Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Percy Jackson & the Olympians season 1, episode 8, “The Prophecy Comes True.”
Percy Jackson & the Olympians adds new Luke moments to its finale, and these scenes do a great job of highlighting what Percy could have become. Although Luke plays a crucial role in Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson books, the Disney+ series adds layers to the character and expands on his friendship with the titular hero. In particular, season 1’s final episode sheds further light on Luke’s motivations, as well as the bond he forms with Percy during the young hero’s initial stay at Camp Half-Blood.
While Percy and Luke’s conversation about demigods breaking the rules isn’t in the source material, it deepens their friendship by showing their training before Percy’s quest. Leading up to Percy Jackson season 1’s elongated villain reveal, it also draws an interesting parallel between the two characters. In fact, the flashbacks to Luke and Percy’s training prove that the latter could have become a villain, too, growing up under similar circumstances.
Percy Jackson Season 1 Finale Proves Percy & Luke Are Two Sides Of The Same Coin
Percy Jackson & the Olympians’ new flashbacks to Luke and Percy’s sparring matches make an interesting connection between the demigods, highlighting that they’re two sides of the same coin. While Luke turns out to be far more bitter towards the Olympian gods, both characters demonstrate similar thought processes. That’s why Percy comes to the same conclusion as Luke when confronted with the rules that gods and demigods must follow. He notes that the Olympians should fear their demigod children, as they can buck the rules in ways the gods cannot.
Luke agrees with Percy, and this observation is the backbone of his actions throughout Percy Jackson season 1. It’s the reason Luke is able to steal Zeus’ Master Bolt and Hades’ Helm of Darkness, and it’s how he gets away with pinning his crimes on Percy. The only difference between Luke and Percy is that one uses this information to push against the gods in a hateful manner, while the other attempts to make the Olympians better through his impertinence. And Percy certainly questions the Olympians as much as Luke throughout season 1; he just doesn’t come to the same conclusion.
Luke’s Betrayal Shows Who Percy Jackson Could Have Become
While Luke and Percy share similar thoughts about the Olympian gods, the demigods act on them in very different ways. Luke turns his back on Camp Half-Blood and Mount Olympus due to his father’s absence and the gods’ general negligence. Meanwhile, Percy comes to terms with Poseidon’s limited presence in his life, even if he doesn’t agree with the way the Olympians treat their families. But Percy takes the high road because of his experiences with his mother, friends, and even Poseidon.
Under different circumstances, Percy could easily have taken the same path as Luke. Luke’s betrayal in Percy Jackson & the Olympians proves as much, as he expects to successfully recruit Percy to his cause. The two share core beliefs, and Luke knows it. Chiron alludes to it, too, but Percy’s loyalty and goodness prevent him from seeking revenge.
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.
- 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
- Directors
- James Bobin , Anders Engström
- Showrunner
- Jonathan E. Steinberg , Dan Shotz
