Percy Jackson's Opening Scene Secretly Sets Up Season 2 With 1 Major Book Character Cameo

Introduction

Percy Jackson and the Olympians episode 1 contains a hidden cameo from a major book character, already setting up the events of season 2. The first two episodes of Percy Jackson and the Olympians on Disney+ aptly set up the story for the coming season. From the various demigod companions of Percy Jackson to the excitingly fast-paced episodes, Percy Jackson and the Olympians' story got off to a promising start.

A Pegasus spreading its wings on a roof in Percy Jackson episode 1

What made Percy Jackson and the Olympians episodes 1 and 2 even more impressive, however, were the teases to the titular character's ancient Greece-infused world. Several mythological creatures from the Percy Jackson books were introduced including Satyrs, Centaurs, Nymphs, and the Greek gods themselves. While most of these were obvious inclusions, one subtle cameo by a future book character was hidden in Percy Jackson and the Olympians episode 1, proving the show to already be paving the way for season 2 in a fantastic Percy Jackson book change for the TV show.

Walker Scobell looking confused as Percy Jackson above an image of the Furies from Percy Jackson and the Olympians' end-credits sequence

Percy Jackson Episode 1 Teases Blackjack, Percy’s Pegasus Companion

The book character that is teased in Percy Jackson and the Olympians episode 1 is Blackjack, Percy's Pegasus companion from future books. In the opening montage of the show's first episode, Percy recounts the times throughout his childhood when he spotted ancient Greek creatures. One of these was shown to be a pure-black Pegasus on a roof across the street from Percy's school, something that seems like a somewhat innocuous inclusion given the other Greek gods and monsters involved in Percy Jackson's story.

However, in the Percy Jackson books, the main Pegasus featured throughout is a jet-black stallion named Blackjack. Blackjack is first introduced in the second Percy Jackson book when the titular character saves the winged horse from imprisonment by a band of monsters. From then on, Blackjack becomes Percy's loyal companion and appears in every other book in the series. As such, it can be assumed that the Pegasus spotted in Percy Jackson and the Olympians episode 1 is Blackjack, subtly setting up his and Percy's future meeting and friendship in season 2 and beyond.

Percy Jackson’s Future Teases Are Perfectly Done By Disney

Blackjack's cameo in Percy Jackson episode 1 subtly sets up future adventures, showcasing Disney's artful integration of future story elements.

As evident by Blackjack's subtle cameo, the teases of Percy Jackson and the Olympians' future are perfectly included in the show. For one, the teases are not so overt that they detract from the story at hand. Percy Jackson and the Olympians episodes 1 and 2 do not fall into the trap of sacrificing the story being told to set up a future franchise, instead sprinkling small details into the story that benefit Percy Jackson season 1's story and characters.

The Blackjack cameo in Percy Jackson episode 1 is a perfect example of this. The character appears in a brief shot used to explore Percy's history and the strange circumstances of his childhood. This both furthers the development of Percy's character and fits the world of Percy Jackson in a way that makes sense for unfamiliar viewers and is incredibly exciting for those with knowledge of the original books. If Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ future season 1 episodes continue to tease the future in this vein, the show will adequately tell a tale that benefits its characters while subtly laying the groundwork for future story elements.