I'm gonna be projecting a lot with this one but-
I wished Rick would've explored family dynamics/relationships more.
Specifically, about the dead.
There is a few times were Rick brushes on family that isn't just character's parents that are dead/ never really able to meet a character.
One in relation to characters we've met- Hazel and Bianca.
I seen some mention I believe idea of "mourning someone you never met" with Hazel. But I think it isn't just cause she struggles with feeling she's just a replacement to her.
I think would've been interesting see her grappling with the fact that she has a sister she'll never meet.
Bianca isn't just Nico's sister, though of course their connection is stronger blood wise, but she's also Hazel's.
A sister she never met. Who she knows died why she's in the underworld. I think would've been interesting to see her have moments where she wished she got to know her. Where she craves that bond.
And think could be even more interesting to pair that with the Sammy and Leo situation.
Leo likely grew up hearing a lot about his family, including Sammy. Maybe even his mother mentioning that he's sometimes like him.
I think would've been interesting if that was one the stories he clung to on the run. His aunt wanted nothing to do with him, his mom was gone, and high likely lot of his other family members were gone too before then.
Maybe he clung to those stories in a sense to feel he's still connected to his family?
Than he meets Hazel, who unlike Leo had much more time with Sammy. Who looks at him and see Sammy first.
I think that could've made interesting interactions. Either he even more so hangs out with her to hear about Sammy. Or maybe he has a tiny sense of resentment. That someone he hardly knows got to know Sammy more than just through stories.
Again, mourning someone you never met.
I think it actually was a missed opportunity. Hazel lives in the shadow of Bianca's death, why Leo lives in the shadow of Sammy's. Both grappling with that. That been part of how their friendship is intertwined. It isn't just one sided "you look like a guy I was close with/ might've dated" but also "You got to know someone in my family I grew up wishing for a connection to."
In a similar vain,I wish we got more of Percy thinking about his mortal family.
We learn about his grandparents and great uncle in the first book. That Sally's parents died in a plane crash. Yet despite that it doesn't really go much further other than Estelle being named after Sally's mom.
Percy's fear of flying, which we somewhat see in tlt, is mainly based on Zeus.
But think that at least his grandparents being in his thoughts as well would've made sense.
I think it would've been a cool comparison to have his feelings on his grandparents and great uncle, who he heard plenty about but never met, be clashed with his thoughts on his immortal family.
Jim and Estelle were kind and helpful couple,Sally was young when they died but likely still had some fond memories. And what she didn't know her uncle might've told her.
Percy already struggles between his mortal and immortal sides in his life. Usually represented with Rachel.
But imagine part of that being his crave to have known his mortal grandparents and great-uncle. To recognize that part of him.
He's Sally Jackson's son, Jim and Estelle Jackson's grandson. That's still apart of him.
Actually, given how the show seems to be focusing on family in terms of the gods, I think that would be interesting to explore that concept there.
We didn't get the mention of his grandparents in the first season (that I can remember at least). But there's room to explore it later on. I mean, Sally very much is not game for Percy calling Kronos grandpa. And if that is explored more than just a joke it be sweet to see a scene of her talking about her parents to him.
Heck, maybe a scene were Kronos/someone else brings up Kronos as Percy's grandfather and we get a call back to the "I'm Sally Jackson's son" with him going "I'm Jim and Estelle Jackson's grandson!" Instead.
Just- ugh 😭 weak for family dynamics like that. I think it's just something you don't see very much, but at least with me I have these kinda feeling of wanting a connection with lot of family I never got to meet. Especially when you're told you look like said person.
You hear stories and just...get this longing? I don't how to explain it hdgd
But yeah. Family dynamics my beloved.
