Why Can’t The Demigods Look At Ares In The Percy Jackson Finale? Gods’ True Forms Explained

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Percy Jackson & the Olympians season 1, episode 8, “The Prophecy Comes True.”

Percy Jackson & the Olympians season 1, episode 8 brings the Disney+ series’ first outing to a close, and the finale starts with a showdown between Percy and Ares — but viewers may have questions about the God of War’s true form and his departure from the fight. Upon his return from the Underworld, Percy challenges Ares to single combat in “The Prophecy Comes True.” And despite going toe to toe with a far more powerful being, Percy wins this confrontation with a little help from Poseidon.

Before walking away, Ares vows that Percy’s made “an enemy for life” — a concerning sentiment for Percy Jackson season 2 — then seemingly bursts into flames. Grover tells his friends to look away from Ares’ true form, but the satyr doesn’t really explain what that means. Those familiar with Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson books will understand this comment, but the Olympian gods’ true forms may warrant further explanation for newcomers and casual fans.

What Does Ares Turn Into In The Percy Jackson Season 1 Finale? His True Form Explained

Ares Doesn’t Actually Look The Way He Appears In Season 1

Ares appears as a human throughout his interactions with Percy and his friends in Percy Jackson season 1, as his travels on Earth require him to take on this form. However, none of the Olympian gods actually look like ordinary people behind closed doors. They each have true forms, also called divine forms, which fully encapsulate their immortal spirits and their immense power. When they take on these forms, they’re enveloped by a bright light, just as Ares is at the ending of Percy Jackson season 1.

The gods’ true forms are mentioned several times throughout the Percy Jackson books, with Ares’ departure being the first instance of this phenomenon cropping up. The Titans are also said to have divine forms, though they have different effects on those around them. In both cases, mortals can’t look upon a Greek god or Titan while they’re in their true form — at least not without suffering serious consequences.

Why Demigods Can’t Look At Gods When They Take Their True Forms

Doing So Has Serious Consequences

Demigods and mortals in general can’t look at the Olympian gods while they’re in their divine forms, which is why Grover warns his friends to look away from Ares during the Percy Jackson season 1 finale. If a mortal does look upon an Olympian at their most powerful, they’ll burn up and turn to ashes. While the books don’t get too much into this outcome, it’s presumably because they can’t handle witnessing the gods in such a powerful state. The bright light also seemingly sets the Olympians aflame, so it’s possible that extends to anyone perceiving this transformation.

Titans’ true forms have a similar impact on demigods and mortals, though looking away doesn’t help. If a mortal is anywhere near a Titan in their true state, they’ll perish regardless of whether they see them. That’s how powerful these beings are, suggesting Percy will have his hands full if Kronos fulfills his promise to come to the mortal world. There are instances of Percy Jackson characters seeing gods in their divine forms in dreams and other extenuating circumstances, but the demigods do what they can to avoid this, and for good reason.

Ares’ Transformation Shows He Meant His Threat To Percy

The God Of War Will Be Back In Later Seasons Of Percy Jackson

Ares transforming into his true form in Percy Jackson season 1, episode 8 proves that he meant his threat to the titular demigod. The God of War knows that turning into his divine form can kill Percy, Annabeth, and Grover, but he does so anyway — and without much warning. He’s fuming on the heels of his loss in single combat, and he may have wanted them to witness his immortal state. He’s clearly deemed Percy an enemy, and while his threat is less detailed than it is in The Lightning Thief, it still holds weight going forward.

In the books, Ares actually curses Percy, promising that misfortune will eventually catch up to him, though never specifying when or how. This creates tension whenever Percy finds himself in a tight spot, and the curse finally rears its ugly head during his confrontation with Atlas. Since Ares doesn’t actually place a curse on Percy in the Disney+ show, the outcome of their animosity towards one another might be different. Even so, Ares’ words are likely to haunt Percy as Percy Jackson & the Olympians continues. And knowing the god was willing to kill him during the finale, there’s no telling what else he’ll try.

Percy Jackson & the Olympians

Based on the novel series by Rick Riordan Percy Jackson & the Olympians is an action-adventure fantasy television series created for Disney+. When Percy Jackson is framed for the theft of Zeus’ almighty thunderbolt, Percy must clear his name, all while harnessing the powers inherited by his father, Poseidon, at a camp created for demi-gods.

Cast

Walker Scobell , Leah Sava Jeffries , Aryan Simhadri , Jason Mantzoukas , Megan Mullally , Glynn Turman , Adam Copeland , Virginia Kull , Lance Reddick

Seasons

1

Writers

Rick Riordan , Jonathan E. Steinberg