Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 1 finale!
Percy Jackson and the Olympians showrunner Jon Steinberg has addressed a controversial book change made in season 1 of the show. During the Disney+ adaptation, Percy and his friends miss the deadline to retrieve the Master Bolt, something that didn’t happen in the books. However, the trio continue on their quest, with the titular character eventually returning it directly to Zeus.
Speaking with Variety, Steinberg explained why Percy Jackson season 1 changed the books by having Percy deliver the Master Bolt beyond the deadline. The showrunner explained how, by making this alteration, the young demigod’s decision became about a much wider responsibility than the quest he was assigned. Check out what Steinberg had to say below:
I thought there was something interesting about removing all of Percy’s obligation to do the right thing and seeing him confront that. Even absent this sacred responsibility to move forward, there’s a different kind of responsibility.
How The Quest’s Missed Deadline Changes Percy Jackson’s Story
Percy and his friends missed the deadline to return the Bolt in episode 6, when too much time passes at the Lotus Hotel and Casino. Even so, they push on to the Underworld, learning that Hades had nothing to do with the object being stolen, and that a bigger threat in Kronos is afoot. Despite the risk to his life, Percy decides to go to Mount Olympus to return the item to Zeus, even though he has the choice not to.
By having Percy Jackson season 1 end with this choice made, it reveals the responsibility Percy feels toward keeping peace between the Gods. The series illustrates how the Greek deities often don’t take accountability for their actions, something Percy does the opposite of by delivering the Bolt beyond the deadline. This emphasizes the virtue he has as a hero, something even some of the Gods do not possess.
It’s possible similar changes will occur in Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2, using small alterations to further character development. However, much like the change to the deadline, it’s unlikely to impact the overall story beats the show hits. Even though this part of the source material was altered, the reasoning behind it still allowed for deeper exploration of Percy in a TV format.
Percy Jackson & the Olympians
Based on the novel series by Rick Riordan Percy Jackson & the Olympians is an action-adventure fantasy television series created for Disney+. When Percy Jackson is framed for the theft of Zeus’ almighty thunderbolt, Percy must clear his name, all while harnessing the powers inherited by his father, Poseidon, at a camp created for demi-gods.
- Release Date
- December 20, 2023
- Cast
- Walker Scobell , Leah Sava Jeffries , Aryan Simhadri , Jason Mantzoukas , Megan Mullally , Glynn Turman , Adam Copeland , Virginia Kull , Lance Reddick
- Seasons
- 1
- Writers
- Rick Riordan , Jonathan E. Steinberg
- Streaming Service(s)
- Disney Plus
- Franchise(s)
- Percy Jackson & The Olympians
- Directors
- James Bobin , Anders Engström
- Showrunner
- Jonathan E. Steinberg , Dan Shotz
