Percy Jackson and the Olympians is currently one of the most popular series streaming on Disney +, for good reason. Due to Rick Riordan's creative involvement in the show, it is extremely accurate to the source material and heavily appeals to fans of the original novel. Riordan even made several changes he felt would better help the flow of the overall story. Season 1 was a massive success overall, but not every episode was a massive hit.
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8 The Television Show Removes a Lot of Danger From the Lotus Café
Percy Jackson Season 1, Episode 6, "We Take a Zebra to Vegas"
In the first novel Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Percy is slowly getting to know a whole new mythological side to the world he never knew about. Despite having heard many of the most common myths and legends, he still approaches many situations with a sense of naivety. In the original novels, the group of young half-bloods charge head first into the Lotus hotel, unaware of the dangers inside it. However, in Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 1, Episode 6, the group is very aware of the danger they face.
Percy and the group enter the Lotus hotel fully aware that it is designed to keep them there much longer than intended. They eventually get separated from one another, and succumb to the temptations of the hotel in one way or another. Many fans thought this moment was slightly out of place since the gang was aware of the danger ahead of time, but was still affected by it. Thankfully, the group manages to release themselves and escape, but not before wasting an incredible amount of questing time.
7 Medusa's Sympathy For the Heroes Contrasts Her Outlandish Actions
Percy Jackson Season 1, Episode 3, "We Visit The Garden Gnome Emporium"
Medusa is one of the most complicated characters in Greek mythology. Many older stories and adaptations depict the character as a total monster, completely denying the character's tragic backstory. Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 1, Episode 3 acknowledges her past, but does so in a way that distracts from the overall narrative. The episode makes the audience begin to feel truly sorry for Medusa, only for her fate to be sealed moments later.
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The episode creates more sympathy for Medusa than the novel, but she still suffers the same fate. While she is momentarily distracted, Percy manages to use Annabeth's invisible cap, in tandem with his sword, to decapitate his foe. This moment is a major victory for the young half-blood, but feels extremely bittersweet given the understanding the episode attempts to generate with the villain. Ultimately, the supposedly triumphant moment just leaves audiences with a bad taste in their mouths.
6 Percy Defeats Clarisse In the Most Embarrassing Way Possible
Parcy Jackson Season 1, Episode 2, "I Become Supreme Lord of the Bathroom"
Despite being the son of Poseidon, Percy spent a large portion of his life unaware of who his father truly was. He is eventually claimed by Poseidon after being injured in a game of capture the flag. His relationship with his father, or lack thereof, is understandably strained. However, the series seems to lack a lot of Percy's resentment from the books. In the novels he is decidedly more confrontational with godly figures, especially when he believes they are acting unfairly.
Overall, the moment where Poseidon claimed Percy is cool, but should've been treated with more significance. What is supposed to be one of the most important scenes in the entire series felt like just another sequence. The show obviously can't linger on every single moment, but it would've been nice if the situation was treated with a bit more spectacle. Nonetheless, the trident symbol was beautifully done.
5 Percy Acts Remarkably Noble When Confronted With the Hardest Challenge of His Life
Percy Jackson Season 1, Episode 7, "We Find Out The Truth, Sort Of"
As Percy makes his way to the underworld, he finally gets what he believes is a firm grasp on the entire plot. He even hilariously confronts Hades with the false plot, just like in the original novels. The series' depiction of the House of Hades is spot on, and feels as empty and lifeless as you could expect. Episode 7 is fairly good overall, but it's simply not as good as other episodes from the season.
All in all, Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 1, Episode 7 is great, but not really all that remarkable. It has some interesting creatures, and Jay Duplass' Hades was spot-on, but Rick Riordan is probably waiting until a later season to truly explore the underworld. The scene with Grover was definitely the highlight of the episode, and the best indicator that Percy might not understand the plot as well as he believes. Ultimately, the episode is best served as a gap-bridger, but doesn't have a ton of other purposes.
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4 Ares' Introduction and Execution Is Perfect For His Character
Percy Jackson Season 1, Episode 5, "A God Buys Us Cheeseburgers"
Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 1, Episode 5 is one of the best examples of a positive change that was made to the story. Ares sends Percy and Annabeth on a quest to save his previous shield, where they are faced with one of the most complicated puzzles in Greek mythos. Percy nobly sacrifices himself so that Annabeth can collect the shield and continue the quest, but Annabeth manages to sequester its maker's help after Percy's heroic actions. They end up collectin the shield and returning to Ares, who helps them on the next section of their quest.
Ares' performance is easily one of the highlights of the season, and will likely continue to be a high point for the rest of the series. Percy's sacrifice is also an incredible way to show the lengths he's willing to go for his friends. It's very likely that Riordan will continue to feature his noble traits as a way to make his later actions seem less disingenuous in comparison to the novel. Ultimately, this episode proves a show can change the source material for the better if it serves a purpose.
3 The Iconic Gateway Arch Moment Is Finally Given Justice
Percy Jackson Season 1, Episode 4, "I Plunge To My Death"
Out of all the moments in the first Percy Jackson novel, the Gateway Arch scene is easily the most iconic. Not only does Percy face off against some truly formidable enemies, but he once again demonstrates his consistent selflessness. Riordan did slightly change the water to meet Percy as he fell, but other than that, the scene is extremely accurate. The creature designs were also extremely accurate and unsettling.
Although the first season doesn't have a lot of fluid combat scenes, this is probably intentional. Percy is only just beginning his journey as a hero. He might have some good instincts, but they aren't enough to let him challenge anyone and anything. Hopefully, the series will do Percy's next encounter with the Chimera just as much justice.
2 Percy Jackson's Premiere Is the Perfect Introduction to an Already Popular World
Percy Jackson Season 1, Episode 2, "I Accidentally Vaporize My Pre-Algebra Teacher"
Percy Jackson's premiere is about as good as you can get for a book-adapted series. It touches on all the important points very quickly, while also making it clear that there will be some changes. Ultimately, the series proves to be the best combination of original and adapted content that any fan could've hoped for. With Rick Riordan at the helm, there's really no way the show can fail.
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Every actor seems to understand their characters extremely well, and it all comes together to form the show that Percy Jackson fans always dreamed they could have. Like with any premiere, there are several slightly slow points and scenes that might not make complete sense. However, after watching the season as a whole, everything should fall into place and demonstrate how incredible Percy Jackon's television debut truly is.
1 Luke's Betrayal Is The Lightning Thief's High Point and Expertly Sets Up For the Following Season
Percy Jackson Season 1, Episode 8, "The Prophecy Comes True"
Percy Jackson Season 1, Episode 8 is nothing short of incredible. It has by far the greatest combat sequence in the entire season, and shows two of the most important characters in the entire series. Lance Reddick will have to be recast due to his unfortunate passing, but Toby Stepherns will likely continue to play Poseidon for the rest of the show. Overall, this episode was a great indicator of what is to come for the amazing new television series.
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In the end, Percy Jackson season 1 was absolutely outstanding, and its finale was the perfect send-off. Thankfully, the show seems to produce one season fairly quickly after the other, but many fans worry the actors might still age too quickly. Based on what audiences have been shown so far, the show seems to have started without a hitch. Hopefully, the series can continue this momentum into the later season and the rest of the show.
Percy Jackson & the Olympians
- Release Date
- December 19, 2023
- Network
- Disney+
Cast
-
Walker ScobellPercy Jackson -
Leah Sava JeffriesAnnabeth Chase
-
Aryan SimhadriGrover Underwood
-
Charlie BushnellLuke Castellan
WHERE TO WATCH
- Showrunner
- Jonathan E. Steinberg, Dan Shotz
