Helmed by Rick Riordan and Jonathan E. Steinberg, Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 sees Percy (Walker Scobell) returning to Camp Half-Blood one year later to find his world turned upside down. His friendship with Annabeth (Leah Sava Jeffries) is changing, he learns he has a cyclops for a brother, Grover (Aryan Simhadri) has gone missing, and camp is under siege from the forces of Kronos (Nick Boraine). Percy’s journey to set things right will take him off the map and into the deadly Sea of Monsters, where a secret fate awaits the son of Poseidon.
The first season was a marvelous adaptation of the first book that completely wiped the film adaptation off the board, showing how to do justice to the wonderful and epic world of Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Season 2 adapts the second book The Sea of Monsters, which was also previously adapted as a film but was done so horrendously that it led to future film adaptations to stop dead in their tracks. Does this season manage to burn that failed film adaptation from memory and improve upon the previous season? The answer is yes to both.
This was an incredible second season that not only improves upon its predecessor but also wonderfully adapts the second book in unique ways that enhance the source material, as well as takes the series in a more darker and mature direction. I expected to enjoy this season equally as much as the last one but I didn’t expect to majorly love it more than the first season with its bold choices and powerful moments delivered through amazing performances and stellar writing. This season definitely cements the series as one of the best ongoing fantasy adaptations currently out right now and has certainly secured itself more seasons to adapt the rest of the story.
The returning cast members are back with major powerhouse performances for their respective characters, delivering unexpectedly awesome work this season even after delivering solid work in the first season. The biggest surprise performance of this season was Walker Scobell as Percy Jackson, who manages to deliver phenomenal moments of emotion and evolution for Percy as he begins to endure numerous changes since we last saw him in the previous season. From a high-stakes quest to new feelings evolving amongst friends and allies, Percy’s good heart and humanity are put to the ultimate test as he chooses loyalty to those closest to him at great cost, showing so much vulnerability as well as rage that is beautifully put on display by Walker even without dialogue.
I loved seeing how Percy’s journey was adapted in this season and how it feels like a vast improvement over his development in the book with the way it’s portrayed by Walker and the amazing writing he’s given. He’s a truly layered hero that feels extremely investing to follow and root for even when he goes to dark places and makes daring choices with great consequences.
Alongside him is Annabeth, who is wonderfully reprised by Leah Sava Jeffries, as we see her bond with Percy evolving into something more than friends and see her endure her own personal journey as she struggles with her past and potential future. She’s still the fiercely skilled and clever warrior that we know and love but just like Percy she is beginning to show immense vulnerability as she opens up her emotions to Percy, deeply caring for him to the point she makes reckless decisions that endanger herself just to protect him. Percy and Annabeth’s blossoming relationship is the main heart of this season and with cast members truly putting their all to these characters I truly can’t wait to see the complete journey of both of them together in future seasons.
Similar to the book, Grover doesn’t have a huge role in this season’s story but he does have a lot more presence in this adaptation than he does in the book and manages to have great moments in the spotlight, thanks to fun writing and of course a brilliant performance by Aryan Simhadri, who never fails to get a laugh out of me.
In his place we get major development for Clarisse La Rue, reprised by Dior Goodjohn, who is determined to complete the quest to save Camp Half-Blood and regain fame over Percy, still harboring jealousy for him after his actions in the previous season. Clarisse’s journey in this season has her evolve from being a tough, bullying rival to a courageous, loyal ally that finds her own strength beyond her father’s expectations, revealing a deeply caring and determined heart beneath her aggressive exterior. Dior Goodjohn portrays this journey beautifully through her performance and truly makes you feel invested in her character despite her rough beginnings.
Charlie Bushnell delivers raw emotion and intensity in his reprisal of Luke Castellan, who after being exposed as the lightning thief in season 1 is determined to help Kronos return to power and destroy the gods of Olympus by any means. He has valid reasons to be angry and bitter towards the gods but it has made him a puppet to Kronos who is using him to get what he wants, and doesn’t care if it’s making Luke turn on his former fellow demigods that he wishes to recruit to his cause rather than fight. Charlie Bushnell truly owns the role of Luke and despite his heinous actions you can’t help but feel some sympathy for him largely due to his performance. As for Kronos himself, he is given a haunting voice and presence by Nick Boraine that really builds up the manipulative and malicious nature of the infamous Titan.
