Episode 58: The Offer

Season 1

Apr 25

Editor: Annie LaHue

Released: 12 May 2019

Hera says that she thinks it was Apollo, but Zeus stops her from finishing the sentence. Hera is adamant, and she asks her husband why he’s not even going to hear her out. Zeus rubs his temples, saying that he can’t just say things like “that” based off on a hunch. Hera reiterates that it was a vision. Zeus argues, and shifts the conversation, asking why can’t they just go to lunch. Hera asks why it’s so easy for Zeus to defend Apollo. Zeus explains that Apollo is doing well as an Olympian and the mortals love him, and even though Hera is supposedly right, Apollo’s reputation will be ruined and second-guess their ability to select Olympians. And for what? Some upset over a b-grade goddess from the mortal realm that no one has ever heard of? Zeus implores Hera to leave it. This pisses Hera off and she spits on her husband’s face.

The episode starts with Zeus responding to Hera’s question. He thinks Apollo is hard-working, handsome, talented, and reminds Zeus of a younger him. He poses in front of Apollo’s portrait and the resemblance between them is clear. Hera frowns as she puffs her cigarette. She starts to explain that she was just thinking about her vision, but Zeus interrupts her with his whining. Hera insists that she knows what she felt. Zeus sighs and says that Hera doesn’t have any proof.

“People often expect me to have a fearless army of the undead. But I prefer the financial benefits of ongoing unpaid labor.”
Hades

“And why would my mother hide something like that from me?”
Persephone

Hades continues giving Persephone a tour of Underworld Corp. Hades shows Persephone where they retrain shades to do different jobs, as most have the capacity for doing entry-level factory work, such as making Pomegranate phones. Hades goes on, saying that while most people often expect him to have a fearless army of the undead, he prefers the financial benefits of ongoing unpaid labor. As he talks, Persephone is bothered and looks solemn, she barely replies to him. Hades repeats what he says, expecting some reaction, but Persephone simply says “that’s great.”

Hades says he knew it, she’s not listening. This embarrasses Persephone, so Hades asks her if she wants to do this another time. Persephone brushes it off, and says no, she’s paying attention. But she’s clearly distracted. Hades assures her that while it’s not in his place to say this, she has nothing to be embarrassed about, as there’s nothing wrong with being a fertility goddess. Persephone says that it might not be true, the mortals could be wrong, because why would her mother hide something like that from her? Hades says perhaps her mother was simply doing her a favor. Persephone glares at him.

Hades and Persephone talk about TGOEM. Persephone is startled, but Hades continues, while blushing, saying that it’s a little contradictory for a fertility goddess to be a virgin for all eternity. Persephone curls her fists. Stammering, Hades apologizes and explains the information was in her transcript.

They are inside the elevator, both standing in awkward and embarrassing silence. Hades tries to explain that he means if being an eternal maiden was a goal for her, maybe Demeter simply didn’t want to discourage her. He tries to explain that he’s not an authority in regards to fertility goddesses or vows of celibacy, Persephone needs to talk to her mother. If she truly is a fertility goddess, it’s dangerous for Persephone to be in certain areas of the Underworld. He tells her not to worry, and just to stay away from Tower 4. Hesitantly, as he’s not sure how to put it, he tells her that Persephone has mentioned she’s been grabbed several times. Hades falters, unsure of the right words to say. Persephone urges him to go on. Hades says that if she feels that she’s in danger, he would help her, if that’s what she wanted.

Persephone says she does. Hades didn’t think she would answer that way and was about to apologize and says he should mind his own business when she hears her answer. Hades is surprised when Persephone says yes. He puts a hand on her shoulder assuringly and hands her his card, saying that just like how it says, all she needs to do is hit the ground twice to summon him. Persephone looks at the card and asks Hades how he would know it’s her. Hades tells her to trust him, he’ll always know when it’s her. Unbeknownst to the two of them, Thanatos is seen nearby, frowning at the scene.

Read Episode 58