P ercy Jackson & the Olympians Episode 3: Stone-Cold Heart
Percy Jackson & the Olympians Episode 3: Unveiling the Golden Trio and captivating with the enigmatic Medusa, this review rates it 4/5, highlighting the escalating stakes posed by its compelling villains
Percy Jackson & The Olympians is taking a bit longer to fully engage, but its villains are definitely raising the stakes. Highly anticipated on Disney+ in recent years, the show chronicles the journey of a young demigod navigating the challenges of the mythological world, a beloved story for many years.
The new TV series, with increased involvement from author Rick Riordan, promises to offer a more authentic portrayal of the story compared to the 2010 movie, and so far, it has succeeded. As stated in our review of the first two episodes: "For those disappointed by the movie, fear not. Even in the first two episodes, this feels like Percy Jackson. From the moment you hear that familiar opening monologue, alerting you to Percy's life, you can sense that you're in for an exciting journey back to Camp Halfblood."
But does the third episode live up to the excitement? Let's find out, and rest assured, we'll avoid sharing any spoilers!
Our golden demigod trio is here
The opening of Episode 3 is intriguing, although slightly too dark in terms of lighting, setting the spooky atmosphere for this excursion. Nevertheless, it still manages to inject some humor, which carries on as our main characters, Percy, Annabeth, and Grover, embark on their quest to stop a war.
Fans may be disappointed that we are already embarking on a quest, meaning that certain book-related elements have been omitted. However, it is satisfying to sense significant progress and the seriousness of this quest, especially considering it has been entrusted to a pair of 12-year-olds.
This group, who will play a pivotal role in the Percy Jackson franchise, are still finding their footing together, and their dialogue, while occasionally stilted, remains charming. In particular, Grover shines in this episode, with actor Aryan Simhadri deserving praise for his comedic performance.
Medusa may catch your intrigue
Their playful antics are suddenly halted by the appearance of monsters, leading to brief yet intense clashes. While the battles lack any impressive displays, it's important to remember that our young protagonists are still inexperienced in the ways of combat.
In this episode, there are a couple of monsters that the characters fight, and the actors playing them seem to be having a lot of fun with their roles. The CGI used to create them is also impressive, although their wigs could use some improvement.
The presence of Medusa in this episode is significant, and she really owns her role. She is both welcoming and unsettling, making her a unique and captivating villain that we would love to see more of.
The fight with her also provides an opportunity for impressive set production, but the dark lighting makes it difficult to see, which feels like a missed opportunity. Additionally, Medusa is such a compelling villain that the episode's conclusion may leave viewers questioning the show's intended message. On the other hand, this may be too frightening for children to take away any lessons from.
Percy Jackson & the Olympians Episode 3 review score: 4/5
Episode 3 continues to deliver a series with an engaging villain and an action-packed premise, perfect for fans of Percy Jackson, both old and new. The spooky elements will appeal to readers of a similar age to our characters and keep them hooked.
Despite its shortcomings, we are enthusiastic about continuing our journey. Explore our additional Percy Jackson content here, as well as information on how and when to watch it, and the rest of our Movies & TV coverage.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I am excited about the new Percy Jackson & the Olympians series on Disney+. I grew up reading the books and loved the story, so I was eager to see how it would be adapted for TV. Overall, I think the show is doing a great job of capturing the spirit of the books. The characters are well-cast and the acting is strong. I especially enjoyed the portrayal of Grover in this episode. Aryan Simhadri does a great job of bringing the character's humor and charm to life.
I also appreciate that the show is staying true to the source material. While there have been some changes, they have been made in a way that feels respectful of the books. For example, I was disappointed that the show skipped over some of the events from the first book, but I understand why they did it. The show has a lot of ground to cover, and they need to keep the pacing moving. Overall, I am really enjoying the new Percy Jackson & the Olympians series and I can't wait to see what happens next.
