The Season 2 premiere jumps in with a kind of comfortable momentum, like everyone involved remembered exactly what worked last time and decided to lean into it. Season 1 set a solid foundation—faithful tone, strong young cast, and a clear understanding of the world—and this episode moves forward without trying to reinvent anything. It just builds. Instead of dramatic course corrections, tonal shifts, it just has more confidence.
Walker Scobell returns as Percy with an ease that fits the character’s growth. He still has the same earnestness, the same quick flashes of irritation when monsters show up uninvited, and the same deadpan humor that made him work in Season 1. He plays older Percy without losing the kid energy, which is the thing you want most in a story that’s still fundamentally about middle-schoolers facing absurd problems.
Leah Jeffries and Aryan Simhadri remain the heart of the trio. Their chemistry feels even smoother, with fast reactions, clean comedic beats. Season 1 already established their dynamic, so the premiere gets to skip the introductions and just let them function as a team. It makes the episode move quickly without feeling rushed, at least on that part.
The plot is straightforward and kid-friendly. There’s an issue at camp, a problem only Percy can solve, and just enough chaos to remind you that no one ever gets a normal week here.
Tyson’s introduction is handled with a surprising amount of warmth, though it's a little different from the book. Visually, his single eye is a little uncanny, but not in a way I can say is bad. There’s honestly no version of a cyclops that’s going to look “normal” to us because we just aren’t wired to process a face like that. The show makes a smart choice in leaning into sincerity over realism. His expressions read clearly, the character feels approachable, and once you settle into the look, it stops being a distraction.
What really stands out is the tone. It stays earnest, a little goofy, and emotionally direct. When characters struggle, the show doesn’t linger. When they succeed, it lets the moment land without overplaying it. It’s accessible without feeling simplified, which is exactly the balance that made the first season work.
There are some changes from the book. Tyson's introduction is a little different, and his initial relationship with Percy is slightly adjusted. I do think, overall, it adds to the story in a good way. Most of the changes I understood and enjoyed and felt like it added more depth. I think the most disappointing one is that the episode title doesn't truly come to fruition...not like it does in the books.
As a premiere, it accomplishes everything it needs to: It reestablishes the world, nudges the stakes upward, and sets the trio on a path that feels like a natural continuation rather than a reset. It’s fun, sincere, and clearly proud of its identity as a kids’ fantasy series.
If the rest of the season stays at this level, we’re in for something genuinely enjoyable.
Catch Percy Jackson and the Olympians every Wednesday on Disney+, starting December 10, 2025.
