Voluptua (Hercules: The Legendary Journeys)

Voluptua is
the main villainess in the 1995 episode from Hercules:
The Legendary Journeys called All
that Glitters. She is played by the actress Jennifer Ward-Lealand. She
appears in this episode only.
Voluptua’s
backstory is not known. Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) and Salmoneus (Robert Trebor) meet her when they visit the
realm of king Midas (Noel Trevarthen), whom they know from earlier adventures. Midas has allowed
Voluptua and Segallus (Terry Batchelor), her companion, to virtually take over his kingdom by
turning his palace into a gambling casino. While 
Midas’ subjects gamble away
all their money and make lots of debts, the king and his daughter, Flaxen (Tracy Lindsey), are
forced to participate in the entertainment programme by greeting guests or
performing on stage.
Hercules is particularly upset when he sees Flaxen stripping
while belly dancing, as well as two kids forced to tightrope-walking over metal
blades. He decides to confront Voluptua and demand that she put an end to all
this corruption and exploitation. She obviously refuses, arguing that people are
gambling away their money out of their own free will.
Upon
meeting Hercules, Voluptua plans to involve the semi-god in one of her gambling
shows. Hercules refuses, but finally has to accept when Voluptua takes Midas
and Flaxen as hostages and threatens to kill them. In addition, Voluptua
worships the goddess Hera, who orders her to kill Hercules as part of the whole
scheme.
The tables
are turned on Voluptua when Hercules defeats Segallus in a show fight and frees
Midas and Flaxen, who then call upon their people to rebel against the usurpers.
Trying to take advantage from the confusion created by a mass brawl, Voluptua grabs
several bags of money from her loot and attempts to flee. However, Flaxen sandbags
her and thwarts her escape. Landing on her belly, the villainess is held down by
the princess, who mocks her and ties her up using her own clothes as ropes. Realising
that her game is over, Voluptua offers no resistance, but her expressions
betray a deep frustration at being captured and restrained in this way. The
heroes then celebrate their victory, apparently oblivious of Voluptua who lies at
their feet.
In her
final scene, Voluptua is seen plowing a field with great difficulty. She is wearing the same red gown she wore when she was captured by Flaxen. We learn that
she and Segallus have to do forced labour to repay their debts to Midas and his
subjects.
Throughout
the episode, Voluptua shows herself to be vain, greedy and ruthless. Even
though money is her main inducement, she does not shy away from blackmail and attempted
murder in order to obtain it. Always extravagantly dressed, Voluptua uses
seduction to advance her evil designs, but in the case of Hercules, she
obviously fails. Like many villainesses, she is overconfident and arrogant, and
eventually falls over these qualities. 
== Trivia ==
* Jennifer Ward-Leeland also appeared as Zehra, Queen of the Cons in the 1999 episode, "The Play's The Thing" in the TV series "Xena: Warrior Princess".
==Gallery==
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V001.jpg|Enjoying being evil
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Voluptua.gif
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V003.jpg|Will she kill her enemies with this?
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04.PNG
V002.jpg|Thinking that nothing can stop her...
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Capture6.PNG
Capture2.PNG
Capture4.PNG
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Voluptua1.gif
Capture11.PNG
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Capture19.PNG
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Voluptua4.gif
Category:1990s
Category:Attempted Murder
Category:Blackmailer
Category:Bondage Used On Villainess
Category:Boss
Category:Brunette
Category:Cape
Category:Comical Defeat
Category:Coward
Category:Failed Seduction
Category:Greedy
Category:High Heels
Category:Humiliated
Category:Leotard
Category:Live Action Villainess
Category:Low Cut Top
Category:Nail Polish
Category:Opera Gloves
Category:Seat Of Authority
Category:Show Business
Category:Villainess Is Stuck
Category:Would Hurt a Child
Category:Fate: Enslaved