The last episode of the Disney adaptation of “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” recently came out on Jan. 30. In the series Percy Jackson, played by Walker Scobell, finds out that he is the son of Poseidon and has to figure out how to adapt to his new life in Camp Half-Blood. He is thrown into a mission to find Zeus’s lightning bolt. The action-packed series had me on the edge of my seat the whole time.
The casting for the show was incredible. Unlike the movie, the directors cast younger actors who will grow up as the series progresses. One of the best decisions the directors made was casting Leah Jeffries for the character Annabeth. In the books Annabeth was described as a blonde haired, gray eyed girl. Jeffries is of African-American descent. In my opinion, she was the perfect pick for the character Annabeth. Jefferies’ acting and display of emotions throughout the series was brilliant and her energy matched Annabeth’s personality from the books.
I could not think of a better Percy Jackson than Walker Scobell. Logan Lermon, who previously portrayed Jackson, was relatable and funny. However, this adaptation proved Scobell is a much better fit; he expressed so much passion while playing the character. Scobell had many emotional scenes in the show, and it was really impressive how he showcased his acting talent by performing heart-wrenching scenes but also humoring the audience as well. The chemistry between all the actors was amazing. I could feel the warmth and friendship between some of the characters while also feeling tension and anger between others.
Compared to the movie, the series was a much bigger hit with the audience. Part of the reason it was so popular is because it was more book accurate. As a frequent reader, I was relieved to see that it related well to the book. One of the major things that they changed in the series that I was pleasantly surprised with was when Percy Jackson (Walker Scobell) found out who stole Zeus’s (Lance Reddick) lighting bolt.
The show was a masterful adaptation and, like the books, it weaves together Greek mythology with eccentric storytelling. The show was an action-pact series that had friendship, love, loss and betrayal. The actors embodied and had an emotional connection with their characters. Overall, it was a great series. It paid tribute to the original books while also creating new moments that readers can look forward to.
