A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
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Positive Messages
some
The show clearly defines right and wrong, and Hercules is a worthy hero who always chooses the righteous path and influences others to do the same. Themes of equality, respect, and justice are strong throughout the stories, as is the message to follow your own convictions and stand up for what you believe is right. The show is loosely inspired by the legends of Hercules and Zeus and includes elements of spiritual rites like blood sacrifice.
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Positive Role Models
a lot
Hercules casts aside the evil heritage of his father's side of the family, fighting for justice and peace instead of power and greed. He's principled and has high standards for his conduct, and he inspires those he meets to emulate his behavior. His conflicts usually dissolve into fighting, but when he's given the choice, he opts for mercy over killing.
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Violence & Scariness
some
Fight scenes are marked by punching and kicking as well as the use of weapons (swords, staffs, knives, bows and arrows, clubs, etc.). Occasionally death scenes are drawn out and bloody, and rarely the plot brings kids into the mix of the fighting. Blood is used in sacrificial rites. Gods possess people and force them into evil plots.
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Sex, Romance & Nudity
some
Women flaunt their bodies in skimpy costumes that show cleavage, the outline of their breasts, and in some cases expose their buttocks entirely. Men -- especially the chiseled Hercules -- often are shown bare-chested. There's a strong sexual tone to Hercules' interaction with female characters, many of whom try to seduce him. The physical content stops at kissing, but the implications are there.
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Language
very little
"Dammit" is the strongest language.
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Products & Purchases
very little
The series inspired a line of action figures and other kid-targeted products back during its original run in the '90s.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Hercules: The Legendary Journeys is a '90s action series about mythical monsters and gods and battles between forces of good and evil. Expect a lot of violent exchanges with swords, knives, clubs, and other weapons, but very little gore or human drama associated with them. The concept of blood sacrifice and multiple vengeful gods might raise some questions among your teens, which could be directed toward an exploration of mythology in its original form. As role models go, Hercules is as good as they come, thanks to his high moral standards, his willingness to fight for what he believes in, and his emphasis on inspiring those around him with his civic-minded actions. The sexy nature of this show's content is an important factor to consider for your tweens, so you might want to assess the messages sent by the revealing costumes and the female characters' lustful expressions toward the chiseled Hercules.
What's the Story?
HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS stars Kevin Sorbo as the mythical half-god Hercules, the illegitimate son of Zeus and a mortal. Hercules' physical strength is surpassed only by his passion for peace, and he travels the land engaging in battles against monsters, warlords, and the Earthly minions of the gods. Hercules' moral standards make him an enemy to many would-be villains, but his most powerful adversaries hit even closer to home, with his evil goddess stepmother, Hera, and his bloodthirsty half-brother, Ares (voiced by Al Chalk), both of whom have their sights set on destroying him. Often he's joined on his adventures by Iolaus (Michael Hurst) or Salomneus (Robert Trebor).
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about mythology. What can we learn from reading mythology? How do adaptations of the stories change over time? Do legends have historical value?
Teens: How does this series show its age? Does the nature of the special effects change your enjoyment of the series itself? How have recent technological advances altered how we receive our information? When was the last time you went to a book for information rather than to a computer?
Teens: How much of an impact do you think TV violence has on viewers? Is it a reflection of the state of our society, or does society adapt to what we see in the media? Are there different gradients of acceptable violence in entertainment?
