Percy Jackson Season 2 Episode 5 Review: Never Trust a Greek Mythology Spa
- Je-Ree
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
By the time Percy Jackson and the Olympians hits Season 2, Episode 5 on Disney+, the show knows exactly what it is and more importantly, what it wants to fix (and it doesn't have to fix much). Titled “We Check In to C.C.’s Spa & Resort,” this episode leans hard into Greek myth chaos, character-driven tension and a few bold adaptation choices that actually work. For a series that has occasionally struggled to balance faithfulness (according to fans) with momentum, Percy Jackson season 2 episode 5 feels like a course correction wrapped in bathrobes, illusions and siren songs.
From the opening moments the episode wastes no time luring Percy and Annabeth into what appears to be a welcome break from monster attacks and looming prophecies. Circe’s spa is glossy, unsettling and dripping with “this is definitely a trap” energy. The show plays with that tension effectively, letting viewers sit in the discomfort rather than rushing to the reveal. It’s a smart move and one that pays off as the episode unfolds.
One of the biggest strengths of this episode outing is how it centers character over spectacle. Annabeth’s vulnerability takes center stage here and the writing finally gives her the space to wrestle with her fears, pride, and expectations without flattening her into exposition. Leah Sava Jeffries continues to be a standout, grounding Annabeth’s internal conflict in subtle but effective ways.
Walker Scobell’s Percy, meanwhile, gets to flex both his impulsiveness and his growing emotional awareness. The episode smartly avoids turning him into a passive observer of Annabeth’s arc. Instead, Percy’s reactions and choices underline how much he’s learning, not just about monsters and gods, but about trust. Their dynamic feels earned here
and it’s one of the most convincing portrayals of their partnership the series has delivered so far.
"If I had to choose between saving you or saving Olympus, Annabeth, I'd burn it all down."
The decision to merge Circe’s island with the Sirens’ temptation is the kind of adaptation choice that would normally send book purists into a spiral. Surprisingly, it works. The siren sequence adds urgency and thematic weight, reinforcing the episode’s focus on desire, fear, and self-perception. Visually, it’s one of the more striking moments of the season, even if the budget limitations occasionally peek through the cracks.
That said, not everything at C.C.’s Spa is perfectly polished. The pacing stumbles slightly in the middle, particularly when the episode cuts away to Clarisse and Grover’s parallel storyline. While their scenes help set up future conflict, they interrupt the emotional momentum Percy and Annabeth are building. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it does highlight the show’s ongoing struggle to juggle multiple threads within a tight runtime.
Still, the episode’s highs outweigh its flaws. The tone hits a sweet spot between ominous and playful, embracing the weirdness of Greek mythology without turning it into a joke. Circe herself is portrayed with just the right mix of charm and menace, making her less of a cartoon villain and more of a thematic obstacle, someone who represents what happens when power and self-indulgence go unchecked.
For fans who have been waiting for Percy Jackson and the Olympians to fully come into its own, season 2 episode 5 feels like a turning point. It’s confident, character-focused and willing to take risks. Not every choice will land for every viewer, but the episode understands the heart of the story it’s telling, and that goes a long way.
As the season moves into its back half, this installment raises the bar. If the show can maintain this balance of mythological flair and emotional clarity, Percy Jackson season 2 might finally deliver on the promise that’s been hovering over the series since day one. And if nothing else, it proves one thing: never trust a spa in the Greek mythological universe.
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