Percy Jackson Season 2 is an exceptional showcase of vulnerability and friendship, and we have further proof of it in Episode 4, “Clarisse Blows Up Everything.” There’s an achingly honest maturity to how Percy and Annabeth continue orbiting around each other through worthy conversations that are indescribably significant, and this one makes every beat of the episode enormous.
In many ways, “Clarisse Blows Up Everything” is about Clarisse and her journey. And in truth, centering the girls this season is allowing the show to stand out even more, but how we also explore Annabeth’s past and Thalia’s sacrifice matters tremendously to save Grover and to heal her. It’s also a stunning episode to show us Leah Sava Jeffries’ range as an actress, and how she’s already giving us so much heart that it’s exemplary.
As Annabeth says to Percy, “I want to believe that if I can just think six steps ahead, I can save you. But it’s never gonna be the big, impossible choice I have to outthink. It’s all the million little choices I can’t see. The human choices.” And these words aren’t just significant for us to understand how much she values Percy, but they’re significant to showcase how much loyalty exists inside of her—how much love and care. The fact that guilt eats her up inside constantly, and all she does is fight to ensure those around her are protected, is everything to make her a well-rounded, deeply memorable character.
And what destroys me is the words that come afterward—the belief that she wasn’t worthy of Thalia’s sacrifice because she’d only known her for months. The belief that she has to do something bigger every time to be worthy of those standing before her. Because of this, Percy’s response isn’t just the right call, but he says the perfect thing to showcase how deeply he values her. Beyond this, it’s important to acknowledge the blocking and performances in this scene because the way he sits beside her and levels himself is a reminder that he’ll always take time for Annabeth. She’s his equal, his partner in more ways than one, even if they don’t quite realize it, and being at the same level is his way of showing her vulnerability, too.
That’s why, when Percy says, “It only took me two days to see how special you are,” it’s impossible not to believe him. It’s impossible not to see that he’d make the same sacrifices for Annabeth because her role in his life is irreplaceable—the impossible thing to put into words because they’re so young and there’s so much to learn still, yet it doesn’t change the weight of their respect for each other. It’s something that grows and will continue to grow every single day.
“Maybe we can’t outsmart fate. All we can do is the right thing and hope for the best.” This level of emotional maturity that we’re watching with Percy and Annabeth in Percy Jackson’s “Clarisse Blows Up Everything” is a huge stepping stone to allow space for significant conversations in young adult media. Heck, it’s something that even adult media struggles with because there’s a belief that moments of vulnerability like this can weigh an action property down. Instead, the polar opposite happens, allowing the plot to radiate even more effectively because of how characters fill the silence with their emotions.
Saving Grover is the right thing. The two of them together is the right thing. The material that both Jeffries and Walker Scobell are given to work with in this episode also does an incredible job of underscoring just how gifted they both already are and how intimately they understand not only their characters, but each other’s. It ensures that the friendship between the three of them is powerful on every level, but through an emotionally sincere bond, especially.
The framing of this episode and how this conversation essentially elevates the end result also touches on the humanity that grounds them, despite who their parents are. It’s what makes the show feel so achingly sincere and honest. It’s what makes them so achingly delightful as a ship, and I can’t wait to see what else is in store.
Now streaming on Disney+: What are your thoughts on Percy and Annabeth’s scene in “Clarisse Blows Up Everything?” Let us know in the comments below.
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