BBC's Atlantis S1E4 - "Twist of Fate" recap

Jason, Pythagoras, and Hercules are hunting in the woods. They hear a noise in a brush, and move in. Hercules throws a spear, but Jason catches it with superhero-like reflexes before it can hit the source of the noise: an abandoned infant. Jason insists that they take the baby back, though the others protest before eventually caving in. They look after it as best as they can, despite their lack of knowledge. They also notice the baby has a strange foot.

When Jason visits the marketplace looking for food for the baby, he runs into Medusa, who comes back with him to assist the three men. While looking after the baby, Hercules yet again attempts to charm Medusa, but has no luck. She leaves him with the baby to go to work but comes back after forgetting her shawl. She overhears Hercules confessing his feelings for her to the baby and his insecurities that keep him from confessing them, and she is visibly moved before sneaking out unseen.

Jason and Pythagorus return to where they found the baby to look for clues on its origins. They find some pottery shards and grain, and decide to reconstruct the item as best as they can. Unbeknownst to them, they are being watched by an elderly man. They return to find Hercules asleep with the baby on top of him and reconstruct the item and find it to be a rattle.

The next day, they learn that baby is King Laius' son, born out of wedlock. Guards come to their residence, but with the help of Medusa, the three men sneak out with the baby. Tiresias questions Medusa, and lets her leave, despite being suspicious of her. After she is gone, he discovers the rattle. Jason and Pythagorus are separated from Hercules and hide out with the baby but are eventually reunited. Medusa joins them, but has been discovered by the guards who have followed her.

Tiresias has brought with him the baby's mother, who reveals that King Laius took the baby to the Oracle. The Oracle stated that if the baby lived, he would bring about his father's death. Tiresias is ashamed of his role in helping Laius to discard the baby but it looking to make it right now. Jocasta, the baby's mother, does not wish to part with the baby but for his own good, he must leave the city. Jason volunteers to sneak the baby out, and Hercules states that he will join him, and Pythagorus does as well. In secret, Tiresias reveals to Pythagorus that the Oracle also foretold that the baby would also marry his mother. (By now, you should all realise that this is the story of Oedipus).

Final thoughts

Atlantis was created by Johnny Caps & Julian Murphy (Merlin), and Howard Overman (Misfits). Given how these shows built up the emotion and drama as season progressed, one may presume that this show will do the same. Many seeds have already been planted that viewers may look forward to when the time comes for them to blossom. As this latest episode has brought Oedipus into the story arc, this very well may be brought up once more as the show goes on. Jason and Ariadne clearly have a connection, and once they have more time to develop a relationship, we may bear witness to another epic love story. Sarah Parish graces us all with her magnificence as the evil Pasiphae, and the true intentions behind much of her scheming have yet to be revealed. Currently, Jemima Rooper is all warmth and loveliness as Medusa, but audiences know Medusa as a mythological character with snakes for hair and a gaze that turns those who meet it to stone. That will be a feels-enducing tragedy you won't want to miss.

Atlantis airs on Saturdays on BBC One at 8 in the UK, Saturdays at 8 on Space in Canada, and will begin airing on BBC America in the US on November 23.