The first season of Percy Jackson is over and it has already been renewed for season two. There have been mixed opinions on the show, many saying they were disappointed in how it turned out. However, I disagree with this criticism and I think that the Percy Jackson show is worth the watch.
Above anything else Percy Jackson is fun! It’s full of interesting plot points, sassy characters and beautiful imagery. It brings the books to life in an arguably much better way than the movies did. Some viewers felt like the show didn’t feel high stakes enough, that conflicts were too easily solved. In a way I can agree with this, the books are more complex and the characters do struggle more. But it is important to consider that plot points have to be adapted to fit the medium better, and putting a book into film in a way is going to restrict it. However, in defence of the show, it is important to remember that the people who grew up with Percy Jackson are not the target audience for the show. The target audience are much younger than the people who are critiquing the show.
Above anything else Percy Jackson is fun! It’s full of interesting plot points, sassy characters and beautiful imagery.
Another critique I have heard is that there are changes between the books and the show. Again, I would say that when adapting a book, changes have to be made and I personally love the changes between the books and the show. I think it makes the plot flow better in a lot of places and helps update the book from when it was written (almost twenty years ago). Speaking of changes, the biggest disappointment I’ve heard from fans is the casino scene. The casino scene in the Percy Jackson movies is one of the fan favourite moments that the show did not recreate, which fans weren’t happy with. Looking back, this doesn’t make much sense, because of course a kids show isn’t going to show their young characters eating flowers that are supposed to be a substitute for drugs. But anyway, you can’t please everyone.
I think a lot of the criticism surrounding this show has come from people misunderstanding who this show was truly made for. At the end of the day, it is a kids show. That doesn’t stop older Percy Jackson fans from enjoying it, it just means you have to set your personal expectations to reflect that. I personally loved the show and I think if people gave it a fair chance, they’d love it too!
