Lore Olympus Season 2 Review – Amusingly Epic!
Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
Malicious gossip, jealousies, Olympian scheming, God-level scandals, and mighty Goddesses on trial – Season 2 of Rachel Smythe’s webtoon “Lore Olympus” is a lot more exciting and fast-paced, as the creator continues to re-imagine Greek Gods at their colorful best (or worst). The primary focus of-course, continues to be the epic romance between Hades, God of the Underworld and Spring Goddess Persephone, and the challenges they face before their union.
Season one of “Lore Olympus” had ended with Helios’ revealing why the Spring Goddess who used to be known as Kore was re-named Persephone, which means ‘bringer of death’. Hades’ ex-girlfriend Minthe schemes with Thanatos and Thetis to expose Persephone’s act of wrath on earth, which was covered up by her mother, Demeter. Season two follows Zeus’s attempts to persecute Persephone while she seeks refuge in the underworld with her beloved Hades. However, Zeus is determined to “make an example” of Persephone for committing acts of wrath without his knowledge, although he has ulterior motives in doing so.
I love how season two begins with a sense of suspense—nobody knows where Persephone is. Her mother, Demeter, who has been living in the mortal realm, pays a surprise visit to Olympus and knocks on Artemis’ door, Persephone’s flatmate. It’s implied Persephone is taking a break to sort out her feelings about everything happening to her. Apollo is still harassing her, she cannot bear to tell the truth to Artemis (who senses something is amiss), she isn’t sure if she is worthy of Hades, and she is torn over failing her mother if she backs out from being a part of TGOEM (The Goddesses of Eternal Maidenhood).
For those who enjoy Rachel Smythe’s artwork for “Lore Olympus,” the illustrations remain just as colorful, adorable, dreamy, and sumptuous as before. In fact, it feels like there are a lot more engaging character sketches this time, especially because it also features some of the Gods and Goddesses in their Titan form, particularly in a section where Hades recalls how he and his siblings rebelled against Kronos to form the Six Traitors Dynasty. One of my favorite illustrations is Hecate in her true three-headed form; she looked wickedly good, and Rachel Smythe should probably let Hecate appear in her true form all the time.
“Zeus, there’s no easy way to say this, as, after all, you are my brother, and we are of the same blood. But you have left me little choice. I don’t know which part offends me more: the fact that she doesn’t pose any threat to you, and yet, you pursue her with an overinflated rage, masquerading as justice, or the fact that you know my feelings for her, and yet, you don’t seem to care. Blood of mine or not, if you proceed with this trial, I hope you are prepared to live with its consequences” – Hades warns his brother before the trial begins. Of-course, to little avail.
There’s major drama over Persephone and Demeter’s trial, which takes place in a proper court and is surprisingly hilarious as various witnesses keep rambling about their own personal problems. Hermes’ account is the most comical, as he tries to give “context” by going back to how he became friends with Kore before she got her new name. Persephone and Hades’ love and support for each other shine best during the trial, a fact that confounds and infuriates Demeter. Zeus grossly underestimates Hades’ affection for Persephone, trying to push his theory that the Spring Goddess is merely manipulating the King of the Underworld for her own benefit.
After portraying Persephone as a clueless, cute, pink cotton-candy kind of Goddess, Rachel Smythe finally gives the character a lot more punch in “Lore Olympus.” Persephone emerges as a young, independent, strong, wrathful Goddess with a mind of her own, even as she battles her insecurities. Minthe, has one of the most stand-out scenes in the season, as she finally faces Kore’s wrath first-hand, leading to a comically tragic fate. Hades, on the other hand, is completely head-over-heels in love and is surprisingly kind, thoughtful, honest, patient, and soft with her. In Gen-Z terms—Hades might be dark blue, but he is a totally bright green flag. At this point in the webtoon, it’s like the two are virtually married, and it’s super cute.
But many challenges still lie ahead for Hades before he can claim his queen of the Underworld. The climax of “Lore Olympus” season two delivers a conflict worthy of Greek Gods, featuring an unprecedented face-off that impacts all the major Olympians and takes place in the Underworld. The climax is so compelling that Rachel Smythe could have almost ended “Lore Olympus” right here. It will be interesting to see if Season Three can surpass the spectacles that unfold in season two.
Rating: 4.5 on 5. You can read “Lore Olympus” for free on Webtoon.
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