Trouble for the heroic trio of Percy Jackson and the Olympians still lingers after their Echidna (Suzanne Cryer) fiasco at the St. Louis arch. While Percy’s (Walker Scobell) quest hit several roadblocks, from the likes of Medusa to Alecto, Annabeth (Leah Sava Jeffries) and Grover (Aryan Simhadri) have helped him survive every step of the way.
However, with Poseidon finally deciding to intervene in episode 4 with the Nereid’s assistance, Percy isn’t one to be counted out just yet.
Now in this episode, Percy, Annabeth, and Grover continue their westward trip on foot all while trying to avoid the wrath of Olympus and the monsters that come with it.
Surprisingly, they manage to come across one prominent figure who might be able to help them out at the risk of their own safety (and sanity.)
Percy, Annabeth, and Grover Hit The Road In ‘Percy Jackson’ Episode 5
The first moments of Percy Jackson‘s fifth episode open with Percy picking himself up from the Mississippi River and happily reuniting with Annabeth and Grover, who have many eyes from the police on them now.
However, with open arms, Annabeth’s relief that Percy’s okay provides a tonal sweetener that further builds their trust.
Unfortunately, she spots the Fates, who give her a warning by cutting a timely thread, something she keeps under wraps until the three reach the highway as Percy tries comprehending the situation (does Posideon actually care?)
Surprisingly, they’re found by Ares (Adam Copeland), who persuades them into meeting with him at a diner ahead about their cosmic predicaments.
Off the bat, Copeland’s performance brings out a nonchalant, passive-aggressive version of the Olympian god of war as he goes into the history between Zeus and his father, Kronos.
However, Annabeth suspects Ares is holding his true intentions back to which he reveals that he lost his shield at Waterland, an amusem*nt park with some sinister secret.
The entire diner sequence not only plays up Percy Jackson and the Olympians‘ modernity (hello, Twitter!), but also reinvigorates an important aspect of The Lightning Thief through Ares’ presence.
However, while this entire scene follows closely to the books, this episode inserts one original scene that’s very fascinating to explore.
Grover Finds Common Ground With Ares In ‘Percy Jackson’ Episode 5
From the previous three episodes of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, the show has maintained this theme that not all creatures are truly evil, they’re simply playing by the rules bestowed upon them.
This continues when Ares decides to let Percy and Annabeth go on their way to Waterland while he keeps watch over Grover, creating an original scene between the two.
This scene manages to find a connection between Grover and Ares by letting them bond over Ares’ involvement with mortal conflicts, giving him a more empathetic side.
In the meanwhile, Grover is able to permeate his connection, bringing up the fact that they’re both essentially dealing with the nature of people given Grover’s mediative personality and Ares’ complete self with his kids.
This gives the episode a nice breather until Grover cuts it short by comparing Ares with Athena, leading to Ares almost lashing out at the unprotected satyr.
In the end, Ares manages to convince Grover that they both know Percy isn’t the one who actually stole Zeus’ lightning bolt.
Unfortunately for Percy and Annabeth, they won’t be able to learn this fact once they reach Waterland, the heavenly complex for lovers.
Percabeth Finally Settles In With ‘Percy Jackson’ Episode 5
Once Percy and Annabeth finally make it to Waterland, their true friendship really begins to blossom as they take the iconic Thrill Ride O’Love with Haddaway’s “What Is Love” adding to the comedy.
Here, the two learn about the ride’s creator who turns out to be none other than Hephaestus, who failed to find Aphrodite’s love after she got with Ares and tried making this to trap her.
This gives Percy a big realization: Sally (Virginia Kull) was trying to protect him from the family troubles that came with Poseidon’s love.
In a Hercules-inspired sequence, the ride suddenly turns into Splash Mountain when Percy and Annabeth drop deeper, throwing the two off.
Luckily, Percy is able to save Annabeth with his growing aquatic powers and they end up where Ares’ shield is being kept.
Unfortunately, it’s maintained by a trap that Hephaestus (Timothy Osmundson) built, forcing the two to decide who will make the ultimate sacrifice that was hinted by the Fates.
This entire scene ups the drama while still nearly waving the Percabeth banner over: Annabeth gets to call Percy “seaweed brain” for the first time while Percy says that she’s simply better at this “questing” thing than he is.
It’s powerfully emotional as Percy hands over Riptide to Annabeth and sits on the throne to free the shield.
This also drives Annabeth to finally open herself to all the emotions she’s held back, something that actually brings Hephaestus out of hiding.
While Hephaestus doesn’t initially believe Annabeth’s pleas, she declares that Percy’s better than any other god and his developing selflessness shows that he won’t end up like Ares or Aphrodite.
It’s a great resolution to wrapping up the theme in this episode of Percy Jackson and the Olympians as Hephaestus decides to let Percy go, letting the two return to Ares in exchange for a way of travel.
However, the narrative pushes forward with Grover revealing that he knows who the lightning thief really is, leaving an intriguing cliffhanger for newcomers to break down until next week.
‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ Solidifies Its Emotional Core
Percy Jackson and the Olympians‘ fifth episode truly brings out an emotional and dramatic piece through its exploration of Percy and Annabeth’s growing friendship and Grover and Ares’ mutual understanding of mankind.
It also confidently continues building on the theme of what gods and monsters truly are and the pains that tie them all together, letting this sizzle in as the trio continually face new challenges.
Through the broken bonds between Hephaestus and Ares, it drives a powerful narrative that this episode dutifully explores.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians is now streaming on Disney+.
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