Strong Action & Moral Complexity Set Up An Exciting Finale

Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2 has been an improvement over its already-strong predecessor, with episode 7 continuing to solidify that. Percy Jackson season 2’s book changes have been more evident than they were in season 1, allowing this installment to stand on its own somewhat.

That said, the spirit and core story of the original book remains. Percy Jackson season 2, episode 6 ended with one of the biggest changes yet, with Annabeth being captured by Luke, prompting a rescue mission to save both her and the Golden Fleece. Percy Jackson season 2, episode 7 tells that story, one that was not part of the book, while setting up a killer finale.

The more contained story of Percy Jackson season 2, episode 7 takes cues from Riordan’s original book, although it expands on the scale. In the book, the cyclops Polyphemus was the biggest threat Percy and his friends had to overcome, with the show wisely switching this to make Kronos and Luke more of a danger to Camp Half-Blood.

Percy Jackson season 2, episode 7 sets that up, all while providing some strong action scenes, interesting moral conversations, and the potential return of a majorly powerful hero in the finale.

Percy Jackson Season 2, Episode 7 Focuses On The Action

After the more otherworldly threats of Charybdis, Scylla, Circe, the Sirens, and Polyphemus, Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2, episode provides some more intimate threats. Percy and Clarisse seek a way to free both Annabeth and the Golden Fleece, leading the former to face off against Luke and the latter to vent her anger on traitorous demigods.

The hand-to-hand action was something I hoped Percy Jackson would improve upon after season 1, with season 2 not disappointing thus far. The skirmishes here are well-handled, with dynamic camera movements and fewer cuts allowing the clear improvement of the show’s performers to shine through.

What’s more, Percy Jackson season 2, episode 7 sets up a larger-scale battle for the finale, meaning, hopefully, more intimate action will allow for higher stakes and further showcases of strong choreography.

Percy Jackson Season 2, Episode 7 Continues Its Compelling Moral Discussions

One element I have appreciated about Percy Jackson season 2 thus far is how it has deepened some of the source material’s messaging and complex morality. The show has delved deeper into characters like Luke and Thalia than at this point in the books, giving the former more compelling reasons to have turned on Olympus.

Where Thalia is concerned, the show has smartly leaned into her fate as the protector of Camp Half-Blood, whether this can even be seen as mercy from Zeus, and whether she would have sided with the gods or Titans if she were still alive. Percy Jackson season 2, episode 7 continues to lean into these elements, with Annabeth and Luke debating the central conflict.

Leah Sava Jeffries and Charlie Bushnell do a great job of allowing their past connections to come through, all linked to Thalia. This results in Annabeth trying to connect with Luke once more, and the latter even facing some doubts of his own about Kronos and whether the Titan lord is lying to him. In yet another improvement over the books, Percy Jackson season 2 makes things much less black and white.

This is also the case with Clarisse, who continues to be a more well-rounded character than she was in The Sea of Monsters. Clarisse’s prophecy, how that ties to her friendships, or lack thereof, and how that all leads back to the realization that prophecies are not meant to be taken literally, deepens her character.

Percy’s own interactions with Kronos support this, all while providing exciting hints about the Great Prophecy, which book fans will love, and casual fans will be intrigued by. Percy’s final scene with Clarisse drives home how much better their relationship is in the show, with Scobell showing the classic rebellious, but lovable, personality fans of the book will know.

All of this reflects the maturity that Percy Jackson season 2 has over its predecessor. While this alone is enough to mark it as an improvement over season 1, it just so happens that all of this depth is being added to what is largely considered the weakest Percy Jackson book.

With only one episode of the season remaining, I can only hope Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2 sticks the landing. If it does so, there is no denying that, in repeated ways, the TV show is bettering its source material this time around.