The first season of the highly anticipated “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” series on Disney+ has come to an end, and it concluded in a way that closely followed Rick Riordan’s first book. Percy, Annabeth, and Grover part ways before the school year, knowing that they’ll reunite in the future to save the world once again. However, the journey to get there was full of unexpected twists and turns, even for fans of the novel.
One of the most significant deviations from the book was Percy’s failure in his quest. He and his friends missed the summer solstice deadline to find Zeus’ stolen master lightning bolt, which led to a war between Zeus and Poseidon. Despite this setback, Percy and his friends ventured into the Underworld to confront Hades. They reemerged after discovering that Ares, the god of war, had conspired with Kronos to overthrow the Olympians. In an epic battle, Percy defeated Ares and obtained both Hades’ stolen helm and Zeus’ stolen bolt. He gave the helm to Hades’ henchwoman, Alecto, to secure the release of his mother from the Underworld. Despite Annabeth’s warning that Zeus would kill him, Percy set off to Olympus to return the master bolt and warn Zeus about Kronos’ plan.
When asked about the decision to send Percy to Olympus after his quest deadline, series co-creator and co-showrunner Jon Steinberg explained that it was interesting to explore Percy’s sense of obligation and his confrontation with it. Steinberg said, “Even absent this sacred responsibility to move forward, there’s a different kind of responsibility.”
Although Disney has yet to confirm a second season of “Percy Jackson,” the studio has established a writers’ room, indicating progress towards a potential renewal. Steinberg and co-showrunner Dan Shotz expressed their awareness of the show’s demand and their commitment to continue telling the story.
In an interview with Variety, Steinberg and Shotz discussed working with the late Lance Reddick, who portrayed Zeus, and his powerful performance. They praised Reddick’s regal presence and ability to convey complex emotions. Despite his untimely passing, Reddick’s portrayal of Zeus will be immortalized in the series.
The conversation also delved into the dynamics between Percy and Poseidon, particularly their first meeting and the significance of Percy standing up to the powerful god. The showrunners highlighted the complexities of the dysfunctional family dynamics within Greek mythology.
Regarding the future of the Zeus character in the event of a second season, Steinberg acknowledged the challenge of recasting and finding someone who can live up to Reddick’s performance. He emphasized the need to honor Reddick’s portrayal while allowing room for a new actor’s interpretation.
Steinberg and Shotz discussed the evolving relationship between Poseidon and Sally and the possibility of more moments between them in future seasons. They mentioned that the ill-fated and tragic nature of their relationship is integral to the show and will continue to be explored.
The interview also touched upon Percy’s internal struggles with the prophecy, his growing connection with Luke, and the brewing romance between Percy and Annabeth. The showrunners emphasized the importance of portraying the characters’ genuine friendship and connection, rooted in their young age. They intend to stay true to the original story and not rush the romance between Percy and Annabeth, as it develops gradually in the books.
While the conclusion of the first season provided some resolution, various prophecies and storylines remain unresolved, leaving room for further exploration in potential future seasons.
Read the full interview on F5 Magazine for more insights into the finale of “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” and the creative decisions made by the show’s executive producers.