Warning! This article contains spoilers for Percy Jackson and the Olympians episode 4.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians episode 4 introduces a Nereid, a messenger dedicated to Poseidon. In the world of the Disney+ show, Percy Jackson encounters several mythological creatures, with episode 4 being no different. Percy Jackson and the Olympians episode 4 takes the titular character to St. Louis where he encounters more villainous presences such as Echidna and the Chimera. After the shocking story reveals of Percy Jackson episode 3, episode 4 continues the journey to find Zeus’ master bolt that was outlined in the prophecy Percy received from the Oracle at Camp Half-Blood.
Percy Jackson’s Prophecy In Episode 3 Explained
Percy Jackson and the Olympians episode 3 begins with the titular character receiving a prophecy that means big things for season 1’s overall story.
During Percy Jackson and the Olympians episode 4’s ending, Percy falls from the top of the St. Louis arch into the Mississippi River. This is enabled by a Nereid, a messenger of the sea who aids Percy as he is Poseidon’s child. However, Percy Jackson episode 4 mostly leaves information about the Nereids absent, begging the question of what exactly they are, how they connect to Poseidon and Percy, and their role in real-world Greek myths.
A Nereid Is A Sea Nymph Symbolizing The Beauty & Kindness Of The Sea
In Greek mythology, Nereids are sea nymphs, minor goddesses of the sea who represent the beauty and kindness that the ocean can possess. Nereids are sisters to Dryads/wood nymphs, the minor goddesses of woodland nature who were spotted in Percy Jackson and the Olympians episode 2. In real-world myths, Nereids were said to be the matrons of sailors and fishermen, often coming to the aid of those in danger when at sea.
In total, there have been recordings of around 50 Nereids in Greek mythology, though some were more prominent than others. One of the more prominent Nereids was Thetits, the mother of the famous Greek hero Achilles. Another more notable Nereid was Amphitrite, the queen of the sea and wife of Poseidon. Concerning the world of Percy Jackson, Amphitrite is one of the only named Nereids when she appears in a brief scene in the fifth and final book. The other Nereids shown in Percy Jackson’s books are utilized as messengers for Poseidon, as shown in the ending of Percy Jackson and the Olympians episode 4.
Percy Jackson Episode 4 Leaves Out The Nereids’ Backstory With Percy
One interesting element of the Nereids story is left out of Percy Jackson and the Olympians episode 4. In the books, it is revealed that the Nereids have been watching Percy since he was younger. As a child of the sea god, Percy is rare among demigods, meaning the Nereids often looked out for Percy when he and his mother would visit Montauk.
However, Percy Jackson episode 4 hints that this element of Percy’s backstory with the Nereids will be mentioned in future episodes, The Nereid at the end of the episode tells Percy to travel to Santa Monica, a place from the first Percy Jackson book where he encounters another Nereid. This could be where Percy’s backstory with the mystery goddesses of the sea is divulged in Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
New episodes of Percy Jackson and the Olympians release every Tuesday on Disney+.
