Olympus
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Olympus is a mostly forgettable addition to the mythological drama genre, thanks to a tepid plot and low-budget special effects. The characters are intriguing enough -- particularly the altruistic hero (appropriately named Hero) who's trying to uncover the mystery of his past and in the process unlocks a legend about the Greek gods themselves -- but that's not enough of a hook to give this campy series any traction. Graphic violence dominates battle scenes and other tense encounters, so you'll see stabbings, dismemberment, and some closeup shots of victims dying by inches. Greed is a powerful motivator that leads many to lie, sleep around, plot mutinies, and even inflict harm on close family members, yielding few likable role models.
Community Reviews
ONE OF THE BEST SHOWS IN A VERY LONG TIME.
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Not for children!
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What's the Story?
In ancient Greece, a young man named Hero (Tom York) turns to a powerful Oracle (Sonya Cassidy) to help him unravel the mysteries of his past and the truth to his destiny. Initially reluctant to help him, the Oracle eventually reveals that Hero holds the key to opening the doors to the mythical Olympus. OLYMPUS follows the story of how a handful of mere mortals led by Hero banished the gods to the underworld.
Is It Any Good?
When it's done well, mythology makes for compelling TV drama. Sadly that's not the case with the abundantly cheesy Olympus, whose industrious cast can't overcome some pretty awful special effects and a chronically confusing story line. There are some moments that do entertain, particularly in the banter between Hero and the never-demure Oracle, but even those encounters are obscured by the campy green-screen scenery.
Olympus tries to keep the action rolling with ample battle scenes and the slowly evolving story of Hero's destiny, and those with a real passion for mythology may enjoy the show's take on familiar characters such as Medea (Sonita Henry) and Daedalus (Matt Frewer). But for the average viewer looking for something inspiring, this tale of gods and mortals is way off the mark.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the quality of a show's graphics affects its overall appeal. Can a good plot overcome poor special effects? How has CGI changed our expectations of a "good" production?
Is the violence in Olympus excessive or appropriate, given the subject matter and the intended audience? Do TV ratings do enough to educate viewers about this kind of content?
TV Details
- Premiere date: April 2, 2015
- Cast: Tom York, Sonya Cassidy, Sonita Henry
- Network: Syfy
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Book Characters, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: June 21, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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Mythology and action-adventure for teens and up.
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Vikings
Violent, mature drama has amiable, legendary hero.
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Hercules
Better-than-average spinoff has heart AND brawn.
For kids who love myths and legends
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