Warning: This article contains spoilers for Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 1 and the Percy Jackson books.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians‘ lead, Walker Scobell, shares one scene that season 1 cut from the books, and it interestingly suggests a possible issue for Disney’s adaptation. After Percy Jackson and the Olympians‘ season 1 finale and season 2 being greenlit, there are a number of new characters, story arcs, and continued existing plot points that fans are excited about. As a fairly faithful adaptation of Rick Riordan’s book series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians‘ renewal for a second season is no surprise.
Despite the Percy Jackson show’s changes to the books, the massive positive critical and audience reception suggest an appreciation for the adaptation’s perception. After all, major core elements like Percy’s sarcasm, the gods’ absent parenting, and key characters’ presence all add to season 1’s appeal. Another major advantage is the show’s Easter eggs and early details that set up later book events for subsequent TV seasons. However, some missing aspects and alterations could have a potentially bigger effect on the series’ five-book story arc.
10 Biggest Book Details That Percy Jackson & The Olympians Season 1 Leaves Out
Following Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 1, it’s worth exploring which major book details the Disney+ adaptation left out & the effect it has.
Walker Scobell Wishes The Book’s Plane Scene Was In Percy Jackson And The Olympians Season 1
The Lightning Thief‘s plane scene amplifies Zeus’ wrath and the danger of Percy traveling by sky.
During a podcast interview on Get Rec’d, Walker Scobell shares his favorite book moment that didn’t make the cut for Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 1. Although the scene isn’t an emotional or lengthy one, it would’ve added to Percy and Zeus’ dynamic. Scobell says, “Since Zeus is not very happy with [the main trio], when [Percy] gets on the plane, there’s a lot of turbulence. There’s a whole plane ride scene where [Percy’s] holding onto the bolt and shaking. I thought that would’ve been pretty funny to film. And then Zeus says [Percy’s] not allowed to fly again.“
The missing plane makes sense since the show removes the need for the characters to travel from Santa Monica. But the scene demonstrates Zeus’ wrath against his brother Poseidon’s son. Moreover, Zeus’ control of the skies and the danger of Percy being in his territory is not as heavily emphasized as it is in the first book, The Lightning Thief. Omitting details like the plane scene doesn’t negate the threat, especially since Grover mentions flying would be “serving [Percy] up on a silver platter.” The scene’s omission, however, frames Percy and Zeus’ relationship in a much less relentlessly hostile way.
Interestingly, Percy Jackson and the Olympians episode 1’s Easter eggs foreshadow an important mythological Percy Jackson species, namely Pegasi. Blackjack, Percy’s Pegasus, is alluded to in the opening scenes when young Percy spots one on a roof, and again in episode 3 when Grover tends to a black Pegasus. Blackjack first appears in the second book, Sea of Monsters, so this detail about Zeus warning against Percy’s air travel will hopefully be addressed in season 2 to add to expected scenes whereby Blackjack transports Percy around.
All 8 Episodes In Percy Jackson Season 1, Ranked
Percy Jackson & the Olympians season 1 has a lot of great episodes, but some installments of the Disney+ series stand out more than others.
Removing The Plane Scene Emphasizes Disney’s Major Changes To Zeus
Disney+’s Percy Jackson series paints Zeus and the gods in a more sympathetic light.
Percy only has a brief concern over air travel in season 1 and practically experiences no rumbles of thunder, indicating Zeus’ constant threat. Therefore, the book’s plane scene could’ve undermined these changes that the show made to the Greek gods. A major Zeus change from the books arrives in the season finale when Zeus doesn’t prohibit Percy from sharing his information about Kronos but instead expresses a deep understanding of the titan’s whereabouts. This iteration of Zeus, although intimidating and powerful, appears more sympathetic and reasonable than his book counterpart.
Thus, including a terrified Percy on a plane followed by Zeus’ declaration that Percy shouldn’t fly again would’ve directly contradicted the Disney+ version of the character. Maintaining Zeus’ unapologetic and ruthless wrath through the plane scene would’ve also misaligned with Poseidon and Zeus’ scene on Olympus where the latter is able to tap into the former’s more forgiving side by mentioning Thalia. Therefore, while the plane scene would’ve been true to the books and exhibited Percy’s nervousness about encountering the god who threatened his life, it would contradict the direction the show has taken with Zeus’ character.
8 Percy Jackson Storylines The Disney Show Must Cover In Season 2
Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2 needs to introduce several new storylines and characters which are vital to the overall plot of the series.
Why The Zeus Change Could Be An Issue In Future Percy Jackson Seasons
Making the gods too sympathetic could undermine the motivations behind the story’s major conflict.
Although Zeus is only in the Percy Jackson season 1 finale, his larger-than-life presence is evident and perfectly exuded by the late Lance Reddick. Sadly, Reddick’s passing introduces a question about how the Disney show will proceed with Zeus’ character. The larger potential narrative issue is in maintaining Zeus’ powerful presence, given the more sympathetic angle season 1 has taken with many of its gods. Zeus’ scenes are already expected to be limited based on the book series’ events, so it’s even more crucial to ensure his continuous wrathful force isn’t entirely diminished by this change.
8 Biggest Unanswered Questions & Mysteries After Percy Jackson Season 1
Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ season 1 finale resolves the quest for Zeus’ Master Bolt, though still leaves several questions unanswered.
Additionally, if the Percy Jackson show steers too far from the flawed side of the gods, it runs the risk of reinventing the dynamic between gods and demigods too much. This could humanize them in a way that could undermine the validity of the villains’ arguments and Percy holding them accountable in the events of The Last Olympian. Although maintaining a more sympathetic view of the gods aligns with the direction Percy Jackson and the Olympians takes in season 1, the future of the gods’ portrayal should touch on their flaws to help maintain the overarching story’s poignancy.
Percy Jackson & the Olympians
- 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
