The episode opens with Prometheus (Stephen Dillane) telling the audience that he was imprisoned for his knowledge of Zeus “King of the Gods” (Jeff Goldblum) who resides in a kingdom on Mount Olympus. Dressed to the T, Zeus addresses the mortals who honor him well. Prometheus believes Zeus is not worthy of their honor because he is an “unmitigated bas**rd.” He claims three humans are planning to push Zeus out of power. Eurydice “Riddy” (Aurora Perrineau) of Heraklion City will help take down Zeus but she doesn’t know it yet. Riddy’s husband sends her to the grocery store to pick up a specific cereal. Once there, she cannot remember the brand of cereal. She admits to Cassandra (Billie Piper) that she wasn’t paying any attention to him when he told her. She questions if that means she is a bad person. Cassandra suggests she wants to scream before hurrying away. While checking out, Riddy watches a Krete Today news report about the Olympia Day celebrations. The news anchor (Julie Stevens) announces the first event, Vero, a human sacrifice. The Astora cashier (Chante Faucher) wishes her a Happy Olympia. Unenthused, Riddy pays for her items. Upon leaving, she sees a security guard (Tony Law) restraining Cassandra who stole cat food. Cassandra says everyone steals, even the Gods. Riddy pays for the cat food. Cassandra snatches out of her hand, pops it open, and starts eating it with her fingers. She warns Riddy of the men hidden inside the horse and urges her to leave her husband because she doesn’t love him. A clap of thunder grabs Riddy’s attention while Cassandra disappears.
Zeus demonstrates his powers by making it rain, the people’s request. He is drawn to a Meander, a water structure that will remain intact as long as Zeus is in power. Hera “Queen of the Gods” (Janet McTeer) touches his shoulder. Hera is Zeus’ sister and wife. Sensing something different about the Meander, Zeus insists she inspects it closely with him. She assures him that it is normal. He takes her word for it. Neither of them has any idea what their son, Dionysus “God of Pleasures, Madness, and Wild Frenzy” (Nabhaan Rizwan) is up to. After enjoying what Panopeus has to offer, Dionysus visits a street vendor, Nik (Peter Polycarpous). He complains about Zeus not taking him seriously and his boring job. He expresses his desire to get more involved with the people. Nik urges him to open up to Zeus about how he feels. Remembering Olympia Day, Dionysus asks what he can get Zeus that he doesn’t already have. Nik says his most prized gift from his son is a watch because their time together is precious. Dionysus is impressed with Nik’s comment. A short time later, Dionysus arrives home. Hera has animosity toward Dionysus because he is a full god, although, his mother was human. She turned his mother into a bee. She sarcastically offers Dionysus some honey. Zeus draws their attention to Pios Agatha’s (Susan Wooldridge) live sacrifice. When Zeus opens Dionysus’ watch, he is totally unimpressed. Dionysus quotes Nik’s saying about time being precious. Unimpressed once again, Zeus explains the origin of his current watch, a gift from Hercules. Dionysus insists he try it on. Zeus puts it on and immediately takes it off.
Dionysus tells Zeus that he is bored. Ignoring him, Zeus turns his attention to President Minos’ (Stanley Townsend) speech on the TV. He expresses his dislike of Minos. Hera listens carefully while Dionysus asks for a promotion with influence. She assures him that it is perfectly okay to be a lightweight. Dionysus refuses to accept Hera as his mother. He tells her to “suck a dick.” Utilizing his powers, Zeus smashes Dionysus’ head on the table until he apologizes. Hera nonchalantly forgives him. Dionysus says it’s understandable why Zeus’ other kids don’t visit before leaving with his watch from Hercules. After utilizing his powers to get back at Dionysus, Zeus calls him a disappointment but is right about his other kids not visiting. He immediately pushes it to the side and watches the unveiling of a monument dedicated to the gods. The curtain drops to reveal a large pile of poop with a sign that reads, “F**k the Gods.” Irate, Zeus vows vengeance on the blasphemers. Hera encourages him to let it go because humans cannot touch him. Upon leaving, a frustrated Dionysus puts on Zeus’ watch.
Orpheus (Killian Scott) pretends to collapse when he learns Riddy got the wrong cereal. When she gives him a cereal with a toy, he perks up. He tells her that they believe the Trojans are responsible for the poop. She is none too thrilled when he tells her that his song was named after her. He embraces a teary-eyed Riddy who isn’t ready to tell Orpheus that she no longer loves him. A short time later, they are making out when Calli (Olga Mouak) arrives to pick him up for his opening at the palace. Riddy promises to be there.
Zeus tries to talk himself out of doing something drastic when he sees a wrinkle on his forehead. Elsewhere, Prometheus is restrained to a mountain in his underwear. An eagle pecks away at his side. He grimaces in pain before disappearing and landing in a chair at Mount Olympus. Zeus asks if he is unlikable before recalling past Olympic Day celebrations. He fears the Prophecy has begun. Prometheus is forced to read the Prophecy – “A Line Appears the Order Wanes, the Family Falls, and Kaos Reigns.” Zeus believes the wrinkle on his forehead is the “Line.” He tells Prometheus about the desecration of his monument and the blip in the Meander. Zeus and his father had a tumultuous relationship. He fears his empire will crumble. Prometheus assures him that he is invincible and blames Poseidon’s laziness for the desecrated monument. Sending Prometheus away, Zeus claims to love him, his only friend. Back to his restraints, Prometheus admits to lying about Zeus being safe from the Prophecy.
