Welcome back, demigods, to the wild, vibrant world of monsters, self-loving gods, and sassy protagonists, oh my! This time, we are setting sail on a legendary sea that is indeed monstrous. So, grab a ‘s’more, a goblet of ambrosia, and your best campfire voice; it’s time for my thoughts on season 2 of the Disney+ Percy Jackson series, based on Rick Riordan’s “Sea of Monsters.”
The first thing I noticed was the pacing; it was smoother than Tyson’s beloved creamy peanut butter. The first season was fine in this department, but it being the start of a new project, it’s understandable they were trying to get their flow. Season two got it right from the get-go. Part of it might have been j knew what to expect with an adaptation this time, too. We were grateful it was entertaining.
I was immensely looking forward to meeting Tyson, Percy’s Cyclops half-brother. Now, was I expecting a baby-faced, naive, pure ten-year-old looking boy? Yes. Did we get a tender-hearted, tall, handsome, loyal sixteen-year-old? Did I care? Nope! Because the actor portrayed Tyson’s spirit so endearingly and naturally. The actor stated in an interview that he was a massive fan of the books, but when they announced the auditions, he was sadly too old for Percy. Then Tyson’s role came up for grabs. I’m so glad he got his dream come true. And we get an amazing portrayal of this precious character. How his powers were shown was executed well. And we got Rainbow!
The fact that the show opted for practical effects most of the time was incredible and really pulled you into their reality. The weeks of preparation for the epic chariot race. The combat heightens the conflict. The insane water tornado is eating up Clarice’s ship. All of it was excellently done, worthy of Greek warriors.
Our great creator, Uncle Rick, is heavily passionate and involved in this show, which I love. He says that with the changes from the book they chose to make, it was his chance to make his original story better. What a dream for an author! I’m thrilled he gets this opportunity.
Personally, I’ll say some of these changes worked for me, some not so much:
- Tyson lives with the Jacksons from the start of the show. It doesn’t affect the overall story, and I love any more scenes with Sally, Percy’s sweetheart momma. But I miss the opening dodgeball fight in the first chapter of the book.
- I miss our sassy snake minions of Hermes, George, and Martha!
- I was not a fan of how they alternated C.C.’s Spa. Percy’s guinea pig transformation and how he reacts to seeing Annabeth in a pretty dress for the first time (cute stutters) were changed to being a giving Circe a more tragic being arc, her ‘helping’ heroes a lie to keep demigods at her spa, and how beeswax was the key to getting past sirens. It was okay, but I liked the original better.
- What Annabeth saw during the siren’s song was changed, too, and in the show…so…genetic for the child of Athena: fear or not knowing an answer and not being accepted. In the book, she sees the three people she considers family all together, smiling and waiting for her at a picnic. But they never will all be together. She’s never felt accepted into a family…and almost drowns for the dream of it. How it was written broke me. The meta siren vision is cool to watch, but I feel shaky as much emotion. I feel part of it was to introduce the actress who played her mom, the goddess Athena.
- THERE ARE NO PARTY PONIES!!! Missed opportunity! Loved these wild stallions in the book!
- The epic finale was alternated in WHY Zeus turned his daughter, Thalia, into the three that guards Camp Half-Blood. And I have to say, no. Changes Zeus’ character. Highly potentially changes Thalia’s future. Which I hope not. The simple ending was just fine in the book and prepared the series for its future.
- There are more changes, but nothing that either rang out to me, good or bad.
A new character is added, Allison Sims, a graduate from Cape Half-blood who is helping Luke. The fact that we have bitter becoming adult demigods, which is rare due to their dangerous lives, angry with their god parents, and joining the Titans, is a fun concept. Didn’t really like her as a character personally, though. And the betrayals at the end! Ouch!
With this series not being solely Percy’s POV like in the books, although I love his per-sassy voice, allows us more depth and connection to other characters and flashbacks. We get to actually SEE Clarice and her development of the stages of being the lead of her first quest, the pressure to make her father, the god of war, proud, what loyalty means, and the price of not trusting your allies. It was nice to see her interaction with the other characters.
Annabeth, being our female lead, got a lot of flashbacks that time from when she first went to Camp when she was seven, the same night Thalia became a tree. It did add depth, but I feel it was a little too much for one season, or chopped oddly. Although little Annabeth was adorable! And she’s the cousin of our Annabeth actress! The bracelet she had and lost randomly didn’t work much either. Also, her failure to enjoy being social like Percy asked her to try was just blurted out in the show, then not discussed again. I feel this could have been discussed more to help viewers who relate to Annabeth.
Grover and Luke’s performances in this season were both brilliant, from conflict to emotional to complicated. Grover is always endearing. The wedding dress scenes were a chef’s kiss as I always dreamt. I love that the actor got to help behind the scenes, too, since Grover isn’t in the middle in this season as much.
And Walker is still stellar as our hero, Percy Jackson, and all his facets and depths! His trying to distract before the chariot race was a riot; Walker’s comedic timing and wit were great. In contrast, his desperation to grab Annabeth on the island gripped your heart. He is our Percy, son of Poseidon.
Percy and Annabeth’s chemistry is growing well, and I see hope for the next season.
And Sally Jackson is still super mom! When she raced to her car.
This season was a visual treat, a character deep dive, and an entertaining quest that will heal you like the Golden Fleece. Not perfect, but rising higher in greatness to Mt. Olympus.
Check out my review for season 1 here
And check out Percy Jackson on Disney+.
