Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Kaos season 1 on Netflix.Netflix's Jeff Goldblum's Zeus. Most of the immortal characters in Netflix's Kaos don't concern themselves with the wellness of human beings, and this is evident in how they trick them into believing their lives and deaths have meaning. Although many humans worship the Greek gods and goddesses, Zeus and his kin use them to preserve their own immortality.
Given how fearful Zeus is of his prophecy — one that suggests his downfall is imminent — perhaps it's no surprise that he'll go to such great lengths to ensure his continued survival. Zeus uses something called Meander to prolong his lifespan and preserve his power in Netflix's Kaos. Meander plays a prominent role in the god's story, but the show reveals the truth about the substance slowly. Its origin is more sinister than it seems, and Kaos season 1's ending sets it up to be a major point of contention, assuming Kaos gets a season 2.
Kaos Soundtrack Guide: Every Song & When They Play
The Netflix dark comedy Kaos masterfully uses songs to help establish the characters' personalities and the score to set the tone for each scene.
Meander Is How The Gods Remain Immortal In Netflix's Kaos
Zeus' Fountain Keeps The Drinking Water Flowing
Kaos features many scenes set at Mt. Olympus, and the Netflix series' version of the iconic location is a pristine mansion where Zeus and Hera reside. During the scenes set at Mt. Olympus, the camera often focuses on a fountain outside Zeus' home. This isn't just for the aesthetic; the fountain plays an important role in Kaos' central story, as it contains a liquid called Meander. Meander is the drinking water that allows Zeus and the other gods to remain immortal in Kaos. Without it, it seems they'd be capable of aging and dying, just like anyone else.
Without filtering humans through the Nothing, the gods wouldn't have constantly flowing Meander water.
With Zeus' prophecy predicting the downfall of his family, it's no wonder he keeps close to the Meander's source. The fact that the fountain resides right under Zeus' nose is likely why the other gods fear him as much as they do. Although Zeus proves the most merciless in Kaos season 1, the other gods are just as invested in keeping the Meander flowing. That's why Hades is on board with Zeus' deceptions when it comes to the Underworld. Without filtering humans through the Nothing, the gods wouldn't have constantly flowing Meander water.
The Meander Comes From The Human Souls Within The Nothing
This Part Of The Underworld Is Dedicated To Giving The Gods Power
Kaos introduces a part of the Underworld called the Nothing during Riddy and Caeneus' time there, and it offers a bleak image of the afterlife. The Nothing is full of withered human souls, and it's later revealed that all humans wind up there after dying. Although Zeus and the gods convince their followers that they'll be sent through the Underworld and reborn on Earth, this isn't actually the case. As it turns out, the gods send every human who perishes to the Nothing permanently. They then use their souls to fuel the Meander fountain at Mt. Olympus.
This is why Caeneus' storyline is so important, as he discovers he's able to revive souls after they're sucked up by the Nothing. It's unclear what this means for Zeus' Meander fountain or the Underworld, but that's a question Kaos will likely address if renewed for season 2. If Caeneus and the other souls in the Nothing make it back to the world of the living, they'll put a massive dent in Zeus' schemes. Of course, the fact that Riddy escapes the Underworld is already a major blow to the Greek gods.
Zeus Uses His Meander Fountain As Leverage Against The Other Gods
Kaos Season 1's Ending Finds Him Rationing The Supply
Zeus is enraged that his son, Dionysus, tries to help Orpheus bring Riddy back from the Underworld — and his reliance on the Nothing and the Meander it generates is likely why. Goldblum's god lashes out at his entire family during Kaos season 1's finale, and he even goes so far as to use Meander against them. Zeus presents bottled Meander to his family and informs them that he'll be rationing it from now on. This means that he's in control of their immortality. And given how volatile Zeus is throughout Kaos, that isn't ideal for any of the gods.
Zeus thinks he's exerting control over the other gods by rationing Meander, but he might just start the downfall he's attempting to avoid. Hera's final scene in Kaos season 1 finds her calling one of her children and telling them to "gather the troops" and "make up a spare bed." Zeus' Menader stunt may have started a war among the Greek gods. With his mortality returning at the end of Kaos, that's terrible news for him.
Kaos
- Release Date
- 2024 - 2024-00-00
- Directors
- Georgi Banks-Davies, Runyararo Mapfumo
- Writers
- Charlie Covell, Georgia Christou
WHERE TO WATCH
Kaos is a dark comedy series starring Jeff Goldblum as Zeus. Zeus is enjoying being the King of the Gods, until he starts to self-destruct after thinking a wrinkle on his forhead is a sign of an ancient prophecy. His situation becomes even worse when Prometheus develops a plan to take Zeus down once and for all.
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