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Netflix’s Kaos takes a unique approach to Greek mythology, infusing it with a darker, comedic twist. Central to the story is the character of Zeus, portrayed by Jeff Goldblum, who seems desperately intent on preserving his power and longevity. The show presents a pantheon of gods who largely disregard human well-being, manipulating mortals to maintain a facade of significance surrounding their existence. Although many people engage in worship of these deities, it becomes clear that figures like Zeus and his divine peers primarily exploit human devotion to sustain their own immortality.
Zeus is particularly anxious about a foreboding prophecy predicting his eventual downfall. This fear drives him to extreme measures to secure his existence. A key element facilitating his survival is a substance called Meander, which is explored throughout the first season of Kaos. The true nature and origins of Meander are gradually unveiled, hinting at a darker backstory. As season 1 concludes, the implications of Meander become even more significant, setting the stage for future developments should the series continue.
Meander Is How The Gods Remain Immortal In Netflix’s Kaos
Zeus’ Fountain Keeps The Drinking Water Flowing
In Kaos, scenes at Mt. Olympus depict it as an opulent mansion, where Zeus and Hera reside. The series pays particular attention to a fountain located outside their home, which is not merely decorative; this fountain is crucial to the plot, containing Meander, the elixir of immortality for the gods. Without access to this substance, the gods could potentially age and perish like regular mortals.
The fountain’s relentless flow of Meander hinges on the gods’ manipulation of human souls. By subjecting humans to a process called the Nothing, they ensure a constant supply of the vital liquid.
In light of the prophecy suggesting his family’s fall, Zeus’s proximity to the fountain reflects his urgency to secure its power. This source of Meander is a cause for concern among other gods, who recognize Zeus’s merciless approach. However, they, too, have a vested interest in keeping the Meander supply uninterrupted, which explains Hades’ complicity in Zeus’s schemes concerning the Underworld. The filtration of human souls through the Nothing serves a dual purpose: it provides Meander and cements the gods’ reign.
The Meander Comes From The Human Souls Within The Nothing
This Part Of The Underworld Is Dedicated To Giving The Gods Power
In Kaos, the Underworld houses a particularly grim compartment known as the Nothing, where human souls languish in a state of decay. This narrative element reveals that all deceased humans are inevitably dispatched to the Nothing rather than undergoing rebirth as the gods would have their followers believe. Instead, the gods utilize these souls to sustain the Meander fountain at Mt. Olympus.
The storyline concerning Caeneus gains importance as he learns he can revive souls from the Nothing, posing potential ramifications for Zeus’s Meander supply. If characters like Caeneus and others from the Nothing manage to return to the living world, it could dramatically disrupt Zeus’s schemes. Furthermore, Riddy’s escape from the Underworld already signifies a major blow to the divine hierarchy.
Zeus Uses His Meander Fountain As Leverage Against The Other Gods
Kaos Season 1’s Ending Finds Him Rationing The Supply
Zeus’s frustration boils over when he discovers his son, Dionysus, endeavors to assist Orpheus in rescuing Riddy from the Underworld. His volatile nature is exacerbated by his dependence on the Meander that emerges from the Nothing. In the season finale, Goldblum’s portrayal of Zeus culminates in a display of wrath against his divine family, as he resorts to using Meander as a weapon against them. He informs them he will begin rationing this crucial fluid, effectively controlling their immortality.
Through this tyrannical control of Meander, Zeus may inadvertently precipitate the downfall he is desperate to avert. His final exchange with Hera hints at rising tensions among the gods, as she instructs one of her children to “gather the troops” and prepare for an impending confrontation. With his mortality becoming increasingly precarious, the stakes have been raised for both Zeus and his fellow deities.
Source
screenrant.com