Love Takes a Holiday

Aphrodite has had enough of being the goddess of love, so she quits and tries different jobs. Iolaus learns firsthand that this causes women to inexplicably act very angry toward men, so he tries to convince Aphrodite to resume her proper job. In the process, he rescues Leandra from kidnappers and escorts her home to Syllabus. The other villagers aren't happy with him, though. It turns out that Hephaestus covets Leandra as a bride and cursed her entire village into nothingness for over fifty years following one refusal. The villagers fear an even worse punishment, but Iolaus is determined to protect Leandra. As it happens, Iolaus has a special connection to her.

Summary
SUMMARY

Disclaimer

 * No Metal Panthers were tarnished during the production of this motion picture. When polishing your metal animals, remember to use salt and lemon.

Background Information

 * Starting with this episode, Michael Hurst is added to the opening credits as a regular cast member. This change would only be present, though, in episodes in which he would appear in.
 * Kevin Sorbo does not appear in this episode. This is the first episode in which he doesn't appear.
 * Iolaus states that Hercules went to Corinth to visit Iphicles and Rena, who are expecting a baby.
 * Leandra is Iolaus' paternal grandmother.
 * This episode states Iolaus' father was Skouros, a general that died in battle. Playing by a nearby river saved him from the curse (which, of course, helped make it possible for Iolaus to be born).
 * Iolaus' grandfather was killed in the Punic Wars.
 * This episode reveals the significance of Iolaus' pendant – it belonged to his father and his grandfather before him. According to Iolaus, his three-year-old father was wearing the pendant when he was found after Syllabus disappeared.
 * After Leandra warns him of the She-Demon, Iolaus references her defeat by Hercules in "The Wrong Path".
 * Among the different new jobs that Aphrodite considers are goddess of music, goddess of the hunt, goddess of wisdom and hero.
 * As in the Greek myths, Aphrodite and Hephaestus get together. Unlike the myths, though, Aphrodite is happy to be in the relationship.

Guest Stars

 * Alexandra Tydings as Aphrodite
 * Julian Garner as Hephaestus
 * Sarah Smuts-Kennedy as Leandra
 * Mervyn Smith as Iagos

Other Cast

 * Bill Urale as Henchman #1
 * Gilbert Goldie as Village Elder
 * Adam Jackson as Male Villager
 * Damien Wood as Male Servant
 * Fiona Mogridge as Evanthea
 * John Manning as Merchant
 * Stefan Broadley as Musician
 * Darren Ludlam as Mykonos