After a few movie adaptations in the 2010s, the television adaptation of Percy Jackson & The Olympians is on Disney Plus with book author Rick Riordan and writer-producer Jonathan E. Steinberg (The Old Man, Jericho) as show creators. Walker Scobell (The Adam Project) stars as Percy Jackson, Leah Sava Jeffries (Beast) as Annabeth, and Aryan Simhadri (Cheaper by the Dozen (2022)) as Grover.

Premise: Percy Jackson is on a dangerous quest. Outrunning monsters and outwitting gods, he must journey across America to return Zeus’ master bolt and stop an all-out war. 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 and find out who he’s destined to be.

Review: The first season of Percy Jackson & The Olympians on Disney+ brings Rick Riordan’s beloved world of demigods to life with a modern twist for today’s tweens. While the show succeeds in updating the characters’ behavior and introducing contemporary elements, it also deviates from the source material in ways that may leave some fans yearning for the danger and silliness found in the original book.

One noticeable change is Percy, Annabeth, and Grover’s increased awareness and intelligence in navigating the challenges and traps encountered during the quest. I think it’s a reflection of the adaptation’s attempt to resonate with a more savvy audience. Kids, nowadays, for the most part, aren’t as naive as the trio is in the book. However, this shift seems to strip away some of the growth and spontaneity that made the trio’s adventures in The Lightning Thief’s book both perilous and amusing. The characters’ ability to anticipate certain traps makes the show lack the whimsy that characterized Riordan’s novel.

The casting choices are great, the main trio is amazing they’re delivering solid performances, and the guest stars are also solid and there were some unexpected surprises. Infusing contemporary elements, such as Ares starting Twitter fights, brings a fresh and humorous perspective to this mythological world.

This adaptation introduces other changes to the plot, such as the delayed emergence of Percy’s dreams and the clever use of the Lotus casino to serve a greater purpose. The show also expands on relationships, notably exploring Luke and Hermes’ dynamic, adding depth to these characters. The show also takes creative liberties in rearranging key events, adding a new dynamic to the storytelling. The incorporation of more mythological elements, such as Hephaistos’ chair, enriches the world-building and adds a layer of authenticity to the show. However, that resolution still falls a bit flat.

Despite some updates and additions to the source material, the first season of Percy Jackson & The Olympians manages to capture the essence of Riordan’s world, delivering a somewhat entertaining and visually engaging adaptation that introduces the camp half-blood chronicles to a new generation. While purists may lament certain changes, the show blends modernity with ancient tales, creating a captivating viewing experience for fans and newcomers to the demigod saga.

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