Episodes
We are so excited to wrap up this series (and this season of Camp Half-Pod!)! We start off with an overall discussion of some favorite moments from the series, and then give our own personal rankings for each episode. We talk about the documentary on Disney+ and then crown our winners of our Season Superlatives. We wrap up this episode by reading some emails and listening to the nicest audio messages ever. You all are truly a blessing, thank you so much for listening and for dealing with all...
Published 02/12/24
It’s the final episode of the Disney+ Percy Jackson adaptation, “The Prophecy Comes True.” Cue the tears! The iconic battle between Ares and Percy comes to life on the screen (that giant wave? SO cool). Percy goes to Olympus, and we get to meet Zeus and Poseidon. Percy returns to camp, only to be betrayed by the real lightning thief. We spend a long time talking about portal swords. Percy reunites with Sally, and Gabe gets what he deserves. Thank you both new & old listeners for joining...
Published 01/31/24
This week, we’re going down below to the Underworld in episode 7 of the Disney + PJO adaptation, “We Find Out The Truth, Sort Of.” Percy and gang heads down to the Underworld, and we nerd out about the design choices (upside down castle?? How COOL is that???). Erin teaches Manasa the word “stalactite.” We spend a long time talking about the implications of this version of asphodel. And also…. What the heck is Annabeth’s regret? Hades is introduced, and he’s honestly kind of a dork. Percy...
Published 01/24/24
VEGAS, BABY!!! This week is all about episode 6 of the Disney+ adaptation, “We Take A Zebra To Vegas.” Erin vows to make as many Hamilton references as she can in honor of Lin Manuel Miranda. The trio makes it to the Lotus Casino and Grover loses the plot pretty quickly. We meet Hermes for the first time, and get some fun insights on parenting from him. Our new favorite scene is the parking garage scene. It lives in our minds rent free. We gush over how adorable the trio is and how fantastic...
Published 01/17/24
It’s tiiiiiiime! We’re talking all about episode 5 of the Disney+ adaptation, “A God Buys Us Cheeseburgers.” We recorded this at 10pm so start off by apologizing for probably getting things wrong. We meet two gods in this episode — Ares and Hephaestus. It’s packed full of Percabeth moments, with the Tunnel of Love and a brand new scene involving a golden throne. We discuss the changes and theorize about why some of them were made. Includes behind-the-scenes interview audio clips from Eric...
Published 01/11/24
This week we are joined by The Newest Olympian’s very own, Mike Schubert, to discuss episode 4 of the Disney+ adaptation, “I Plunge To My Death.” We dive DEEP into discussion about monstrosity, and how this show is honing in on the theme of who is/isn’t a monster. Kronos is theatrical, as always. Echidna is a Karen chihuahua mom. We talk about all the changes made to the St Louis arch scene, and how they almost had us with Percy’s little sword switcheroo. Please note: episodes contain...
Published 01/03/24
This week, we’re discussing episode 3 of the Disney+ adaptation, “We Visit The Garden Gnome Emporium.” It’s Medusa time!!! Our iconic trio sets off on a quest, complete with trials and tribulations, such as disagreements over the voting system, fury (not furry) attacks, and Grover singing! We discuss IN DEPTH the changes made to Medusa’s character and the way this show lends itself to conversations about monstrosity and what/who we consider monsters. Includes behind-the-scenes interview audio...
Published 12/27/23
We’re talking all about episode 2 of the Disney+ adaptation, “I Become Supreme Lord of the Bathroom.” We get to see Camp Half-Blood come to life, and meet a lot of iconic characters, like Mr. D, Annabeth, Clarisse, and Luke. We discuss changes made from the book, and whether or not these changes work for us. Includes behind-the-scenes interview audio clips from Eric Henry and Jeff White (VFX Supervisors) and Tish Monaghan (Costume Designer). Please note: episodes contain spoilers from the PJO...
