Percy Jackson and the Olympians Episode 5, “ A God Buys Us Cheeseburgers,” delivers cheeseburgers and emotional abuse courtesy of the god of war Ares. It’s a perfect balance of emotion and humor on this episode as the trio once again find themselves bumbling their way to Los Angeles.
After narrowly escaping St. Louis, where they are now wanted by the FBI, they are stuck on foot making their way to LA. Enter Ares who is willing to help – for a price.
Percy and Annabeth go on a quest within their quest to retrieve Ares’s shield from a creepy abandoned theme park. Quickly they learn the theme park was built by Hephaestus, whose wife Aphrodite is having an affair with Ares.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians has done a great job of using real mythology and translating it to the modern day, and well the Olympians might as well have their own Bravo show. They are MESSY.
For fans of the book who spent years investing in the ‘ship between Percy and Annabeth, and for younger viewers who see themselves in the characters, they will swoon at how much “Percabeth” we get this episode. It’s clear Annabeth and Percy have gone from not friends to friends to very good friends.
That hug Annabeth gives Percy when they find him beside the river signals the beginning of Grover’s destiny to be a third wheel, but he takes it in stride.
Since this show is for all ages, adult viewers who didn’t read the books might be slightly less interested in the fate of Percabeth. Everyone can still appreciate how great the actors work together though and how their friendship has evolved over the season.
At the theme park, Percy tries to sacrifice himself when they realize to get the shield someone will be trapped in Hephaestus’ machine. This time Annabeth has a chance to fight back though and you realize how much Percy has come to mean to her and how he’s changed her.
The scene between Annabeth and Hephaestus, where she stands up to not only him but all of the gods and those who would behave like them, absolutely steals the episode. The speech is a huge moment for Annabeth, who has learned from Percy there is more than just being the best and pleasing her godly parent.
Hephaestus, rejected by his own parents for being disabled, is visibly moved as he also feels boxed in by the cutthroat world of Olympus. Actor Timothy Omundson brings great gravitas and sincerity to the scene as an actor with his own experience with disability.
Percy is freed and the trio can hitch a ride to Las Vegas in an animal trailer, where they can meet up with Hermes and get a ride to Los Angeles. With the cliffhanger that Grover thinks he’s figured out the lightning thief from his conversation with Ares, the episode leaves you counting down until the next installment.
Additional Thoughts:
- I never thought I’d say this, but I’m glad we got more of Gabe (not because I like him, but because the whole Percy being wanted is a good storyline it hadn’t used yet).
- The Fates showing up also gives me faith that the show has a few more things it’s rearranged.
- SEAWEED BRAIN! The fandom wept tears of joy.
- What is love? Baby don’t hurt me.
- Of course, Ares is also the god of Twitter, sigh.
- I don’t know how much of Water World was practical and how much was the Volume but I loved the design. It truly is worthy of a god.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians streams Tuesdays at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT on Disney+.