I don't know if anyone else feels this way but I think a big reason why I'm so chill about the changes made to the PJO show from the books is because I kind of look at each other as their own seperate canon.
Like, I read a lot of anime and manga, and anime adaptations have a huge habit for changing plot points for various reasons, and as a fan of said anime and manga, I've found that I can enjoy both versions of the same story even with the differences when I look at them as their own universe or canon. That's not to say I don't want them to be faithful or true to the source material, but if a scene or situation plays out differently for a logical or entertaining reason, than I can still appreciate that deviation from the manga even if I still like the other original version of that part more. And I can even like the reversal way if I feel an anime does something better than even the manga. But if I want to, I can look at certain moments as more canon than others because I got 2 different versions of that same scene or moment.
And, I don't know, I kind of apply that reasoning to the PJO series as well, mainly with the books, the show, and even the musical (not the movies put that right back where it came from). So far I'm loving the TV show, and while I miss some of the things they changed (like the pink poodle), this adaptation really is doing a great job with staying true to the heart and spirit of the original book that I personally am not even really bothered by the changes, especially when I remember that the books will always still be there with it's own version, or canon, of events.
Like, I will say 1 thing I adore in the books that isn't really in the show is the fact that a lot of Percy and Annabeth's "rivalry" during TLT has more to do with the rivalry between Poseidon and Athena. I just really like on how this adds a level of "forbidden friendship/love" to their relationship 'cause I personally eat the forbidden relationship trope up, especially when it's done well like with Percabeth.
Yet, even if this isn't really the reason percabeth have beef with each other in the show, I can still appreciate and enjoy that according to the show's canon, they have issues because they genuinely have problems with each other as actual people rather than their parents' rivalry, because at the end of the day, that's the PJO TV show canon, and I can always turn to the books for that version of Percabeth's "rivalry", as that is the PJO book canon.
Same goes for the characters too. I will always have and love my dark haired Percy and blond haired Annabeth in the books, but I can also welcome and love Walker's Percy and Leah's Annabeth from the show. And so far, they along with Aryan are KILLING IT as those characters.
I can love both versions of the characters.
I can love both versions of the same story.
I can look at both versions as they own seperate canon or mix them together if I so wish too (especially since both versions of PJO are written by the same guy)
And that's ok. The adaptation doesn't have to be a complete copy of the books. It doesn't have to have things play out eactly the same way. The characters don't have to look exactly the way they are described as in the books. And that's ok. I will still always have the books to love and appreciate, but I can also start to love and appreciate the new adaptation for it's new spin and twists to the same story that sets it apart as it's own canon while still staying true to the spirit of its predecessor.
Anyway, sorry if I'm not making a lot of sense. I just think the people complaining about the changes in the show are looking at it all the wrong way. The show has it's own canon just as the books have their own canon, or even the musical. At the end of the day, isn't that kind of cool to have different versions of the same story and characters? Doesn't it give you so many more options to look at the story in different ways that you can prefer or choose from? Doesn't it give you new versions of canon that you choose from? And really, as long as the PJO adaptation, or any adaptation for that matter, stays true to the heart and spirit of the original story and characters, do the changes made really matter?
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So I just finished watching the first two episodes of Percy Jackson and The Olympians and let me tell you
100/10. Perfect. Brilliant. A masterpiece. Finger-licking delicious. My inner child is healing, my childhood dreams came true, I have ascended into Elysium. I LOVED IT SOOOOOO MUCH.
[does include spoilers so watch out]
As soon as I've heard "Look... I didn't want to be a Half-Blood." I started sobbing. The entire opening had me in tears, watching Percy struggle through his childhood with how different he was from everybody.
I LOVE Sally Jackson. She's my hero. The way she talked about the origin of Percy's name, the way she looks at her son like he's her entire world (and he is) and the way she handled that asshole Gabe? Perfection. The Minotaur scene broke me. I honestly can't find words to describe how I felt except that I was deeply moved by watching a mother put on a brave face for her child even though she must be terrified herself and make the ultimate sacrifice to make sure her son is safe. When she had Grover swear he will protect Percy no matter what, I was in tears. And of course the moment with Percy himself, how she held his face, pulled him in, told him to be brave and used the same words Perseus's mother uses in the myth.
The camp took my breath away. It looks absolutely incredible. The training grounds, the cabins, the woods... I have dreamt of going to this place ever since I was an early teen reading these books for the first time and today I have finally found my way to it. It exceeded all my expectations and I am in love. I literally don't have words other than epic.
Now, for the characters. Percy is my Baby™ and Walker is knocking it out of the park right from his first scene!!! He is Percy in every way that matters. Right down to the core. That look he gets in his eyes??? That pure fire and determination??? The wit he has, the way he wields sarcasm like a blade? The way he broke my fucking heart so many times in a matter of 45 min? That scene with Sally at the cabin COME ON!!!!! I WAS SOBBING! This kid is gonna go so far with this role, he's brilliant.
Same goes for Leah's Annabeth and Aryan's Grover. Both absolutely NAILED IT. They have absorbed their characters and have not just portrayed them but have become them!!! Grover is the kind of friend you want to have. He's the kind of friend I'd kill to have. He's just so pure and loving and he hates hurting the people he cares about even when it's for their own good. Not to mention his comedic timing is chef's kiss!!! And Annabeth, oh my dear, brave, awesome, badass Wise Girl. She's a Legend already. I am absolutely in love with Leah's performance, with her fierceness and sass, with the way she embodies Annabeth's brilliance and heart from the very first scene. I cannot wait to see this trio take us on a journey with them and watch them become inseparable.
Also, Luke Castellan? Ooh, boy. No spoilers for those who haven't read the books, but this guy is going to break everyone's hearts. And I thought I was prepared but the second he called Annabeth "his little sister", I knew I was doomed.
So far, I have not a single bad word to say about this show. From the opening logo to the end credits, it is stellar to me. 14yo me is living her best life watching this show, I could not be any happier.
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