Percy Jackson and the Olympians has truly become one of Disney+’s flagship titles as the show has stood on top among the likes of Reacher, True Detective, and much more. Under the guidance of original creators Rick and Becky Riordan, Percy Jackson has been able to overcome the curse left by its film adaptations much to the hype of its ever-blossoming fandom.
However, with their guidance, the show has not just fully adapted The Lightning Thief under Dan Shotz and Jon Steinberg’s direction but also incorporated new scenes to add that extra flair Riordan was looking for. Some of these scenes have been very integral to developing Percy (Walker Scobell), Annabeth (Leah Sava Jeffries), and Grover’s (Aryan Simhadri) quest and it’s no surprise they’ve heavily resonated with fans.
7/7 Luke Teaches Percy An Important Lesson
As the final episode of Percy Jackson rolls around, fans see Luke (Charlie Bushnell) interacting with Percy once more after their two-episode introduction. While it seemed like a normal training session at first, this scene puts into perspective the familial trauma and emotional distress Luke had (something that Kronos took advantage of.)
While Luke and Percy didn’t have that many interactions in the book, this moment gives Luke some space not just to further develop his personality, but also to settle in his motivation for nearly bringing Olympus into a civil war. There’s also some great action between the two demigods during their training session, which feels inspired by the Capture the Flag sequence from episode 2.
6/7 Young Percy & Sally Show No Fear
The opening of Percy Jackson episode 4 left fans with a sweeter moment between young Percy (Azriel Dalman) and his mom Sally (Virginia Kull). As Sally urges a nervous Percy to let her help him into the community pool, her fears for not being at Percy’s rush her mind. Fortunately, Percy’s there to reassure her that everything will be okay.
Playing off from a hard-hitting moment in the first episode, this moment wonderfully loops the love and dedication that Percy and Sally have for each other. Azriel Dalman and Virginia Kull, with that soft music from Bear McCreary, do a good job delivering the message that in the midst of dangers, both big and small, there is nothing stronger than overcoming any problem than family.
5/7 Grover & Ares Find Common Ground
What’s perhaps the most comedically intriguing, yet terrifying scene comes in Percy Jackson episode 5. After Percy, Annabeth, and Grover manage to escape the clutches of Echidna in episode 4, they fatefully come upon Ares (Adam Copeland), who puts the two demigods on a side quest to recover his missing shield while he keeps Grover in his watchful care.
As one of the more anticipated original scenes in Percy Jackson, this entire sequence between Ares and Grover makes the god of war develop a sense of grounded-ness while also developing an interesting friendship between the two. Aryan Simhadri and Adam Copeland have a surprisingly unique chemistry here even when Ares accidentally scares Grover a bit.
4/7 Hermes’ Stressful Talk With Percy & Annabeth
As the trio ventured to the Lotus Casino in Percy Jackson episode 6, one character that fans weren’t expecting to show up was Hermes (Lin-Manuel Miranda), Luke’s distant godly father. However, his gravitas provided the episode with an important thematic message that highly affects where Percy and Annabeth’s personal journeys will go.
Hermes’ personal hesitancy towards uncovering himself to the two gives the two is the highlight of this episode (bar that funny Crazy Taxi scene.) Lin-Manuel Miranda gives Hermes the right amount of paternal trauma he has for not being there for Luke, motivating him to even show Percy and Annabeth glimpses into their childhoods.
This scene does a great job making Hermes more human all while playing into the more pessimistic, if mischievous, side of things in this episode.
3/7 Annabeth & Medusa’s Godly Familial Issues
Episode 3 of Percy Jackson finally puts the main trio on their quest, but their first obstacle in Medusa (Jessica Parker Kennedy) proves to be an effective challenge given the Gorgon’s sympathetic, yet manipulative plan in trapping the three. However, Medusa tries to get personal with Annabeth by bringing up her broken relationship with Athena and the gods.
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This scene is a difficult one to digest as the moment not only applies to Percy Jackson‘s themes surrounding godhood but also the emotional and mental abuse surrounding victimization. By threading closer to the myth, it transforms Medusa into a more sympathetic figure while inserting more mature brevity between her and Annabeth thanks to Daphne Olive’s writing.
2/7 Annabeth Makes Her Plea To Hephaestus
Percy Jackson‘s fifth episode gave fans a lot of Percabeth content inside the Tunnel of Love, but the entire sequence that saw Percy sacrifice his life for Annabeth and Ares’ shield exquisitely capitalized once Hephaestus (Timothy Osmundson) made his presence to the surviving demigoddess.
With Percy entrapped in gold, Annabeth makes an empowering speech about Percy’s caring character that’s very heartfelt for every fan. Leah Sava Jeffries’ moving performance showcases a new edge to Annabeth, allowing her compassion for others to show where her stubbornness hid it.
Her speech also proudly builds on how the responsibility of the gods has blinded them to actually taking care of their children, something that Percy Jackson has nailed down continuously.
1/7 Poseidon and Sally Jackson Determine Percy’s Future
The most integral and emotionally powerful scene in the entirety of Percy Jackson comes between Sally Jackson and Poseidon (Toby Stephens), who finally debuts in episode 7. After a heated argument with little Percy about switching schools, Sally leaves to revel in her fears, having to call upon Poseidon to help her get through this hard time.
Virginia Kull and Toby Stephens, accompanied by Pierre Gill and Jules O’Loughlin’s cinematography, beautifully bring out the emotional struggle that Sally and Poseidon have to face as the mythological world begins to encroach on Percy’s life. It’s clear that Sally doesn’t want to lose Percy, but at the same time, she knows that only Camp Half-Blood will truly keep him safe.
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This is only further driven by the notion that Poseidon finally wants to meet his son, much to the cosmic dismay of his brother Zeus. It’s an incredibly harrowing moment that perfectly showcases the strained family connection between gods and man and how responsibility can conflict with emotion, something Percy Jackson has nailed throughout its run.
All episodes of Percy Jackson and the Olympians are now streaming on Disney+.
Tags: Disney+Percy JacksonPercy Jackson and the OlympiansRick Riordan
