This review covers the first two episodes of Percy Jackson and the Olympians and is spoiler free.
The highly-anticipated Disney+ series is based on Disney Hyperion’s best-selling book series by award-winning author Rick Riordan.
Here is the synopsis for the series:
After losing his mother, Percy is sheltered at Camp Half-Blood, a sanctuary for demigod children. He must prove himself and confront his origins once he discovers he too is a demigod, and will take off into the perils of pursuing enemies in search of the Underworld. With the help of his quest mates Annabeth and Grover, Percy’s journey will lead him closer to the answers he seeks: how to fit into a world where he feels out of place, if he’ll ever see his mother again, and if he can ever find out who he’s destined to be.
Before I get into my thoughts on Percy Jackson and the Olympians, I just want to state that I never read any of the books. I’m here to tell you that you do not have to read the books to enjoy this Disney+ series. I know that should be obvious but still. I thought the first two episodes of Percy Jackson and the Olympians were tremendous.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a series that has rich characters and incredible world-building out of the gate. Walker Scobell makes Percy Jackson a character you want to root for. All of this is backed by an outstanding score and themes from Bear McCreary and his company Sparks & Shadows. The music at times sounds downright fantastic and magical. I can’t wait to listen to the soundtrack for it.
The first two episodes hook you instantly and make you want to continue watching Percy’s journey. The pilot is gripping and sets the stage for what’s to come. It truly is a wonderful introduction to this whimsical world of Greek Gods in the 21st century. The second episode solidifies the direction of the series. There are a lot of fun moments that go down in episode two and I can see why Disney+ is doing a two-episode premiere for Percy Jackson. The pilot will grab you and hook you in, and then episode two just builds upon it with some epic developments and awesome scenes. The series feels lived-in and the settings in the first two episodes are distinct. Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ biggest strengths are its cast chemistry and its sharp writing. The writing is funnier, sharper, and wittier than I ever expected.
Walker Scobell (Percy Jackson), Leah Sava Jeffries (Annabeth Chase), and Aryan Simhadri (Grover Underwood) all bring something to the table when it comes to their characters. The characters are well-written but Scobell, Jeffries, and Simhadri make them believable and likable. All three characters have distinct personalities as well. I am quite ecstatic to watch this cast for the rest of the season (and in potential follow-up seasons).
The series also boasts some beautiful credit art. I’m sure Percy Jackson book readers will be deciphering the end credits for clues. There’s also another thing that Percy Jackson does with the end credits that I enjoy and that more Disney+ series should do.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians is simply spellbinding. The series is backed by an electric score, amazing cast chemistry, sharp writing, and sensational world-building. This series can potentially be a cornerstone of Disney+ programming for years to come.
Percy Jackson stars Walker Scobell, Leah Sava Jeffries, and Aryan Simhadri. The show boasts an impressive guest star roster that includes Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hermes), Megan Mullally (Alecto aka Mrs. Dodds), Toby Stephens (Poseidon), Virginia Kull (Sally Jackson), Jason Mantzoukas (Dionysus aka Mr. D), Jay Duplass (Hades), Glynn Turman (Chiron aka Mr. Brunner), Lance Reddick (Zeus), Adam Copeland (Ares), Charlie Bushnell (Luke Castellan), Dior Goodjohn (Clarisse La Rue), Jessica Parker Kennedy (Medusa), Olivea Morton (Nancy Bobofit), Suzanne Cryer (Echidna), Timm Sharp (Gabe Ugliano), and Timothy Omundson (Hephaestus). The Disney+ series was created by Rick Riordan and Jon Steinberg.
I’ll be posting my social reactions for episodes three and four of Percy Jackson and the Olympians at a later date, but stay tuned for those! There also may be more Percy Jackson articles in the works at Boardwalk Times, so stay tuned.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians will have its two-episode premiere on December 20 on Disney+.
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Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times
