‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ Season 2’s Biggest Change From the Books Yet Actually Makes Perfect Sense

Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for Season 2, Episode 1 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians

With the return of Percy Jackson and the Olympians comes the constant discussion of the show’s alterations. Throughout Season 1, the series made its share of changes (as any good adaptation must), often speeding up the story to fit it in the limited time. But, even so, the series keeps the spirit of the source material intact. Yet, book fans, having been hurt before, are especially protective of the original story, pointing out each difference with growing frustration, which has resurfaced with Season 2.

Following Book 2, Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters, the second installment features a new challenge for Percy (Walker Scobell) and his friends, as Camp Half Blood’s magical border is failing, and Grover (Aryan Simhadri) is in trouble. Only two episodes into the season, fans are already complaining about small details, such as the early reveal of Luke’s (Charlie Bushnell) involvement in poisoning the tree, or the added attention to campers joining Kronos (Nick Boraine). However, Season 2’s first change is bigger. In the very opening of the season, the series diverges from the books as it introduces Tyson (Daniel Diemer), the cyclops Percy has gotten to know during his time away from camp.

‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ Alters Tyson’s Introduction

Image via Disney+

The show’s introduction of Tyson is dramatically different from the book’s, skipping over the reveal to get to the season’s main story. Both versions begin with Percy and Tyson already friends as they complete a school year together. Yet, in the book, Percy believes Tyson to be a mortal, admittedly one with a tragic backstory. Unaware of Tyson’s connection to the world of Greek gods, Percy has a shocking discovery when monsters attack the school, and Tyson not only sees them but survives the fight that should have killed him. In the chaos, Tyson leaves with Percy and Annabeth (Leah Sava Jeffries), heading to Camp Half Blood and the rest of their adventure. However, reaching that point looks very different in the show.

Clarisse and Luke riding on a chariot in their armor.

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Unlike the book, Season 2 does not attempt to hide what Tyson is. Instead, the first episode, “I Play Dodgeball with Cannibals,” immediately shows off his single eye. In fact, the series explains that Sally Jackson (Virginia Kull) has taken in the young cyclops, getting him a spot at Percy’s school while she and Percy are fully aware of the truth. Though no one else can see Tyson’s cyclops features, Percy’s knowledge disrupts the beginning of the book by taking away Percy’s moment of discovery as he realizes Tyson is unhurt by the monsters. Cluing Percy and the audience into Tyson’s identity removes Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters‘ first major reveal, making the fact that Tyson is a cyclops less surprising. However, it takes the story in the same direction as Percy, Annabeth, and Tyson still rush to camp in the first episode.

‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ Tyson Introduction Better Explains the Mist

While some fans might be frustrated that the scenes at Percy’s school were cut, the change actually improves upon the book in one major area. Through Tyson’s appearance, Percy Jackson and the Olympians explores the concept of the Mist. This magical element hides mythical creatures from mortals. Percy explains this to Tyson in the first episode when he attempts to cover his single eye with a hat, saying the Mist prevents mortals from seeing his cyclops features. While this idea is in the book, the show makes the Mist more consistent because Percy is not fooled. In the books, Percy only sees Tyson’s true form after Annabeth instructs him to really look at his friend, helping him see through the Mist. While the Mist works on demigods, Percy is so rarely tricked by it that this one exception is an odd choice.

By this point in the story, Percy has experience with the mythical world around him, and the Mist has little effect on him in other situations, like on his quests. Season 1 even emphasized this point, showing how his sight complicated Percy’s life since he was young. Having learned to see through the Mist consistently, it makes little sense that Percy is taken in when it comes to Tyson. Rather than trying to explain this inconsistency, the show makes it clear that once a demigod learns the truth of their heritage, they can see through the Mist, simplifying the magical element. It’s worth noting that the book version also implies that Sally, a mortal with the ability to see through the Mist, knows Tyson is a cyclops and never tells Percy, which is strange considering how close they are. The series’ change takes away that plot hole, simplifying the storyline for the better.

‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ Change Helps Eliminate Exposition

Annabeth (Leah Sava Jeffries), Percy (Walker Scobell), Tyson (Daniel Diemer) in Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2

Of course, this change is about more than clarifying a small detail, as it simultaneously speeds up the story. Any adaptation is going to make cuts, and with only eight episodes, Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 is no exception. Removing the reveal about Tyson’s identity is a reasonable way to condense the narrative, reaching the main conflict much sooner than the book does. This choice keeps Season 2 moving, making the pace more appropriate for the new format. Beyond that, removing the reveal that Tyson is a cyclops highlights a more shocking moment for Percy when Posideon (Toby Stephens) claims Tyson as a son. Having both of these facts come to light in the same episode would feel redundant, and for Percy, the idea that they are half-brothers is more significant.

Removing the surprise around Tyson being a cyclops allows the character to stand out from the beginning. The series about demigods usually positions monsters as the villains (and that is fitting, for the most part), but Tyson is different. What other so-called monster hopes to attend Camp Half Blood? Season 2 may not be an exact adaptation, but this change works well as it clarifies how the Mist operates and improves the first episode’s pace.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians is streaming on Disney+ in the U.S.