A year after Percy (Walker Scobell) found himself accused of stealing Zeus’ (Lance Reddick) Master Bolt and embarking on a quest to save his mother Sally (Virginia Kull), from the Underworld in Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 1, the water-manipulating demigod finds himself on a perilous, unauthorized quest in Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 Episode 1.
The deadly adventure features Percy journeying into one of the most hostile places on Earth, the Sea of Monsters, after an attack on Camp Half-Blood leaves the demigod haven vulnerable. Check out our Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 Episode 1 recap below!
‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ Season 2 Episode 1 Teases the Power of Friendship
The episode begins with a brand-new scene in which Grover (Aryan Simhadri), still on his search for Pan, encounters forces led by a new villain, Alison Simms (Beatrice Kitsos). Alison is a former camper who has joined forces with Luke Castellan (Charlie Bushnell) to revive the evil Titan Kronos. Grover runs away and finds himself on an ominous-looking beach. Without warning, a massive tentacle explodes from the surf, grabs him, and drags him toward the ocean.
This scene, revealed to be events from Percy’s dreams, replaces a very different scene from the book. However, it works well because it does multiple things at once, teasing a strong connection between Grover and Percy while building urgency for Percy to find his best friend in Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 Episode 1. However, Percy and Grover’s connection isn’t the only one teased in the premiere episode, as Percy is frequently seen yearning for his return to Camp Half Blood, where he can be reunited with Annabeth Chase (Leah Sava Jeffries).
‘PJO’ Season 2 Features Changes From the Novel
Other deviations from the original include Sally revealing that she has had seemingly prophetic dreams of her own. It remains to be seen how her visions will impact the story, but the idea on its own is new to the series. Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 Episode 1 also introduces a cyclops named Tyson (Daniel Diemer), who has been staying with the Jacksons, with several characteristics to his story that differ from those in the books.
The singular CGI eye on Diemer’s face looks more refined than the version seen in the first teaser trailer in July, and Tyson’s characterization has also been modernized in the series. Depicted as developmentally challenged in the books, this version of Tyson leans more into his sweetness and naivete, removing aspects of his character that some might find insensitive.
Percy Jackson Returns to Camp Half-Blood in the Season 2 Premiere
The first 45-minute episode of the premiere’s pacing is tight, rocketing from Percy’s dream to him and Tyson getting picked up by a frantic Annabeth in the Gray Sisters’ cab. However, their reunion isn’t as pleasant as either of them had hoped. With secrets coming between them early on, it sets up the tension for Percy and Annabeth to unravel throughout the season.
The Laistrygonian Giant attack that occurs early in the book happens immediately as the trio arrives at Camp Half-Blood. They arrive as Luke’s forces (but no Colchis bulls, unfortunately) attack the camp, while Luke poisons Thalia’s tree, weakening the camp’s defenses in Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 Episode 1.
‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ Delivers a Great Start to an Epic Journey
Only after the attack does the episode relent, allowing its characters—and the audience—to breathe for the first time. But of course, there’s more in store for Percy and his friends. Before long, a surprise revelation that Tyson is Percy’s half-brother, shocking staffing changes at camp, and another dream involving Grover help set up the season’s MacGuffin and main conflict.
With Percy now able to communicate with Grover through his dreams and Grover’s location coordinates in mind, there’s nothing left stopping Percy from rescuing his friend, or so he thinks. The Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 Premiere is action-packed from start to finish. It’s an incredibly worthy start to the new season, with a fast-paced story that sets up an epic journey.
The two-episode Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 Premiere is now streaming exclusively on Disney+. For more Percy Jackson and the Olympians coverage, follow the Agents of Fandom podcast and socials.
