Percy Jackson and the Olympians is back for a second season that takes our mythic hero from Camp Half-Blood to The Sea of Monsters. Just like Rick Riordan’s source material, the show it’s based on is deeply entrenched in Ancient Greek mythology, connecting to these stories of the past through a modern lens. That’s not all though.
The second season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians is also connected to a far newer story too. Namely, The Last of Us, another series that returned for its sophomore run this year.
Ok, the Ancient Greek monsters and deities battling it out in the Percy Jackson show are literally worlds removed from the fungal zombies in Pedro Pascal’s post-apocalyptic nightmare.
But the shows do share one key connection that comes to light at the end of “Demon Pigeons Attack,” the second episode of Percy Jackson’s latest chapter onscreen.
Before the son of Posiedon ventures out onto that monstrous sea, Percy and the rest of his cohort first find themselves fighting for their lives at camp. In classic Percy Jackson fashion, there are attacking crows to fend off using Mariah Carey’s music, and there’s also a magical chariot tournament to compete in too.
There are, however, no clickers or giant mushrooms out to infect anyone.
In fact, it’s not until the credits roll that the connection between Percy Jackson and The Last of Us becomes apparent with a short, touching message onscreen:
“IN LOVING MEMORY OF A TRUE PIONEER – DANNY VIRTUE.”
The words are accompanied by a silhouette of two horses pulling a chariot, in reference to the action sequences depicted throughout this episode.
Who is Danny Virtue?
Danny Virtue was a producer and stunt coordinator who regularly worked with horses throughout his illustrious career. By the time the 76 year old pioneer passed on 4 September 2025, Virtue had been involved with over 1000 films and TV shows, including everything from The Twilight Saga and multiple Hallmark movies to yes, The Last of Us.
Among his most notable achievements, Virtue created and executive-produced Neon Rider, an early 90s TV show, and he later built a groundbreaking 200-acre film studio named Virtue Studio Ranch in British Columbia. In 2000, Virtue founded a nonprofit called the Danny Virtue Foundation to provide young people with therapeutic experiences with horses in nature.
Virtue died shortly after he married his longtime love Charlotte in late August, 2025. The couple were parents to Clay Virtue, a stuntman who tragically died in 2017.
Danny was working with filmmaker Joel McCarthy on a documentary about his life before he passed. Afterwards, McCarthy posted an interview clip with Virtue where he discussed the legacy he will leave behind: “The movies and all, that was just my work. And I tried my hardest to do good. But basically, I just want people to remember me as a good friend. That’s it. No big deal.”
But Virtue was a big deal. Back in May, Pedro Pascal discussed Virtue’s work with The Last of Us cast in a behind-the-scenes special: “I consider myself incredibly lucky to have worked with him and to witness his brilliant relationship to horses.”
That’s not all though. Pascal later shared the video on Tiktok and added the following in a heartwarming caption: “Big thanks to Danny Virtue for teaching me how to ride without looking like I was clinging for dear life. Couldn’t have made it through those stunt sequences in Season 2 without him. The man’s a legend.”
Liane Hentscher/HBO
Jurassic Park: Dominion actor Kristoffer Polaha also paid tribute to this legend following his passing:
“Danny was a virtue to the global film community,” said Polaha. “He taught me how to really ride a horse, but more than that, he ingrained in me a sense of the stunt culture. He was a pioneer, a legend, and let’s not be coy about it – rock n roll and punk rock all rolled up into his talent as a stuntman and producer.”
Polaha added, “He was also a leader. He cared. His foundation changed lives for the better and the world for good. He was my friend. He poured into ideas with enthusiasm and passion and I’ll miss him. Until next time.”
Virtue’s work on set touched the lives of many cast and crew members. But beyond that, the legacy of his career at large has touched countless more viewers back home, including fans of Percy Jackson, The Last of Us, and more.
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