Summary
The Netflix seriesKaosis a dark but comedic vision of a modern world ruled by ancient pagan gods. The script for each episode is an eclectic mix of ancient myth and Classical storytelling, with fables of the Greek deities alongside the old stories of Troy, Crete, and other famous places.
The writers of the show, along with the set and costume designers, have added a whole slew of Easter eggs in virtually every scene to reference the gods and their stories in the real world. Brand names and sports teams are some of the most hilarious and subtle references. There are more than a few twists inKaosfor those who know a few things about ancient religion, and some interesting things to learn for those who don’t.
7Kaos Reigns
What is “Chaos” In This Context?
Everyone in the world ofKaoshas a prophecy given to them when they’re born. How these prophecies are interpreted, when, and by whom,always seems to be different, and this ambiguity drives the plot. The special one that’s shared by more than one character (which isn’t supposed to happen) ends with the line, “And Kaos reigns.”
This can be interpreted in several different ways. The most obvious meaning is that general chaos will take over without the natural ruling order of the gods. However, it could also be referring to the void that existed before the universe was created. Stories often interpret this void as a deadly monster or a separate deity that a chosen hero has to defeat to save the world. It’s an interesting possibility for the plot of season two.
6Riddy And The Snake
It Was A Venomous Bite That Killed Eurydice
The tragic story of Orpheus and Eurydice starts on their wedding day, when the marriage procession turns into a funeral march for the bride after she’s bitten by a venomous snake. She’s seen wearing a gold ring in the shape of a snake in several scenes, but this isn’t the only reference to the ancient legend.
In theKaosversion, Eurydice isn’t bitten by a snake, but meets her grim fate because of a car accident instead. The truck that hits her is a massive green work truck with the logo “Serpent Solutions” painted on the side. One more possible but obscure reference is that the person who chased the mythical Eurydice into a snake’s nest is sometimes described as a beekeeper.
5Poly the One-Eyed Bouncer
It’s A Cyclops Reference
There’s a lot going on in The Cave, a gritty dive bar in the desert outside of town. Even though Orpheus doesn’tappreciate the atmosphere, it’s just one of many trials he has to face if he wants to bring Eurydice back from the land of the dead. One of the long-term employees of The Cave is a security guy known as Ploy for short, but his full name is Polyphemus.
This isn’t just a reference to various Greek myths that included a Cyclops. It’s a direct reference to the story of Odysseus, who ran afoul of a Cyclops on his way home from Troy while stealing provisions from a cave. The Cyclops that held him and his crew, while occasionally choosing one for a snack, was named Polyphemus. He may not look very intimidating, but this is a doorman you don’t want to rile.
4The Fates
Specifically, Lachesis' Portrayal
Each of the Fates has an interesting part to play in the story and their scenes are chock-full of classical and ancient references, but Lachesis has a few of the most obvious. The names of the Fates are displayed when they’re judging the contest in the Cave, and they’re often depicted in art and literature in the same order: with Lachesis in the middle and Clotho and Atropos on either side.
Lachesis is a distinctive figure in ancient art depicting the Fates because of the unique white clothing. InKaos, Izzard is always shown in a frilly white shirt. This is also the Fate that’s in charge of measuring life and dispensing judgment, which is why she’s the one who knows Orpheus has taken his wife’s coin. This scene also reveals that it was Lachesis who left the distinctive X scar on Prometheus, because she puts the same mark on Orpheus' hand so that Charon will recognize him.
3Dennis The Cat
The First Follower of Dionysus
It’s the perfect namefor a cat anyway, but the writers didn’t name this little guy Dennis just for the cuteness factor. The modern name Dennis is derived from Dionysus, and can also mean “follower of Dionysus.” It’s also interesting that it was Eurydice and Orpheus' cat in the first episode, and becomes the original follower of the god of wine.
This makes the young god’s attachment to the kitten even more endearing and meaningful, and his fate in the last episode of Season 1 is part of the buildup to making Zeus an even more unhinged villain. Fear not, however, because Dionysus has some experience with the world of death. It’s possible that little Dennis can return.
2Ganymede The Ball Boy
An Old Myth, But Multiplied
The legend of Ganymede is one of the morenotorious of Zeus' conquests. According to the old story, Zeus was so enamored with the handsome young Spartan that he brought him back to Olympus to serve him as his personal servant. It sounds unpleasant, given what we know about Zeus and his powers, but with gifts like immortality, it was a decent gig for the time.
The ballboys that scurry around the Olympus estate fulfilling the gods' every whim are a modern interpretation of Ganymede’s story. They’re part of the dark humor in the show, being the constant receptacles of Zeus' tantrums and unhinged demands.
1Semele Burns After All
Her Fate Is The Same In The End
The old story of Semele, the mortal woman who gave birth to Dionysus, doesn’t end well. It’s easyto make that determinationgiven Hera’s interactions with her son, Dionysus, inKaos. An important difference, however, is that in the myth, Semele was not transformed into a bee. She was tricked into asking Zeus, her secret lover, to appear to her in his true godly form.
Zeus fulfilled her request, but his immortal form was pure lightning and fire, and myths differ as to whether she died of fright or was simply burned to a crisp. Given that Zeus sets Hera’s beehives on fire and burns them down inKaos, it seems the writers of this Netflix show believed the latter.
