Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 review: Rough waters ahead for Sea of Monsters adaptation
The much-anticipated second season of “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” on Disney+ is set to adapt Rick Riordan’s beloved novel, “The Sea of Monsters,” bringing viewers back to the enchanting yet perilous world of Camp Half-Blood. After the mixed reception of the film adaptations, fans of the series found solace in the first season, which managed to capture the essence of “The Lightning Thief” and its characters through a charming young cast. However, as the series progressed, some viewers felt a disconnect between the nostalgic elements of the source material and the creative liberties taken by the adaptation. While certain changes, such as deepening the backstories of characters like Sally Jackson, added richness to the narrative, others—like the alteration of critical plot points—left fans questioning the necessity of those adjustments.
As Season 2 unfolds, the stakes are higher than ever. The safety of Camp Half-Blood is jeopardized by an attack from Luke, a follower of the titan Kronos, which leads to the camp’s protective barrier failing. In a race against time, Percy (Walker Scobell) and his friends must embark on a quest to retrieve the Golden Fleece from the treacherous Sea of Monsters, where Percy’s best friend Grover (Aryan Simhadri) is in peril while searching for the lost god Pan. The adaptation continues to showcase a blend of familiar and new dynamics, with added tension between Percy and Annabeth (Leah Sava Jeffries) that enriches their relationship, alongside a deeper exploration of Clarisse (Dior Goodjohn), the daughter of Ares, who steps into a leadership role. However, the series struggles with its visual presentation, often lacking the imaginative flair that fans expect from a story steeped in mythology.
Despite its shortcomings, including some muddled plot changes and a somewhat bland visual style, “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” Season 2 still manages to evoke nostalgia and excitement for Riordan’s world. The series presents moments of exhilarating action, such as a thrilling chariot race at Camp Half-Blood and a suspenseful encounter with the monster Scylla, hinting at the potential for future episodes to deliver on the promise of adventure and fun that the franchise is known for. As the season premieres on December 10, viewers are left hoping that the show can transcend its current limitations and fully embrace the vibrant spirit of the source material, ultimately delivering a series that is not just good, but great.
As someone who grew up reading Rick Riordan’s
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
, watching the
first season of the Disney+ series
felt like coming home. After two disappointing film adaptations, here was a show that better captured the spirit (and, you know, basic plot) of
The Lightning Thief
, complete with a charming young cast.
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‘Percy Jackson and The Olympians’ Season 2 trailer takes us to the Sea of Monsters
However, as the season progressed, my cozy nostalgia at revisiting Camp Half-Blood butted up against some growing frustrations. Many of the
adaptation changes from book to screen
worked well, like fleshing out the perspectives of side characters like
Sally Jackson (Virginia Krull)
. Others, like having our heroes miss the Summer Solstice deadline for their quest, didn’t land, feeling more like arbitrary changes than a meaningful rewrite of an already great story. Visually, too, the series proved underwhelming, full of murky, static shots. Why wasn’t this epic tale of heroes and monsters more imaginatively executed?
These frustrations unfortunately continue to rear their heads in Season 2 of
Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
Once again, the changes from book to show are a mixed bag, and once again, the show often lacks a defining visual spark. Yet the occasional high-energy action sequence and delightful interplay between Camp Half-Blood’s heroes gives hope that it’s not all rough waters ahead.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Season 2 heads to the Sea of Monsters.
Walker Scobell and Leah Sava Jeffries in “Percy Jackson and the Olympians.”
Credit: Disney / David Bukach
Season 2 of
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
adapts Riordan’s
The Sea of Monsters
, which means you can bet on some serious nautical action. But before we head out to sea, we’re off to Camp Half-Blood with Percy (Walker Scobell) and Annabeth (Leah Sava Jeffries), where things have taken a turn for the worst.
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An attack from Kronos supporter Luke (Charlie Bushnell) has left Camp Half-Blood’s defensive barrier failing, meaning it’s only a matter of time before monsters break through and massacre every demigod in the area. Camp’s only hope? A quest to find the Golden Fleece, currently hidden in the Sea of Monsters (aka the Bermuda Triangle). Coincidentally, that’s also where Grover (Aryan Simhadri) has run into trouble on his search for Pan. With a trip to the Sea of Monsters, Percy can kill two Stymphalian birds with one stone and save both camp and his best friend.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
switches up the books, with mixed results.
Aryan Simhadri in “Percy Jackson and the Olympians.”
Credit: Disney / David Bukach
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
‘ path to Percy’s quest is frequently muddled, shifting book events and character allegiances around to the point that I wish I hadn’t reread
The Sea of Monsters
ahead of time, as I kept getting so distracted by the changes. Again, many of the changes work. Some early tension and distrust between Percy and Annabeth adds new layers to their friendship. Elsewhere, the series delves deeper into the perspective of Clarisse (Dior Goodjohn), daughter of Ares (Adam Copeland), who steps into a daunting leadership role of her own.
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With that,
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
continues to broaden its world and give more of its young cast time to shine. Early questing arguments between Percy, Clarisse, and Annabeth crackle with teasing and banter, a welcome antidote to much of the darker dialogue about the Greek gods and the Great Prophecy that will decide their fate. While these are undeniably core parts of Percy’s story, they often threaten to eclipse that
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
is also — crucially! — fun, something the show occasionally seems to forget.
Take the Laistrygonian giants Percy faces in episode 1, for example. In
The Sea of Monsters
, they originally present as visitors from Detroit, albeit with names like Skull Eater and Joe Bob. Their disguise provides equal parts silliness and tension, as Percy realizes that he’s once again facing monsters who are not what they seem. In the series, though, there is no pretense, no disguise. The Laistrygonians are already in full giant form when Percy crosses paths with them, robbing us of the fun of seeing figures from Greek myth remixed into the real world — again, a core part of the appeal of the series!
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.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
deserves to look better.
The lack of fun extends to the overall visual style of
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
as well. Why, in a story where myths are real, is the world so visually bland? Backgrounds are often washed out and unfocused, and most shots position their subjects smack-dab in the center, creating a monotony that pushes against the imaginative quality of the story itself.
Thankfully, there are moments that break free of this blandness. A Camp Half-Blood chariot race makes for a dynamic set piece, complete with beautifully crafted chariots and solid action-driven character beats. A later encounter with the monster Scylla expertly dials up the tension and boasts some impressive water effects. It’s a formidable welcome to the Sea of Monsters, one that I hope the season can live up to in the later episodes that weren’t screened for critics.
Despite all its flaws,
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Season 2 still satisfied my itch for more demigods, taking me right back to the first time I curled up and devoured
The Sea of Monsters
. But nostalgia can only get you so far, and while
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
has all the elements it needs to be good, what I really want from it is to be great.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Season 2 premieres Dec. 10 on Disney+.
