Atlantis Series 1 Finale BBC1

So the romance between Hercules and Medusa was ruined when she turned into a weird snake-haired lady... didn't see that one coming. Jason and Ariadne are still yearning for one another (he even slept in her bed) ... surprise surprise. However, there were a few moments in the season finale we did not expect to see.

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'Jason is your son, Pasiphae'

Episode 13 brought all the things we had hoped to see throughout the entire series. It brought treachery, betrayal, cunning, love and someone we (and even Jason) had forgotten about completely: his father. John Hannah appears as Tychon, Jason's father, banished as a leper to the Silver Mines. Although we are not told exactly what happened, we learn perhaps of the greatest twist that the series has managed to pull off, that Pasiphae is Jason's mother! It follows that both she and him, are 'touched by the Gods'. Pasiphae is assumed to have made Tychon into what he is, although we do not find out why.

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The final episode sees Ariadne sentenced to death and Jason and friends run to her aid. In midst of their attempt to flee the city of Atlantis, Hercules finally finds his strength in pulling apart thick iron bars to escape through the sewers. After a long trek, they are given safe lodging in the Silver mines. Here, we await the power hungry Pasiphae as she pursues the one person (although perhaps four people) who stand between her and the throne. We have watched as she has poisoned Ariadne's father the King and await a resolution.

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After much toil and a rather lengthy chase, Ariadne is captured back by Pasiphae's guards. Jason awakes after a blow to the head surrounded by Tychon, Hercules and Pythagoras, with the intent (once again) to save his princess. As it happens, her father is right as rain again, after the Oracle intervenes to save him. Pasiphae returns and is forced to free Ariadne and once again submit to her King.

Will Medusa be saved from her curse?

And so, once again we are given an inevitable 'happy ending'. However, the poor script and lack of tension throughout the series finally upped it's game for the finale. We now have a part of our story that is unresolved, in that we do not know if Jason will ever know of his mother, or indeed that he has already met his father. We know that his fate is to end Pasiphae but will it ring true? Will Hercules ever cure Medusa? We finally, have something to look forward to, rather than just sit through because we have nothing better to watch.

Unfortunately, I believe that the acting ability of lead 'Jack Donnelly' is never going to improve upon his wooden stance, expressionless line delivery and array of just three facial expressions. However, I truly hope that the standard of production and screenwriting, follows that of the season finale. If it does, I will be sure to see beyond the disappointment of his performance and endeavour to explore the many more predictions of the Oracle and the adventures that Greek mythology brings.

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Until next series!