While I should have had this done yesterday, I didn’t. And it’s not because I hadn’t watched the show, because I had. Several times. Hell, I have watched it twice today. The thing about this adaptation of Percy Jackson and The Olympians is that it’s so perfect, that I don’t know how to articulate how happy it makes me.
When I review anything, I am always going to write like I am talking to a friend, because that’s what I think of you, the person reading this. And let me tell you bestie, this adaptation is what we all deserve. The fandom has been waiting for something that is this true to the story, and keeps the heart of the books that we love so much.
To me, episode three heightened the start of the quest that Percy, Annabeth, and Grover are going on. It made the viewer think twice about their friendship, how it is going to grow, and the start of everything changing. Because that’s what is happening for all of them – everything is changing.
Percy, Annabeth, and Grover don’t know each other, but secrets always have a way of rising to the surface and a lot of them do in this episode.
Part of the magic of this adaptation is the pacing. You’re sitting down for a 50 something minute episode and before you know it, it’s over. The pacing is something that other shows should study, because it invites you in, in a way that you can’t look away. Everything feels like you’ll miss something.
Percy Jackson and The Olympians is enthralling.
THE QUEST AND THE ORACLE
Nothing is a quest until the Oracle says so, but there is no way in hell that I would go into that attic. Granted I won’t even go into an attic at my family home. There’s bugs and cobwebs and all of that.
But Percy heads in and faces what looks like creepiest doll left over in an attic from 100 years ago that escaped from a pirate ship. Hard pass. But, I guess that Oracle knows everything, though I almost vomited when the Oracle opened their mouth and green smoke came out.
First cause it’s Percy’s Moms gross dude that is giving him the Oracle’s prophecy and second cause all that comes to mind is how bad that’s gotta smell. (What, I take everything to heart and overthink all of the clues).
“You shall go west and face the god who has turned, and you shall find what was stolen and see it safely returned. You shall be betrayed by the one who calls you friend, and fail to save what matters most in the end.”
That being said, Percy gets his marching orders, and has to choose two people to come with him. Annabeth and Grover – we knew that would be them. The way that this show brings that choice to life is kinda hilarious to me. Percy isn’t even waiting for the choices – he blurts out Annabeth and though we don’t see how choosing Grover comes about, we do see him telling grover.
And telling Grover while he’s shoveling horse crap – I mean at least he’s giving him an escape.
LUKE AND THE PRESENT
While I don’t and won’t trust Luke, I do know that there is a process to getting where we know what that boy is up to. I just know that I have read the books and all I can see when it comes to him is the betrayal.
But Percy, well, Percy is so new to camp and Luke is the first person to be kind to him. Luke is the first person to make sure that he knows that he’s supposed to be at Camp Half Blood.
Percy feels guilt over the fact that he didn’t choose Luke to go on the quest. All that Percy can think about is the part of what the Oracle said, “You shall be betrayed by the one who calls you friend…”
I think that for Percy he’s had such a hard time with school and making friends – for him, having a friend means a lot. He’s lost everyone who means the most to him and he doesn’t want to loose anyone else. Which is why he needs to make excuses all the time.
I believe that Percy is impulsive and has the best heart, but he doesn’t truly know how to address that is happening to him. This is a lot. One day, you’re living your life at school and the next thing you know you’re outrunning mythical creatures. Ummm, that’s a lot for anyone. But can you imagine what it would feel like if you were a teenager?
I can’t. Then again, I don’t really want to look back on that time, because teenage years were not a good time.
SAYING GOODBYE TO THALIA
Look we’re all always hiding something. There’s always a part of someones story that we’re not going to get. Something that we’re not going to understand. Percy has a lot to learn about what has happened before he was at the camp and what the stories are that he doesn’t know.
And there is a lot that he doesn’t know.
Thalia was killed when her, Annabeth, and Luke were making their way to camp. In order to distract, Thalia turned back to fight the monsters chasing them, to give Annabeth and Luke time to make it to camp.
Thalia was the forbidden daughter of Zeus and in order to preserve her life and give honor her sacrifice, Zeus turned her into the pine tree that protects Camp Half-Blood with the magical barrier.
Annabeth had to stop by the tree in order to talk with Annabeth and say her goodbyes before leaving.
THE BUS RIDE
Man, people do not like a half bloods. Annabeth, Grover, and Percy are on their way to Los Angeles – on a bus – when the bus stops. Annabeth insists that Percy and Grover stay on the bus and she’ll get the snacks.
Percy and Annabeth’s struggle for control over the situation is part of what makes this show great. The two aren’t friends, but I have to admit that their struggle to figure out what they are and can be is what keeps me rooting for them. They will be the best of friends and I think that we all know that. However, it will be getting there that is part of the journey.
Annabeth spots a Fury in the store and also one on the bus. It’s the same Fury who chased her, Luke, and Thalia.
If I was reading the books or watching the movies, I would tell you that I could figure out Annabeth. However, when it comes to this show, I can not and that’s a testament to how fantastic actress that Leah Jeffries is. She has such a presence on the screen and the best poker face that I have seen. Leah commands the screen.
She is a star.
For a second, you think that she’s going to turn Percy over to the Fury. You think that she’s willing to do whatever it takes to finish the quest.
But that I quickly learned is under estimating Annabeth and doing a disservice to her character. Annabeth knows that this isn’t going to be easy, but she knows that it is her destiny and that is the one thing that she really doesn’t seem to fear. She knows that protecting Percy is part of her destiny.
Seeing Annabeth get them out, I have so much respect for her. I feel like I need to apologize for underestimating her.
MEDUSA ALIVE AND WELL… NOT ALIVE
When you’re trying to escape the furies and head out on a satyr’s trail, the last place you want to end up is at Medusa’s. Just a thought. Like turning to stone? Hard pass.
But while the time at Medusa’s was important, I will be honest, though the fact that so many lies came to the surface, I couldn’t focus. I could only focus on the fact that Jessica Parker Kennedy was FABULOUS. Like she was the only thing that I could focus on. She made me both intrigued and scared of Medusa.
Finding that balance and making people believe in the character that you are playing isn’t easy. I gasped when Medusa was killed. I actually missed her for a split second.
Yes, she tried to start shit. I get that. She wasn’t a great person. I get that. But what I do get also is that Kennedy was perfection and so yes, for a moment you may be rooting for the bad guy.
PERCY GIVES THE PROVERBIAL F**K YOU
One thing that you don’t want to do in life is piss off the gods, but Percy, well, he’s like meh. He decides that the best thing to do is to send them Medusa’s head.
What the hell is he thinking? In this writers opinion, he wasn’t thinking. You really don’t want to do things like that. Pissing off the Gods, isn’t smart.
We did get our first look at Hermes, played by Lin Manuel Miranda, and that was a joy. Just seeing him on the screen was perfect. Seeing him get in the Empire State Building elevator and head up to see the Gods…
You know it’s about to pop off.
THE LIES, THE LIES, THE LIES (OF OMISSION)
- Annabeth not telling Percy about the Fury saying that if she turned him over, they would let them go on their quest undisturbed basically. But Hades, wants Percy alive (she didn’t tell him that either)
- Grover not telling Percy that he was originally Annabeth, Thalia, and Lukes protector
- Percy not telling Annabeth and Grover about Medusa wanting to turn them to stone in order to help Percy on his quest
- Percy and Grover not telling Annabeth that his Mom was still alive and that Hades has her.
OTHER THOUGHTS
- Annabeth’s devotion to her Mom is something I admire
- Grover’s song – get it out of my head
- I cried when Grover found his Uncle is stone
