"What Is Love" dramatically depicts Hephaestus' heartbreak in Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Percy Jackson and the Olympians episode 5, "A God Buys Us Cheeseburgers," brings Haddaway's "What Is Love" back to the masses for a dramatic, artistically beautiful, angst-filled, and poignant depiction of Hephaestus' heartbreak whilst also being incredibly funny.

The moment takes place in the Thrill Ride O' Love, the very location that the god of fire and craftsman caught his wife, Aphrodite, and his brother, Ares, having an affair. Percy and Annabeth are riding down the tunnel in a boat when the needle drops. Our hero says that he thinks he heard the song at the orthodontist's once, dating all of us who've known "What Is Love" since the '90s.

While this scene starts as a joke at first, it evolves into a sad explanation of the pain Hephaestus has suffered at the hands of his family. Projected on the tunnel's walls, in gorgeously rendered illustrations, is the story behind his mother, Hera, and her rejection of him along with Aphrodite and Ares' tryst. Hephaestus' life has been one full of loneliness and not being enough for the people he loves.

Seeing the artistic representation of what happened reminds Percy of what his mom, Sally, taught him about the gods. Ares wasn't off the mark. They do hurt one another, it's a seemingly endless cycle of betrayal. Percy realizes that she didn't want that for him and that's why she was trying to keep him away from the Pantheon, but it left him unprepared. Annabeth, however, no longer believes that. She thinks Sally prepared him to be better than his god family and to not treat the people in his life like they have.

Haddaway's song literally begs the question of what love is and Percy Jackson and the Olympians answers that it's not what the gods have been doing to each other for millennia.

Full lyrics of "What Is Love," according to Genius:

What is love?
Baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me, no more
Baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me, no more
What is love?
Yeah-yeah

No, I don't know why you're not there
I give you my love, but you don't care
So what is right and what is wrong?
Give me a sign

[Chorus]

Oh, I don't know, what I can do?
What else can I say?
It's up to you
I know we're one, just me and you
I can't go on

[Chorus]

I want no other, no other lover
This is our life, our time
When we are together, I need you forever
Is it love?

[Chorus/Outro]

Stay tuned to Hidden Remote for more Percy Jackson and the Olympians coverage including recaps! See you Tuesday, Jan. 16 for episode 6, "We Take a Zebra to Vegas."