Hercules - King for a DayHercules - King for a Day
Iolaus stops by to see his cousin, Prince Orestes (Michael Hurst). What a surprise for Iolaus when he almost gets shot by an arrow from his Orestes, while hunting for deer, only to discover that his cousin looks exactly like him. Iolaus quickly discovers that Orestes is soon to become King and marry a woman, Naiobi (Lisa Ann Hadley), he's not very fond of at Orestes' bachelor party that night. Iolaus also realizes that Orestes enjoys women, drink, and song, not quite King material. After Iolaus and the party goers retire for the evening, Orestes passes out because his wine was drugged, with the help of his brother, Menos, who wants to be king, and General Arekaus. The next morning, Orestes' drugged body is found and Iolaus is persuaded to impersonate Orestes because everyone will be executed if "Orestes" doesn't make it to his wedding and coronation. Iolaus soon discovers that if he stumbles across any words during the coronation, tradition calls for it that he be beheaded on the spot. Orestes ("Iolaus") makes his way down the aisle of the temple, tripping on his robe and almost his tongue. With the help of Orestes' right hand man and signs he makes it through the coronation ceremony and is crowned king. Immediately following the wedding, Orestes ("Iolaus") marries Naiboi. After lifting the vail, he discovers that Naiobi is beautiful. After the wedding reception, it's discovered that Arekaus has taken the real Orestes and they are forced to figure out a way to get him back. Arekaus and Menos have discovered that there is someone impersonating Orestes. Orestes ("Iolaus") is sent a message to meet Menos, which turns out to be a trap, which doesn't quite turn out the way Menos wants. Menos overhears Arekaus talking to his man and realizes that Arekaus will not be allowing Menos to rule. Meanwhile, Orestes ("Iolaus") and Naiboi hear cases of disput among their subjects. Naiobi soon realizes that Orestes ("Iolaus") is fair and diplomatic, especially when he refuses to allow a villager, who didn't have the money to pay his taxes, to be beheaded and offers him sanctuary in the palace. In another part of the kingdom, the real Orestes is slowly being poisoned and Menos asks that Orestes save himself by relinquishing his thrown. Orestes refuses, while Orestes ("Iolaus") and Naiobi are becoming rather fond of each other. That night Menos goes to see Orestes ("Iolaus") and tells him the truth, out of fear for his life and that of the real Orestes. Orestes ("Iolaus") sneeks into Arekaus' kingdom to rescue the real Orestes, with the help of Naiobi. Trying to escape Orestes ("Iolaus") soon finds himself confronted by Arekaus and his men while the real Orestes holds his brother, Menos as he dies. After Arekaus is killed by a falling chandelier, Naiobi realizes that the Orestes she married and began to have feelings for, isn't the real Orestes at all. The real Orestes recovers from his illness and he and Naiobi thank Iolaus for his help. Orestes has had a change of heart and outlook on his position, after all he's been through, and will now rule as a true King. Naiobi sees Iolaus off and the two part with hurt feelings, but knowing it's the right thing to do. |
