As a Percy Jackson-loving, Greek mythology-obsessing girlie, I was very excited for Netflix’s new series, KAOS. But my high expectations were surpassed by this sexy, satirical, fourth-wall-breaking masterpiece. “KAOS is a bold, darkly comic, contemporary take on Greek mythology: exploring love, power, and life in the underworld,” its synopsis claims. AND BOY, WAS IT. We got to see all our classic Greek gods and heroes, played by phenomenal actors like Jeff Goldblum, Billie Piper and Janet McTeer. So, if you’ve watched the first season like I have, read on for the KAOS ending explained and the questions remaining for season two. Don’t fret, the showmaker has clarified that he envisions the storyline over three seasons. NO MORE EDGING, LET’S DIVE IN.
Kaos Ending Explained
Who was the prophecy in KAOS about?
So from the start, our narrator Prometheus (fun fact: this name means ‘forethought,’ which is very apt), has been telling us about the three humans who would bring about change. Caenus, Eurydice (Riddy) and Ari (Ariadne) are these three figures, and they all share the same prophecy: a line appears, the order wanes, the family falls and kaos reigns. This is unheard of, as people are meant to have unique prophecies, kind of like having an original Insta bio. Our three MC’s don’t know each other initially, but by the end of season one, Caenus and Riddy totally shagged, but have yet to meet Ari —- anyone thinking throuple?
The prophecy is about Zeus and how he’ll fall. He becomes super paranoid that it’s happening when he finds a wrinkle (or line) on his forehead — same, babes. It’s referencing his godly family falling and then kaos reigning, whoever/whatever that will be.
What happened to Orpheus and Riddy?
Right at the start of the season, Riddy died and her hubby Orpheus was super heartbroken. He didn’t bury her with a coi, so she couldn’t proceed to renewal and instead had to work her debts in the Underworld. It’s no surprise that Hell is rife with capitalism. Orpheus is stopped from killing himself by Dionysus, who is so touched by their love that he decides to help him get Riddy back. They lose a competition to go to the Underworld, but the Fates allow Orpheus to go in exchange for Zeus’ watch, which Dionysus had stolen.
Meanwhile, Riddy lowkey loves being dead as she doesn’t have to dump Orpheus now. She starts hooking up with Caenus (smash) and they’re playing Nancy Drew to find out what the weird room of bodies is about. They discover the BIG SECRET: the souls aren’t being renewed, they’re turned into Meander Water which keeps Zeus and the gods immortal. Where can I get some??
But then Orpheus arrives! He’s come to rescue her, only she kinda would rather stay dead with her new fuckbuddy. Canenus and Medusa (yeah, she’s there too) urge Riddy to go back to life and tell people the truth about renewal. Orpheus isn’t as stupid as you’d think for a hot guy, and he figures out that Riddy is simping for Caenus. They get back to the normal world and then break up, with a sad hug.
Riddy runs into Cassandra, a prophet of Troy cursed never to be believed, who actually foretold this all in episode one but seemed like a raving lunatic. Cassandra tells Riddy, “I’m a prophet. So are you now. You must go to Ari and set the living free. Caeneus will do the same with the dead.”
What did Caenus do?
So our very SEXY CAENUS is left in the Underworld and pretty fucking pissed about it all, even though he put on a brave face to Riddy. At least he’s still got his three-headed dog, I guess.
Back in the land of the living, Riddy’s mom (a tongueless priestess for Hera, don’t ask) goes to Caenus’ mom and holds up a sign saying it’s time to do it. TBH, this was giving that man with the sign on Instagram. Caenus’ mom kills herself, turns up in the Underworld, and drags Caenus through the Frame, despite him knowing it would erase him. He wakes up and finds himself surrounded by all the stone people. He manages to wake her up, and the only thing she says is, “chaos,” ok Mom.
Hades appears and is like HOW DID YOU DO THAT??? He realizes Caeneus has the ability to renew human souls – much like Cassandra hinted that he would do to Riddy. Hades wants to change things for the better and say fuck you to Zeus, so this is perfect.
