Kaos: Episode 1

August 31, 2024 12:45 AM - Season 1, Episode 1

A darkly comedic and contemporary reimagining of Greek mythology, exploring themes of gender politics, power, and life in the underworld. Zeus (Jeff Goldblum) receives an ominous prophecy that makes him questions his omnipotence, his wife/sister/queen Hera (Janet McTeer) enjoys listening to the complaints of the mortals in the modern city, and Prometheus (Stephen Dillane) narrates from his chains. In this episode, Eurydice, known as Riddy (Aurora Perrineau) is going to break up with rock-star Orpheus (Killian Scott), when (spoiler alert!) she dies and is ferried by a cruise ship across the Styx. Inspired by Orpheus' music, Dionysus (Nabhaan Rizwan) decides to try to reunite the two lovers to prove that he has more purpose than party.
posted by autopilot (28 comments total)

This story is much darker than the young-adult Percy Jackson series, although the similar question of "how would a modern society handle greek gods?" makes for interesting world building. I recently read Steven Fry's "Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold" in which he re-orders the myths to provide somewhat of a linear chronology and provides historical citations, which is good homework for the show...

There are some fun easter eggs in the grocery store scene, plus anything with Jeff Goldboom getting to Goldbloom it up is a delight to watch!
posted by autopilot at 12:56 AM on August 31 [1 favorite]

Just saw the trailer for this and it was just Zeus leaving voicemails for his offspring, and I was very intrigued.

fwiw, it's Goldblum not Goldbloom
posted by mcstayinskool at 7:43 AM on August 31

(Oops! I've made an offering to the gods mods and beseeched them for a bloom to blum correction)
posted by autopilot at 7:55 AM on August 31

Mod note: Spelling fixed!
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 8:06 AM on August 31

started watching this last night. I have a real soft spot for the Orpheus/Eurydice thing, so I'm in for now. Goldblum always delivers. would def party with Dionysus!
posted by supermedusa at 9:17 AM on August 31

I just love Goldblum. He picks such weird projects and even when the vehicle isn't great, he's always fun. He's not who I think when I hear the name Zeus, but like with all things, he makes it his.

I also love the supporting cast.
posted by miss-lapin at 9:25 AM on August 31 [2 favorites]

I'm about halfway through, and just wanted to point out that I think this is much better and more interesting than the kind of high-octane spectacle the trailer largely emphasizes.

(That it's created by and mostly written by Charlie Covell (they/them), who wrote all sixteen episodes of "The End of the F***ing World," is what pushed me over the edge to give this a shot.)
posted by nobody at 9:26 AM on August 31 [5 favorites]

Definitely sounds right up my alley.
posted by Sophocles at 12:12 PM on August 31

This is fun and the gods all seem to be complete assholes so that seems legit.
posted by Acari at 7:41 AM on September 1 [5 favorites]

Really love all the little details Greeking it up in the background, like the products in the grocery store and so forth.

Also love the music choices, must be hitting the Gen-X spot just right.
posted by The otter lady at 12:27 PM on September 1 [6 favorites]

I am really loving this show. Highly recommend checking it out if you're on the fence. Amazing social satire woven into the whole thing. Great casting, great soundtrack. Solid queer themes and representation. Succession meets Good Omens.
posted by mrjohnmuller at 1:10 PM on September 1 [2 favorites]

(I'm almost through watching all of it, so I won't say any more until there's other threads for separate episodes, but I just wanted to say there's a moment where you can notice that the brand of shoes someone is wearing are Reeboks, and given all the other Greek Myth Fanservice in the show, I was disappointed, I mean come on, "Νίκα" was right there...)
posted by The otter lady at 6:14 PM on September 1 [8 favorites]

I went into this blind on the recommendation of a friend and was immediately a convert - this feels like something that should have hit my radar before release and I'm delighted that it hadn't.

Overnight I've become the annoying person who says "You haven't seen Kaos?! You've gotta watch it"
posted by Molesome at 3:51 AM on September 2

Finished this last night, it's a great show - hugely entertaining - and it's going onto the recommendation list for sure. GREAT casting, so impressed with everyone involved. The perfect argument for how a story can be improved by throwing open the widest possible net.

