This article contains SPOILERS for Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2 Episode 2.
Percy Jackson season 2's premiere sets the stage for a new quest, but Episode 2 puts challenges in Percy (Walker Scobell) and Annabeth's (Leah Sava Jeffries) path. The most obvious is Tantalus (Timothy Simons), who seems determined to make life at Camp Half-Blood as difficult as possible. However, there's also the more serious threat that Chiron (Glynn Turman) teases, as well as the fact that Annabeth and Percy are now at odds with one another.
All of this leads to many great emotional beats throughout "Demon Pigeons Attack." Paired with the action of the chariot race — and, you know, the demon pigeons attacking — it makes for great television. Season 2's quest also begins in earnest by the end of this chapter, and it does so in a way that's pleasantly surprising (if you haven't read the books) and subverts expectations.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2 teases the Great Prophecy
Percy Jackson season 2, Episode 2 opens with Stymphalian Birds circling the weakened borders of Camp Half-Blood as Percy and Annabeth come up with a plan to help Grover and Thalia's tree. From the jump, there's a great balance of gravity and humor, with Percy wondering if the monsters' main threat is "acid bird poop or something." To be fair, they don't look all that menacing, but they prove that impression wrong later on.
As Percy and Annabeth walk around Camp Half-Blood, they plan to have Tantalus leave his office and scold Percy. Although participation in camp events technically allows him to break his house arrest, they anticipate Tantalus lecturing him anyway. When he does, Annabeth uses the opportunity to sneak into his office and send an Iris message to Chiron. The image of the former camp director enjoying Miami in his Hawaiian shirt is well worth the slight deviation from the source material.
Annabeth fills Chiron in on what's happening, insisting that they need a quest to save Grover and retrieve the Golden Fleece. While he agrees, he delivers a warning that's exclusive to the show: because of the Great Prophecy, and the fact that Kronos likely wants this quest to happen, Chiron insists they must prevent Percy from going on this quest at all costs. This puts Annabeth in a bind, as she's forced to lie and exclude Percy from her plans — and their relationship is already strained.
While Annabeth speaks to Chiron, Percy appeals to Tantalus, giving him Grover's coordinates and loudly proclaiming he knows how to save camp. It's clear he wants the attention of the other demigods, but Tantalus doesn't fall for this. Even he can't get around the camp's policies and Percy's ability to partake in the chariot race though.
There's Camp Half-Blood fun before Percy & Annabeth depart
After Tantalus fails to authorize their quest, Annabeth pitches a new idea to Percy: winning the chariot race that the new camp director is planning. According to her, it will gain them "boon," or favor, with the gods. Then they can ask the gods to send them on their quest, getting around the constraints of Camp Half-Blood. It demonstrates why Annabeth is the brains of Percy Jackson's main trio, and her suggestion to split up for the race is equally wise — even if there are ulterior motives behind it.
Percy teams up with Tyson (Daniel Diemer) instead of Annabeth, with the episode working in a few touching moments between the half-brothers. Tyson remains one of Percy Jackson and the Olympians' best new characters, as he seems so genuine. He's a great source of support for Percy, particularly as he grapples with Grover's absence and Annabeth's distance.
The chariot race itself is action-packed, with the campers going to great lengths to ensure they win. Not only does this keep things exciting in "Demon Pigeons Attack," but it allows viewers to have some fun at Camp Half-Blood before departing on another dangerous quest. After all, the camp is an iconic setting, even if Percy spends much of the story away from it. The Disney+ series should take advantage of it when it can.
And it's during the chariot race that Episode 2 delivers on its title, having the Stymphalian Birds break through the barrier and interrupt the event. Annabeth tells Percy they hate high-pitched sounds, and the two grab a boombox from Chiron's office, blasting Mariah Carey to fend off the monsters. Kudos to whoever came up with that addition; it's one of many great comedic moments in this chapter. It works, too, though Tantalus doesn't give Percy and Annabeth the credit for saving their peers.
Clarice's quest for the Golden Fleece
Mr. D (Jason Mantzoukas) calls a meeting on the heels of Episode 2's bird attack, opening it with a hilarious line: "So that happened. And it was a lot." As the meeting continues, Tantalus admits that the barrier surrounding Camp Half-Blood only has a week left before it collapses. He cedes that a quest is needed. However, he presents Percy's dream as his own and grants the quest to Clarice (Dior Goodjohn), who he praises for finishing the chariot race in spite of the chaos that erupted.
Clarice chooses Annabeth to accompany her, as she has prior quest experience. However, she doesn't include Percy, opting for a demigod named Chris Rodriguez instead. This is after Annabeth whispers in her ear, raising alarms for Percy. And it is a little silly that Clarice doesn't choose him, as he's right in pointing out that it's a sea-based quest. As the son of Poseidon, he's an obvious pick.
Percy soon learns Annabeth's true intentions, as Tyson recalls that she told Bronte to take out the Poseidon chariot if it was in the lead. Hurt and frustrated, he decides to leave on his own, even after Tantalus' warning that anyone outside camp borders will be shot on sight. Another dream chat with Grover (Aryan Simhadri) cements his choice. It also gives readers a look at the wedding dress Grover wears to keep Polyphemus from killing him in the books.
...and Percy Jackson's
The end of Percy Jackson season 2, Episode 2 is perhaps the strongest part, with Percy embarking on a quest without Camp Half-Blood's blessing. However, he does head to the ocean and ask Poseidon for permission. And his father sends Hermes (Lin-Manuel Miranda) to give him the go-ahead and some very cryptic gifts. Hermes reveals he has his own reason to be invested in Percy's journey: he still wants to save Luke (Charlie Bushnell), something Percy scoffs at. However, Hermes' emotional insistence that "he's my son" will leave you rooting for that outcome anyway.
Right after Hermes disappears, Annabeth shows up to stop Percy from leaving. She reveals Chiron's part in her lie, and the two start arguing, causing the tensions between them to boil over. Annabeth finally admits what's really bothering her, giving an incredible monologue. She can't comprehend Percy's privilege or attachment to the human world, insisting that things like movies and roller coasters aren't interesting when you've spent your life in survival mode. (We're mostly with her, but how can she hate Jaws?!)
Despite her frustration, Percy asks her to talk to him instead. She refuses, promising more awkwardness between the pair. Unfortunately, their conversation is interrupted by Tantalus, who appears with a crossbow in-hand. He intends to kill them, making him even more villainous than his book counterpart. Fortunately, Tyson knocks him down, and the group escapes in the boat Hermes provided. We probably haven't seen the last of Tantalus, but the trio gets the quest they were hoping for — just not in the more official way they expected.
Verdict
Hermes' and Annabeth's emotional moments at the end of "Demon Pigeons Attack" are the highlights of Episode 2, but the whole installment leaves very little to complain about. Any awkwardness from the first chapter is gone, making for a smoother experience overall. The cast does an impressive job with these heartfelt moments, infusing new levels of depth into their characters and adding layers to their relationships with one another.
It's not just the serious moments that land; there are plenty of jokes and one-liners throughout Episode 2, and they capture the tone of the books even without Percy's narration. The brief bits of action also ensure the pacing never falters, and we've barely gotten into the main storyline just yet. Needless to say, "Demon Pigeons Attack" is another worthy addition to the series. Most importantly, it will leave viewers eager for Percy Jackson and the Olympians' next weekly release on December 17.