Percy: I don’t think Luke can be saved. I don’t think he wants to be.
Hermes: Well, you’re a pretty smart kid, little cuz. But that’s the first wrong thing you’ve said. If I’ve learned anything through the eons, it’s that you can’t give up on your family, no matter how tempting they make it.
Where does this quote come from? (Source)
This quote comes from a TV series ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’. The scene where this moment comes from is in Season 2 Episode 2, with the title of ‘Demon Pigeons Attack’ (2×02). Percy Jackson is based on a book series of the same name written by Rick Riordan. The series Percy Jackson and the Olympians is produced by Disney Branded Television and 20th Television (Disney+)
- TV Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians
- Season: 2
- Episode: 2
- Episode Name: Demon Pigeons Attack
- Production: Disney Branded Television, 20th Television (Disney+)
Why we collected this quote
We love this because it reveals Hermes’ hidden pain. It humanizes him, showing that he hasn’t given up on his son, Luke, despite everything.
What does this quote mean? (Meaning & Context)
Percy tells Hermes that Luke might be beyond saving. Hermes gently corrects him, sharing his own philosophy: you never give up on family. It adds a tragic layer to Hermes, who is still holding out hope for the son who hates him.
Book vs TV Series
We are thrilled they kept this line! It’s a nearly verbatim direct match from the book, where Hermes reflects on the difficulties of dealing with family, specifically his son Luke. It’s a moment of profound sadness and complexity, reminding us that even the gods struggle with their difficult, manipulative family ties.
Fun facts & Trivia
This quote subtly hints at the tragic backstory of Luke’s mother, May Castellan. Hermes’ inability to abandon his son is rooted in his regret over how May was damaged by seeing through the Mist, which is a major source of Luke’s anger toward his father.
