Full Name: Cassandra
Age: 16 or 17 ish
Occupation: high school student, seer
Voice: Sandra Bernhard

In Greek mythology, Cassandra was one of Apollo’s unfortunate objects of affection. When she refused his advances, the god gave her the gift of prophecy. But Cassandra was not to be bought, so an enraged Apollo put a little twist on her divine boon – though true, no one would ever believe her proclamations.

Here, she is the token female in Hercules’ circle of friends. But like every other aspect of the show, the role of token female is anything but conventional. Cassandra spends a large portion of her time fending off Icarus’ advances (quite an irresistible young lady, eh?) and making cryptic predictions. In all actuality, I’ve got to admit, Cassandra’s predictions are far less cryptic than most. She’s fairly straightforward. Cryptic is just a fun word.

Her precognition has ostracized her socially, bringing out her gloomy personality that is more than slightly reminiscent of Daria’s. Both are great, if for nothing more than they make me feel like a people person. Which I suppose really just isn’t a feeling I generally want to deal with, but it’s nice from time to time.

It’s actually her personality that is both her most obvious trait and my favourite thing about Cass. She is bone-dry, cynical, mordantly sarcastic, and she can’t stand stupidity. But she isn’t heartless, and she does care for her friends, such as they are, even when they don’t heed her infallible warnings. Even Icarus, in all his infinite irritation, never receives more scorn than can be conveyed through a biting remark. I really appreciate that Cassandra is neither clichéd nor stereotypical in her personality, and that the wonderful production team of Hercules: TAS took the time to develop such a character.

I foretold you so!
Created December 28, 2003.