Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2, Episode 4 ‘Clarisse Blows Up Everything’ ups the stakes even more, ends on a hell of a cliffhanger, and gives Percy the kind of line that reads like a romantic declaration, even if he doesn’t really deliver it like one. All in all, a great episode of television that builds on the previous three and sets the stage for what’s to come.
This season of Percy Jackson has already done set up much more effectively than Season 1. To be fair, it had a much easier job than the first season. It could just jump into the action, with less time spent introducing things or people. We already know the world and most of the characters, even if this is the kind of show that requires a basic knowledge of mythology and an openness to new people becoming integral to the storytelling. However, the season has certainly taken this and run with it in a way that benefits not just the characters, but the story.
Season 2 isn’t exactly like the books, but Percy feels like Percy, Annabeth feels like Annabeth, and the story being told feels like the same story, even if some of the tiny details are not the same. And even the things we’re not sure about, we’re willing to take on faith.
THE BROKEN TRIO
“Clarisse Blows Up Everything” gives us our first look at the Broken Trio, and at Thalia, and it’s hard not to fall in love with her right away. Tamara Smart plays Thalia as a smart, spunky, and loving friend to both Annabeth and Luke, and though every second we see her in this episode, she’s heading towards the kind of fate neither Annabeth nor we wanted for her, that doesn’t mean we’re not rooting for her every step of the way.
The glimpse of a younger version of Luke—and Annabeth—also helps conceptualize why Annabeth could not accept Percy’s “solution” of killing Luke. It’s not about what makes sense for the quest; it’s about what makes sense for her heart. Because for months, Luke and Thalia were Annabeth’s protectors. Her big siblings, in many ways. And Annabeth loves them. That kind of love didn’t just disappear when Luke chose to support Kronos.
And those feelings are, in many ways, determining Annabeth’s choices even now. She’s going on this quest to help save Thalia. She’s stopping Percy from hurting Luke because, once upon a time, he helped her and cared for her. Annabeth might not be a forbidden child herself, and she might not have the power Percy has, but she has more power than she herself understands. And that, well… that’s going to end up being very important down the line.
A DAUGHTER OF ARES
Clarisse steps out of the shadows of Ares in this episode, and it’s such a great thing to see for the character and for Dior Goodjohn, who has embodied Clarisse to a point where it’s impossible to imagine anyone else playing the character.
Yes, she’s strong. She’s determined. And she might be the best at some things—many things. But she will never be the kind of ruthless warrior her father would want her to be, because, unlike Ares, Clarisse has a heart. She cares. And that’s not a weakness, no matter what she might think.
The mythology of this show sees a lot of broken kids try to emulate parents that perhaps don’t deserve to be emulated, and none exemplifies that at this point as much as Clarisse does. The notion of being better than the father who wasn’t even present doesn’t occur to her because, as their parents are gods, these kids see them as the ultimate role models. But as we’ve learned already, the gods aren’t always right, and they are certainly not always the type who should be emulated.
A DECLARATION (OR TWO)
There are two things to understand about Percy’s big declarations this episode. One, is that he is absolutely not thinking anything he’s saying is romantic. Two, that it very much is. This is a slow burn, and often the last people to realize that it is are the two people involved in the slow burn. So, no, Percy’s wild declarations don’t mean the show is moving up the timeline of Annabeth and Percy too much. They just mean that Percy has grown up, and growing up by having to face the Gods (your family) brings a level of maturity.
First things first, in what is actually a casual conversation about their plan for the sea of monsters, Annabeth asks how Percy knows the decision they’re making is the right one. She’s not being facetious. She wants to understand why Percy is so okay with what they’re doing. His response isn’t surprising, but it still lands heavy: “honestly, because it’s yours.”
It is that simple. Percy trusts Annabeth, and if she says this is the path they should follow, he believes that it is the right choice. Period. This leads Annabeth to a crisis of faith because she isn’t sure. And there’s no way to be sure. The problem for her, of course, is that last time she made a choice this monumental, she feels like she led Thalia to a fate worse than death.
Percy reassures her about Thalia and about himself. “It only took me two days to see how special you are” isn’t a line. It’s just a friend expressing appreciation for another friend, at least right now. And yet it is a line, because what is love but an extension of trust? And Percy trusted Annabeth right away. That means something. No, that means everything.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2, Episode 4 ‘Clarisse Blows Up Everything’? Share with us in the comments below!
The first four episodes of Percy Jackson Season 2 are now available to stream on Disney+.
