Percy Jackson and the Olympians episode 5 recap: "A God Buys Us Cheeseburgers"

At the end of the fourth episode of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Percy (Walker Scobell), Annabeth (Leah Jeffries), and Grover (Aryan Simhadri) were attacked by Echidna (Suzanne Cryer) and the Chimera. Percy falls from the Gateway Arch and is rescued by his father, Poseidon, and pulled into the Mississippi River. Percy breathes underwater, and the episode ends.

We don't know what happened to Annabeth and Grover. Luckily, we don't have to wait long!

In the first scene of the fifth episode, "A God Buys Us Cheeseburgers," which premiered on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, Annabeth and Grover are waiting for Percy around the Gateway Arch. Annabeth sees the Fates, three old ladies playing with yarn, and Atrapos cut "a piece of thread."

Annabeth gives Percy a big hug, and then, they have to continue on their quest. They can't take a bus, drive, or fly because now Percy is a wanted man for what's happened on the arch and in the train on the way to St. Louis.

They start walking, and they're hashing out what to do next. On an empty highway, the trio are approached by Ares (Adam Copeland), riding a motorcycle. He offers to help them. He's looking for the Master Bolt, as well. He offers them lunch at a diner nearby.

Ares shows that Gabe, Percy's stepfather, is talking to the news about Percy's troubles. Percy's mom is also missing, and Percy is on the run. Ares also tells Percy that Olympus will be at war even if Percy finds the Master Bolt. He offers the young demigods a deal. In exchange for a lift to Santa Monica and some supplies after their stuff was destroyed by Echidna on the train, Percy and Annabeth must retrieve Ares' shield from an amusement park up the road.

This is a bit different than in The Lightning Thief. It's not in Denver, and it doesn't exactly go down like this.

Ares keeps Grover for collateral. Grover is happy to stay behind, but he clearly has ulterior motives. Grover doesn't believe that Ares is doing this out of the goodness of his heart. He knows Ares was there when the Master Bolt was stolen during the solstice at Olympus.

At the amusement park, Annabeth realizes this park was built by the god, Hephaestus. They don't know why, exactly, they are at an amusement park built by Hephaestus, but it is what is. They have little to no chance of getting to the Underworld, retrieving the Master Bolt, and stopping this war.

Percy and Annabeth speculate about why Ares would be at this amusement park. They realize Ares and Aphrodite, who happens to be Hephaestus' wife, are lovers and assume that's why the shield is here. It's a trap of some kind for Ares. They take a little boat ride in the tunnel of love!

"What is Love (Baby Don't Hurt Me)" plays on the little boat ride, and there are projections that tell Hephaestus' story, a tragic tale of rejection. Percy remembers this story. His mother, Sally, used to tell it to him. Percy doesn't trust what's going on, and for good reason!

The tunnel of love turns dangerous. It turns into a waterfall, and they are forced out of the boat. They're drowning in the whirlpool, but Percy uses his powers to jump them out of the water. Percy's definitely getting better with his powers!

Annabeth and Percy find the shield, but it's caught in a machine created by Hephaestus (Timothy Omundson). The shield is being held by a statue of Aphrodite above a gold throne of sorts. They don't know what to do, but Annabeth and Percy aren't actually sure what to do.

Back at the diner, Grover manipulates Ares. They both know Percy didn't steal the Master Bolt.

Percy and Annabeth recount the story of how Hephaestus used the chair to trap Hera. He would only let her go if Aphrodite agreed to be his wife, which she does, and then he sets Hera free. In this trap, Percy or Annabeth will not be leaving this amusement park. They'll be stuck in that chair forever, or until Hephaestus lets them out.

Percy, obviously, volunteers because that's what the Seaweed Brain does. Percy knows he must sacrifice himself for the quest to continue and for the mission to be accomplished. Percy knows it's his time, and he gives Annabeth and Grover a chance to finish the quest. "You're better at this than me," he tells Annabeth. "And you know it."

Percy climbs into the chair and the machine whirs! He's covered in gold, and he can't move. When he's completely covered, the shield falls, and Annbeth picks it up.

Is Percy actually dead? Not for long! Annabeth tries her best to reverse the machine, but Hephaestus appears. He tells Annabeth that it can't be reversed by anyone but him. He references something that happened with Annabeth that made Athena "displeased" with her recently. He tells her if she leaves with the shield and finishes the quest that Athena will be proud of her again. Annabeth speaks some truths to the God of Machines about power and glory not being everything.

Apparently, Hephaestus agrees, and he reverses the machine. Percy wakes up and escapes the chair. He also tells Annabeth that she's a good kid and offers to put in a good word with her mom.

They return to the diner and give Ares' shield back to the God of War. They're not happy about it! Ares throws them a few bags of supplies and sends them in the back of a semi to Las Vegas. He tells them to visit The Lotus Hotel and convince Hermes (Lin-Manuel Miranda) to give them a ride the rest of the way.

Percy makes some threats to Ares, but the god doesn't bite.

The episode ends with Grover revealing a very crucial piece of information. "I know who stole the Master Bold," Grover tells Percy and Annabeth. Then, the credits roll!

What an episode! It's not the best episode of the season so far, but it might just be the most important. Events in this episode have huge ramifications for the rest of the season. Most importantly, the trio is almost to the Underworld. With three episodes left, time is running out!

Percy Jackson and the Olympians episode 6, "We Take a Zebra to Vegas," hits Disney+ on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. Don't be late!