Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Young Gods Keep True in Season Two
By John Kirk
Rating: A
The second season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians - the television adaptation of the beloved fan-favourite Young Adult book series by Rick Riordan - is another success.
It is, in fact, just like the first season. Why? Simple – just follow the original story. After all, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Based on the second installment of the book series, The Sea of Monsters¸ our heroes Percy (Walker Scobell), Annabeth (Leah Sava Jeffries), and Percy’s half-brother Cyclops, Tyson (Daniel Diemer), must seek the legendary Golden Fleece to restore the failing magical barrier that protects Camp Half-Blood. They undertake a quest of mythological proportions and sail the Sea of Monsters to find the fleece before it’s too late.
The secret to this show’s success is that it manages to faithfully recreate the story to a fine detail. It’s a simple strategy, and a successful one. Instead of trying to interpret the author’s ambitions, it includes the author as part of the creative team behind it. Rick Riordan is not only one of the producers but he is also involved in the script development.
As a fan, that’s what I like in an adaptation: to see favourite characters presented in a real life that allows a degree of verisimilitude. It’s entertaining to see how the sequence of the story plays out canonically as opposed to a rearranged perspective.
Not to say that latter approach doesn’t have storytelling value, but the story has been told. Don’t mess with it. It’s hard to think of a successful variant that ignores the canon of an established fan story.
The cast is well-chosen. Scobell, Jeffries, and Aryan Simhadri, who play Percy, Annabeth and the satyr Grover, are excellent choices to embody these characters. They’re the right age and bring the exact youthful exuberance to the story. They’re relatable.
CLICK HERE for our interview with these talented performers and creator Rick Riordan..
Speaking of cast members, Lance Reddick’s passing leaves a void in this show. It was appreciated that in recaps, his performances from the first season were included to remind us of what a great Zeus he was.
Rick Riordan’s presence as co-producer and co-writer is a great relief to the fans of this franchise. After all, this is his creation. To be able to take it from novel to TV series must be a gratifying experience.
But that is in line with the series’ overall approach: show the fans that the directors, producers, cast and crew love this show as much as they do. Faithfully recreating the story to such fine detail goes far to show that respect.
Not to say there aren’t any surprises in this season. While not ruining the fun for fans and new-to-the-story viewers alike, there are some real treats in store. While last season, performers like Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jason Mantzoukas and Toby Stephens delighted the audience with their appearances as various pantheonic personalities, there are similar delights in store for season two. I’ll just say the new cameos are truly entertaining.
This is isn’t just a case of blindly repeating the events of the story. Percy Jackson and the Olympians faithfully and vibrantly represents the imaginative tale that has been a favorite of a generation. The teens who first read this book have grown up and will appreciate the way it has been carefully and lovingly adapted.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians – Season Two. Directors: James Bobin, Catriona McKenzie, Jason Ensler, et al. Cast: Walker Scobell, Leah Sava Jeffries, Aryan Simhadri, Charlie Bushnell, Dior Goodjohn and Daniel Diemer, et. al. Debuts on Disney+ December 10.