‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ Season 2 Review: A Strong, Sea-Tossed Return to Camp Half-Blood
- Je-Ree
- 16 hours ago
- 3 min read
The Disney+ series dives confidently into “The Sea of Monsters,” blending myth, humor, and heart with a few bumps along the way.
The tides are rising again at Camp Half-Blood and fans of Greek mythology have plenty of reason to celebrate. Percy Jackson and the Olympians returns for its sophomore voyage with the same charm and youthful energy that made Season 1 such a hit. Adapted once more under the watchful eye of author Rick Riordan, the new season wastes no time plunging back into the chaos of gods, monsters, and pre-teen heroics that somehow still manage to feel deeply human.
When the camp’s protective barrier is suddenly breached, Percy (Walker Scobell) finds himself facing a crisis that’s both epic and deeply personal. The quest to save Grover (Aryan Simhadri) and restore Camp Half-Blood’s defenses launches a season-long odyssey that feels grander, funnier, and more emotionally grounded than before. By Episode 1 (“I Play Dodgeball with Cannibals”), the action is already in full swing as the title says it all and director Jet Wilkinson sets a brisk, confident tone that blends high fantasy with a coming-of-age sensibility.
The standout addition this season is Daniel Diemer’s Tyson, Percy’s cyclops half-brother, who quickly steals scenes with an earnestness that offsets the chaos around him. Despite his intimidating stature, Tyson is pure heart, a gentle, curious giant whose wide-eyed innocence makes him instantly endearing. Diemer brings a sincerity that grounds the spectacle, and his chemistry with Scobell gives the story a new emotional dimension.
I also love that we get to see more of Dior Goodjohn as Clarisse, daughter of Ares. Season 2 gives her room to evolve beyond the tough-as-nails rival we met before. Goodjohn plays Clarisse as a fascinating antihero who is fierce, proud, and constantly wrestling with her own sense of identity and belonging. Her performance adds texture to the camp dynamics, showing that even the children of war gods are fighting their own battles.
Of course, the show’s emotional core remains the slow-burn friendship (and inevitable romance) between Percy and Annabeth (Leah Sava Jeffries). Their dynamic is just as playful and awkward as fans could hope for, and the writing wisely teases their connection without rushing it. Jeffries continues to make Annabeth sharp, brave, and just the right amount of snarky, a perfect foil to Scobell’s good-hearted impulsiveness.
While Tyson fills Grover’s absence nicely, there’s still a certain magic missing without the original trio fully together. The show seems to know that, too, and uses it to heighten Percy’s sense of responsibility and loneliness. Meanwhile, new villains and authority figures at camp bring an unsettling edge as it’s almost comical (and a little disturbing) how often adults in this universe are perfectly fine endangering literal children in the name of “training.”
Episode 2 (“Demon Pigeons Attack”) doubles down on both humor and peril. A new activities director throws Camp Half-Blood into chaos, forcing Percy and Annabeth into a chariot race that’s as thrilling as it is symbolic of their developing trust. Beneath the monster mayhem, the show doesn’t shy away from adult themes; loyalty, identity, and the blurred lines between destiny and choice.
Visually, Season 2 looks more assured than its predecessor. The effects are slicker, the world feels richer, and the mythological creatures have a tangible weight that Season 1 sometimes lacked. The tone remains distinctly Disney+: family-friendly but smart enough not to talk down to its audience.
If there’s a critique, it’s that the pacing occasionally rushes as these early episodes juggle setup, action, and character arcs at a whirlwind clip. But that’s a small price to pay for a series that clearly understands what makes Percy Jackson work: heart, humor, and just the right dash of heroism.
As the Sea of Monsters beckons, Percy Jackson and the Olympians sails confidently into its next chapter. If these first two episodes are any indication, fans are in for a quest worth embarking on; one that’s as nostalgic as it is newly electrifying.
Verdict: ⚡ An exciting and heartfelt return to Camp Half-Blood, anchored by strong performances and genuine emotional stakes. Tyson’s debut is a delight, and the series remains a worthy heir to Riordan’s world of gods, monsters, and misfit heroes.