Percy Jackson Missed Opportunity: The Casino Episode

The Missed Nostalgic Callback

Percy Jackson & the Olympians episode 6 features the Lotus Casino scene from Rick Riordan's books, but it misses out on the perfect callback to the movies. The Disney+ series is giving Riordan's best-selling novels a second chance on-screen, something that's come as a relief to those disappointed with the short-lived Percy Jackson film series. Despite the movies' negative reception, certain elements from the original adaptations have proven memorable including their original casting.

Annabeth Chase, Percy Jackson, and Grover staring at the Lotus Casino

While Walker Scobell is masterfully capturing Percy Jackson's book mannerisms, many fans continue to associate Logan Lerman with the young demigod. The Percy Jackson movies' trio Lerman, Alexandra Daddario, and Brandon T. Jackson are still iconic in their roles, even if new talent has taken over. And the films do have a few other strengths, which is why the Percy Jackson show should have worked in a callback during its casino episode. Percy Jackson & the Olympians episodes 1-6 are currently streaming on Disney+.

Grover, Annabeth Chase, and Percy Jackson at the casino in The Lightning Thief

The Musical Nostalgia

Percy Jackson & the Olympians show had the opportunity to reference the movies during its casino scene, a nod it could have accomplished in multiple ways. To start, the usage of Lady Gaga's 'Poker Face' in 2010's The Lightning Thief is entertaining and iconic. Given that Lady Gaga remains a well-known artist, it wouldn't have felt outdated for the series to use the same song while the new Percy Jackson trio became enthralled by the White Lotus casino. Using 'Pokerface' would have maintained the feeling of the moment and offered a fun Easter egg for longtime fans to pick up on.

Sadly, Percy Jackson & the Olympians episode 6 didn't go this route, opting for Dua Lipa's 'Levitating' as a backdrop to its casino scene instead. While this fits the vibe and allows Percy Jackson to connect with its modern audience it's a missed opportunity for the Disney series. The show also missed out on the perfect chance to include movie cameos from the original trio.

The Missed Movie Cameos

In addition to including a musical callback to the Percy Jackson movies, the TV adaptation could have used its casino episode to include cameos from Lerman, Daddario, and Jackson. While having Lerman appear in a major role, like that of Poseidon, would have felt heavy-handed, placing the original stars in the background of a chaotic casino scene would have been a fun and fast cameo. It wouldn't have distracted from the story or the new Percy Jackson cast, and it would have acknowledged the adaptations that came before. Sadly, Percy Jackson & the Olympians missed its best opportunity to do this.