Percy Jackson Season 2 Finale: A Bolder, Better Ending Twist Than Sea of Monsters

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Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2, episode 8

Instead of playing it safe, the finale of Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2 was bold, having an even bigger ending twist than in Rick Riordan's original Sea of Monsters book. Featuring changes and surprises, the stakes were raised for the upcoming third season in some very exciting ways.

In Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2, episode 8, Thalia Grace (Tamara Smart) is revived from the tree she was turned into by Zeus (her father). This means there's now a second child of the Big Three who could fulfill the Great Prophecy that either saves Olympus or destroys it.

While the same is true in the book, the big ending twist in Percy Jackson season 2's finale goes much bigger (and is arguably better).

Sea of Monsters' Original Ending Twist Explained (And How The Show Changes It)

Thalia Grace Emerging from Tree in Percy Jackson Season 2 Finale

In the original Sea of Monsters novel, Thalia’s revival via the Golden Fleece ends the book as the major surprise twist none of the characters were expecting, aside from the Titan Kronos, who had manipulated events precisely to get the Daughter of Zeus back on the board.

Conversely, Thalia's return was a known outcome in Percy Jackson season 2 ahead of the Golden Fleece being placed on her tree. As such, this added greater tensions and dynamics between Annabeth and Luke, as well as Percy himself, who's shown having nightmares about Thalia's return and what it might mean for the Great Prophecy.

That being said, a new and much bigger twist is provided in the final scenes of Percy Jackson season 2.

Percy Jackson Season 2's New Twist Raises The Stakes Even Higher

Thalia Grace Confronted by Zeus in Percy Jackson Season 2 Finale

The new twist in Percy Jackson season 2's finale reveals that Thalia was not mortally wounded by the Furies and subsequently saved by Zeus' divine mercy via the tree transformation (which is what happened in the book).

Instead, the Furies were sent by Hades to tell Thalia about the Great Prophecy and Zeus' desire to use her as a weapon, intentionally driving a wedge between the daughter and father.

This is revealed by Chiron, who witnessed Thalia's refusal and Zeus transforming her as punishment (rather than taking pity and saving her life). Chiron himself was then ordered to keep the truth concealed in the years that followed...until now. Compared to the original Sea of Monsters story, this new twist dramatically raises the stakes for the Great Prophecy while better connecting to conflicts we'll be seeing in future seasons.

Not only does the twist better tee up Percy and Thalia's butting heads in The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson season 3), but the twist also gives a far more substantial reason for the rift between Thalia and Zeus, informing the decisions she'll end up making to a much higher degree.

Ultimately, Percy Jackson season 2’s finale proves the show understands what made the books work at their core, but also where they could be improved. With Rick Riordan himself being involved in the creation of the Disney+ show, it's already been confirmed that Riordan supported the major Sea of Monsters ending change.

Percy Jackson season 2's finale truly does feel like a much stronger ending across the board, aligning far better with the adventures that are still to come.

All episodes of Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2 are now streaming on Disney+.