Disney’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians TV series includes 8 highly anticipated episodes. Each episode is a thrilling window into demigod life, as we learn the rules of this world Percy half belongs to – the world of Olympian gods.
Kudos to the creators and producers for adapting the magic to screen! Did you love it, too? Let me know your thoughts – spoilers allowed!
My Synopsis
Sally Jackson has protected Percy from his father’s world for years, but time has run out. She must hope she has given her son the tools he needs to be himself in a world that will reject him from all sides.
Percy has always been the odd one, dreaming up weird creatures, sitting alone. He finally has a friend, Grover, but the bullying still gets under his skin. He’s about to learn there are worse bullies out there than Nancy Bobofit, and those creatures weren’t so imaginary after all!
Favorite Theme
“Not everyone who looks like a hero is a hero. And not everyone who looks like a monster is a monster.”
– Sally Jackson
Difference isn’t bad, normal isn’t good, and everyone deserves a voice in the retelling of the past. This theme is demonstrated by one of the first mythological entities we encounter. Owning her gifts, Medusa will not allow even the gods to define or diminish her identity.
Favorite Character
In this adaptation, my favorite character is… Grover Underwood!
He’s 24, he’s a satyr, and he needs his family!
Aryan Simhadri gives us a Grover who feels deep emotional connection. A scene with a motherly naiad, and another with a long lost friend, link Grover to community and a greater cause.
Unlike the book version, this Grover is not self-deprecating. He’s also not constantly food-obsessed. He holds himself accountable as a Protector, even if that means standing up to his superiors!
Favorite Monster
The Minotaur! I thought I was dying of happiness as Percy was pursued by his first monster! They made the Minotaur a force of nature, fast, strong, focused.
Matching the monster’s tighty-whities to the Mythomagic card was genius, tying the action scene to an earlier scene depicting Grover and Percy’s close friendship. Sally goes mama-bear, and Percy exhibits his first intentional use of a weapon! Perfection!
Favorite Moment
Just one? Okay, two. From the beginning of the series, my favorite moment was Medusa’s elevator pitch – she turns and… Percy’s gone!
From later in the season, I felt Annabeth’s rant about the gods deep in my feels. Face to face with Hephaestus, she appeals to his hurt, and his sense of right. After Annabeth’s internal struggle over “impertinence”, her claim that Percy is better hits hard!
“Eat or be eaten. Power and glory and nothing else matters.
Ares is that way, Zeus is that way, my mother is that way.
He isn’t that way. He’s better than that.
Maybe I was that way once. But I don’t want to be that way anymore.
I won’t be like all of you. I just won’t.“– Annabeth Chase
Favorite Casting
Yeah…no. These actors were all great choices, I can’t choose! I already knew Jason Mantzoukas would be a terrifyingly chaotic Mr. D. I was not disappointed!
Adam Copeland was the most Ares he could be without having fire for eyes! However, Leah, Walker, and Aryan get credit for their performances reacting to the aggressive, trigger-happy god of war.
Leah Jeffries gives Annabeth a calculating, detached manner, eyes always scanning and discovering.
Walker Scobell gives Percy impulsivity, boldness, and sass that shouts he will not be belittled.
Season 2
What are you most looking forward to in season 2, The Sea Of Monsters?
I can’t wait to see how the writers develop Clarisse LaRue, daughter of Ares!
Will we actually get to see a sea monster with braces on its teeth?
And, above all, the development of friendship between Percy and Annabeth.
“I think…I’ve made some friends here. Like, real friends. I think they might really like me. Imagine that.”
– Percy Jackson
Adapting Camp Half-Blood
A few things are clear about Camp Half-Blood. 1. They have impeccable hair care (hello, Clarisse). 2. The sword-training program is stellar!
And 3. This is home, where all demigods – and fans – can belong.
Thanks for reading! Let me know your thoughts in the comments. I really cannot talk enough about Percy Jackson – the books, the new series, and the fandom. 💙
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