90s Action Series Is The Biggest Guilty Pleasure

The series follows the adventures of Hercules, the demigod son of Zeus, as he travels through a fantasy iteration of ancient Greece, battling various mythological creatures, gods, and villains. Hercules is a heroic figure with a strong sense of justice, often using his strength and intelligence to safeguard rustic villagers. The show also explores his personal relationships.

Hercules’ main nemesis is his evil stepmother, Hera, queen of the gods, who sees Hercules as the embodiment of Zeus’ infidelity and wants to destroy him. As the series unfolds, more villains are introduced, including the god of war, Ares, who also happens to be Hercules’ half-brother. In later seasons, the god Dahak becomes the main antagonist.

Despite Zeus’ portrayal as a neglectful father, the love he has for him is a recurring theme. Zeus often shows up to save his son. Hercules also stands by Zeus whenever his father needs him. He ultimately resolves any lingering issues with Zeus and finds solace in their reconciliation with a new understanding of his father.

Hercules: The Legendary Journeys was well-received during its run, gaining a dedicated fan base. Kevin Sorbo’s charismatic performance as Hercules and the show’s mix of action, humor, and mythology contributed to its popularity. The series achieved high ratings globally, making it one of the most-watched syndicated television shows of its time.

The success of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys paved the way for the creation of other mythological and fantasy-themed shows. One of the notable was the spin-off series Xena: Warrior Princess, which premiered in 1995. The story follows Lucy Lawless as the warrior Xena, a former ally of Hercules who fights against injustice and evil.

Xena was introduced in three episodes of Hercules. The character was supposed to die in her third appearance. However, due to an unexpected surge in the character’s popularity, the producers decided to create a spin-off focusing on Xena’s adventures. The series was a resounding success, reaching audiences in more than 108 countries worldwide since its debut in 1998.

During its run, Xena: Warrior Princess performed well in television rankings, claiming the 9th and 10th positions on TV Guide’s prestigious Top Cult Shows Ever list in 2004 and 2007. Xena also earned the 100th spot on Bravo’s 100 Greatest TV Characters.

Surpassing Hercules in ratings and popularity, Xena reached the pinnacle of success during its second season, when it became the highest-rated syndicated drama series on American television. The show consistently secured a position in the top five for all six years of its run.

Despite its widespread acclaim, the series was canceled in October 2000, and its final episode aired in the summer of 2001.

Despite neither Sorbo nor Lawless’ shows turning out new episodes, what they left for us carries on. Fans can relive the high points of 90s television with Hercules: The Legendary Journeys on the Amazon Prime streaming service.