Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a fantasy adventure television series streaming on Disney+, based on Rick Riordan's popular book series of the same name. It follows Percy Jackson, a seemingly ordinary middle schooler who discovers he is a demigod, the son of the Greek god Poseidon. Plunged into a world of mythological creatures and Olympian deities, Percy embarks on dangerous quests alongside his friends, Annabeth Chase and Grover Underwood, to prevent a war among the gods and uncover mysteries surrounding his identity. The series blends modern-day settings with ancient Greek mythology, focusing on themes of courage, friendship, identity, and perseverance for a tween and teen audience. Overall, the content is appropriate for its target demographic, offering engaging storytelling and action sequences within a fantastical framework.
Concerns
Witchcraft & Occult
HighThe series is fundamentally rooted in Greek mythology, featuring a pervasive 'pagan worldview' with gods, goddesses, demigods, and mythical creatures. This includes frequent depictions of supernatural powers, divine interventions, prophecies, and journeys to mythological realms, which are central to the narrative and characters' identities.
The entire premise involves demigods, like Percy Jackson, wielding supernatural powers inherited from their divine parents, such as Percy's hydrokinesis as the son of Poseidon. The narrative directly engages with occult themes through elements such as characters visiting the Greek Underworld, consulting an Oracle for prophecies, and interacting with various magical artifacts and spells inherent to Greek mythology.
Anti-Christian Themes
HighThe series is based entirely on Greek mythology, presenting a 'strong pagan worldview' that is inherently in direct opposition to Christian theological beliefs. It centers on polytheistic gods, their interactions, and an afterlife system (the Underworld) inconsistent with Christian doctrine. This foundational element is pervasive throughout the show.
The narrative fully embraces Greek polytheism, portraying multiple gods like Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades as active, powerful figures who are worshipped and whose actions drive the plot. Characters regularly offer prayers and food to these Greek deities and visit the Greek Underworld, engaging with spiritual practices and concepts of an afterlife that fundamentally conflict with a Christian worldview.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumWhile Season 1 of 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' TV series subtly hints at diverse representation rather than explicitly featuring LGBTQ+ characters, sources confirm the eventual appearance of openly gay characters in future seasons, aligning with Rick Riordan's commitment to diversity in the broader book series. The most prominent example, Nico di Angelo, is a canonically gay character introduced in later books of the Riordanverse and is slated to appear in upcoming seasons of the show.
Nico di Angelo, son of Hades, is a canonically gay character in the book series, who develops a crush on Percy and later enters a relationship with Will Solace, son of Apollo. Although Nico does not appear in the first season, creators and sources indicate his presence is anticipated in future seasons of the Disney+ show. Author Rick Riordan has openly addressed Nico's sexuality, stating his character's identity is integral and has fostered important conversations among readers, signalling the show's likely adherence to this representation.
Violence
MediumThe series contains moderate to intense fantasy violence, consistent with its TV-PG rating. While characters frequently engage in combat with mythical monsters using various weapons, the depiction of injuries and deaths is stylized and generally lacks graphic gore. Season 2 is expected to escalate the intensity of these confrontations.
In Season 1, Percy and his friends battle monsters with swords and other weapons, with defeated creatures often disintegrating into dust, such as when Percy defeats the Minotaur. The show includes specific scenes of mythological violence, such as a female monster (Medusa) being decapitated off-screen and two characters being turned to stone, though without explicit gore. Season 2 is projected to feature more intense battles, including arrows, swords, and exploding fireballs.
Substance Use
MediumOn-screen substance use is minimal. While no direct alcohol consumption or drug use is shown, Percy's stepfather is consistently characterized as a 'drunkard,' implying alcohol abuse. There are also subtle verbal references to alcohol.
Percy's stepfather, Gabe Ugliano, is portrayed as an alcoholic, with sources describing him as a 'drunkard' and implying his abuse towards Percy and his mother, although no explicit drinking scenes involving him are depicted. Season 1 includes discussions where the word 'alcohol' is used in verbal context, sometimes mentioning specific brands or years, without showing active consumption.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe show contains scary and intense content, fitting its fantasy adventure genre and TV-PG rating. This includes frequent encounters with frightening mythological monsters, suspenseful situations, and perilous quests that place the main characters in life-threatening scenarios. The intensity is expected to increase in later seasons.
Characters face numerous frightening mythical creatures, such as the Furies and Medusa, designed to be scary for younger viewers, creating constant tension and peril during their quests. Percy experiences disturbing visions from the gods, adding psychological intensity, and the protagonists are frequently placed in life-threatening situations, such as battles with powerful deities or navigating dangerous mythological locations.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe series features elements of disrespect and rebellion, particularly through the protagonist, Percy Jackson. He often questions authority, especially that of the Olympian gods, and displays a rebellious attitude. While not leading to severe harm, these actions showcase a defiance of established rules and norms.
Percy Jackson frequently questions and defies the authority of the Olympian gods and other adult figures when he perceives injustice or a threat to his friends, exemplifying a rebellious streak for 'the greater good'. Percy and his friends engage in defiant acts, such as hijacking a magical taxi without permission to travel across the country, highlighting their willingness to bend rules in pursuit of their quest.
Romance and Sexual Content
LowRomantic and sexual content in 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' is generally mild, with no explicit sexual acts or graphic nudity. The series includes discussions of love and relationships, along with implied teen romance. Greek mythology's inherent themes of gods procreating with mortals are present but handled discreetly.
The series features subtle romantic elements, such as a developing age-appropriate teen romance between Percy and Annabeth, which is anticipated to grow in Season 2. Season 1 includes a scene with a 'statue in 100% true form' which, while not graphic, might prompt questions from younger viewers regarding nudity. Furthermore, the show acknowledges the concept of gods having children with mortals, but these origins are not explicitly depicted or detailed.
Profanity
LowThe language in 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' is generally mild. While Season 1 largely avoids strong profanity, containing only mild insults, later seasons and general reviews indicate the occasional use of crude language and minor obscenities, in line with its TV-PG rating.
Season 1 has been noted for its absence of foul language, with criticisms limited to mild insults such as 'loser' and 'weird' used in character dialogue. However, other reviews for Season 1 mention 'occasional instances of 'd' and 'h' obscenities'. Season 2 is also expected to include 'some crude language, jesting, and mature comedic themes'.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Ages 10+ with parental guidance. The series is rated TV-PG for fantasy violence and frightening imagery. While promoting positive themes like teamwork and courage, it features moderate mythical violence, some intense scenes, and a pervasive pagan worldview that may require discussion with younger viewers. Later seasons are also expected to introduce more explicit LGBTQ+ representation.
Additional Notes
Parents should be aware that while the TV series aims for a family-friendly tone, its foundation in Greek mythology means constant exposure to polytheistic themes and concepts. Viewers unfamiliar with the books may find the complex mythology challenging. The show's commitment to diversity, including future LGBTQ+ representation, reflects modern storytelling trends and creator intent.
Related Reviews
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