The Netflix show KAOS, with elements of drama and humor, freshens up classic mythology. From the beginning, our narrator, Prometheus, tells us that whatever we know of the original Greek mythology will not correlate with the show, setting the tone for the entire series.
Whether you're new to Greek mythology or already an expert, KAOS tells the amazing story of gods and mortals in a fight over control of the cosmos. One big difference between Kaos and Greek mythology is when Netflix show KAOS shows us Zeus’s origin story. The series shows us that gods have not always been immortal. Zeus becomes immortal and the supreme being after killing his father and taking in his soul.
The twist of the show about the immortality of the gods and their powers gives us reason to wonder about Zeus's mysterious past. The show revolves around three mortals, Riddy, Ari, and Caeneus, who are drop-dead and set to bring the gods down. One of the more entertaining characters to watch is Zeus, the king of the gods, whose character is similar to that of a small child who prefers to throw a fit around.
Disclaimer: This article might contain the author's opinion on KAOS and mild spoilers.
How does Kaos change Zeus' origin story?
In the Netflix series KAOS, Zeus, the King of the gods, freaks out when he discovers a new wrinkle on his forehead. He's convinced it's a sign that an ancient prophecy is coming true - one that says he and his family of Olympian gods will lose their power.
The Netflix show deviates from the original Greek mythology as the show takes us back to understanding Zeus’s past. It all starts because of a prophecy Zeus received when he was still human. He wasn't always a god but a mortal who rose to power after killing his father and absorbing his soul. This gave him superhuman abilities, and he soon became immortal.
After finding a shortcut to immortality, he and his siblings used to kill people to absorb their souls and gain powers. But they soon got way of it and decided to set up “the Nothing” to industrialise their creation.
But now that Zeus has noticed his signs of aging, it gets him paranoid and all worked up, which is the central theme of the Netflix show KAOS.
What is Zeus' story in Greek mythology?
Zeus is the ancient Greek god of the sky and thunder who ruled from Mount Olympus as king of the gods—the youngest of Cronus and Rhea's children. In Greek mythology, gods are immortal, although they may be exiled or weakened. Even if mortals stop believing in them, they do not die but can merely lose power.
Zeus is known as a ruthless king of Olympus. His punishments are severe and lifelong, which makes him look more like a tyrant as a holder of such immense powers needs to be stopped. Zeus is an immortal being, meaning he cannot die. He is often depicted as being capable of defeat but can never die.
Is Zeus an antagonist in Kaos?
Yes, Zeuss is the ultimate bad guy in Kaos. This is proven at the very beginning of the show when Zeus loses his watch. The watch would play a huge role in his story.
In the first episode, Dionysus attempts to present a watch as a gift to Zeus, but Zeus already has one lucky charm from Hercules. He gets upset and steals it and gives it to one of the Fates for Orpheus to pass into the underworld.
His desperation for power makes him do acts that turn the other gods against him. Not realizing that all along, Zeus has been inviting his downfall.
KAOS is currently available to stream on Netflix.
