#Walker Aryan and Rick look so happy for her

[bluecrocss]

Shout out to Brazilian Percy Jackson fans!!

Seriously, I don't know why this almost made me emotional. But after 3 years of the abuse, harassment, racism, conspiracies, questioning of her abilities and her integrity that some of you losers have continuously lobbed at this CHILD... I can't imagine how this must feel for her to truly see how much she means to people and how proud of her so many of us are.

[texas-gothic]

So, Percy Jackson and The Olympians. To say that I have been excited for this show is perhaps a bit of an understatement. I have been waiting for a faithful, quality adaptation of these books since I was a boy. It's been a road fraught with many disappointments, but at last, it is here.

My feelings on this outing are overwhelmingly positive. There are some criticisms, to be sure, and we'll get to them momentarily, but I really can not emphasize enough how impressed I am with this. By far its greatest qualities are casting and production design. The choices made in these departments are simply inspired. Walker Scobel has proven himself a perfect pick for the part of Percy Jackson, and Leah Jeffries and Aryan Simhadri have as well. Special praise really must be given to Virginia Kull, who so artfully exudes not only the love and care but also the fiersome determination that have defined Sally Jackson for millions of readers around the world, myself included. The sets and costumes are stellar. The design of the cabins and grounds is beyond anything even I had imagined them to be. They have a rugged, lived-in look but nonetheless contain an essential lement of awe and wonder. James Bobin's direction perfectly captures these feelings in a way very similar to how Chris Colombus captured the arrival at H*gw*rts in his own films. Let's hope Rick Riordan never ruins this for us the way Jowling Knowling Rowling has for her own increasingly embattled fans.

There are, of course, problems. Every production has them. I think the most glaring so far is the characterization of Gabe Ugliano. Gabe has the distinction of being one of the most loathsome characters in the series, standing up even against the likes of Kronos. He represents a very real evil that many children are sadly forced to endure, and a key part of The Lightning Thief is Percy and Sally's victory over and liberation from Gabe and his abuse. What we have here is a man being played for comic relief. He's an asshole for sure, but he doesn't strike me as a problem that can only be reminded with a long hard look at Medusa's face. I would like to see Percy and Sally's abuse taken more seriously.

I'm also not so sure about some of the corners that are being cut here. I understand that this is still only an adaptation, and that Disney is only willing to pay for so much, but large chunks of the story before Percy's arrival at Camp Halfblood have been removed from the story. The sequence with the oracle has been removed as well, and the attack by the hellhound also. Both of these things become very important down the road, the oracle especially, and I do not see the benefit in removing them. There is also information being presented far too early, especially Sally's survival. Her reveal as Hades' trump card in the Underworld was a punch in the gut when I was a boy, and I am saddened that something so tense and dramatic will now be lost in translation.

Still, I am very happy with this production. The good outweighs the bad a thousand to one, and I am greatly anticipating the release of the next episode on December 27. We will speak more of this then.

[snow-leopard-777]

So! I have just watched the premiere for the Percy Jackson TV show and I am already in love. Let's start off simple.

(Am putting the read more for spoilers for those of you who have not watched yet)

There has been a lot of discourse over Leah Jeffries being Annabeth Chase because she didn't match the audiences vision of her. Yes, the book version was blonde with gray eyes. But I am more than happy to sacrifice looks to get Annabeth. Let's face it, the movies were a giant flop and an even greater disappointment. Annabeth was not Annabeth. Her actress just didn't pull her personality forwards. They shared a name and (in one movie) a hair color, but she did not have the dry wit and sarcasm nor the leadership and sheer defiance Annabeth has been known for since day one. Lovely Lady Leah brought Annabeth's character to life, and she did it well. I don't think I'll ever be able to have a different cinematic Annabeth. It'll always be her I see.

Annabeth was not the only one to change appearance. Percy (Walker Scobell) had lighter hair than he did in the novels, a blond-ish brown instead of black. Luke (Charles Bushnell) is not a white guy with blond hair and a scar over his eye- but he brought Luke's character to life. Many forget that yes, while Luke chose to fight on the wrong side of the war and did bad things, he was not a bad person. He stepped up for Percy when no one else did, made him feel welcome at the camp even when Annabeth stalked him and fought with him and his friendship with Grover was strained. Luke was the reason Percy claimed Camp Half-Blood as home, and Charles displayed that well in his acting.

Walker Scobell, Percy himself, did a wonderful job with Percy's character. The self-blame, wondering what was wrong with him, the grief stricken 12 year old boy, and even the anger towards his father and need to be accepted, he pulled it all off magnificently. The scenes were very touching, and I felt my heart break when he was told to burn the food he wanted to eat most to gain the gods' ears and, instead of talking to his father, he spoke to his mother. I was literally in tears. (Am also almost positive that Rick stuck him on a rock and told him to be a bored preteen. I saw that fortnite dance.)

