Percy Jackson & My Love for Greek Mythology

I love history. As such, Greek mythology tells us a ton about human history and nature. These stories are rather compelling. Not just children’s tales. The purpose of them was for adults. Moral lessons and entertainment. They are timeless epics. Retold and adapted throughout the ages. Showing how faith tries to explain the world. That meaning is lost as faith has decreased, turning them into folklore. Each adaptation therefore gives you a slice about society at the time.

Due to another interest, I discovered Alex Andreou. He’s Greek-British and has worn many hats—studied law and economics, worked in the civil service, and used to write a blog. Now he does podcasts and turns up on TV talking about things. In the last couple of years, he made Podyssey. Sharing with us, the audience, his insight into Greek mythology. Along with academics, it has been eye-opening really. Growing up, these stories have been all around me, retold and reshared. Hearing it differently now, directly from the source. I remember reading about them, listening to people telling me the story. Not just that, I saw adaptations of them on TV and film. Sometimes unaware where the inspiration came from. They remain relevant today.

Percy Jackson is the latest modern retelling. Bringing it into the modern world. A mix of the past and present. I always enjoyed mythology, which is why I played certain games. Also, one of my favorite games has that theme. These myths have always made me wonder and daydream. Looking backwards and forwards at why I like certain themes or tropes. Huh, never considered that before.

I admit I never read the books. Never read the original stories as told in, I think, Homer. But I remember the movie coming out and doing poorly. Yet I know something about it. I mean something of the stories and the characters. Gods not just powerful beings but human. Flawed. At times doing questionable things. It is one of the most human stories really. Not just about the heroes but about the challenges they face.

I appreciate this reflected blog post that is more light-hearted than what I have written so far this year. That is on purpose given how the year has gone. Sometimes you need to escape or ignore the madness. These stories offer that. Not just that but relax. I feel like I need to talk about special effects here which are good. Don’t feel like it’s just a green screen. Plenty of human, maybe stunt work, not sure. Actors are great too. The child actor that is Percy does a great job. Who is Walker Scobell. Breakout role was playing a younger version of another actor. He should have an excellent future ahead of him. Acting credits are just 3 movies and 2 TV shows so far. Talented.

I’m really enjoying the series on Disney Plus. One of the rare quite good bits of TV. Thing is, it does not feel too long or too short. The series is short due to how high production budgets have gotten. Yet it feels like a perfect length. Glad they have started production on Series 3. Honestly, I would have done two series back-to-back in terms of filming for cost reasons, but whatever, Hollywood. Hopefully they finish the rest of the books. And in a timely manner before Walker gets too old. Also want a child actor, not an adult actor, in the role. Other factor here is more success, the higher you have to pay each actor. Say other directors want to use him, you need to pay more.

Circling back around one more time to Greek mythology. Children here are good people really at the end of the day. Like most of it, grey at times. Making bad choices. Similar to the gods. This is what makes stories so relatable. You can see yourself in everybody at times. Powerful echoes that reach into the soul. That is why I think Percy Jackson is pretty great really. Subtle foreshadowing and care for details.

One story that stands out is Circe from Homer’s Odyssey. She turns a crew into pigs because she was being taken advantage of. It’s such a good moral tale about how we can behave badly.

My question to you if you read this is simple, What Greek myths do you know, and which ones are your favorite?