The Power of Iris: Unveiling the Mystery of Iris Messaging in Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Unveiling Iris Messaging: A Mythological Version of Zoom Calls

Percy Jackson and the Olympians episode 6 introduces the concept of Iris Messaging, a method of communication that stems back to yet another ancient Greek myth. After the story reveals of Percy Jackson episode 5, Annabeth, Percy, and Grover travel to Las Vegas in the back of an animal transportation truck. While they wait to reach their destination, the trio decides to call Chiron at Camp Half-Blood to update him on the status of their quest and receive any potential advice that the Centaur has to offer.

Percy Jackson and Annabeth looking at a rainbow in episode 6 to start Iris Messaging

However, Luke answers the message and kickstarts an episode centered on the Castellan family, meaning the return of Lin-Manuel Miranda to the cast of Percy Jackson and the Olympians as Hermes. In order to talk to Luke, Annabeth utilizes what seems to be another of Percy Jackson's magical items, though it is later revealed to be an Iris Message. This begs the question of what an Iris Message is, how it is possible, and how the concept ties to the world of ancient Greece.

Hermes smiling in Percy Jackson episode 6 next to the poster for Percy Jackson and the Olympians

The Mythical Power of Iris: Enabling Long-Distance Communication

In the world of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Iris Messaging allows demigods and other people enveloped in the magical world to communicate no matter where they are. As seen in Percy Jackson episode 6, an Iris Message is only possible via a rainbow and a drachma, the golden coins Percy was given before his quest began. To begin an Iris Message, a drachma must be thrown through a rainbow before the person beginning the call states where they would like to be connected. That location will then be shown through the rainbow, allowing both ends to communicate with one another.

Luke Castellan at Camp Half-Blood in Percy Jackson and the Olympians episode 2

Concerning specifically how Iris Messaging works, it is made possible by Iris, the Greek goddess of rainbows. While many may wonder how rainbows could enable messaging, Iris' other responsibilities within the Olympian pantheon explain this. In ancient times, Iris was also known to be a messenger of the gods with Hermes being her male counterpart. As such, Rick Riordan - the author of the Percy Jackson book series - chose Iris to be linked to the concept of long-distance communication. In the world of Percy Jackson, half-bloods must present Iris with an offering - hence the drachma - in order to be connected with another place.

Luke with the winged shoes and Hermes in his mailman uniform in Percy Jackson episode 3

The Significance of Iris Messaging in Percy Jackson

Finally, it is worth exploring why the Iris Message scene in Percy Jackson episode 6 is so crucial to the series. For one, it serves as a way to refresh audiences on Luke's character. Luke has not appeared since the beginning of Percy Jackson episode 3, meaning audiences may have forgotten his importance to Percy and Annabeth. Secondly, this appearance from Luke benefits the later exploration of his family that is provided by Hermes' role in Percy Jackson episode 6. Without seeing Luke and reminding audiences of his character, the past involving him, Hermes, and Luke’s mother would not be as resonant later in the episode.

The Lightning Thief book cover with Percy and Hermes in Disney's Percy Jackson show

Furthermore, Luke's Iris Message furthers the mystery of the Lightning Thief. Annabeth and Percy explain to Luke how Grover believes Clarisse is the Lightning Thief. Luke then explains that the camp is in turmoil with people preparing for war believing they have to pick sides between Zeus and Poseidon. All of this development would not have been possible without the Iris Message which serves as a great way to set up the stakes of Percy, Annabeth, and Grover's quest going into the final two episodes of Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Chiron aka Mr Brunner in Percy Jackson and the Olympians episode 2