Aryan Simhadri, sweet Grover, also did a great job with his character. Grover's nervousness, his want to help Percy, his desperation to keep him safe and looking traumatized before we're told his backstory... Absolutely wonderful. He did a wonderous job at showcasing Grover in his entirety- the dedication to friends despite his fear and his desire to protect them. He's willing to bend the rules to make sure Percy has what he needs and justifies it as helping Mr. D and Chiron convince Percy to accept the quest (no sneaking out this time!)

Now! Into the meat of the story- I, for one, think that this was put together very well. There are some differences, some of them threw me for a moment, not going to lie, because my brain was looking for how the events went in the book. There are some differences, but nothing exceedingly major. Nothing like, oh, I don't know, telling Percy the prophecy his second year at camp and bringing back Kronos with the first attempt, (Can anyone tell I'm still salty?) The fight with Mrs. Dodds was a touch different, Sally and Percy interacting with Gabe before leaving was a touch different, and Percy's claiming are all examples that, for whatever reason, are at the forefront of my mind. Mostly minor things, like Sally doing a seven layer bean dip in the books and threatening to eat Gabe's sandwich in the show. A minor difference that has no overall change, just something that, for whatever reason, my own ADHD brain latched on to. But there are also similarities. I noticed that the episode names correspond with chapter names and the opening of the premier was exactly what Percy said to kick off the Lightning Thief.

Sally was still an amazing mother. Annabeth was still stern and cold. Luke was warm and welcoming. Clarisse was mean and ready to shove Percy's head in a toilet- and she had her spear! The characters were diverse- which is something that Rick has aimed for with his characters from the begining- and none of them were flat or seemed like they were acting. It was lovely.

Now! Camp itself! The design was wonderful. It's big, the cabins have Grecian designs, there are different training fields, the Hermes Cabin is overcrowded, Dionysus is an asshole, Dryads are in the woods, and we even see people picking strawberries in the background at one point. A lot of subtle things that add up and really make this Camp Half-Blood.

All in all, I definitely recommend this to people. I myself will be continuing to watch it so I can see my babies come to life (I know it's going to take years but I can't wait to meet Nico) and I am rooting for these people. The set designers, the actors, the moral supporters, the producers, and, of course, Uncle Rick himself have done a phenomenal job with finally bringing life to these books. They aren't just the same names and locations while being a completely different story- this is Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

[kathasofwander]

About the PJO series.

So, the Percy Jackson show's main trio have been cast, and as a desi who was rooting for some representation in the series, Aryan Simhadri's casting makes my feel not just happy, but ecstatic and euphoric. I love this cast, and as someone who has seen both Aryan (Disney's Spin) and Walker (The Adam Project) act before, I know they will do an amazing job! I haven't seen Leah's work at all, but I am happy with her casting as well!

As the huge PJO fan that I am (The series was what got me interested in mythological tales other than the Ramayana, Mahabharata and other desi ones.), I obviously posted my excitement on Instagram. Hours later I get a dm that essentially was being negative about the casting. I believe it said something in the lines of how multiracial casting was unnecessary and "The movie casting was better." Now I won't comment about how Annabeth, in the first film was brunette, Rick Riordan has himself said that wasn't his bone of contention at all. It was that the films aged up the characters, and completely butchered the plot. And that is what I told this person who dm'd me. (I also added some extra points of my own). They seen zoned my text, so I am gonna assume they realised what they said wasn't right, unless they tell me otherwise. I even asked why they thought the multiracial casting was unnecessary, but received no reply.

I guess my point is that the PJO series is something a lot of us, regardless of age and ethnicity have been waiting for. And knowing that Rick Riordan is going to be involved in every step of the way to make sure we get a good series makes us feel sure that the show will be a blast. The casting is beautiful. Besides, they might do something that makes the actors look like their book counterparts. I saw some Instagram posts that said they could add some blonde extensions to Leah's hair. It's not a bad idea really. But let's wait and see. If Rick saw their talent and has faith in them, then I have faith in them!

WHO'S WITH ME!!??

[library-of-books]

percy jackson trio casting!! (my views)

the new casting came out some days back and IM SO HAPPY ABOUT IT!

i genuinely think all the actors will do a great job and ngl walker gives so percy vibes with the way he talks

but honestly some people are being so racist about the annabeth casting. its not that big of a deal to not get blonde, white representation in one show.

the point of annabeth was to show struggles in overcoming the dumb, blonde stereotype. isn't casting a woman of colour even better? their struggle to overcome stereotypes is also extremely important.

she has been casted. by RICK RIORDAN. why do you think you know the series better than him? that's right, you don't.

yes, I'm not saying you can't be a tad disappointed that she is not the way as the books. but times are changing. the book was written a long time back. please stop being so dumb. are you forgetting that everytime you type rude things, this is a child you're saying that about?

little black girls over the world are gonna see leah in the show and actually see positive representation on screen. someone who looks just like them.

so stop being racist. no one cares about your pathetic whining because sHeS nOt bLoNDe. bro anyone can be blonde. we all know you've got a problem with her being black. deal with it because the actual fandom is in full support of this descision.

leah, walker and aryan... OUR TRIO FINALLY!!