Published 12/20/23
We analyze the first episode of the new Disney+ show, “I Accidentally Vaporize My Pre-Algebra Teacher.” We talk about the changes made from book to movie, our favorite moments, and the fantastic portrayals of characters. Also, the Minotaur. Includes behind-the-scenes interview audio clips from Eric Henry (VFX Supervisor) and Dan Shotz (Executive Producer). We also listen to an audio message that makes Manasa cry!! Shoutout to Kristin. Please note: episodes contain spoilers from the PJO book...
Published 12/20/23
In this very exciting bonus episode, we give you all the details on the Percy Jackson Disney+ Press Conference that we got to attend! The first conference was with Walker Scobell, Leah Sava Jeffries, Aryan Simhadri, Jon Steinberg, and Dan Shotz. We got to hear some fun stories behind the scenes of set. The second conference was with VFX Supervisors Erik Henry and Jeff White. And finally, we got to listen to Dan Henna (Production Design) and Tish Monaghan (Costume Design). We also share with...
Published 12/14/23
Apollo went through his trials…now it’s time for us to put him on trial. For his crimes (and just generally everything he did that offended us). In a mock-debate style, we take turns defending and prosecuting Apollo for all the terrible things he did in Greek mythology. We discuss Daphne, Cassandra, Hyacinthus, Midas, and more myths. We use the straw man argument frequently. Please note this is all very satirical and we actually think Apollo sucks for all these crimes. Enjoy the chaos! ****...
Published 12/11/23
It’s here. It’s time to finish the last book in the last series (so far) in the Greek god universe. We can’t believe it’s been 3 whole series and 3 whole years. Erin claims that we are the Taylor Swift of podcasts. You’ll have to listen to try to understand that logic. We get sappy talking about the show and friendship, and all you amazing listeners. Apollo too gets sappy, visiting all his friends. He visits Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter. Percy got into college!! Piper is queer!! Hazel is...
Published 11/27/23
It’s the second to last episode of Trials of Apollo, and things get intense. But first, we talk about the actors strike ending, and how excited we are for the show. Erin can’t stop debating with herself this episode. She blames the cheese puffs. Apollo destroys Nero and his fasces, but the battle isn’t done. He has some sweet moments with Meg, and then thinks about generational trauma! Then heads down to Python via Nero and Python’s love tunnel. Python and Apollo fight. The Arrow of Dodona,...
Published 11/20/23
We are approaching the end of the Tower of Nero… so naturally, it’s time for a full out battle. Apollo beats up some IT guys. All of New York can be destroyed with a single button. Nero gives another evil villain monologue, but this time it’s on Zoom. We wish this was written a few years later because Nero definitely would have had a funny background. Apollo confronts Nero in the throne room. Meg fights back, Nero can’t find his remote, and Nico once again comes to save the day. Also, Nero...
Published 11/13/23
In these chapters, Apollo makes it to the titular Tower of Nero, and nothing goes according to plan. Nero’s tower is boring, and his plan is evil. He gives a brilliant villain monologue which begins with blaming his mother, and ends with him announcing his dream job: daddy to everyone! Then he makes a child cut off Lu’s hands. We discuss the surprisingly deep gender commentary about fathers. Then Apollo gets to spend some time dreaming in a fancy jail cell. Him and Lu actually bond and then...
Published 11/06/23
Trogs! Trogs! Trogs! This week we meet the Troglodytes. It’s also our Halloween episode! But first, we must fight the cows. Where’s Frank when you need him to murder cows?? Manasa makes the bold claim that all cows are socialists. Let us know if you understand her logic because Erin does not. Apollo and friends escape the cows and travel to the home of Nico’s new best friends, the Troglodytes, aka, the cave dwellers. Erin thinks that the Trogs should look like frogs. We get really sidetracked...
Published 10/30/23
It’s time to go back to camp! Apollo and Meg take a ride with the gray ladies and end up back at Camp Half-Blood. Apollo invented the “honey he gay” meme according to Rick. We get to see our favorite goth son, Nico!! Mr. D and Nico are bros now. Apollo has some visions of Python, who apparently knows chess. He probably plays it with Nero. We also get a dramatic backstory about the arrow of Dodona, who is just a little branch with big dreams. Then, it’s time to go fetch our fav billionaire,...
