REVIEW: ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ Season 2 Episode 5 – “We Check In to C.C.’s Spa Resort”

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 Episode 5 is directed by Catriona McKenzie and written by Sarah Watson. The show stars Walker Scobell, Leah Sava’ Jeffries, Aryan Simhadri and Dior Goodjohn. With their shop blown apart in a battle with Cylla, Percy (Scobell) and Annabeth (Jeffries) wash up on Circe’s island, whilst Clarisse (Dior) ends up imprisoned with Grover (Simhadri).

The story splits once again in Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 Episode 5, revealing so much at once. Clarisse wakes up near the Golden Fleece, and Grover finally brings the satyr back into the story after being apart from everyone else for so long. He had been trapped, hiding away in a cyclops’ cave and avoiding becoming dinner for the whole of the season, so it’s exciting to see him return. Meanwhile, Percy and Annabeth are in a retreat, where Circe heals heroes and trains them to get past the sirens, the alluring creatures that stop anyone from entering or exiting the island.

At this point, Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 Episode 5 slows down significantly. A heap of insecurity and feelings of failure set in, with multiple characters considering giving up on their quests. Then, so much of the story happens rapidly, jumping between beats. The time constraints of short episode lengths often mean that set pieces can’t be held for very long before being forced to move on. But there’s still a lot to enjoy.

A beloved moment from the book series gets a fitting adaptation. 

 
On Circe’s island, Percy and Annabeth never seem in danger, but there’s an uncomfortable feeling of enforced therapy. Circe wants to take care of those on the island, sometimes without them really wanting it. Those with a desire to leave are frowned upon. Stories of a few successes, adventurers who have made it. But there’s a clever design to it.

There is a very slight commentary on class struggles, noting that a few who manage to escape Circe’s clutches create false confidence, whilst, in reality, they actually have the chance to break out. The later scenes include a moment adapted straight from the book and have been eagerly anticipated. It’s a lovely scene, surprising for those who don’t know what’s coming.

But it feels like there is no time at all between the problem happening and the solution. No opportunity to build tension, just keep travelling. There are many comical and cool moments, just not much time to appreciate them. But like the previous episode, the best part of Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 Episode 5 is the confrontation at the end.

Clarisse and Grover face imminent danger in Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 Episode 5.

It has so much majesty and suspense, and it actually subverts expectations twice. It has an incredible reveal, featuring the emergence of another god, followed by a heartbreaking one on top of the previous one. The final scenes are the most breathtaking features of this show so far.

Both the recurring characters and the guest stars are superb. Clarisse and Grover are in a constant state of danger, stuck in the home of a hungry cyclops. Dior remains an excellent addition to the main cast. She’s confident, resourceful, and always looking for a way forward. But she also displays heart, too. The idea that she broke a promise to her crew and got them killed weighs heavily on her.

The most surprising figure in this side of the story is Polyphemus (Aleks Paunovic), the cyclops that Grover has been sharing a living space with for the whole season. At first, he’s dopey and goofy, paired with how Grover has been tricking him. But as the episode progresses, Polyphemus is actually much more sinister and terrifying. We’ve seen a friendly cyclops in Tyson, whose tricks and abilities have helped. But the mimicry, when used for nefarious purposes, is horrifying and creepy.

Circe is a superb and unlikely villain. 

The other villain is Circe, who is also a complicated person. Rosemarie Dewitt plays the powerful Circe superbly, because she never comes across as hostile or venomous or even mean. Her kindness and welcoming demeanor are the trap.

Her thirst for company and longing for community are a threat to everyone she encounters, and she will not let them go. She’s selfless and selfish at the same time.

The two Demigods in Circe’s care, Percy and Annabeth, are forced to confront their fatal flaws, which lead to fascinating insights into their personalities. For Percy, it’s revealed just how much he cares for his friends and the actions he’d take to save them. For Annabeth, it’s her pride and a longing to be seen by her mother. It makes her quite relatable, even within the metaphor of a Demigod.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 Episode 5 maintains a sense of silliness and adventure.

The production is delightful and adventurous. There are multiple sets that look amazing. The questing nature of the season means new locations appear almost every episode. The two in this chapter are exceptional. Circe’s retreat looks like a spa, with residents in dressing gowns, whilst Polyphemus’ cave has a collection of objects that have washed up over time.

One of the first images in Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 Episode 5 is a Greek soldier on a jet ski, slipping back into the show’s occasional, adorable silliness. The design of the sirens themselves deserves enormous credit for refusing to play into stereotypes. They aren’t simply beautiful, seductive women, but much more monstrous and frightening, ancient creatures that have claimed countless lives.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 Episode 5 tries to fit a huge wedge of ideas into a small period of time. A hefty chunk of the story is stuffed into this episode, across multiple plotlines. There’s a lot to get through on Circe’s island and beyond. Circe and Polyphemus are both impressive, engaging characters, well-written and acted. But the pacing and structure can make many moments feel fleeting. The ending, again, is spectacular, which has been a staple of the whole season and makes any foibles worth it.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 Episode 5 is available on Disney+ and Hulu.

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