Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 1 Episode 5 Review: A God Buys Us Cheeseburgers

Oh, golly, this quest is getting good.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 1 Episode 5, “A God Buys Us Cheeseburgers,” is a funhouse of godly drama and chosen-one heroics. It perfectly taps into the whimsical and innocent feel of a beloved middle-grade novel you devour in hours.

I would go to war to defend this episode for how fun and unserious it is while grappling with the most gutwrenching life-or-death situations.

This episode is a smorgasbord of book easter eggs, casting triumphs, and juicy character developments.

Timothy Omundson’s Hephaestus is a compelling, flawless addition to this ensemble. His appearance forces Annabeth to set aside her pride to plead for a god to acknowledge the flaws of their existence.

Hephaestus forcing Ares and Aphrodite to endure his traumatic life story to the needle drop of “What Is Love” is a god-level prank.

We also get our first reference to Celestial Bronze, confirming we could see a specific sword appear in the finale. And Ares tossing Percy the backpack means we are inching closer to this quest’s endgame.

If I have to be picky, these episodes need more time or a tighter wrap-up to the condensed episodic adventures so these conclusions don’t feel so abrupt. But honestly, I’m having too much fun to care.

Misunderstood Renaissance Man

I don’t know how Percy Jackson is nailing every character introduction, but they have outdone themselves again.

Adam Copeland as Ares is an experience. His volatile mood swings, paired with an egregious party persona and a shit-eating grin, offer us gluttons a chilling amount of fanfare to devour.

As someone who thought they knew where their godly alliances lie, I am shocked to find this take on Ares has me fist-bumping the air every time he threatens someone’s life.

He is a comedic combination of hilarious himbo and dangerous aggressor, toying with the two as he says whatever comes to mind. Given the gods have been operating behind mediators, it is refreshing to have this merciless god charge into the scene and chew it to pieces.

As such, it is a masterful move to have Grover stay back with Ares so we can spend as much time with Ares as the episode can afford.

Percabeth

We will all remember where we were when Annabeth first called Percy a Seaweed Brain onscreen.

However, there’s no forgetting the scene that encompasses the iconic nickname because it brilliantly solidifies their blossoming romance without blowing past this newly established friendship.

Percy Jackson cultivates the beginning of a beautiful slow burn. When Annabeth runs to consume Percy in a tension-filled hug, her relief to see him alive overcoming her sensibility, it’s clear this show has its priorities in line.

The scene in the tunnel of love is everything fans could hope for, with Percy using his first impression of Annabeth as a bargaining chip against her when he explains she was meant to win, even if it meant sacrificing him. But as this episode so heartbreakingly reveals, Annabeth doesn’t want to be a cold strategist, not to the people she cares for, and she cares for Percy.

Leah Jeffries flooding the tunnel with tears as Walker Scobell tells her it’s okay over and over is an emotionally devastating experience. I could not think of a better way to introduce this historic relationship and the critical cornerstone of the story’s success.

Percabeth is in capable hands.

Grover Has Game

Percy Jackson is calculated in how it deviates from the book, which has made this adaptation a smooth ride. The changes to the Waterland ride scene and Grover’s involvement prove nothing will change unless it benefits the story.

Such is true for Grover’s quality bonding time with Ares.

Book Grover is many wonderful things. However, his mental strength as a protector isn’t always given its due. Forcing him to interact with Ares as a hostage could have gone many ways, but the series takes the opportunity to turn the tables on us and the gods.

It is unexpected that Grover would stand his ground with Ares and interrogate him successfully. However, the character choice seamlessly integrates into Aryan Simhadri’s likable performance. It illustrates Grover’s strengths and how he is again invaluable to the quest.

The series continues to lend elevated material to Grover, so he is a hero and a threat in his own right. As such, there are no weak links in this trio — or this show.

—

What did you think of this episode of Percy Jackson and the Olympians? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

New episodes of Percy Jackson and the Olympians stream Tuesdays at 9/8c on Disney+.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

Alicia Gilstorf’s Top 10 TV Shows of 2023