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Alright, alright, things are definitely different from the book.

Although, it has been a minute since I read the book. But I think I can be fairly certain that we weren’t worried that Thalia was going to be a villain. Nor do I think Zeus actually put her in the tree to punish her.

It’s an interesting change.

I haven’t really decided whether I like it or not.

Since I’m not sure exactly what they’re planning to set up. Also, it begs the question that since Luke was so sure that Thalia would be on his side – does he know what Zeus did? Or at least suspect it?

I also – for sure – cannot blame Thalia for not liking her father one bit after this. Like he sucked upon meeting him on that hill, he sucks way more for trapping his daughter, and making Chiron lie that he was a kind father sparing his daughter.

Go pound sand sir.

Somehow, the absentee Poseidon seems like a hundred times a better father and he’s met Percy for like two minutes.

However, he genuinely appears to love and care for his son in the best manner he can. Likewise with Tyson. He asked the gods for help and Poseidon sent him Percy and his mother, Sally. That’s pretty damn caring from a god.

Gave Percy a sign at the beginning of the season to go on the quest.

Answered his question about whether he had Percy for the safety of the gods or because he really wanted him.

Oddly enough, like Poseidon is as caring as he can manage for a god. In the books or the TV show. I kind of really like that about him. He tries. Unlike the rest of the gods. Not always well.

Such as in the book when he told Percy he was his favorite son right in front of his godly son, Triton. Maybe not his finest moment.

I’m really curious as to how this will all play out with Thalia.

Oh, and I’m sorry Walker – I love you man, I do. But that last scene where you’re facing off with Tamara Smart, she’s got you beat dude. She’s clearly older and more well versed.

But in that moment, I was thinking about Oliver in the Elseworlds crossover when he meets Superman and is puffing up his chest. Like come on, you look ridiculous sir.

Sorry Walker. She got you in that scene.

On the other hand, I do love that they kept the friction between Thalia and Percy, but this twist of events gives it a bit more depth than the books did, I think. In the books, Thalia and Percy grated on each other’s nerves because they always wanted to lead. Clashing over a different opinions and leadership styles. All of this was attributed to their fathers never getting along. That their relationship was a reflection of Poseidon and Zeus.

Which sure, fine, was an explanation I bought as a kid. But now?

Now, it actually makes more sense to let the unease come from more than just who their fathers are.

Because, if parental relationships dictated how the children respond to each other, Percy and Annabeth should never get along. Yet they do.

I do enjoy that this add more layers to Percy and Thalia and their relationship. But I do think it detracts from Zeus.

In the book, he did care about Thalia and offered what comfort he could to her and the campers by turning her into a tree. Not only did he spare his daughter, but he also gave the camp it’s protective barrier. One they did not have before.

Ultimately, Zeus was actually pretty kind and caring in that.

Here, he looks like a jerk who offered up something to make himself seem like the good guy, when he’s actually part of the freaking problem.

No wonder so many demigods would like to defect.

I still think choosing Kronos is a bad idea, regardless, but hey – with parents like that… I get it.

So way to go Zeus, you may have shot yourself in the foot.

Unlike Poseidon, who is trying his best. He’s still effing it up. Don’t worry. He’s not winning dad of the year anytime soon. However, I think he’s at least given Percy an inclination that he does care for him, within the limits he has. He loved his mother and she is truly the best thing he can offer Percy.

He also cared enough to give Tyson what he prayed to him for.

As well as Percy at the start of the quest.

He’s trying.

Zeus – meanwhile – was like come be my weapon! Save Olympus and do my bidding. Then when she talked back, he turned her into a tree and concocted a story to make himself seem like the good guy. Nope. I feel like that messes up Zeus more than he normally is.

Like, he appeared to have redeeming qualities in the book.

Anyway!

Moving on to other things that occurred in this episode!

Luke and Percy really hate each other.

That other demigod, the female who ordered everyone to cut down the tree to let the monsters in, really wants to be in charge. And burn the camp and everyone in it to the ground. I do not like her.

I mean, I don’t like Luke either. But at least he seems conflicted. Sometimes.

Though not when it comes to Percy.

I do like that Percy lost the fight to Luke. He’s good, but he’s not that good yet. We’re only a on book two or season two. We’re not at the book five Percy levels of power and fighting yet. It’s nice to have something for him to aspire to.

Growth.

And the absolute worry Luke will have when Percy does have enough skill to kill him.

I loved Percy’s speech to the rest of the demigods. I even loved that Dionysus couldn’t really do anything. It’s part of their rules, it’s usually why they have demigods. Demigods can mess with other gods and monsters for the gods since they cannot do it themselves.

However, Percy wasn’t interested in saving the gods.

He wanted them to save their home.

Someone was coming to threaten their home. Their way of life. They were knocking on their doors, threatening to burn everything they love to the ground.

The demigods didn’t fight for the gods, they fought for themselves, and their home.

I think this is one of the things that makes Percy so great as a character. He doesn’t really care for the squabbles of the gods or what they want or their agendas. He wants to have his life.

Sure, he understands the gods and how selfish they can be.

But he also understands that none of that has to define any of them. They can forge their own paths. Their own lives, entirely separate of the gods. That’s what he wants.

