Production on Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 3 is currently underway, and season 2's action-packed finale laid the groundwork for what's to come. Percy Jackson season 2 concludes on a bittersweet note, with our heroes managing to hold off Luke — and Kronos — for the time being, and bring Thalia back. However, the Disney+ show's villains are still out there, and Thalia brings her own baggage to Camp Half-Blood. Suffice it to say, the young demigods are not out of the woods yet.
And after everything that happens in Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2, they're probably in for their most daunting adventure yet. The Titan's Curse, the third book in Rick Riordan's fantasy series, certainly raises the stakes of the story. And while season 2 diverges from the source material in some ways, it still sets up some of the major developments for the next outing.
SOME SPOILERS ahead for Percy Jackson and the Olympians book 3, The Titan's Curse.
1. Greater tensions between Luke & Annabeth (and Luke & Kronos)
One of the best changes Disney's Percy Jackson and the Olympians makes is its decision to focus more heavily on Luke's inner struggle. And season 2 sets the stage to explore his tensions with other characters further — specifically, with Annabeth and Kronos. In The Titan's Curse, Annabeth is kidnapped early in the story and forced take Atlas' place holding up the sky.
It's a terrible predicament to be in, and one that Luke directly facilitates. Percy Jackson season 2 puts the complicated feelings between Luke and Annabeth front and center, so he's likely to be at least a little uncomfortable with this development. That means more emotional interactions between the characters, and thus, more great performances from Leah Jeffries and Charlie Bushnell.
It's probable that we'll see Kronos pushing Luke to put Annabeth in this position, too, as we know the Titan expects greater loyalty from him after season 2. He probably won't be thrilled after Luke's loss at Camp Half-Blood. This opens the door for some interesting scenes as Luke attempts to regain his footing among Kronos' followers.
2. Blackjack becoming Percy's friend and steed
The Pegasus, Blackjack, finally makes his entrance in Percy Jackson season 2, Episode 7, but his main priority is transporting Clarisse back to Camp Half-Blood. Blackjack should take on a larger role in the story in season 3, however, as he eventually becomes Percy's friend and loyal steed.
In fact, he helps Percy pursue Annabeth in The Titan's Curse, with the two forging a strong bond. It's no surprise the Pegasus is so loyal to Percy, as he's the one who frees him from the Princess Andromeda. Blackjack becomes a regular presence in the series going forward, and viewers can expect some great comic relief because of it.
3. Athena's actual arrival in Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Andra Day makes an appearance as Annabeth's mother, Athena, in Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2, Episode 5. However, she's really playing an imitation of the goddess — one formed by the sirens outside C.C.'s Spa and Resort in order to lure Annabeth to her doom. This scene lays the groundwork for a true appearance, however. And we should finally get one in Percy Jackson season 3.
Tragically, Annabeth isn't the one Athena will appear to, despite her daughter's desperate need for her love and approval. We'll see Athena aid the quest to locate Annabeth after she's taken captive. She'll interact with Percy in the coming episodes, which should make for an interesting dynamic given his blossoming feelings for her daughter.
4. Thalia joining the Hunters of Artemis — with one big difference
Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2 sets up a darker arc for Thalia Grace, revealing that the Furies aren't the ones who turned her into a tree. Her father, Zeus, is responsible for doing so, as she refused to participate in his plans. This is a big shift from Riordan's books. And combined with Percy's nightmares about her, we can probably assume Thalia becoming a villain is a real concern in season 3.
The Disney+ series is setting up her character to be more aligned with Luke's, giving her a good reason to despise the gods and side with Kronos. It's possible that Annabeth's kidnapping will be what convinces her to stay away from the Titan and his army.
Thalia's endpoint is probably still to end up with the Hunters of Artemis, just as she does in the books. The series is probably going to get her there differently, though. It seems likely she'll join them after an internal struggle over which side of the war she'll be on. We can probably expect some conflict between her and Percy in the coming episodes, though it'd be surprising if she made a different choice in the end.