REVIEW: The Two-Episode Premiere Of 'Percy Jackson And The Olympians' Season Two Whets Appetites For A Bigger Otherworldly Story
- Moriba Forde
- 14 hours ago
- 5 min read
Percy Jackson and his Half-Blood comrades are back to show the Gods what true power and responsibility look like in the sophomore season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians. This time, our heroes sail the Sea of Monsters with more adrenaline-pumping action and higher stakes to treat those who have been hungry for a quest.
Naturally, season two is based on Rick Riordan's second novel in his acclaimed Percy Jackson series, The Sea of Monsters. Shortly after meeting his Half-Blood, cyclops, half-brother, Tyson, Percy is haunted by prophetic dreams warning him of imminent danger involving his best friend, Grover. His quest to rescue the only satyr who has been more like a brother to him than his actual brother becomes intertwined with a journey across the Sea of Monsters to retrieve the Golden Fleece, to save the soul of Camp Half-Blood.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians stars Walker Scobell as the titular hero, with Leah Sava Jeffries and Aryan Simhadri as fellow heroes Annabeth Chase and Grover. Daniel Diemer joins the gang as Percy's brother, Tyson. Stars returning include Charlie Bushnell as Luke Castellan and Dior Goodjohn as Clarisse La Rue.
A New, Better Beginning
The first couple of episodes of season two brilliantly set the stage for what's to come in this new saga for Percy Jackson and the Olympians. The writers find a middle ground for longtime book fans, new fans, and casual viewers. The story respects fans by exploring the established world without wasting time rehashing season one's events or alienating newcomers. While it is better to watch season one first, anyone can jump to season two and follow along.
Without going too much into spoiler territory, season two immediately introduces Percy's brother, Tyson, reintroduces a battle-ready Annabeth, and establishes a new threat to Camp Half-Blood within a matter of minutes through clever exposition before our heroes are thrust into a heated situation. When the dust settles for three seconds, Poseidon confirms that Tyson is indeed his biological son, giving Percy emotional whiplash. There is not a single dull moment here.
The new season feels slightly more like a soft reboot than a sequel. Despite most of the original cast returning, the journey into the Sea of Monsters marks a creative metamorphosis for the series, as season two dives deeper into action, adventure, and fantasy. Percy and his friends are not the same kids we met two years ago. They are older, wiser, but more traumatized than they realize, which is expected considering that they are child soldiers born to Greek Gods.
Half-Blooded, Whole Heroes
Walker Scobell's Percy Jackson behaves as any normal teenage boy would when he discovers he has a cyclops half-brother two years after finding out that his father is the God of the Sea. All jokes aside, Scobell once again does justice to the titular character while showcasing different sides of his self that complement his growth. Circumstances forced him out of having an innocent childhood, so naturally, he is more stoic and cynical, but he is also more courageous and confident, with his loyalty and humour remaining intact.
Leah Sava Jeffries's Annabeth Chase is almost exactly how we met her two years ago, except more extreme. Annabeth has always been like how Percy is now, multiplied by ten. Jeffries characterizes Chase as a veteran soldier struggling with PTSD, making her equally tragic and vulnerable. Despite her demons, she never runs from a fight; she is always ready to protect the ones she considers family, making her the perfect deuteragonist to Percy Jackson. Her organic chemistry with him, complemented by their characters' history, proves they are kindred spirits drawn to protect each other.
Daniel Diemer is a wonderful addition to the family as Tyson, the brother Percy did not know he needed. He is a jolly giant who happens to be Percy's little and big brother at the same time, struggling to find his place in the world, or worlds. He does not seem to fit in anywhere unless it's by Percy's side. Given that Tyson is a cyclops, Diemer's ability to emote with his eyes seems restricted. However, Diemer lives up to the challenge, adapting with the rest of his body to humanize his character as much as possible. Diemer presents Tyson with child-like wonder and a wide emotional range that invites fans to adore this character when many other characters shun him.
Ancient Fantasy in Today's Reality
In an age when movie magic seems dominated by green screens and CGI, and while the threat of AI looms like a virus, Percy Jackson and the Olympians showrunners Jonathan E. Steinberg and Dan Shotz set out to remind everyone of the irreplaceable beauty of practical effects in the world we continue to take for granted.
The Percy Jackson crew took full advantage of their locations in Vancouver to create stunning set pieces on a TV budget to invoke the spirit of Ancient Greece, while the makeup department brought monsters to life on an award-worthy scale. The series is still obviously not without its CGI and VFX, and there is room for improvement in those areas. Certain shots of Tyson have him looking like his eye is photoshopped. However, the magnificence of the practical nature makes those hiccups forgettable.
There is a clear preference to take filmmaking back to its roots to deliver an authentic, tangible viewing experience. The crew's efforts do not go in vain; the result is a fantastic experience that pays tribute to the golden age of cinema.
Final Verdict
Percy Jackson and the Olympians delivered an amazing first season, but the writers don't concern themselves too much with how to make a better season. Instead, they focus on what comes next and how to make Percy and his supporting cast better equipped to deal with it. The grander story, evolution, action sequences, and personal growth are results of the time invested in the characters and lore Rick Riordan has crafted.
If the first two episodes are any indication, fans old and new will love Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season Two.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season Two premieres on December 10 on Disney+.
About Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2
Premiere Date:Â December 10, 2025
Based on: The Book series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, by Rick Riordan
Episode Count:Â 8
Showrunners: Jonathan E. Steinberg, Dan Shotz
Writers: Jonathan E. Steinberg, Joe Tracz, Monica Owusu-Breen, Andrew Miller, Craig Silverstein,
Directors: James Bobin, Anders Engström, Jet Wilkinson
Production:Â Co-Lab21, The Gotham Group, Mythomagic, Quaker Moving Pictures, Quaker Moving Pictures, 20th Television
Distribution:Â Disney Branded Television, Disney+
Cast:Â Walker Scobell, Leah Sava Jeffries, Aryan Simhadri, Daniel Diemer, Charlie Bushnell, Dior Goodjohn
Synopsis: Percy Jackson sails to the Sea of Monsters to rescue his friend Grover and save Camp Half-Blood.