It’s also part of the reason he denies immortality several times. Life ending is what makes it valuable and precious. The gods have forgotten or never understood the value of their lives or their children’s because they go on forever. They can always have more kids. Rise up against the Titans like they are doing to them.

Life never really ends for them. So they don’t appreciate it.

Onto the rest of the things I enjoyed!

Blackjack just chilling in the middle of the road. I don’t think he can enter camp. I’m not sure if what he is counts as a monster or something and he must be invited through the barrier. I can’t remember.

Chris defecting was weird for me. Every time he was on screen, I was like, didn’t he join Luke? Wasn’t he with Luke? Then defect back to camp later and date Clarisse?

I don’t remember his defection.

Which I wouldn’t. I had to look it up. He is in the book, but he’s already on the ship with Luke, and his defection was never portrayed. However, he does return later in the books which is why I knew the rest of his story. This made me feel better, I thought I was forgetting something.

I do miss the Party Ponies. I really wanted to see Chiron ride in with all his drunk spring breaking forever family.

Oh, and the chariot race at the end when Percy and Annabeth win together. Wish that could have been there, but I understand why it wasn’t.

On the flip side, the addition of the massive battle at the camp border was a fun addition I didn’t know I needed. Nor did I know I needed to see Tyson come to Percy’s rescue again.

Or Annabeth and Grover saving Clarisse. I love that. ‘She will fail without friends.’

Well, it looks like you’ve got a few now. So, go away Chris. You deserved the chariot to the face.

As did the camp activities director getting fire-balled to the face.

“Give me a shut up, Jackson.” “Shut up, Jackson.”

Well, all is right with the world again. However, this does add such a wonderful layer to their relationship because they have a certain respect for each other, that will come in handy down the line.

I really love Clarisse. More of her please.

Percy helping her finish the quest once and for all.

Chiron’s crazy statement that he should have told them about his connection to Kronos, like Greek history isn’t something you could just read up on to know that. Or the fact that every single freaking camper has a connection to Kronos! Especially Percy! That’s his grandfather.

He fathered the Olympians, who had more Olympians, who then had demigods.

Guess what? You’re all related. Big shock.

Guess you’re all evil or something?

But the gods aren’t?

Like I get what you were going for in that scene and even in the book and show earlier by having Chiron removed because he has a direct link to Kronos. The point is valid, except here. By that logic we should remove Zeus from being King because that’s his dad too. It’s just ridiculous. And Percy not knowing that it was his dad, sure. He’s not reading a bunch of books to learn about this stuff.

However, everyone else knew. It wasn’t some big secret.

Again, it’s a well-documented part of Greek mythos.

Just no.

Percy begging his mom to stay somewhere safe. Along with him sharing his fears with her. I do not feel like that was something Percy did enough of in the book. He tended to keep his fears to himself or only share with Grover or Annabeth and even Chiron from time to time.

Here, in the show, Percy does turn to his mother for advice.

Listens to her. He used her words to motivate the campers.

I really love how much Sally has influenced Percy and his choices. Because I think his human side is his greatest strength when it comes to dealing with all the demigod craziness.

I’m also a little surprised she didn’t know about the Great Prophecy. I thought she did. Perhaps, I just assumed.

I loved all of them trying to put the genie back in the bottle though. What prophecy? We know nothing of what you speak, Sally. Even though we mentioned it 12 seconds ago. It’s fine. Nothing to worry about. There’s always some prophecy.

Yes. And they’re usually quite ominous and terrible. Greek history and mythos are filled with tragedies.

Hence Percy’s name. Perseus is the only hero with a happy ending and that’s what Sally hoped for her son.

I really enjoyed their conversation out in the middle of the road and Percy wanting to protect his mom. Unfortunately, Percy is actually well-equipped to deal with dangerous monsters. His mother is not. Staying with the car or far from danger is actually best for her. And for him, because he’s not worry about her.

The addition of Sally’s importance to Percy and the world, has been a true highlight of the series. The only thing I wish, is for more of her. The actress is a wonderful Sally as well.

A great mix of motherly love and frustration as well as understanding that she cannot protect her son from everything. She has to believe she has given all the tools he needs to survive whatever comes his way. I love that she trusted him and soothed his fears by keeping her word to stay away.

I do hope someone called her and told her that Percy was fine. Probably Annabeth.

Annabeth and Grover tease Percy that he drools in his sleep.

Thalia worries for the two people who matter most to her. I love that too. And her comment that Annabeth has grown. I cannot imagine how she must feel knowing she lost so much time. So much has changed and now she’s face to face with another demigod as powerful as she is, and he doesn’t trust her.

Because yes, despite his youth, Percy and Thalia are going to be pretty evenly matched because of their fathers being of the ‘Big Three.’ As well as Percy having time to hone his skill in a way Thalia did not.

Lastly, I did enjoy that everyone declared that Percy is not the one in the prophecy. It was never meant to be him and all that BS. Because the story is about him. It’s titled after him. Of course, the prophecy is about him. And underestimating him has never been a good idea.

All in all, this was a good finale, and I cannot wait until season three later this year. Especially, with the wonderfully awkward sneak peek of Percy and Annabeth dancing during their mission to collect some demigods. Please, please give me a date so I know to mark the calendar and clear my schedule!

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