Atlantis - 'The Dying of the Light' and 'Kin'

Things are not going well.

Tensions are high in the heroes camp. As Pasiphae subjects Atlantis to a rule of iron, Jason is consumed by the revelation that he is her son, losing his compassion and coming to blows with the grieving Hercules. Injured and then captured after a friend betrays Pythagoras, he is forced to fight for his life in Pasiphae's brutal gladiatorial games. In desperation, Pythagoras - who is basically the hero of the show in all but name by this point - seeks the advice of the new Oracle, Cassandra, and is led to Jason's father, the leper Aeson, who may be the only person who can reach the good still in Jason.

Now, honestly, there is a problem here. Medea explains in 'Kin' that those touched by the gods are drawn to each other, but it's all a bit sudden, and the idea that this magnetic pull a) depends on knowing that Pasiphae is his mother and b) can totally reverse his personality, yet c) be overridden by a hug from his old Dad. I'm not saying I'm not in favour of some paternal props, but it's all a bit quick. I guess they're cramming before they run out of series. Thus, within the space of a three episodes we've gone from Jason rejecting Pasiphae and Medea, to Jason making out with Medea in the woods, then connecting with his mother in jail, and finally turning from them and heading back to his friends.

Ever reluctant to expand its roster, the show kills off Aeson pretty much as soon as Jason is back on side. As to what it does to its greatest romance, it breaks my heart. Poor Pythagoras is going to be heartbroken to learn that Icarus has betrayed him, even to save his father's life.

Atlantis is really suffering from early-onset Cerebus Syndrome. It's going to wrap up next episode, and I don't think I'll miss it.