REVIEW: ‘Percy Jackson And The Olympians’ Episode 7 — “We Find Out the Truth, Sort Of”

Hitting play on Percy Jackson Episode 7, “We Find Out the Truth, Sort Of,” came with some apprehension. Departing from the novel’s pacing, the series has encountered its fair share of problems as the series limped its way to the Underworld. Now, as Percy, Grover, and Annabeth reach this crucial part of not only their quest but the series as a whole, there’s a sigh of relief. The penultimate episode rekindles the premiere’s strength, delving into the series’ portrayal of the Underworld and series-defining twists.

After last week’s episode, I couldn’t shake the sense that the series strategically held back Disney’s technology for the series’s more climactic moments, and now, the moments have come. Beyond the mortal realm in the Underworld, the effects do much to remind viewers that, despite the gods and monsters parading as humans, their origin is scarier than they realize, giving life to the Greek myths for both our trio and the audience. While journeying through the Underworld to reach Hades (Jay Duplass), the trio faces numerous challenges, encountering mystical beasts, otherworldly traps, and even the gods themselves. Although these scenes pass swiftly, the satisfaction of Percy Jackson Episode 7 taking bold steps in the action sequences instead of depending on exposition is undeniable.

A return to the action is also a return for the series’ powerful storytelling, particularly in articulating Percy Jackson’s backstory through flashbacks with his mother, Sally Jackson (Virginia Kull). While present in the first episode, subsequent episodes never featured her character, leaving Percy’s past largely unexplored after the premiere. Percy Jackson Episode 7 changes this with a generous dose of flashbacks, putting Kull front and center. Witnessing Sally’s conflict with a young Percy, who resents constant moves due to his powers, (portrayed as a learning difference in the mortal world) is heartbreaking. Without a doubt, Kull emerges as the series’ standout performer, delivering the most compelling dramatic moments. She once again sets herself apart from the various guest star gods in the series.

Despite the long journey to get to the Underworld, the trio’s meeting with Hades is brief. After overcoming Cerberus, the River Styx, Asphodel, and Tartarus in the Underworld, the trio finds seemingly just a regular guy. To Duplass’s credit, he brings the upbeatness to be expected of the gods in this series, continuing the trend of making the gods more relatable. However, in true-to-form fashion, the god guest star of the week stays around just long enough to give the exposition needed to keep the story progressing to the next action sequence or character moment. This time though, the revelations made by Hades shatter the trio’s theories that they have built throughout their journey, leaving the true lightning thief still yet to be found.

While the return of action and stellar performances is appreciated, the series still lacks that extra something to sustain lasting appeal. While the action set pieces are enjoyable, the overall set design, even for a place like the Underworld, feels bland and empty. This highlights a tendency in the series to opt for flashy action when it needs a fantastical touch. There is a sense that the series wants to just go for it but is held back when it really counts.

Additionally, Kull’s exceptional performance in Percy Jackson Episode 7 ‘s flashbacks underscores a need for more writing and dialogue of that caliber. The show seems stuck in straightforward exposition, despite the young actors demonstrating their ability to hold their own with their adult counterparts earlier in the series. It leaves a yearning for more from this cast, not because of their consistent performance but for the potential they’ve shown, which has been underutilized this season.

Percy Jackson Episode 7 has reeled me back into the series, sort of. While it didn’t do anything new, the penultimate episode delivers on the action and character moments promised at the season’s start. And while the anticipation for the finale is real, a lingering doubt remains due to the murky middle episodes the season endured. The overall feel of the series still seems to lack something, but “We Find Out the Truth, Sort Of” does enough to affirm that the series has the potential to extend beyond this season with this cast. Now we wait to see if the series can stick the landing well enough.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Episode 7 is streaming now, exclusively on Disney+, with new episodes every Tuesday.