old man asks them to find his missing daughter things seem on the up, but it soon becomes clear that their task isn’t going to be an easy one: she has been taken by the Maenads, fanatical worshippers of the god Dionysus.
With the hopes and life of the old man fading, it’s a race against time that Jason cannot turn his back on. But just when their perilous task seems at an end, he comes face-to-face with a stranger named Medusa.
Episode 3: ‘A Boy of No Consequence’
Saturday 12 October 2013, 8.30pm
After crossing a young nobleman, Jason and his friends find themselves at the mercy of King Minos, who declares Poseidon will decide their fate: they are to become bull leapers. To survive, they must jump the charging beast.
With their lives on the line, it is up to Jason to pull his motley team together in this ultimate test of bravery. But watching from the crowds is a dark force who hopes to turn the favour of the Gods against them.
Episode 4: ‘Twist of Fate’
Saturday 19 October 2013, 8.20pm
Whilst hunting in the mountains, the boys stumble across an abandoned baby. Jason refuses to leave the child to die and insists he return home with them to Atlantis. But this charitable act has far-reaching implications, and the gang soon find themselves embroiled in a complicated web of secrets and lies.
With their own lives now on the line as well as the child’s, it seems they may well pay the ultimate price for interfering with fate.
Episode 5: ‘White Lies’
Saturday 26 October 2013, 8.15pm
When a clandestine messenger brings unexpected news from outside the city, Ariadne calls on Jason and his friends to help guide her to the source. Yet leaving the citadel without raising the suspicions of the Queen seems an insurmountable task, especially with the revelation that it is Ariadne’s exiled brother Therus who has sent for her.
As Heptarian and the King’s guards close in on his hiding place, Ariadne must decide where her loyalties lie, in Atlantis or with her royal sibling. But Therus is determined his sister learns the truth behind his exile, exposing a plot that could overshadow the power of King Minos and bring the royal family to its knees.
Episode 6: ‘The Song Of The Sirens’
Saturday 2 November 2013, 8.15pm
Desperate to win over Medusa’s heart, Hercules pays a visit to a powerful witch, Circe. But events take a malevolent turn when Hercules realises he has unleashed a potent but toxic enchantment that threatens to turn his burgeoning hope into unbearable grief.
With a bitter chain of events rapidly unfolding, it is up to Jason to undo history before it is too late. As he re-traces Hercules’s steps into the mountains he is unaware that a deadly trap has been set for him; one with far-reaching consequences beyond the fate of just his friends.
Episode 7: ‘The Rules of Engagement’
Saturday 9 November 2013, 8pm
On hearing the news of a royal betrothal, a heartbroken Jason risks everything to sway the will of the Gods against the match. When Jason learns of Ariadne’s betrothal to Heptarian, he is brokenhearted.
With nothing to lose and everything to gain, he enters into a brutal fighting tournament to honour the nuptials – lining up with a bevy of terrifying contestants including the undefeated Heptarian. Determined to beat the husband-to-be and show his worthiness, it’s up to Jason’s loyal friends to guide him through the contest where there are more than just broken hearts at stake.
Episode 8: ‘The Furies’
Saturday 16 November 2013, 8pm
Blood ties and past lies prove a fatal mix when Pythagoras’s brother joins the gang to escort a precious cargo across the desert. The boys gain an unexpected addition to their workforce with the arrival of Pythagoras’s feisty younger brother, Arcas (Will Merrick).
Charged with escorting a valuable cargo across the desert, the gang travels into the unknown with a ramshackle caravan of strangers. It isn’t long before their journey takes a decidedly spooky turn; after spending a night in a temple dedicated to The Furies, it soon becomes clear that one among their number has something to hide.
As danger closes in and a dark secret is exposed, our heroes are forced to confront some uncomfortable truths as they fight for their lives under the desert sun.
[Atlantis will be taking a break for one week when Doctor Who‘s 50th anniversary special airs on Saturday 23 November 2013.]
Episode 9: ‘Pandora’s Box’
Saturday 30 November 2013, 8.15pm
When a ruthless merchant holds Medusa to ransom, the price for her life means a treacherous journey to the Underworld for our heroes. Romance is at last in the air for Hercules and Medusa until she is kidnapped by a cruel moneylender, Kyros (Anton Lesser).
In exchange for her life Kyros demands that Hercules retrieves a precious and powerful artefact from the Underworld – a task which can only mean certain death.
With only one day to fulfill the ransom, its a race against time for Hercules and his loyal friends. Will they find another way to descend to Hades and return with the artefact, or be forced to walk among the dead forever? Whatever the outcome, the gods have spoken and someone, somewhere is about to pay a terrible price.
Episode 10: ‘The Price of Hope’
Saturday 7 December 2013, 8.15pm
After the tragic events surrounding Medusa’s disappearance, the boys pay a visit to the inventor Daedalus, whose genius offers hope of a cure. But, unwilling to wait for answers, Hercules acts on information from the unscrupulous Crios and sets off in search of his lost love.
His decision soon sees the boys literally running for their lives as they become the prey in a brutal manhunt. With hopes of an escape fading fast, their courage is tested to its limit, until a lifeline comes from an unexpected source.
Episode 11: ‘Hunger Pangs’
Saturday 14 December 2013, 8.20pm
Penniless and starving, Jason cannot believe his luck when he stumbles across an abandoned feast. Temptation proves too much and he helps himself to the bounty, savouring his first proper meal in days…
But it soon becomes clear that Jason’s gluttony has come at a price as he begins to exhibit some seriously strange behaviour. As things spiral out of control, it falls to Hercules and Pythagoras to save their friend before Heptarian and the palace guards bring his exertions to heel for good.
Episode 12: ‘Touched by the Gods – Part One’
Saturday 21 December 2013, 7.55pm
Jason is reminded of his promise to Circe and her grim warning should he fail to honour their pact. With her threat hanging over him he has no choice but to act. He must kill the Queen.
Infiltrating the palace will not only be mortally dangerous but also nigh on impossible. Under the cover of night, our heroes set out, but soon Jason’s intentions start to unravel. As the alarm is raised, it’s going to take more than just courage and chemistry to save his life – he needs the help of someone on the inside.
Episode 13: ‘Touched by the Gods – Part Two’
Saturday 28 December 2013, 8.15pm
Minos’ health continues to fade as Pasiphae’s scheming reaches its zenith. She sentences Ariadne to a gruesome execution not even the worst of enemies would deserve.
Now that the court’s loyalty is with the Queen, Jason is Ariadne’s last hope. He’ll need all the help he can get if he and his friends are to save her life, but fortunately there are a few in Atlantis who remain loyal to the King.
As the series reaches a thrilling climax, the battle lines are drawn in Atlantis once and for all. But just as the odds seem stacked against Jason, a shocking revelation is made that exposes the past and changes the course of the future forever.
> Order Series 1 on DVD on Amazon.
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