Percy Jackson & the Olympians season 1 covers the events of The Lightning Thief with an impressive amount of accuracy, but the Disney+ series does deviate from the source material on multiple occasions — and some book changes are done better than others. After everything that went wrong with the Percy Jackson movies, it’s a relief that the TV show is finally doing Rick Riordan’s story justice. It’s easy to overlook minor book changes for this reason, and the larger ones tend to benefit the characters and plot.
Not all of Percy Jackson & the Olympians book changes are ideal, but the best ones add more depth to the source material. Riordan’s books don’t always have the time to go into certain characters or subplots as much as they should. However, the Disney+ series capitalizes on such opportunities whenever they arise — and it’s even better for it.
10 Percy Jackson Season 1 Not Teasing The Great Prophecy
The Disney+ Show Focuses On Percy’s First Mission & Self-Discovery
Percy Jackson & the Olympians season 1 sets up the show’s future through developments like Kronos’ introduction, but the first batch of episodes doesn’t tease the Great Prophecy that fuels Riordan’s series. This isn’t a huge deal, as there’s time to cover it in later seasons. And arguably, this book change improves Percy Jackson season 1, allowing the central focus to remain on Percy’s self-discovery and the mission to find the Master Bolt. Chiron alludes to the prophecy throughout The Lightning Thief, but the Disney+ show doesn’t tease it just yet.
While this isn’t the most impressive or important change Percy Jackson & the Olympians makes, it’s still among the adaptation’s better choices. For one, it saves the big reveal until later, which will make Percy learning about the Great Prophecy even more powerful (and surprising for new fans). It also gives Percy time to enjoy being a demigod before pushing him into the role of the “chosen one” — well, as much as he can after being accused of stealing Zeus’ Lightning Bolt.
9 Zeus’ Response To Kronos’ Return
It Fits With Greek Mythology & Makes The God More Sympathetic
When Percy tells Zeus about Kronos’ plans during The Lightning Thief, the Olympian god refuses to believe what Percy is saying. He bars his kin from speaking about Kronos’ return, which is a far cry from Zeus’ response during Percy Jackson season 1’s finale. Lance Reddick’s iteration of the character tells Percy that he knows what and where Kronos is — a sentiment that aligns better with both characters’ origins in the books and Greek mythology. Since Zeus is Kronos’ son and the person who defeated him initially, it makes sense that he takes Percy’s news seriously.
His response makes him a more respectable and sympathetic leader in the Disney+ show, even if his treatment of Percy isn’t warranted. This book change enhances one of Percy Jackson‘s most important characters, and it honors the myths that inspired him. Since Zeus rejecting Percy’s news in the books isn’t totally out of character, this change isn’t the best of the best. Still, it does improve upon the books.
8 Percy Choosing Who Will Join Him On His Quest
It Strengthens His Relationships With Annabeth & Grover
Percy must choose two people to accompany him on his quest in Percy Jackson season 1, and he decides on the same characters who travel with him in the book: Annabeth and Grover. While the main trio remains unchanged, the series of events that bring them together is slightly different in the show. Annabeth volunteers to accompany Percy in the books, while Percy specifically seeks her out in the Disney+ series. Additionally, Percy’s motives for choosing Annabeth and Grover are better explained: he’s already thinking about who might betray him after the Oracle’s prophecy.
This change adds depth to Percy’s character and his relationships with his friends, both of which enhance their portrayal in the Disney+ series. This is among the smaller changes Percy Jackson & the Olympians makes — and Percy, Annabeth, and Grover remain great without it — but it’s still powerful. Unfortunately, some of the bigger chances rank higher.
7 Percy Jackson’s Hephaestus Scene
This Scene Improves The World-Building & Characters
Percy Jackson & the Olympians season 1, episode 5 makes several changes to Percy’s trip to Waterland, but the biggest is the appearance of Hephaestus. The Olympian god doesn’t show up in The Lightning Thief, but he frees Percy from his golden throne in the Disney+ show. Before doing so, he has a conversation with Annabeth that beautifully captures the themes of Percy Jackson‘s story and explains why Percy is so special. This moment shows growth from Annabeth, and it confirms that all Greek gods aren’t the same.
Including Hephaestus also adds to Percy Jackson‘s world-building, which is a plus. While it’s not enough to land this book change in the top five, it’s more compelling than the more minor changes the series makes to the source material.
6 Gabe’s Storyline & Ending Is Better In The TV Show
Percy’s Step-Father Is Changed For The Better
The Percy Jackson books portray Gabe as an outright abusive character, but the TV show tones down his behavior. As the books don’t explore his domestic abuse with any real depth, it’s one of Percy Jackson’s most problematic storylines. It’s for the best that the show makes Gabe a less serious figure. He’s still a jerk, but he doesn’t pose a true threat to Sally and Percy — and he’s taken care of much earlier. While Gabe is turned to stone by Medusa’s head in the books, this doesn’t happen until the end of Riordan’s series. Percy Jackson season 1’s post-credits scene gives him his comeuppance a few outings too early.
