Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Percy Jackson and the Olympians, the new live-action series based on Rick Riordan’s The Lightning Thief sticks to book for the most part. In episode 3, however, the show starring Walker Scobell, Leah Jeffries and Aryan Simhadri makes a big change to a key character.

In the episode titled, We Visit the Garden Gnome Emporium, Percy (Scobell), Annabeth (Jefferies) and Grover (Simhadri) set out on a quest where they encounter Medusa (Jessica Parker Kennedy) – the monster with snakes for hair in Greek mythology who can petrify anyone and turn them to stone with one look. Unlike the books, Medusa is quick to introduce herself to Percy. In fact, she goes on to tell the kids her backstory revealing that she too was left by Poseidon. Medusa in the show shares that she “loved” Athena and prayed to her in spite of not getting any response. When she was secluded by Poseidon, it embarrassed Athena who cursed Medusa to turn anyone who gazes upon her to stone. She says that she was punished, “not him.”

The episode portrays Medusa in a sympathetic light, reclaiming narratives around women in Greek mythology. The nuanced backstory reveals that she is a lot more than a monster. Percy relates to Medusa as someone who is beginning to resent the gods. In the books, it takes Percy, Annabeth and Grover a while to figure out Aunty Em’s identity. She only vaguely hints at her tragic story. The show makes an effort to tap into a larger conversation. 

Another key change is in how the trio goes up against Medusa. The books have Percy using a reflective bronze ball to locate Medusa without looking into her eyes. Percy Jackson and the Olympians sees Annabeth pull off a clever trick by sneaking up on Medusa and placing her invisibility cap on her head. Percy then decapitates her without having to look at her. The scene is much smarter in its use of a fail-proof way of doing away with Medusa. While the book sticks to the original Greek mythology, the show’s approach makes for a less gory and more practical sequence.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians is currently streaming on OTT.