Stealing the spotlight this season with plenty of heart and humor is newcomer Tyson, the cyclops brother of Percy, played by Daniel Diemer. Tyson is such an absolute gem of a character who shows incredible courage and kindness that Daniel Diemer portrays perfectly and is guaranteed to steal many hearts as a result. Seeing him and Percy have a pure brotherly relationship throughout the season adds so many emotional layers of heart that never fails to make me smile due to its immense wholesomeness. Also the effects for Tyson’s singular eye are done incredibly well, making the emotional moments work and never feel ruined by strange CGI facial features.
Another newcomer who stole the spotlight with their performance was Tamara Smart as Thalia Grace, the daughter of Zeus, whose supposed sacrifice gave life to the tree that created the barrier protecting camp that is now in great danger. Thalia is shown mostly through flashbacks but she is given a truly fierce and magnificent performance by Tamara Smart that gives the character immense presence that affects the story and characters in the season. One major change is done with her character that is different from the book and it honestly took me by surprise given its consequences for future events, which I can’t wait to see how it pans out.
The guest characters we get this season feature a number of figures from Greek mythology, both old and new, that are all given fantastic performances from their respective cast members. The main standouts for this season were Rosemarie DeWitt as the goddess Circe and Aleks Paunovic as the blind cyclops Polymphemus. Circe is portrayed as a seemingly warm and kind individual on the surface but her excessive empathy has led her to a life of loneliness that has caused her to become manipulative and use the weaknesses of others to her advantage. Rosemarie DeWitt plays the part perfectly, living up to character’s personality in the book and making herself one of the best guest characters of the season.
Polymphemus also proves to be one of the best guest characters, not just because of Aleks Paunovic’s brilliant performance or the amazing practical effects he is given but the fact that Polymphemus is made to be an actual terrifying villain for our heroes to face. Polymphemus in the book and the film adaptation was portrayed to be a dumb blind beast but in this adaption he is changed to be a very clever and actually threatening enemy to the heroes. I certainly didn’t expect this major change to the character but it honestly felt like a major improvement from the source material that added more stakes and thrills to the quest of this season.
The narrative of this season is absolutely fantastic from start to end, with a great balance of character development and thrilling adventure elements on the high seas that follows the events of the book that are also based on some of the mythological events of the Odyssey. There are also some great themes involved regarding fate, prophecy, friendship, family, and the evolving nature of heroism that are explored in this season, just like the in the book, that are written and performed beautifully through the cast while also establishing what is to come in the future seasons. The pacing of this season is so much better compared to the first even with the return of the cut-to-black segments that now seem intentionally included to mimic chapter endings. While these segments in the first season were disruptive and reduced the suspense in action-heavy scenes, the segments in this season felt way less disruptive and were placed at better intervals in every episode to not completely throw off suspense as well as allow more consistent pacing.
But that isn’t the most standout aspect of this season. This season goes a more darker and mature route than both the previous season and even the original Sea of Monsters story, which was much more light hearted in comparison from what I remember. While the season certainly adapts most of the second book accurately there are actually a lot of big changes the season makes from the book that honestly improves upon the source material in unexpected ways. Some small events and details from the book were obviously removed for both time and budget constraints by the showmakers but with what was left in they were able to improve and expand upon certain elements that I honestly really loved. Not only do these changes keep the series from being too predictable to book fans watching it but it allows non-book fans to feel more engaged in the season as a whole, especially with how much darker it goes than the book in certain areas. If you are fantasy book series author who wants to make changes to improve upon the source material without pissing off your entire fanbase then this is how you are supposed to do it. You do it the Rick Riordan way and not the J.K. Rowling way.
Despite reportedly having no increase in its budget since the previous season, the technical elements of this season feel vastly improved from the previous season, including the action, effects, cinematography, editing, sets, and the music by returning composer Bear McCreary. The action feels more vicious and intense in the hand-to-hand combat sequences, while the fantastical sequences feel epic and grand, giving this season a larger-than-life feeling in every episode. The CGI for some creatures and sets looks absolutely stunning while the practical effects were even better, being used heavily for the major sets and battles. The cinematography and lighting also feels so much better in this season after I felt that season 1 had an issue with both. And of course, Bear McCreary continues to give the series so much life and energy with his score that evolves with the story in its intensity, especially with the main theme being changed up for the better.
This second season was honestly a massive step up from the previous season in every way possible and it has cemented a bright future for the adaptations of the rest of the books going forward. Fans of the books are definitely going to love this season even with its bold changes, and non-book fans who have just been watching the show are also going to be pleased by this season and feel excited for what will be coming in the future just like I am. I’m going to give Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 an A+ = 98.
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