In Episode 3 of the new Percy Jackson series on Disney Plus, the author himself decided to make one of the biggest changes for a certain character. And we're here to tell you all about it.
So, "Percy Jackson and the Olympians", a TV show on Disney Plus, mostly sticks to the book plot, according to executive producer Jonathan Steinberg. But, hold on, there's a twist in episode 3 that shakes things up. But before I tell you what's going to happen, keep in mind that the following information contains spoilers. So, if you didn't watch the series this far, you better get the hell out of here (this was my last warning).
Big Change To Medusa
Percy's crew, including Annabeth (Leah Jeffries) and Grover (Aryan Simhadri), bumps into Medusa in a dark forest. Now, here's the kicker: unlike the slow reveal in the book, the show's Medusa is straight-up like, "Hey, I'm Medusa, and let me spill my story." She even paints herself as a victim left behind by Poseidon, adding a sympathetic angle to her character.
This likeable spin on Medusa matches the trend of reimagining Greek mythology, especially when it comes to women. Madeline Miller shook things up in "Circe ," giving a charismatic twist to the vengeful witch from the Odyssey. On a similar note, Supergiant’s Hades flips the script on the Hades-and-Persephone tale, turning it from a kidnapping story into a consensual romantic relationship.
In Percy Jackson, Medusa's tale aligns with the reimaginings. In some versions, she's a former priestess of Athena seduced by Poseidon, left to face Athena’s wrath. Percy, already ticked off at the gods for neglecting their kids, totally relates.
Rick Riordian's Own Idea
Steinberg, the big shot behind the scenes, says the idea came up in talks with Rick Riordan, the original author of the book. They wanted to dive into Medusa's character, beyond just being a monster, and make her more relatable.
It's not a total rewrite from the books, but the change emphasizes Percy's growing beef with the gods. When Percy sends Medusa’s head to the gods, it's not just defiance. It's a darker move, showing her as a victim caught up in godly drama. This puts a more serious vibe on the show compared to the sometimes goofy book narration by Percy.
Steinberg spills the beans that these Medusa tweaks were Riordan's idea. Seems like he enjoyed having a second shot at his story, improving bits he wished he'd done differently the first time around.