Dionysus complains about being seen as a lightweight. He laughs as two cops arrest a Trojan. In a traffic jam, Orpheus asks Calli for a cigarette. She claims to have quit and insists he does the same. He goes to buy cigarettes from a local vendor. A bald man (Mishael Lopes Cardozo) asks for his autograph. Orpheus signs his bald head. They profess to love each other when the traffic begins to move. Orpheus rejoins Calli in a waiting car. He waves at some admiring fans. A short time later, they arrive at the palace to be greeted by cheering fans. Riddy is en route to the palace when an incoming call from Calli pops up on her phone. Ignoring the call, she asks the taxi driver (Cuco Usin) to stop. At the palace, Ari (Leila Farzad) wishes Orpheus good luck. Utilizing the alias, Julius, Dionysus complains about how Zeus doesn’t value him. Nik suggests he find himself a purpose. Back at the palace, Calli tells Orpheus that Riddy just arrived when in fact, she visits a temple to confess. The temple clerk (Yasser Zadeh) escorts her to The Tachita (Michelle Greenidge. Prometheus says the confessions make Hera more powerful and ease her missing heart. Riddy addresses The Tacita as her mother. At the palace, Orpheus takes the stage and dedicates his first song to Riddy who he believes is in the audience. At the temple, Riddy confesses to no longer loving Orpheus. In a flashback, a young Riddy (Lily Mae Sullivan) watches as they remove her mother’s tongue. In the present, she asks The Tacita if she missed her and pleads for guidance. The Tacita writes the Prophecy on a piece of paper and hands it to her. Reading the note, Riddy accuses her mother of sacrificing her tongue for the gods who care nothing about her.
In another room, Hera overhears Riddy defy the gods. At the palace, Orpheus sings “Eurydice.” Dionysus is in the audience. Upon leaving the temple, Riddy encounters Cassandra before she is mowed down by a bus. Cassandra recalls warning Riddy that it would happen today. The Tacita stares at the Prophecy on paper. Prometheus believes no two prophecies are the same. Zeus reads the Prophecy while examining the wrinkle on his forehead. Calli informs Orpheus of Riddy’s death. Dionysus is watching from the audience. The music stops. Calli holds a devastated Orpheus. Cassandra and The Tacita watch as Riddy’s body is put in a body bag.
Dionysus attends Riddy’s funeral. Orpheus is too distraught to offer Riddy to Hades “Lord of Death.” The hands the charm to the priest (Paul Kissaun). Dionysus makes it his mission to help Orpheus. Later, Orpheus dumps Riddy’s cereal and toy on the floor. He purchases a gun from a woman at a street booth (Elena Ceinos).
On a beach, devastated Orpheus sits in the sand drinking alcohol. As he holds the gun to his head, Dionysus yells at him. The gun misfires, hitting Dionysus. Orpheus kneels beside Dionysus lying in the sand. Dionysus abruptly sits up, asks why he shot him and pulls the bullet out of his side. Orpheus says it was an accident. Dionysus offers him an opportunity to see Riddy before claiming to be a god. Zeus was a mortal before he became a god. He is vulnerable to mortals. Prometheus has been biding his time for the right time to take down Zeus. The Meander has a blip.
Riddy wakes at the sound of a ferry horn. She looks around to see herself surrounded by people wearing life jackets. The episode ends.
Kaos Synopsis
The King of the Gods, Zeus is beginning to believe his reign is coming to an end. He had his only so-called friend, Prometheus, imprisoned to keep him quiet. Prometheus convinces Zeus to believe he is invincible to the Prophecy which be carried out by three humans. Riddy has no idea that she is part of the Prophecy. When she was young, her mother sacrificed her tongue to the gods. Zeus’ second wife, a heartless Hera utilizes Riddy’s mother, The Tacita, to take confessions from mortals. The confessions strengthen Hera’s power. Riddy is no longer in love with her husband, Orpheus. She visits The Tacita at a temple. The Tacita writes the Prophecy on a paper and gives it to Riddy. After defying the gods, she is mowed down by a bus.
Orpheus is so distraught that he wants to kill himself. Instead, he accidentally shoots Zeus’ son, Dionysus who is a god. Surviving the gunshot, Dionysus offers Orpheus to see Riddy.
Kaos Review
My review is based on the Netflix adaptation, not the novel which I haven’t read. My biggest qualm with the series is its slow story progression. The main characters are developed nicely. The writing is good for the most part. The execution isn’t groundbreaking but good, nonetheless. The camerawork is hit-and-miss.
The series isn’t to be taken seriously. It’s silly and at times, provocative and cringeworthy. The pilot deserves a 5.5 out of 10.
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Jay Skelton is a fan of all television shows and movies. He tries his best to keep up with the latest foreign television shows and movies. Jay loves skinny dipping in the dark too.
