His crime was to challenge the oily bully Heptarian (Oliver Walker), who not only is the Queen’s nephew but also enjoys the ‘protection of Poseidon’, affording him the wealth and privilege to do as he pleases.
After an uncharacteristically brave appeal for clemency from Hercules, the King’s sentence offers the challenge of an ordeal rather than summary judgement. It displeases the Minos’ daughter Ariadne (Aiyisha Hart) however, who is doing a poor job of concealing her interest in Jason.
At the Bull Court, the Jason’s task becomes clear as they join a team who are all expected to leap over the a charging bull for the amusement of the crowd, and to win their freedom. The other team members are at each other’s throats, full of fear and self interest which manifests itself in some racism.
We enjoyed seeing Queen Pasiphae (Sarah Parish) finally flexing her muscles with some scheming and spell chanting. She clearly seeks to be the power behind the throne and positioning her nephew to marry Adriane is part of this. The girl’s affection for Jason certainly is not and so Pasiphae will happily indulge in some stage-managed murder to ensure he does become a distraction.
Medusa is absent from the greater part and we were made to endure a good thirty minutes before she joins the tale. With no mention of her curse and occupying a position within the Royal household, it looks as though she will provide the bridge between the two worlds of the show when needed.
The relationship between Pasiphae and Adriane offers the promise of some great tension, especially if the wonderfully cutting remark the younger woman dropped at the end of the story is anything to go by. Pasiphae’s villainy will have to go up a notch though, if she is going to be so easily duped with simple distraction.
Of the guest cast, Richard Dillane impressed as the bull court master Pallos but the others less so, dropping some awfully clunky dialogue. There was one possible hint to the future at the end when the heroes were told they are always welcome in the Nubian’s village, Perhaps it was just politeness, or might they have found an ally?
This was an enjoyable tale but it felt rather simplistic, with little greater ambition than to show off Jason’s impressive torso and his canny ability as a team builder. Despite being reasonably visually impressive, we were never sufficiently invested in the drama to think that Jason and friends might not achieve their goal.
We fear Atlantis is going to have to offer more challenging storytelling to hold an 8.30pm audience on BBC One.
Aired at 8.30pm on Saturday 12 October 2013 on BBC One.
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