The Real Meaning Behind Annabeth's Line in Percy Jackson Episode 3

The Quest Begins: A Clash of Personalities

In Disney's Percy Jackson episode 3, Annabeth makes a comment about being 'impertinent' which holds a much deeper meaning in the overall storyline.

Leah Jeffries as Annabeth Chase wearing an orange Camp Half-Blood shirt and crossing her arms in Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Percy, Annabeth, and Grover begin their quest to get back Zeus' stolen thunderbolt in Percy Jackson & the Olympians season 1, episode 3, 'We Visit the Garden Gnome Emporium.' On top of pushing the plot forward, this episode helps establish the relationships between the three questers. Grover and Percy rekindle their friendship after Grover reveals Sally's fate in the Percy Jackson TV show.

Percy Jackson standing on a beach next to Toby Stephens as Poseidon from the Disney+ SHow

Meanwhile, Percy and Annabeth constantly butt heads as they try to navigate the quest. Annabeth thinks she knows better than Percy, and Percy can't stand Annabeth's take-charge attitude. Their relationship only gets worse as Medusa attempts to plant seeds of doubt in their heads. Eventually, after killing the Gorgon in Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Percy decides they should send her decapitated head to the Gods. In response, Annabeth says, 'This is a bad idea. They will see this as impertinent.' The quote comes across as a reflection of Annabeth's pride, but it actually holds a deeper meaning within the story and lore.

Annabeth's Fear and Concern

In Percy Jackson & The Olympians, Annabeth's concern about being “impertinent” comes from a place of fear of retribution from the Gods. The Greek Gods in Disney’s Percy Jackson TV show thrive due to respect for their position of power. They may have supernatural abilities, but they wouldn’t have much leverage over the world if they weren’t mythologically immortalized and revered.

Percy, Annabeth, and Grover sending Medusa’s head to the Gods could seem like an expression of disrespect that would make them lash out. This would possibly create ire from Athena, who cursed Medusa for breaking her vow of celibacy, and Poseidon, who used his power to take advantage of the Gorgon. Annabeth fears the reaction from both her mom and one of the Big Three. However, Percy has no concern about this, fully admitting and embracing his impertinence. This, as well as his power as a forbidden child, is ultimately what makes him a massive threat to the Gods.

Percy's Impertinence and Its Impact

From the start of Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Percy is seen as impertinent because schools expel him and he challenges authority. While this scares Annabeth and poses a threat to the Gods, Percy’s impertinence actually ends up the demigods in Disney’s Percy Jackson TV show. The preteen doesn’t act with revenge or malice, but he refuses to show the Gods respect when they’ve acted disrespectfully towards him. Percy wants to teach them a lesson about the way they treat their kids, a goal that requires impertinence in the human world. Ultimately, he stands up against the Gods in Percy Jackson and wins, causing them to re-evaluate their parental roles.