Given no choice, our three heroes went in search of Eunapius to gain the secret of entry to Hades. Once Jason’s impressive abilities had pressed their case, Pythagoras stood over his two friends as they underwent a ritual to gain access.
After enduring a creepy boat journey, they entered a realm of mist and darkness. Flaming torches and shadows did plenty to ramp up tensions, as did some of Hades’ grim looking residents. The pair were pleased to be reunited with a familiar face but sadly, as Cyrus made but a single appearance six episodes back, we felt it was asking a lot for anyone to remember him. Perhaps the recently killed Korinna might have been a better choice? Regardless, Cyrus’ role as guide took them swiftly to their prize that was held in a place of eternal suffering and darkness.
Back in the land of the living, Pythagoras’ clumsiness caused no end of trouble. Falling from the balcony and accidentally starting a fire, he inadvertently allowed Hercules and Jason’s bodies to be removed and even buried. This triggered some mad dashes across the city and while in some ways it seemed merely comic sub-plot to employ Pythagoras, it was at least crucial to the story with the highest of stakes.
Even after an encounter with Campe, a fearsome CGI creation of a deathly scorpion-like figure, the story managed to provide its own sting. Jason’s insistence that the box should not be opened, heeding the warnings from Hades, triggered a ruse with a decoy that led to heartbreaking consequences.
With Medusa freed, she ran to hide and found herself opening the real Pandora’s box, triggering the horrific transformation we all expected. For once, a hint of Jason’s future knowledge seeped though as he knew a distraught Hercules could look at her reflection and not be turned to stone.
With the Royals out of the picture, we were generously compensated with a guest cast of heavyweight British actors. Campe was voiced by Gemma Jones (Spooks), Julian Glover (Game of Thrones) played Eunapius and Anton Lesser (The Hour) made the most of the somewhat one-note villain Kyros.
Thankfully short on comedy and making good on Medusa’s fate, the final moments of ‘Pandora’s Box’ showed some real promise for Jason. First he despatched Kyros, promising the villain eternal torment, and then he rolled up to the temple for some tough talk with the Oracle.
Hearing the news that he is fated to kill Medusa or else Atlantis will be destroyed, he raised a proverbial two fingers to the Gods telling them to do their worst. Foolish or not, it’s the most hero-like thing we have seen him do to date and we look forward to plenty more of it!
Aired at 8.15pm on Saturday 30 November 2013 on BBC One.
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