Percy Jackson & the Olympians’ Gabe changes are great news for Percy and his mother, and it’s satisfying to see Gabe get what he deserves. However, this doesn’t break into the top five book changes for a few reasons. For one, it’s a shame viewers won’t get to see more of actor Timm Sharp, even if it’s nice to be done with his character. Gabe’s early exit also raises questions that Percy Jackson season 2 needs to answer, like how Percy and his mom will hide from monsters without the man’s stench.
5 Percy Missing The Summer Solstice Deadline
Percy Jackson Season 1 Raises The Stakes
Despite all the setbacks on his quest, Percy makes Zeus’ summer solstice deadline in Riordan’s books. This isn’t the case in Disney’s Percy Jackson & the Olympians. In the show, Percy and his friends miss their deadline after getting distracted at the Lotus Hotel and Casino. This change is great because it adds stakes to the end of season 1, making Percy’s trip to Mount Olympus that much more daunting. Zeus has good reason to be angry when Percy arrives in the adaptation, and it highlights Percy’s bravery that he shows up anyway.
While this book change benefits Percy’s character and the experience of watching his story unfold, it’s not as impactful as several other differences in Percy Jackson & the Olympians. In the end, Percy and Zeus’ confrontation has the same outcome. The show’s best changes genuinely alter the storylines and characters involved.
4 Percy Jackson’s Added Poseidon Scenes
These Are Much-Needed Additions To Rick Riordan’s Story
One of the biggest questions that arises after reading the Percy Jackson books is why Sally views Poseidon so fondly. Given the books’ and show’s criticisms of the Olympian gods, it’s difficult to understand why Percy’s mother still cares for the Greek god who essentially abandoned her and their son. Percy Jackson & the Olympians added Poseidon scenes fix this problem from the books, showing Poseidon’s redeeming qualities and Sally’s choice to keep Percy from Camp Half-Blood. This makes sense of their family dynamic and makes Poseidon more sympathetic.
Percy Jackson‘s Poseidon scenes are much-needed additions to the show, and they’re among the best changes the Disney+ series makes. Given that the demigods will be fighting for Mount Olympus for the rest of the series, it’s for the best that the gods have complex personalities; otherwise, viewers might turn against them. Sally and Poseidon’s flashbacks also highlight the gods’ cruelty, adding another emotional layer to their family situation.
3 Portraying Medusa As A Sympathetic Figure
This Twist Improves Upon Her Origins & Book Character
Percy Jackson & the Olympians’ Poseidon scenes may improve the portrayal of the gods, but the show doesn’t shy away from its criticisms of the Olympians either. Those aren’t exclusive to the adaptation, but the Disney+ series does a better job of depicting the gods’ cruelty than Riordan’s books. This is most evident during Percy Jackson season 1’s Medusa scene, which is altered from its book counterpart. Medusa has a more tragic backstory in the show, which makes her a more sympathetic figure, even if she turns on Percy and his friends later on.
Percy Jackson‘s Medusa change ranks highly for a few reasons, the first being that it offers a different perspective on her story. Medusa is often regarded as a villain in Greek mythology, but she’s undoubtedly a victim of the gods as well. Comparing her plight to those of the demigods adds an interesting layer of commentary, and it ensures she’s a more complex figure. Medusa also mirrors Sally in an interesting way. As she’s a minor character, her changes aren’t as compelling as some of the show’s bigger players — but they’re still pretty brilliant.
2 Luke’s Betrayal Is Handled Better In The Disney+ Show
Luke Gets More Depth In The Percy Jackson Show
Luke’s betrayal is among the biggest twists from The Lightning Thief, and Percy Jackson & the Olympians manages to improve upon this storyline and his character. The Percy Jackson season 1 finale builds towards its Luke revelation through conversations between Percy and his friend, and they paint a heartbreaking picture of how Luke got to this point. The fact that Luke attempts to recruit Percy rather than kill him also garners empathy, as he’s not trying to harm his friends or fellow demigods. The show’s version of Luke feels more lost than the original, and he has depth that will make his character arc more tragic.
Given what a major role Luke plays in the Percy Jackson books, it’s great to see the TV show expanding on his character. In fact, it should continue to do so into season 2 and beyond. The series’ Luke changes are among its best differences from the books. However, there’s one character the Disney+ show improves upon even more than Percy’s friend from Camp Half-Blood.
1 Making Sally Jackson A Better Character Overall
The Changes To Percy’s Mother Are The Show’s Best
Percy Jackson & the Olympians season 1’s best book change is its portrayal of Percy’s mother, as Sally is a much better character in the Disney+ show. By depicting more of her and Percy’s relationship, the series raises the stakes of Percy’s quest and ramps up the emotional investment for both of them. Sally is also far more likable on her own, as she’s willing to defend her son at all costs and make difficult decisions for the sake of his safety. Much of this isn’t shown in Riordan’s books, which portray her as a more passive character.
Giving Sally a more active role in its story is a winning choice for the Disney+ show. In addition to making her more compelling, it helps the story of Percy Jackson & the Olympians overall. Hopefully, season 2 will continue to invest in her character in this way.
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
