The worship of the Greek gods traces its origins to ancient times, flourishing from the 8th century BC until the rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire. Central to this religious framework was the belief in Mount Olympus as the abode of principal gods like Zeus, Athena, and Apollo. Temples such as the Temple of Zeus at Olympia stood as testaments to their reverence. Fast-forwarding to modern pop culture, the “Percy Jackson” series rejuvenated interest in these ancient myths, introducing younger generations to the tales of Greek gods, heroes, and monsters in contemporary settings.

Percy Jackson and The Olympians (S1: Episodes 1 – 3)

Suffering from ADD and dyslexia, not to mention hallucinations and an abusive stepfather, bastard tween, Percy Jackson has remained an outsider for most of his young life. When his only friend betrays him, causing him to be expelled from school, Percy quickly discovers that the world he’s known is not exactly as it seems. Percy is a demigod.

1 Vacation

2 Shop

3 Amazon

Episodes 1-3 follow Percy as he discovers his heritage and, days later, finds himself on a quest with world-altering ramifications. In what is the series’ greatest achievement so far, it manages to both rush through virtually anything that approaches interesting while simultaneously feeling molasses slow.

Despite their efforts, these episodes never manage to foster any emotional connection to the characters or the situations. There’s never any doubt about the eventual outcome of every conflict, and all resolutions occur with predictable ease. Furthermore, the pacing is glacial. Just because each episode is supposed to represent a chapter in the novel, it shouldn’t feel as though it takes as long to watch one as it does to read one.

Were the special effects or the performances worthy of praise, or were any characters likable, at least there could be some argument to be made to watch the program. However, the special effects look like something out of a ’90s made-for-TV movie, the main casts’ performances range in quality from Medusa statue to serviceable, and the central trio consists of an unlikable jerk, an unlikable simpering and unfunny comic relief, and a main character with as much charisma as toast.

Ultimately, the first three episodes of Percy Jackson and The Olympians feel like a perfunctory and uninspired copy of Harry Potter without the heart, thoughtfulness, or fun.

INAPPROPRIATE ELEMENTS FOR CHILDREN IN PERCY JACKSON

The TV-PG rating is appropriate. Some “tense” situations might be too mature for the very young, but there’s nothing graphic.

WOKE ELEMENTS

DEI

• Once again, Disney does a disservice to people of all colors thanks to its well-known DEI hiring practices.
  • So, audiences are forced to ask, did these actors and actresses of the race-swapped characters get cast because they were the best performers the casting directors could find, ones who embody the character’s spirit like no other, or due to the arbitrary level of melanin in their skin, and the racist belief that people who are darker than white people can’t advance in life without handouts from white liberals?
  • Suffice it to say that there appear to be several characters in the book series who were likely or explicitly white but are not in the TV show.
  • The show does not get sanctimonious about race. No one gives a speech about how Zeus Privilege.

The Isle of Lesbos

• Some have made a big to-do over Medusa being a lesbian. However, I didn’t pick that up from her brief time on screen. It seemed to me that she was simply a devout worshiper of Athena, not that she was attracted to her.

Why Do Gals Need A Personality, When They Can Be B!t@<es Instead

• Every bully is a chick, and every female demi-god is a jerk girl-boss.

Percy Jackson and The Olympians (S1:E4) I Plunge to My Death

Episode 4 is a slight improvement over the initial three, if only by virtue of being done with the interminable and ridiculous setup. However, the main trio has also begun to grow into their characters a bit more, and their increased comfort, in turn, engenders comfort from the viewer. Furthermore, Annabeth has begun softening and, at least in this episode of Percy Jackson, isn’t as much of an insufferable jerk.

As far as the story is concerned, it remains at the very borders of one’s ability to willingly suspend their disbelief, and, therefore, is only likely to be entertaining to children and Percy Jackson super-fans.

