Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Episode 2 Review

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I know this is late and I am playing catch up but here are my thoughts on episode two of Percy Jackson and the Olympians. To start I would say this was the episode I was most looking forward to coming into the show because I wanted to see Camp Half-Blood. I wanted to see how this show would reimagine the camp so it was different from the movies and the books but still based on the source material. Also, with the show being produced by Disney, I have hopes that one day I might visit Camp Half-Blood in one of their theme parks.

Once again talking adaptations, it was really cool to see many scenes directly taken from the books like Percy waking up to Annabeth and her saying “You drool when you sleep” or when Percy becomes supreme lord of the bathroom. Even Percy’s first meeting Mr. D was very book-accurate. Even with dialogue changes, I felt they had the vibe nailed down and Mr. D calling Percy “ Peter Johnson” was just the cherry on top.

I was thrilled to see the cabins and how they were arranged. In the movies, we barely see the cabins so I thought it was a pretty good sign that we got to see them and spend time inside as well. Seeing the Hermes cabin and how overstuffed it was with kids is exactly what you imagine and it leans into the idea that the gods tend to ignore their kids which ( foreshadowing) leads to frustration.

Meeting Luke and having him show Percy around was a really good way to form their friendship as Percy feels this is a place where he might finally fit in. I really liked the montage of Percy trying to find out what his skills might be and who might be his godly parent. It’s funny if you know the book as Percy is kind of a two-trick pony. The bathroom fight with Clarisse was well done and our first real interaction between Percy and Annabeth has all the tension you might hope for given their future relationship. 

Capture the Flag was awesome and while watching I wish that I got to play a version of the game that was as intense as this was here. Getting to see Annabeth’s Yankee’s cap was super cool as it was not in the movies. Also seeing her strategic mindset and how she was able to use Percy as a distraction to win just fits her personality so well. Her conversation with Percy, while they are walking, shows Percy’s insecurity and how he wants to prove himself. He wants to be claimed and is angry that his father still hasn’t identified himself. 

This anger mirrors a character that will be revealed later on in the show and I like that they are leaning into it more than they did in the book.  

In terms of things that were added, I like that Grover was seeking advice from the Council of Cloven Elders. He wants to help Percy and trusts the other satyrs. The other addition I liked was Percy making an offering to talk to his mom using the blue candy. It makes sense that he would try and talk to his mom since that’s who he is closest to and once again he shows how bitter he is towards his father for not helping sooner. 

All in all, this was an even better episode than the first and I look forward to the rest of the season that comes. I really think this show will get into even more of a groove and I am excited to see some of the book scenes brought to life!