Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Netflix's Kaos.
While the gods aren’t supposed to be controlled by the Fates, Zeus receives a daunting prophecy in Netflix’s Kaos season 1 that dictates his behavior and connects him to three humans throughout the series. The dark comedy is a contemporary retelling of Greek mythology, exploring themes of power and family. Questions about free will also come into play with the prophecies that the Fates give out.
While prophecies are supposed to be restricted only to humans, one shocking non-human character has a prophecy within Kaos – Zeus. As Prometheus explains, Zeus started as a mortal man, only gaining god status after absorbing enough souls. He now maintains his powers and immortality by drinking Meander water in Kaos. Given his human background, Zeus has a prophecy just like the society he oversees, which becomes central to the plot of Kaos season 1.
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The Netflix dark comedy Kaos masterfully uses songs to help establish the characters' personalities and the score to set the tone for each scene.
The Meaning Behind Zeus' Prophecy In Kaos (& Why He's So Afraid Of It)
Zeus' Prophecy Could Signal His Downfall From Godhood
Jeff Goldblum’s Zeus spends the entirety of Kaos season 1 obsessing over his prophecy, looking at everything as possible proof that it’s coming true. Unfortunately for the god, the prophecy is maddeningly cryptic, leading to many possible meanings. Zeus’ prophecy reads as the following:
A line appears
The order wanes
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And Kaos reigns.
Every part of the prophecy could be literal or metaphorical, and as shown with Minos’ prophecy, it’s easy to misunderstand the words. In addition to the cryptic nature of the prophecy, Zeus’ knowledge about the mortal experience creates fear and insecurity in him. He knows how easy it would be for him to lose his power, kingdom, and family.
If the prophecy comes true, the world will either return to a time before the gods, or he’ll have to face his immensely powerful great-grandparent.
Another possible factor in his fear comes from the spelling of Kaos. In Greek mythology, Kaos has two meanings. The first definition of Kaos is the time before the gods and the cosmic order. Kaos can also be the name of a primordial goddess who is Zeus's great-grandparent and the first being to ever exist. In either of these interpretations, Zeus’ fear seems logical. If the prophecy comes true, the world will either return to a time before the gods, or he’ll have to face his immensely powerful great-grandparent.
How Zeus' Prophecy Is Connected To Riddy, Caeneus, & Ariadne
The Prophecy Can Be Interpreted In Many Ways
The first episode of Kaos establishes a few crucial details about Zeus’ prophecy, which influences the rest of season 1. Firstly, no two people are supposed to get the same prophecy, but that isn’t the case with this one. Secondly, Zeus’ prophecy will come to pass with the help of three humans. The show eventually introduces the three Kaos characters – Riddy (Eurydice), Caeneus, and Ari (Ariadne). They all receive the same prophecy as Zeus and interpret the lines in a way that makes sense for their own lives.
Riddy is the only character who doesn’t think too much about the prophecy because she’s actively defiant of the gods and fate. However, Caeneus believes it has to do with his mother’s betrayal due to his being transgender. Sadly, he wasn’t aware her betrayal had nothing to do with his gender identity. Ari thinks the prophecy has to do with killing her brother, Glaucos, at birth. This ambiguity is part of what makes the prophecy so daunting. In reality, their prophecies have to do with the Greek gods.
Does Zeus' Prophecy Come True In Kaos?
The Prophecy Has Come To Pass By The End Of Kaos Season 1
Since the prophecy is central to Kaos season 1, the pinnacle question is whether it came true. Out of the four lines of the prophecy, three come true by the end of Kaos. Interestingly, each part of the prophecy happens in multiple ways rather than one.
“A Line Appears”
There are two ways a line appears during Kaos season 1. The first instance is the vertical wrinkle on Zeus’ face that the god obsesses over. However, it could be argued that it’s just natural or always existed. The second line happens at the end of Kaos season 1 when Caeneus is in The Nothing. A blue line runs up from his neck onto his face, renewing his soul.
“The Order Wanes”
"The Order Wanes" came true in Kaos in three significant ways. The most obvious example of the order waning is the hierarchy shifting as Prometheus takes over the throne of the gods. Another example is the order of the Underworld changing due to Caeneus’ ability to renew souls rather than the Frame taking them. The final way this part of the prophecy comes true is that the leader of Heraklion won’t be in charge anymore because he’s dead.
“The Family Falls”
The third line in the prophecy comes true in a few different ways. The family falls for Caeneus and Ari at the end of Kaos season 1. Caeneus’ mother dies by suicide after the Tacita shows her a note that says, “Today’s the day.” She then tells her son that she needed to die so that he can fulfill his prophecy. Additionally, Ari kills her father after learning that he tortured her twin for decades. Lastly, the family falls in that Zeus’ family loses power. Based on where the series stops, Kaos season 2 will show Kaos reigning.
Kaos
Comedy
Drama
Fantasy
- Cast
- Jeff Goldblum , David Thewlis , Janet McTeer , Cliff Curtis , Nabhaan Rizwan , killian scott , Aurora Perrineau , Misia Butler , Leila Farzad , Rakie Ayola , Stanley Townsend , Billie Piper , Suzy Eddie Izzard.
- Release Date
- August 29, 2024
- Seasons
- 1
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
- Writers
- Charlie Covell , Georgia Christou
- Directors
- Georgi Banks-Davies , Runyararo Mapfumo
- Main Genre
- Comedy
- Creator(s)
- Charlie Covell