Thing I loved most about it is how the showrunners/directors/writers consistently make the most interesting choices possible. Even being very familiar with the legends and myths...it only gives you so much of a leg up and manages to surprise more or less constantly.
posted by ssmith at 10:31 AM on September 2 [2 favorites]

if you are only one ep in so far, stick with this! I just finished the season last night and I loved it and cannot wait for S2. It definitely gets stronger as it progresses. (and such spot on perfect casting indeed!)
posted by supermedusa at 10:25 AM on September 3 [1 favorite]

I was contemplating posting this to FanFare - I've binged the whole thing and really want to hear what people think about it! It's really been stuck in my head and I can't wait for the next season.

Contemplating a spoiler about something that upset me in the show - will wait until other eps are posted.
posted by gingerbeer at 1:43 PM on September 3 [1 favorite]

Stumbled across it on Netflix and ended up binging the entire series. It was dragging up my high school era Greek mythology obsessions in the best way possible.

(everyone I know went through a Greek and or Egyptian mythology obsession phase)
posted by Julnyes at 2:33 PM on September 3 [1 favorite]

He's not who I think when I hear the name Zeus

Typecasting! Like Dr. Ian Malcolm, Zeus is convinced that kaos is inevitable.
posted by condour75 at 3:17 PM on September 3 [4 favorites]

FanFare etiquette question - since this is posted as S1E1, it's only for discussion of the first episode and there will be other posts for the other eps? Or is it fair game to talk about the whole series here? I'm mindful of spoilers and have some links to post about the actor who plays one of the characters but it inherently gives away a plot point.
posted by gingerbeer at 8:56 PM on September 3

I've posted a Full Season discussion since it seems that everyone wants to have a spoiler filled discussion. I'm about halfway through and having to avoid binging all the episodes at once.
posted by autopilot at 11:04 PM on September 3 [1 favorite]

I was just about to post episode 2! Hmm.
posted by Pronoiac at 11:19 PM on September 3

I am 6 episodes through and waiting for my live in partner to get back so I wouldn't hate a episode by episode thing as well, not everyone binged it the day it came out and there's so much richness to explore in each episode, especially if you're a mythology nerd like me.
posted by corb at 2:54 PM on September 4 [2 favorites]

Thanks! It's posted.
posted by Pronoiac at 9:19 PM on September 4

I was pleasantly surprised to see Billie Piper (of 90s UK pop and Dr Who fame) in this! Her Cassandra was brilliantly creepy
posted by atlantica at 1:02 AM on September 5 [2 favorites]

i just started watching last night, and for the most part, i'm really enjoying it!
however, not entirely sure i love the casting in all roles -

hopefully it won't seem too nutty if i mention that i've had a close personal relationship with some of the Greek gods? hah! and, to me, Dionysius just seems so squirrely. i think the actor is giving it his all, and i do appreciate that. i'm aware that some of the historical depictions are of an "effeminate" youth; but it's just not ringing true for me. he seems more of a satyr than a god. i also think Orpheus is a bit off the mark. again, the actor is giving his all, but he doesn't really have the charisma that is written for the character.

i do adore Jeff Goldblum as Zeus! as bonkers as ever. love it. and Prometheus is perfect. i love Riddy, and the rest of the cast seems to click pretty well, though i am not 100% sold on Janet McTeer's Hera. (just as an aside, i've long wanted her and Jane Lynch to play sisters in something - anything!) she's a great actress, but she really doesn't seem like she could be related to Goldblum. and yeah i know - it's all about who is available and affordable, but my dream casting for the role woulda been Mary Steenbergen.

this is nit-picking, and i know it. i'm glad i can banter with some other mefites about it and am looking forward to watching the rest of the series!
posted by lapolla at 5:33 PM on September 5 [1 favorite]

Yeah, I liked Dionysus as a character in this, but he was not at ALL the way I, personally, think Dionysus should be protrayed. The whole 'wanting his Dad to be proud of him" seems more like Apollo or Ares. Although I did like the scene in the car where he's terrifying Orpheus into believing.
posted by The otter lady at 7:41 PM on September 10 [1 favorite]

but he was not at ALL the way I, personally, think Dionysus should be protrayed.

I agree. I tend to think a modern portrayal of Dionysius would be like Robert Sheehan as Klaus in Umbrella Academy. But I liked what Nabhaan Rizwan did with the role.
posted by miss-lapin at 2:48 AM on September 11 [1 favorite]

Wrong thread, will try to delete, had a spoiler meant for full season thread.
posted by jclarkin at 10:12 AM on October 1