REVIEW: ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2’ Is All About Growth

Percy Jackson Season 2 is a continuation of the adaptation of Rick Riordan’s fantasy book series. The original cast of Walker Scobell, Leah Sava’ Jeffries, and Aryan Simhadri are joined by Daniel Diemer and Dior Goodjohn. The heroes return to a camp that is no longer comfortable, as it’s placed under siege by monsters. When Thalia’s tree is poisoned, Percy (Scobell) and Annabeth (Jeffries) set off to find the Golden Fleece.

Percy Jackson Season 2 starts at a rapid pace, wasting little time in getting back to the camp. The main characters have been away for a year, but it’s time to return—the Demigods hurtle from New York to the camp. Luke (Charlie Bushnell), the son of Hermes, leads a rebellion against Olympus and sets off a ticking time bomb that weakens the barrier protecting the camp.

It means that when the heroes enter the camp, there isn’t that feeling of safety. But just from what’s outside, but those running the place from inside too. Tantalus (Timothy Simons) and Dionysus (Jason Mantzoukas), directors of the camp, are completely useless and are actually trying to interfere with Percy and his desire to save the camp. It creates a hostile atmosphere in Percy Jackson Season 2, prompting a desire to embark on a quest to escape it. When on the move, the team actually looks more comfortable.

The pacing is inconsistent in Percy Jackson Season 2.

When on the quest, the structure changes. Every episode is entirely different, a new chapter that introduces new mythological figures and locations. The pacing at the start of each episode can be too fast or too slow. The runtimes fluctuate, and many episodes can feel too short. Others, like Episode 6, manage the time better, creating episodes that are concise and efficient. There are often occasions when it feels like the story has reached a beat from the books, eliciting a reaction from readers. However, the hurried nature can mean we don’t get the chance to appreciate what’s happened truly.

Almost every episode in Percy Jackson Season 2 has an exceptional ending. There’s a battle or a twist that endlessly energises the episode and leaves you breathless. The end of Episode 4 is the best example, a battle on Clarisse’s ship against Cylla in the Sea of Monsters. It’s haunting, powerful, and masterfully crafted, way beyond anything seen before in the show. Then in the next episode, there’s another one as Percy and Annabeth face the sirens. It’s got twists on top of twists, surprise reveals that aren’t actually reveals. And that’s what makes Percy Jackson Season 2 so investing: it gets better with every episode.

The show grows, and the characters and actors do too. All of the young actors are older, and they’re better actors, too. They’re more emotive, but also able to lead. When he first stepped into camp, Percy was young and bewildered, unaware of what anything was. But now he’s able to formulate plans, stand up to monsters, and lead armies into battle. Early in the season, the writers try to craft tension between Percy and Annabeth. The separation over time has caused contention, and a prophecy really starts to split their friendship.

There are new inclusions to the main cast, including a half-brother for Percy.

It’s a bit tedious to see them bicker for no reason, which is why it’s rewarding that the conflict is resolved relatively quickly in Percy Jackson Season 2. Grover (Simhadri) actually had a reduced role for so much of this season, trapped in a cyclops’ lair. But when he does appear, Simhadri brings the kind and loving humor that was ever present in the last season.

There are new inclusions to the main cast, and others who step up to regular members. Percy discovers he has a half-brother, Tyson (Diemer), a cyclops and son of Poseidon (Toby Stephens), early in the episodes. Percy struggles to know what to do with him. Tyson spends so much time away from the main cast, huddled in a room. He’s quiet, shy, and lonely.

His bond with his half-brother grows closer, but there are many moments when it seems the writers are unsure where to place him. He’s strong, intelligent, and resourceful, often the one who saves the day. Diemer is a great performer, both physically and emotionally. He’s a gentle giant, sometimes looking so forlorn, and it’s amazing playing the role when your face has been transformed so drastically.

The true star of Percy Jackson Season 2 is Clarisse, whose perspective makes the world feel fuller.

But the true star of Percy Jackson Season 2 is Clarisse (Goodjohn). Percy may be the star, but Goodjohn absolutely shines. She’s fierce and eager to go on her first quest. She’s brave, but fearful of failure, which is drummed into her by her own father, Ares. It’s a solely selfish pursuit for the Golden Fleece. Percy, Annabeth, and Tyson have each other. Clarisse often is on her own and isolated. But when she is alongside the main team, working with them, Goodjohn creates a terrific relationship.

Clarisse can be abrasive and push back against Percy’s ideas. And promising her crew of undead sailors, Elysium becomes an oath that she really takes seriously, and she is heartbroken when she can’t fulfil that promise. At several stages, the episodes jump between Percy and Clarisse. It’s an element of this adaptation that sets it aside from the books. You get to step out of Percy’s perspective and include Clarisse, which makes the world feel fuller.

There is a plethora of fantastic guest stars who hail from Olympus and elsewhere in Percy Jackson Season 2. The good actually have a lesser impact in this season, but always demand attention when they appear. Ares (Adam Copeland) is outstanding, with Copeland enjoying the grandiosity. He’s a boisterous, loud general. There is a glimpse of Athena (Andra Day), with both Poseidon and Zeus also featuring at the very end.

The production has some ingenuity, but some moments in Percy Jackson Season 2 feel slightly underwhelming.

Zeus has been recast, with Courtney B. Vance taking over for the tragically late Lance Reddick. Hermes is the one who sets Percy off on his journey. The monsters and the creators are just as appealing and enthralling. The depiction of Circe (Rosemary DeWitt) and Polyphemus (Aleks Paunovic) is in-depth and captivating, terrifying in their own, individual ways.

The production has some ingenuity, but there are also moments in Percy Jackson Season 2 that feel slightly underwhelming. In the second episode, there’s an exceptionally choreographed chariot race. It’s exhilarating, and the chariots have a superb design. Each one fits the theme of the god the demigods are racing for. But they, and the armour, do look like they’re made of styrofoam, not metal or even wood. There are some impeccable sell pieces and fight scenes, featuring inspired monsters.

The battle against Cylla, riding into fog with the screams of dying sailors, is a masterclass in sound design, visual effects, and performance. Clarisse, furiously roaring whilst manning a massive gun, is one of the defining moments of the whole show. The sirens are a stunning design, rocky, ancient creatures that are disturbing to look at. Polyphemus is unnerving, with the gigantic size and mimicry making those around him look tiny.

Every part of the show has grown, from the performances to the dialogue, the action, and the adventure.

Despite this brilliance, the gods’ and the camp’s outfits are dull, dressed in plain shirts and jeans. Some fight scenes are over very quickly, not taking them to the level that they could ultimately reach. But then the final battle absolutely answers that, brutal and bloody, featuring dozens of stunt performers.

Percy Jackson Season 2 is all about growing up. Every part of the show has grown and improved, from the performances to the dialogue, the action, and the adventure. It’s got more grit and gravitas, whilst still remembering the silliness that gives the show its soul.

People of all ages can enjoy it because it offers something for everyone. It’s funny, enthralling, and even frightening at times. Not everything lands; there are pacing and runtime issues, as well as misuses of characters. But the phenomenal endings and the adventurous mindset are intoxicating.

Percy Jackson Season 2 is now available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu.