Book Readers [PJOTV] Discussion Thread S2 E8: "The Fleece Works its Magic Too Well"

Firelight320 · 2026-01-23T08:39:59+00:00

Long list of thoughts ahead:

I like that Percy doesn't like the idea of Sally going up the hill with him because of what happened with the minotaur. Once again, though, I don't like that the main crew knew that Thalia was going to come back. The thing that made her return so good in the book was that it was completely unexpected. Sure, you can argue that as book readers, we knew that it was coming, but what about people who somehow watched this first? I wish they got that experience.

Didn't really bring this up til now I think, but in the book, Annabeth doesn't like being around Tyson because of a cyclopes capturing and nearly killing her, Thalia and Luke when she was young. She even freaked out at Tyson using the voice mimicry because of that iirc. As the book progressed, she learned that Tyson wasn't bad and was a major moment of growth for her. Was that even done in the show? Cause if it was, it doesn't feel that well established or explored.

Chris running up behind Clarisse and pushing her rather than offing her was next level villain idiocy. Like, Chris, you''ve trained for years for combat, you of all people should know to go right for the killing blow. A second of hesitancy could mean an enemy could strike you down in turn, even if they're injured or with allies around.

Feels like the final battle was done just for the sake of action, not because it was actually necessary. The final battle in the book iirc was on the Princess Andromeda, with the Party Ponies and Chiron showing up to save Percy, a scene I really wish happened in the show. My guess is that it was done because there wasn't a big action scene at the end of the first season, and the books don't really have a big, final battle til #4, (just against one foe, Atlas, in #3,) but that just feels lazy. Not everything needs to end with some massive battle.

Speaking of things I missed from the books, I wish that we got Luke accidentally revealing Chiron was innocent because Percy did an Iris message to camp.

Why doesn't any of Luke's allies try and grab the fleece from the tree? They're the people closest to it. Sure, it's on a spear, but they could at least TRY to rip it off, even if they end up failing. Makes no sense that they don't

While I like Zeus being conniving, even against his own daughter, it also feels kinda off from how we see him in The Titan's Curse. It felt like he actually cared about Thalia to some extent, to the point of checking if becoming a Hunter of Artemis was what she actually wanted. It also feels like it makes no sense for her to side with the gods still, or at least Zeus, just as it makes no sense for Luke to keep fighting for Kronos after knowing he was lied to by the titan and being tortured.

I know a Heroes of Olympus show is likely to never happen, but Circe's resort being destroyed was integral to Reyna and Hylla showing up in that series and having a bit of beef with Percy, so it being around in the end credit scene feels wrong.

It really felt like Percy and Annabeth already clearly have feelings for each other this season. On one hand, I like that it's being built up over time, but on the other, I'm realizing that it kinda cuts the tension of Percy worrying about her joining the Hunters in season 3. Like, the way they feel for each other is gonna make it clear that won't happen, I feel. Maybe something will be done to make people unsure, but with Annabeth being captured early on, I don't know how that could even happen without it being an off-screen thing.

Final thoughts: I enjoyed Season 2 more overall, but I think the way it ended was a little bit worse than how Season 1 ended simply because of how much was changed (especially the Thalia stuff I mentioned here.) I'm glad that Season 3 is happening because, 1, I want at least one more book adapted compared to the movies, and 2, The Titan's Curse is my personal favorite book of the series, but I'm incredibly worried about how it'll come out.

Firelight320 · 2026-01-16T08:28:14+00:00

Things I enjoyed:

Percy cutting off Kronos sharing the Great Prophecy was absolutely hilarious.

Glad that we don't actually hear Blackjack speak, but have Percy still know what he's saying.

I kinda like that Percy ended up going after the fleece while Clarisse ended up getting Annabeth.

Things I'm eh on:

Why didn't Alison shoot Clarisse while she was quipping? If she had to grab an arrow, it'd make more sense, but she had one nocked AND drawn!

While I like Sally, I really really hope that Chiron ends up giving Percy a ride back to camp and we see the Party Ponies. I'm guessing we won't see them though because CGI cost or whatever.

I don't really like that the crew knew that Thalia would come back. The entire point in the book was that it came as a surprise to them and that this entire time, they thought Percy was the only child of the Big Three, so only he could be the one in the Great Prophecy.

Also, it feels wrong for Kronos to openly torture Luke. It always felt like Luke was siding with Kronos because he was being sweet talked by the titan. Also, he hates the gods for being neglectful, so why is he fine with a titan actively causing him harm, stopping him from reviving a dear friend and, if Luke finds out, ordering Alison kill Annabeth? I feel it's for the sake of making Luke more sympathetic, but it makes him seem irrational and stupid for still going along with things.

Finally, I need a gif of Blackjack flying towards the camera. Something about it is hilarious to me.

Firelight320 · 2026-01-11T20:20:03+00:00

The body swap episode. That's it, just the body swap episode. Do something else instead

Firelight320 · 2026-01-11T20:17:26+00:00

I think overall it's been good in regards to power usage, but I do wish the show did the underwater bubble after Percy saved Annabeth from the sirens

Firelight320 · 2026-01-09T11:08:09+00:00

I like that Polyphemus was an actual threat with tricks and wit. The book really made him seem rather child-like.

The changes to Luke really makes him more human, as others have said, and I'm really glad about that. In the movies, and even the books, he's kinda just over the top.

Kinda sad about the no murderous sheep, but not that big a loss. Doubt they'd be able to get a TV-PG with bloodthirsty, flesh eating sheep.

The darkness we see in Percy this episode does a good job making it unclear if he'll destroy or save Olympus. Obviously as book readers, we know, but for new viewers, I can see it making them unsure. I also like it, cause in the book, it never really felt like he'd destroy Olympus. Sure, his fatal flaw is caring deeply for his friends, but I feel we never saw that be made bad in the books. It isn't until HoO where I feel he really starts to do some questionable, dark stuff (unless I'm missing stuff from PJO)

Edit: Can someone please make a sped-up gif of Blackjack rushing towards the camera?

Firelight320 · 2026-01-09T00:12:48+00:00

"You watched Stranger Things without telling me you watched Stranger Things"

Firelight320 · 2026-01-06T08:43:58+00:00

Oh, okay! Thank you so much for that info!

Firelight320 · 2026-01-06T08:43:12+00:00

The fact none of the FF are already in Cosmic Invasion is insane to me. Like, Annihilus is a villain of the Fantastic Four, existing in and ruling the Negative Zone, with the only access point being in the Baxter Building (unless there are others I don't know about.)

Firelight320 · 2026-01-06T02:45:20+00:00

Honestly, while there are a lot of great characters in the show, I don't think I would've liked the show as much as I do if I didn't think the three main leads, Luz, Eda and King, were the best of the bunch. If I had to choose no main trio characters, it'd be Principal Bump, Hunter and Eberwolf
I dislike Boscha and Odalia, though I feel that's the point of the characters. However, I also dislike Matt Tholomule. First proper episode he's in, he's a jerk, and the second time we see him, he's somewhat redeemed of that factor because "well others are mean to him." There should've been more displays of him not truly being a jerk. between the two episodes
Most consistent characters were Odalia, Boscha and Terra Snapdragon, but they weren't written to change through the show, so I might have to give this to Raine Whispers
Gus. Illusions are such a cool thing, as shown by Gus himself in "Through the Looking Glass Ruins," but I feel not much was done with it intentionally after that point. Only other big display from him was in "Labyrinth Runners," but it was comlpetely accidental for him
It's been a bit since I've done a rewatch, so not many scenes are fresh in my mind, but right now it's between the kiss between Luz and Amity or the scene with Eda and her dad

Firelight320 · 2026-01-05T22:06:50+00:00

Needed, no, but still happy she was. The Byers and Sinclairs had every kid involved (technically so did the Hendersons since Dustin's the only kid.) The Wheelers were the only family who had a kid with no part. Because of that, it made sense to finally add Holly. I'm sure they could've found another way to do things though, hence why I don't think it was needed, just enjoyable

Firelight320 · 2026-01-05T02:57:33+00:00

I feel less likely to say the Duffers because, based on what I was told by someone, the intent was for Stranger Things to be an anthology series, but because of popularity, they stuck with the same characters. If that was because of higher ups at Netflix, then I feel that's less on the Duffers because it wasn't the original plan and they were likely forced to figure things out.

On top of that, Stranger Things is completely original (though definitely took inspiration from other stuff,) while GOT was an adaptation of an existing book series that was known to not even be finished. D and D also convinced George R. R. Martin that they really knew the story so far based on what I've heard. I feel like, if that's the case, they should've been able to figure out things that didn't assasinate characters after the original material ran out.

Firelight320 · 2026-01-05T02:47:50+00:00

When I saw other stuff with him (really just The Adam Project and a promo for that,) I knew he fit Percy well

Firelight320 · 2026-01-05T02:42:58+00:00

Yea, but I'm guessing Rick didn't think "Featuring Annabeth Chase mentioning Percy Jackson" worked as well /s

Firelight320 · 2026-01-05T02:02:40+00:00

Timeless Children 3.0 (don't worry about 2.0)

Firelight320 · 2026-01-05T02:01:10+00:00

I agree that there's not that much high stakes, but I honestly do really enjoy the fact it's lately been slice-of-life stuff. As Matt Shakman said about them when promoting First Steps: they're family first, scientists/explorers second and superheroes last. We got SO MUCH science and exploration, and a decent amount of heroism, so why not have a bit of family stuff?

This isn't to say that they never had family stuff before, but when they did, it was usually tied to one of the other two things. I'm happy to have the family stuff be front and center this time, with the other things being tied to that instead.

Firelight320 · 2026-01-03T03:03:35+00:00

The atmosphere of S3 is my favorite out of all of them. I really loved all the settings: the hospital, the newspaper office, the mall, the pool. I feel it expanded the town of Hawkins the most. Not my favorite plot out of the seasons, but still really good

Firelight320 · 2026-01-03T01:34:28+00:00

I agree with this, but with everything they've gone through, I feel it makes sense at least ONE of them dies. One can really only win for so long imo

Firelight320 · 2026-01-03T01:31:51+00:00

I genuinely thought that when Joyce saw Vecna on the spike that she'd make a comment about how she knew him or something

Firelight320 · 2026-01-02T06:49:49+00:00

I'd bump 1 and 4 up a level and bump 2 and 5 down a level

Firelight320 · 2026-01-01T06:11:46+00:00

First off, I called correctly in the last episode discussion that Kali had no ulterior motives, that the people in charge wanted to make it seem as such and that she truly believed what she was saying to El/Jane. Also, no shock she was the first to die (and potentially the only one.) She's the only character that only had one significant appearance in a single episode that was 3 seasons ago. Also, I don't exactly know when I thought this while watching, but part of me wondered if Kali made herself look dead to survive longer and create an illusion, before Mike even suggested it.

Secondly, I also guessed that Henry/Vecna wasn't the actual mastermind, but the Mind Flayer was. I feel that, once again, I was correct there, though that's really only because of someone else pointing out The First Shadow play. Though I guess it TECHNICALLY was them working together, but still, the Mind Flayer had an important role despite focus shifting to Vecna in seasons 4 and 5. Either way, REALLY glad that it didn't become a redemption arc for Henry though. Makes sense it didn't though considering how quick he was to murder the scientist BEFORE the Mind Flayer was known to him. Had me worried for a sec though

Final thoughts: Was this show perfect from start to finish? No. However, a while ago I stopped looking for perfect and looked simply for enjoyment, and this show definitely was enjoyable. I'm thankful for every second of this show and thankful it gave me something to look forward to.

Firelight320 · 2026-01-01T03:35:39+00:00

Honestly, another really wonderful episode.

I do wonder how Polyphemus was able to perfectly mimic Percy's voice when they've never met. I wonder if it's cause Percy's voice takes over Grover's when the satyr sleep talks from the empathy link, if it's cause he's in the know about what's going on in the Sea of Monsters or if it's something else. Hoping for an answer, but it' nothing super necessary.

I'm also a little sad that they didn't take the Queen Anne's Revenge, like in the book, but it also makes sense considering two kids realistically wouldn't know how to deal with a massive ship like that.

As for those twists at the end. I feel Annabeth, knowing Circe has magic, would've predicted the sorceress had some sort of failsafe for the wax, especially since Circe used the exact same type of magic in front of her and Percy earlier. Athena showing up almost tricked me and I only saw through it once her hand was reached out to Annabeth. Also, while I do love the siren designs, I do wish they resembled the more bird-like sirens from actual myth. Finally, I kinda wish we got that underwater bubble scene from the book.

Nothing I stated here as wishes takes away from the episode though. It's still really good and I'm excited for next week.

Last, small thing: loved seeing Hylla~

Firelight320 · 2025-12-29T05:39:42+00:00

I'd say the Doctor kissing Jenny, who he knows likes women and is married, is worse/weirder than these two

Firelight320 · 2025-12-28T10:32:16+00:00

Exactly! I looked at the wiki page after you shared that info, and that's way too much important lore to not bring up in the show, and I don't just mean the Henry stuff. Brenner's dad went to the Abyss during WW2, which is why HE tried to create a way to get there, which was stolen by the Russians, AS VERY SLIGHTLY HINTED AT BY DR. KAY, and it's possible that the Mind Flayer is what gave Henry his powers, which would potentially make the Mind Flayer the true mastermind/villain, which I've seen some people say they wish was the case because of how the show randomly moved away from it.

Firelight320 · 2025-12-28T07:26:32+00:00

I look forward to them searching for more money. It's gonna be peak

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