Published 10/23/23
We’re starting the fifth of final book of Trials of Apollo! It starts off strong with a train ride and murder. We don’t like Lu because she murdered an innocent snake man with a wife. Lu does help Apollo and Meg escape from Nero’s clutches, though, so we’ll give her that. We encourage the youth to talk about people behind their backs. Then, we get to see our favorite… the queen of our hearts… Sally Jackson. Who is THRIVING. Sally and Paul feed and clothe Apollo and Meg. Then Apollo gets to...
Published 10/16/23
We are joined by the infamous Sammie, our editor, who is also Erin’s little sister. She shares evidence that Erin was an evil child. Erin defends her behaviors because she was a budding actress. We go through lots of your Lightning bolt questions and sweet audio messages - thank you everyone always for your support! Topics this episode include: adopting demigods, typical CHP bloopers, optimal face placement, and sacrificing Jason for shoes. We also talk a bit about the SAG AFTRA strike and...
Published 10/09/23
New band name dropped: Five Unicorns of the Apocalypse. This week, we’re wrapping up this book with the final battle. They have it out with Tarquin and, FINALLY, godly help shows up. Artemis/Diana is here to save the day, and also stop Apollo from turning into a zombie. Also, Frank is alive! We discuss the merits of Captain Underpants. Reyna quits her job and gets another job. Manasa comes down hard against Lavinia. We review the book as a whole, and Manasa makes some final predictions for...
Published 09/25/23
A LOT is going on in these chapters. And in our brains. Manasa is ready to kill Rick for potentially killing Frank. Apollo and Meg make their way back to camp to fight in the battle. We think the triumvirate’s monsters are kind of lame. They’re all just lil guys. Yet still, things are not looking good for Camp Jupiter. Apollo meets up with Ella and Tyson to do the god-summoning ritual. Nothing happens. So instead, Apollo joins the battle. Frank challenges the emperors to a duel. Then…. he...
Published 09/18/23
Apollo, Reyna, and Meg climb up Sutro Tower, and we learn the tale of how Apollo really sucks. He had his ex murdered for cheating on him!! We provide you all with a deep dive on Dean Martin. He had a colorful divorce history. We learn that doves were the Twitter of Ancient Greece. We meet the god of silence, Harpocrates, a child that Apollo bullied. They manage to get what they came there for — they take Harpocrates’s last breath in the jar of the Sybil (apparently they were in love?)....
Published 09/11/23
This week, Camp Jupiter prepares for battle, and Apollo heads out on his quest (for love?). Meg and Apollo have a sweet bonding moment. Apollo drools over Reyna some more. He sneaks out with Don and Lavinia to see some dryads and Peaches, and naturally, has to perform a remix of his hours-long Jason song (10 minute version…sad dryad version). Apollo, Reyna, and Meg head towards Sutro Tower and Apollo tries to ask Reyna out. It doesn’t go well for him. However, it goes great for Reyna, who...
Published 09/04/23
Apollo’s memories are not a good look for him this episode. He remembers what he did to the Sybil. He’s also slowing dying from Zombie Scratch. Hazel, Lavinia, Meg, and Apollo make the worst group project. Tarquin is basically Skeletor. They get into Tarquin’s Tomb and see his huge undead army. Meg fully tries to take on Tarquin by herself. Lavinia’s manubalista is kind of annoying. We discover that Python has legs!!! We give you a deep dive on the etymology of the Python. We then answer some...
Published 08/28/23
We are in peak form this episode. Manasa blames the heat. Erin has AC, but she did have the plague while recording this. We reflect on how Apollo stopped climate change by giving the sun some therapy. Perhaps we should try that out. But it’s time for a funeral. Manasa thinks that we should be done grieving by now. Lester is an Aries. We meet up with Tyson and Ella. Ella does tattoos now. Then we go burn Jason!!! Wolf Mama shows up to have a chat with Apollo. Apollo takes a nap and we get some...
Published 08/21/23