Unravelling the Slow burn: The Unforgettable Journey of Percy Jackson and the Olympians

If you are familiar with Rick Riordan and his witty sense of humor, interested in the great Greek myths, and is a fan of his greatest creation 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians’. Here’s everything you need to know about the Disney+ Show. As a hard-core fan of the series myself, I was incredibly excited with the first announcement of the live-action series in 2020 with Riordan himself taking part in its production. Despite the long wait, the show finally aired in late 2023. 

STORYLINE:

 It has 8 episodes with each having a time of 30-40 minutes. This is the story of an adolescent, weird, dyslexic boy who's got his entire life turned overnight when he gets himself in trouble at school and ends up being expelled. He finds himself in danger and his mom decides to take him to a special camp for his safety. This is where he finds the secret to his birth and suddenly gets framed for stealing Zeus's (The Greek god of the Sky) Master Bolt. He embarks on a journey with his best friend Grover and not-so-friendly Annabeth to find the bolt and return it to Zeus before he unleashes war upon the World.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SHOW:

Percy and his friends go through ordeals throughout their journey, fighting monsters, meeting Gods, and doing their little bidding. The trio starts with little mishaps, but they begin to trust and grow on each other every step of the way. The chemistry between the cast is highly appreciated. The gradual change between Percy and Annabeth from not getting along to sacrificing themselves to protect each other was strongly highlighted. It is a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the story. Being an adaptation from a book series, it is natural for the readers to expect one's favourite scenes put into reality. However, it is not possible to add in every little detail. While some changes may not have been ideal. Riordan managed to bring in a fresh perspective. For instance, when the trio meets Medusa, An unexpected change where as an audience you might feel empathy for her.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT?  

• As mentioned before, Changes were made throughout the story. As long as it does not drift from the original storyline, it is okay to touch it up a bit.  SPOILER ALERT: For example, Considering the missing of the deadline and failing to return the bolt to Zeus, there was no sign of a War. Changes like this were shocking and disappointing and a major break in the plot.

• The lighting and CGI were dim and lacking at times. As a children's show, the focus on trigger themes like violence and abuse was deficient.

• The Percy and Annabeth duo feels too much leaving Grover as a third wheel.

In general, it is a good watch. As a first-time screenplay writer, there is room for better portrayal. I'm sincerely hoping Riordan takes these pointers for improvement and brings in dashing future seasons. 

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