Summary of Kaos Episode 1: Welcome to the Land of the Gods
Chaos‘ Episode 1 begins with Prometheus (Stephen Dillane) explaining off-screen why he is a prisoner: He knows too much about Zeus (Jeff Goldblum), the king of the gods who lives on Mount Olympus.
After describing Zeus as a “transcendent, unbridled slut,” Prometheus says that a plan is afoot to bring him down, involving three people and a prophecy. One of the people in this plan is Riddy (Aurora Perrineau), but she has no idea what role she will play in Zeus’ downfall. Outside a supermarket, she saves Cassandra (Billie Piper) from being arrested for shoplifting. Cassandra then tells Riddy that today is the day she will finally leave her husband, musician Orpheus (Killian Scott), with whom she has fallen out of love.
Has Zeus’ reckoning finally come upon him? What else happens in Chaos‘ Episode 1? Read on to find out.
Zeus’ concern
On Olympus, Zeus worries about the Meander, a divine structure that, as long as it flows, guarantees Zeus’ rule. His wife/sister Hera (Janet McTeer) calms him down.
When a new monument to the gods is unveiled on Earth, Zeus watches from above. But the monument has been desecrated and replaced with piles of excrement and a sign that reads “Fuck the gods.” Zeus reacts angrily and insists that he will wipe humans off the face of the earth. But Hera talks him down and insists that humans are no threat to him.
After noticing a new wrinkle on his forehead, Zeus teleports Prometheus to Olympus, freeing him from his previous situation of being chained to a mountain while an eagle ate his liver. Zeus believes the prophecy that states “A line appears, order fades, family falls, and chaos reigns” is coming true; especially since Zeus saw a rash in the Meander. Prometheus reminds Zeus that he is king of the gods, nothing can harm him, and the prophecy cannot come to pass because they are for humans. Zeus teleports Prometheus back to the cliff, but calls him his only friend in the world.
Prometheus admits off-screen that he lied to Zeus. The prophecy can come true and he can be destroyed. Some people just need to open their eyes.
Dionysius wants more
Zeus’ son Dionysus (Nathan Rizwan), the god of lust, madness and wild rage, celebrates wildly. As a half-mortal (Dionysus’ mother was a human), Hera despises him. She even turned his mother into a bee.
Dionysus is bored with his work and wants to take on more responsibility. But Zeus and Hera call him lightweight. This provokes Dionysus to verbally attack Hera. So Zeus telepathically causes Dionysus to repeatedly injure himself.
Dionysus promises that he will show Zeus what he is capable of.
Riddy confesses
Despite promising to attend Orpheus’ concert, Riddy goes to a church to reveal her darkest thoughts and feelings. Hera keeps these confessions as they give her strength and calm her scattered heart.
Riddy sits across from a woman whose tongue has been cut off. This is her mother, who gave up her life for the gods. Riddy confesses to her apathetic mother that she no longer loves Orpheus. She is no longer even herself, but only Orpheus’ wife and muse. She has to leave him, but she cannot.
Riddy asks her silent mother for advice. She writes a prophecy on a piece of paper, which Riddy just laughs at. Riddy says the gods don’t care about her and screams that she is defying the gods.
As Riddy leaves the church, she passes Cassandra again. Riddy stops to talk to her, but is then hit by a speeding bus. As passersby scream in horror at Riddy’s death, Cassandra remarks, “I told you you would leave him today… You leave everyone today.” Prometheus explains that no two prophecies are the same. But we see that Riddy received the same prophecy as Zeus.
Orpheus disintegrates
When Orpheus learns of Riddy’s death, he bursts into tears. At her funeral, Orpheus prays to Hades, the god of death, to grant her safe passage so that her soul can make the transition. Dionysus, who overhears the prayer, realizes that his task is to help Orpheus.
Orpheus, desperate to get Riddy back, gets drunk and buys a gun. He goes to the beach and puts the gun to his head, intending to kill himself and join Riddy in death. But as he is about to pull the trigger, he is shocked by the appearance of Dionysus and accidentally shoots him instead. Since he is a god and cannot be killed by a bullet, Dionysus tells Orpheus that there is a way to see Riddy again without dying.
The plan is taking shape
Prometheus explains that only humans can receive prophecies, but Zeus was once a human. Therefore, he can be destroyed by humans. Prometheus has waited thousands of years for the right people to be in the right place at the right time. This is their only chance to fulfill the prophecy.
The Meander lights up as Riddy’s soul travels to the Frame on a boat along with dozens of recently deceased people.
All episodes of Chaos are now available to stream exclusively on Netflix.