INAPPROPRIATE ELEMENTS FOR CHILDREN IN PERCY JACKSON

Once again, the TV-PG rating is appropriate. Some moments are too intense for the littlest of your brood, but the show avoids cursing and (as far as I could tell) using the Lord’s name in vain. There’s no sex or sexual overtones, and all of the women are dressed rather modestly.

WOKE ELEMENTS

Cocktail Party Activism

• This episode manages to shoehorn in a smattering of environmental and diversity talking points, just enough for a pat on the back at the next mid-level elitist gathering.
  • Within the first 8 minutes, there’s some nonsense about the environment good/humans bad.
    • “There used to be herds of [centaurs]. A few thousand years ago, the god of the wild, Pan, disappeared. Ever since, without Pan to protect the natural world, humans have been trying really hard to chip away at it.”
  • The kids travel to a national landmark, and even though the actual museum at its base contains significantly more displays applauding American expansion, the show makes sure to take a moment to spotlight the plight of the American Indians. Mind you, the three are being chased by the actual God of Monsters at the time.

Diversity: It’s Our Strength

• The race-swapped Annabeth and Grover are still the weakest links of the central trio’s chain. While it’s possible that the two had outstanding auditions that blew the competition away, thanks to Disney’s racist DEI hiring practices, the seed of doubt has been planted and then watered by their lackluster performances.

Percy Jackson and The Olympians (S1:E5) A God Buys Us Cheeseburgers

Not long after Percy, Grover, and Annabeth regroup and continue their search for Zeus’s lightning bolt, the trio is approached by a family member with a side quest.

Episode 5 greatly benefitted by having a complete three-act structure unto itself. The trio is tasked with retrieving an item; there’s a short adventure and a resolution.

While the main cast has finally grown into their roles, the series and this episode continue to suffer from a lack of sophistication. Problems are identified, briefly studied, and solved with a conversation, making for a program that is only enjoyable to the very young and superfans of the series.

INAPPROPRIATE ELEMENTS FOR CHILDREN IN PERCY JACKSON

The TV-PG rating is appropriate. Some “tense” situations might be too mature for the very young, but there’s nothing graphic.

WOKE ELEMENTS

Perfection, Thy Name is Girl Power

• Percy tells Annabeth “You’re better at this (questing, etc.) than I am.”
  • Percy humbly has saved the day in every episode. Yet there’s a pathological need for the storytellers to promote Annabeth as the most awesome of the awesome.
    • It wouldn’t be a problem if it were warranted, but it’s not. Even in this, the first episode in which she saves the day, she does so by admitting how great Percy is.

Diversity: It’s Our Strength

• The race-swapped Annabeth and Grover are still the weakest links of the central trio’s chain (though improving). While it’s possible that the two had outstanding auditions that blew the competition away, thanks to Disney’s racist DEI hiring practices, the seed of doubt has been planted and then watered by their lackluster performances.

Percy Jackson and The Olympians (S1:E6) We Take a Zebra to Vegas

Episode six is barely worth a paragraph. It has no identity or act structure. The kids are in a place where there’s a minor issue. The minor issue is easily and immediately rectified, and the episode ends with an exposition dump to set up the next episode.

On the positive side of things, the main cast seems to have finally become comfortable with their respective characters. Unfortunately, they make the life-and-death situation in which they find themselves seem about as intense and worrisome as choosing the prom dress.

INAPPROPRIATE ELEMENTS IN PERCY JACKSON

There have to be elements before there can be inappropriate elements. Nothing happens in this episode.

WOKE ELEMENTS

Diversity: It’s Our Strength

• Lin-Manuel Miranda plays the Greek god Hermes, and Hiro Kanagawa plays an unnamed character who is almost certainly the Greek God Hades.
• The race-swapped Annabeth and Grover are still the weakest links of the central trio’s chain (though improving). While it’s possible that the two had outstanding auditions that blew the competition away, thanks to Disney’s racist DEI hiring practices, the seed of doubt has been planted and then watered by their lackluster performances.