Percy Jackson and the Olympians keeps going from strength to strength, including in the penultimate episode of season 1. Arguably the best episode yet (though that's up for personal debate), "We Find Out The Truth, Sort Of" seamlessly slips between past and present whille building on the characters and storylines we've been following since Episode 1. The Underworld (the realm of Hades) is brought to life in a way which can only be described as stunning, making for another immersive and fast paced episode.
Percy, Annabeth and Grover
The core trio of Percy (Walker Scobell), Annabeth (Leah Jeffries), and Grover (Aryan Simhadri) truly feels rock solid in this episode. In my review of Episode 6, I mentioned how the relationships between these characters had become stronger. That only became more important in Episode 7.
From the very beginning of the episode, we see the three of them working together, tricking their way into the Underworld (where Percy's mother, Sally, is being held captive). While at first it seems like Percy working solo, it is quickly revealed that Annabeth and Grover are also performing key parts in the plan. As an audience, this isn't surprising to discover; the surprise is simply their ingenuity in finding new ways to trick gods. The three of them working as a team? Not a surprise whatsoever anymore, it just makes sense.
With that comes trust. At the end of Episode 6 Percy was given four pearls, which will provide them safe passage from the Underworld back to the mortal world. He insists on Grover and Annabeth carrying their own pearls, saying he trusts them and it's safer if they each have their own ticket out of here (which turns out to be a wise decision when Annabeth needs to make a hasty exit from the Underworld after getting separated from Percy and Grover, who are only comfortable leaving her because they all trust that they all know what they're doing).
This also allowed us to spend more time with Grover and Percy in this episode; despite being Percy's best friend, at times Grover has felt secondary to Annabeth. Not in this episode though. The two of them make it to Hades' palace together, taking a quick detour past the pit of Tartarus, into which Grover's flying shoes (gifted to Percy by Luke) desperately want to fly. Percy's loyalty to Grover is instant, with him chasing after his best friend and saving him from being dragged down.
Finally, they make it to Hades' throne room. Actor Jay Duplass as Hades is excellent. As soon as he appears on screen he is engaging, funny, and turns this terrifying notion of the god of death on its head; far from stirring up drama, Hades is actually quite enjoying living far away from his quarrelsome his family members up above ground.
When Percy and Grover are reunited with Annabeth at the end of the episode, it doesn't come as a surprise to us. Of course Annabeth made it safely out, and of course she waited for them. The relationship between the three characters is written so well that at this point it's just an assumption: all be there for each other, no matter what.
Flashbacks to the past... and Poseidon
The question of Percy's parentage has hung over us for most of the series; we know he's Poseidon, the sea god, but we've never met him. Percy is on a quest to rescue his mother, whom he deeply loves and cares for; his father he can take or leave. However, we viewers are very curious to meet Poseidon, and in this episode we finally get a glimpse.
Throughout the episode, we weave back and forth from present day in the Underworld to Percy as a much younger child being taken to a new school by his mother. Percy is upset at his mother abandoning him, because obviously, he doesn't know that she's trying to protect him from monsters beginning to notice him.
Poseidon's arrival is understated and quiet, and that's exactly why it's so perfect. He doesn't first appear to us as this all powerful, untouchable being. He is simply a man in a simple linen shirt (played by Toby Stephens), sitting with Sally Jackson at a diner, quietly trying to reassure her about the decisions she is making for her son. It helps us understand why Sally raised Percy the way she did; she is tempted to send Percy to Camp Half-Blood, but wants him to become the person he should be, not the person the gods want him to be. Instead of arguing with her, Poseidon seems to agree, saying that if that's what she wants, then Percy should be at school, not Camp Half-Blood.
It fills in some gaps for us about Poseidon's absence; he has been watching from the sidelines for all of Percy's life, not wanting to intervene directly (Sally offers him the opportunity to speak with Percy as a child and Poseidon declines, saying he will wait until Percy knows who he is, and when he does, Poseidon will come to him and support him). He wants his son to make his own destiny, to go about life differently from to other demigods. We see the utmost respect and care Poseidon has for Sally and the way she is raising their son.
The episode ends with Poseidon monologuing about how when Percy is ready he will be there. In the present, the trio stands on a beach, ready to face Ares now that the Lightning Bolt has been found (planted on them by Ares himself). We as an audience can't help but wonder... is the moment Poseidon speaks of now?
We'll have to wait until next week to find out...
Percy Jackson and the Olympians is available to stream now on Disney+.
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