_{By: Amanda Guarragi}

In 2023, Rick Riordan’s classic young adult series Percy Jackson & the Olympians was adapted into a television series. Season one of the popular series was incredibly well done and set the tone for how the seasons would develop the novels. Each book would fill an eight-episode season, and that is enough time to retell each story. 

Percy Jackson has always been popular because of Greek mythology and Riordan’s own golden trio of characters: Percy Jackson (Walker Scobell), Annabeth Chase (Leah Sava Jeffries) and Grover Underwood (Aryan Simhadri). 

Season two of Percy Jackson & the Olympians adapts the second novel in the series, The Sea of Monsters. Over the school year, Percy has written to his friends, Grover and Annabeth, and even made a new friend at home named Tyson. Once he gets to Camp Half Blood, he discovers that they’re in trouble and the magical borders – which protect Half Blood Hill- have been poisoned by a mysterious enemy. 

The first episode begins with Grover searching for Pan in this far-out forest. In doing so, he finds something called “The Golden Fleece.” In the interim, Percy dreams about Grover. He feels he’s in a different spot and looking through Grover’s eyes. He sees the Sea of Monsters in the dream, which sets up their quest for the rest of the season. 

The special effects in this season are much more developed than in season one and look incredibly authentic. Even the monsters’ makeup makes them look gruesome and unfriendly. The connection for “The Golden Fleece” is well-developed and seems to have a promising journey on the high seas. Director James Bobin does well blocking the action sequences, especially on the ships in the middle of the water.   

The beauty of season two is the comfort of returning to Camp Half-Blood and the familiarity of the characters. The main draw is the chemistry between Scobell and Sava Jeffries, as diehard book readers love this pairing and their future. 

Percy and Annabeth are on this journey together, and have wonderful moments of trust develop between them. There are sweet lines of dialogue that foreshadow their relationship possibly evolving, and they both handle their relationship carefully. Their knowledge of “The Golden Fleece” is what tests their relationship in season two. 

Percy Jackson & the Olympians season two has solidified that they have developed a structure that will work well with the rest of the adaptation of the novels. Each novel presents new depth and analysis of the Greek gods, creating an added layer to Riordan’s characters. 

After two seasons, Walker Scobell, Leah Sava Jeffries, and Aryan Simhadri have learned how to carry the series with their charisma and firm understanding of these characters. More importantly, the connection and friendship they share help audiences resonate with each of them. 

Percy Jackson & The Olympians Season Two Premieres with two episodes on Disney+ on Wednesday, December 10th.