Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 delivers higher stakes, heart-wrenching tension, and the introduction of Tyson, whom everyone will fall in love with. It should be noted that this review is based solely on the first four episodes of the season.
After the soaring success of the debut season, Disney+’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians has returned for its second outing, tackling the Sea of Monsters arc. As someone who hasn’t read the books by Rick Riordan, I walked into this season having no idea what was going to happen, but I honestly kind of like being able to have an open mind and no expectations.
After the first episode alone, I was absolutely hooked. Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 manages to retain the family watch magic of the first season, while successfully maturing its themes and escalating the tension.
One of the most striking elements of these first four episodes is the shift in character dynamics. Walker Scobell continues to lead the series with a perfect blend of snark and sincerity, but the emotional landscape has changed. The most poignant – and honestly, heartbreaking – aspect of the season so far is the palpable disconnect between Percy and Leah Sava Jeffries’ Annabeth.
In Season 1, we watched them build a foundation of trust against all odds. Now, seeing them on edge with one another is difficult to watch. Sure, it is likely going to be important for the overall arc of the season, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. They are navigating the complexities of friendship and the weight of their shared trauma, and the tension between them makes every scene feel high-stakes.
Adding to this new chemistry is the introduction of Tyson, Percy’s half-brother, played with incredible warmth by Daniel Diemer. Tyson is an instant standout; he is sweet, innocent, and brings a special energy to the screen that balances the darker tones of the quest. Seeing Percy navigate the revelation of having a Cyclops for a brother is a highlight of the early episodes, and Diemer’s performance makes you fall in love with the character immediately.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 hits the ground running right from the start, wasting no time in thrusting us into the search for the Golden Fleece. The stakes feel personal this year because Aryan Simhadri’s Grover is in genuine peril. Knowing that the series is based on a long-running book franchise provides some comfort that our favorite satyr might be okay, but the show does an excellent job of making his captivity feel urgent and dangerous.
While the trio is fractured, the supporting cast keeps the energy high. Jason Mantzoukas once again steals every single scene he is in as Dionysus (Mr. D). It is clear he is having the time of his life with the role, bringing a chaotic, comedic energy that the show needs to balance its more serious moments.
On the flip side of that energy is Charlie Bushnell’s Luke. After the betrayal at the end of last season, his presence looms large. I don’t trust him for a second, and watching how his influence continues to ripple through the camp, even without him being there, creates a fantastic ticking clock feeling as the camp gets more and more vulnerable.
Now, to get to the aspect that everyone was nervous about. There is always a worry with child actors that a gap between seasons will result in them looking like adults playing children, but thankfully that isn’t the case here. While Scobell and the rest of the young cast have clearly grown, it feels natural to the progression of the story. They look like teenagers who have been hardened by their experiences, which only adds to the show’s credibility.
The technical side of the show remains top-tier. The CGI for the various monsters is realistic and, at times, legitimately terrifying. The creators clearly spent a significant amount of time ensuring the creatures felt like part of the world rather than digital afterthoughts. This is most apparent in the action sequences, specifically the chariot races in Episode 2. It was an edge-of-your-seat moment for me that captured the competitive, dangerous spirit of Camp Half-Blood perfectly.
Season 2 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians is off to a flying start. By focusing on the emotional rift between the leads and introducing endearing new characters like Tyson, the show has ensured that I am fully invested in the journey to the Sea of Monsters. If the remaining episodes maintain this level of pacing and heart, we are in for a spectacular finish.
About Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2
Season two of “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” is based on the second installment of Disney Hyperion’s best-selling book series titled “The Sea of Monsters” by award-winning author Rick Riordan. In the new season, Percy Jackson returns to Camp Half-Blood one year later to find his world turned upside down.
His friendship with Annabeth is changing, he learns he has a cyclops for a brother, Grover has gone missing, and camp is under siege from the forces of Kronos. Percy’s journey to set things right will take him off the map and into the deadly Sea of Monsters, where a secret fate awaits the son of Poseidon.
New episodes of Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 are available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu on Wednesdays.
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.