Kaos – Season 1 Episode 8 Recap, Ending & Review

The Prophecy

Episode 8 of Kaos starts with the prophecy being flashed across the screen. It’s a reminder of exactly what we’ve been building to from that first chapter, and also indicative of how far along we are to it being fulfilled.

Zeus has a bad dream about being mortal, and when he awakens Hera is there to comfort him. He’s rattled and believes this isn’t a dream but actually a vision. Zeus makes his choice and decides to go and see the Fates, confronting them over what’s going on.

What happens with Hades?

Persephone is angry when she finds out Hades has gone and he’s not in bed. He’s gone AWOL and nobody has seen him leave, apparently. However, this is just a drop in the water compared to the bigger issues at hand. Hera wants Persephone and Hades to come join her, to pull together and come up with a solution.

Hades shows up to see Medusa in her office. He wants her to join Persephone to help look after the Underworld in his absence. And where is he going? Well, he’s going to defy his brother! Persephone goes on ahead to Olympus without him and she brings up before the other God there, how the history books have done her dirty. She does love Hades and Dionysus is immediately intrigued by this. It seems everyone is in love except him, which is another cruel twist of fate isn’t it? The God of Pleasure cannot, it seems, experience true pleasure himself.

Meanwhile, Zeus shows up to see the Fates. They discuss his dilemma and how scared he is of those moving against him. Well, Zeus decides to burn the Fates and be done with them, and as they die, Lachesis gives back the watch, claiming that Dionysus is naughty. The place blows sky-high, and Prometheus is shocked.

Does Caeneus get redemption with his mum?

Caeneus arrives to see Medusa and he’s told that he’s worthless and not part of this bigger prophecy. However, given he was one of the three we were told about, surely this isn’t true? Anyway, Orpheus and Riddy take their path back to Earth. On the way, Orpheus is shocked when he finds out that Riddy doesn’t feel the same way about him anymore. She finally opens up and curses him for what’s happened. Riddy eventually reveals that she went to see her mum to say goodbye as she’d decided to leave Crete complete and, subsequently, leave Orpheus.

With the truth unveiled, Orpheus is crushed, especially when he finds out her heart lies with Caeneus. While Riddy goes back to Earth, Caeneus finds himself face to face with his mother down on the dock. She’s finally there! Apparently she led the Amazonians to him because he had to fulfil his prophecy. She’s waited 10 years for this and now she’s going through the Frame. She refuses to listen to Caeneus, and as she gets into the water, Caeneus follows… and ends up going straight into the Frame alongside her somehow.

Unfortunately, Caeneus and his mother both die, and this prophecy about the “family falling and Prometheus being free” doesn’t seem to have played out this way. Could it be that this line is about Caeneus? We’ll have to wait and see.

Does Zeus find out about the truth?

Zeus returns to Olympia with bottles of Meander water but they’re all rationed to “teach them a lesson”. She’s determined that there are no more prophecies and questions Dionysus about what he did with the watch. It’s here where the truth comes out, and Persephone admits that Orpheus died and they were unsuccessful. Of course, we know that’s not true but Dionysus’ heart shatters.

Zeus points out how love is a weakness, and proves his point by killing Dennis, the cat. He also sets fire to all the bees outside and as of now, he’s no longer going to be controlled. This is a double-whammy for Dionysus, who’s shocked given his mum has just died too, and he’s in grief.

Poseidon has heard enough and speaks up, professing his love to Hera. Hera shrugs it off and defies him, while Zeus puts his foot down. In fact, he’s decided that he’s going to be in charge of every city from now on.

What happens with Riddy? Is she a prophet now?

Meanwhile, Ari pulls Glaucus out the labyrinth and shows him off to their mother. She admits that she killed Minos, and it’s actually enough for her mother to finally embrace her as one of her own. Ari decides she’s going to run Crete the way she wants to, defying the Gods and deciding to go in her own way.

While all this crazy drama ensues, we cut over to see Orpheus and Riddy climb out the dumpster. The pair do part ways on good(ish) terms, with Orpheus driving off in his car and leaving his ex-girlfriend behind. Riddy walks along the road and ends up bumping into the crazy woman from episode 1. Her name is Cassandra, as it turns out, and she’s a prophet. Riddy is also a prophet now and tasked with going to Ari and setting the living free. Caeneus however, is going to do the same for the dead.

“A line appears” is actually referencing the start of the prophecy, and that line shows up along Caeneus, who somehow breaks free from his prison in the Nothing. He embraces his mother and somehow he manages to free her. She says one word “Kaos”. Hades is shocked when he finds out that Caeneus can actually renew souls. 

How does Kaos season 1 end?

As this occurs, Prometheus shows up in Olympus with the Fates whispering across the walls. He’s free now, and quite what he does with his freedom is up to him. As he makes his way to the throne, he finds a bottle of Meander water and, of course, it appears as if he’s about to drink some.

As for Zeus, he’s losing his divine powers. That dream of him cutting his finger? Yeah, that’s not a dream, it’s actually a vision. The Meander fountain fails in the garden, with the circle dropping into the pool, while Prometheus looks to be taking control now. Speaking of which, Hera calls one of her kids and tells them to gather the troops and make up the spare bed. Now, this could well be one of the ladies Zeus phoned earlier IN the show, possibly Athena?

He asks how he’s doing this, while Prometheus apologizes to his old friend and confirms that Kaos is coming. But in what form? Well, Ari agrees to join with the Trojans and destroy Olympus, while Dionysus stands outside the gates with a bottle of Meander water, contemplating whether to show up.

The Episode Review

So the first season of Kaos ends and unfortunately it does so on a cliffhanger. That’s never a good sign with a Netflix Original, and especially one with such a star-studded cast such as this. There’s a lot of potential with this, which feels like a heady blend of Sandman, American Gods and Legion.

The characters are nicely written and the way the prophecy blends into this and works around the three central pillars is definitely one of the stand out parts. Now, Orpheus appears to have just been a vessel to get Riddy out and it seems unlikely that he’ll return for season 2.

The finale does confirm that this “line” is not about Zeus’ wrinkles but actually the first step of Caeneus embracing his true calling and renewing souls alongside Hades. He and Riddy look like they’re going to stop the Frame from recycling souls, while Ari striking a deal with the Trojans sets up a bigger fight to come in the future.

Overall, this has been a really solid effort and although the cliffhanger ending does sour things a bit, there’s enough here to recommend all the same. Hopefully Netflix don’t cancel this one!