What did Ari discover?
OUR THIRD PROPHECY PERSON. Ari had a rough time of things. She’s spent her whole life blaming herself for rolling over and killing her twin brother Glaucus as a toddler. But the Fates reveal she didn’t do it!!! Her dad, King Minos, had lied about his prophecy, which basically foretold that his first child to draw breath would kill him. So he had his prisoner, Daedalus, steal away Glaucus, and pretended Ari killed him. Glaucus spent his life trapped in a cell, and eventually got given a mask and horns, and became the Minotaur who kills prisoners.
Hera and Poseidon gaslight Minos into going to kill Glaucus so he can defy his prophecy and thus prove to Zeus that this is possible. He kills Glaucus, and everyone celebrates, only for Ari to do some smart girl shit and kill him. Because while Glaucus came out first, he was BLUE, while she came out screaming. Yeah, she drew breath first!!!! Not to brag, but I cracked that code myself.
Ari drags out her brother’s body and reveals it all to her mom, who FINALLY stops hating Ari. We’ve now got Queen Ari of Krete, who fucking hates the gods. She meets with the rebels from Troy, who had been poorly treated in Krete and defy the gods too. She’s like, “What do you want? Tell me, and I’ll do it.” — girlboss. Their leader, Andromeda, responds, “Help us rebuild Troy and destroy Olympus.” They shake hands and it is very women helping women, destroying the world together.
What happened to Zeus at the end of KAOS?
Let’s go back to our zaddy, Zeus, the god of the sky, lightning and thunder. So he’s been kinda controlling and pissy to everyone lately. Hera has been cheating with his bro, Poseidon, and then did a masterclass in gaslighting to convince Zeus he was way off with his suspicions. Everyone has kind of been plotting against him, ruh roh, and when Minos fails, Zeus goes off the rails.
He kills the fates, who make the prophecies, as he thinks this will ensure this will destroy all the prophecies, including his own. He sees his own watch and realises Dionysus stole it. He calls a family meeting and says he is rationing everyone’s access to the magic water. Dionysus admits to giving the watch away, as he genuinely believes in Orpheus’s love for Riddy. Poseidon reveals he’s in love with Hera, who is like fuck no. Zeus then murders Dionysus’s cat and burns Hera’s bees, to teach them all not to love things (NOT OEDIPUSS).
Zeus goes to his old bestie, Prometheus, who he cursed to be tied to a cliff and have his liver eaten every day by an eagle because he gave humans fire. But suddenly Prometheus leaves… and is in Mount Olympus? On Zeus’ throne?? Zeus fails to get rid of him and then sees he is bleeding, but gods shouldn’t bleed… With his powers gone and his finger bleeding, viewers are left to wonder if he is still immortal and in control. At the same time, his ring of endless water collapses.
What about Dionysus?
He has had a rough season. Our boy was eager to take on new responsibilities and change his life, and things aren’t going great. Zeus not only kills the cat Dionysus was babysitting for Orpheus and had grown attached to, but Hera’s bees, which included his mom. But watching Ari kill Minos and take charge, he falls in love with her. He takes his half-full (not half-empty) bottle of Meander water and goes to find her. Perhaps to make her immortal? Or help her in her quest to overthrow his family? We’ll see!
Who did Hera call in the final episode?
Finally, when Hera leaves Mount Olympus, she stops at a payphone. I guess gods don’t have an iPhone 12 or Whatsapp. “Darling, it’s Mummy,” she says, “gather the troops and make up a spare bed.” But who is she talking to??? It could be any of the children she shares with Zeus (Ares, Apollo, Aphrodite, Artemis and Hermes) but the likeliest option is Ares. He is the god of war and so would be able to “gather the troops.” Athena is also a goddess of battle and strategy, but she isn’t Hera’s kiddo technically, as she came straight from Zeus’ head in the original myths.
So perhaps we’ll get to see more gods in season two! Excuse me while I go rewatch the whole thing.
