KAOS Season 1 Ending Explained: What Happened to Zeus at the End?

As a Percy Jackson-loving, Greek mythology-obsessing girlie, I was super excited for Netflix’s new series, KAOS. My high expectations were so surpassed by this sexy, satirical, fourth-wall-breaking masterpiece. KAOS delivers as a “bold, darkly comic, contemporary take on Greek mythology: exploring love, power, and life in the underworld.” And it really did! With phenomenal actors like Jeff Goldblum, Billie Piper, and Janet McTeer bringing classic Greek gods and heroes to life, we got an epic mix of drama, humor, and mythology.

If you’ve watched KAOS Season 1 like I have, get ready for this ending explained and a look at what questions remain for KAOS Season 2. The show’s creator envisions a three-season arc, so there’s much more in store. Enough foreplay—let’s dive in!

Who Was the Prophecy in KAOS?

From the start, our narrator Prometheus (whose name means “forethought”—how fitting!) tells us about the three humans who would bring about great change. Caeneus, Eurydice (Riddy), and Ari (Ariadne) are these three figures, and they all share a strange prophecy: “A line appears, the order wanes, the family falls, and kaos reigns.” It’s unheard of, as people are supposed to have unique prophecies, like an original Insta bio.

Our three main characters (MCs) start off not knowing each other, but by the end of Season 1, Caenus and Riddy have hooked up, although neither has met Ari yet. Potential throuple vibes, anyone? The prophecy actually targets Zeus, predicting his downfall. When he discovers a wrinkle (or line) on his forehead, he starts spiraling, believing it’s the beginning of the prophecy about his family collapsing and chaos reigning.

What Happened to Orpheus and Riddy?

Riddy’s story begins with her death, leaving her hubby Orpheus devastated. Because he didn’t bury her with a coin, she couldn’t pass on to renewal. Instead, she ends up working off her debts in the Underworld—a place unsurprisingly rife with capitalism. Dionysus stops Orpheus from killing himself and, moved by their love, decides to help him get Riddy back. After losing a competition to enter the Underworld, the Fates allow Orpheus entry in exchange for Zeus’ watch, which Dionysus had conveniently stolen.

Meanwhile, Riddy actually finds some perks to being dead, like not having to dump Orpheus. She hooks up with Caenus (hello, romance!) and they start sleuthing around, eventually uncovering the BIG SECRET: souls aren’t being renewed—they’re turned into Meander Water, which keeps Zeus and the gods immortal. Where can we get some of that?

Then Orpheus shows up to rescue her, only to realize she’d rather stay dead with her new lover. Caenus and Medusa (yes, she’s here too) encourage Riddy to return to the living and expose the truth about renewal. Orpheus, not as dumb as you’d expect from a hot guy, figures out Riddy’s feelings for Caenus. They return to the normal world, but they soon break up, sharing a sad hug.

Cassandra, the Trojan prophet cursed never to be believed, bumps into Riddy. She had actually predicted all of this in Episode 1, but sounded like a total loony back then. She tells Riddy, “I’m a prophet. So are you now. You must go to Ari and set the living free. Caenus will do the same with the dead.”

What Did Caeneus Do?

Our very sexy Caeneus stays in the Underworld, but he’s understandably pissed despite putting on a brave face for Riddy. At least he’s still got his three-headed dog for company, I guess.

Back among the living, Riddy’s mom, who serves as a tongueless priestess for Hera, goes to see Caeneus’ mom and holds up a sign saying it’s time to act—kind of giving “man with the sign” vibes from Instagram. Caeneus’ mom kills herself, arrives in the Underworld, and drags Caeneus through the Frame, even though he knows it could erase him. He wakes up to find himself surrounded by stone figures, including his mom, who only manages to utter “chaos” before going silent.

Hades appears and freaks out, realizing that Caenus can renew human souls. Just as Cassandra had hinted, he could renew Riddy. Hades sees this as an opportunity to upend Zeus’ rule and bring about change in the Underworld.

What Did Ari Discover?

Ari, our third prophecy person, went through a LOT. She’s spent her life haunted by the belief she rolled over and accidentally killed her twin brother Glaucus as a toddler. But the Fates reveal the truth: Ari didn’t kill her brother! Her father, King Minos, fabricated the whole story. His prophecy foretold that his firstborn would kill him, so he had his prisoner Daedalus whisk Glaucus away, letting Ari believe she had killed him. Glaucus was kept imprisoned, eventually forced into the role of the Minotaur, killing other prisoners.

Hera and Poseidon manipulate Minos into attempting to kill Glaucus, aiming to prove that one can defy prophecies and thus prove Zeus wrong. Minos kills Glaucus, and everyone celebrates—except Ari, who realizes the truth. She’s been the firstborn who drew breath! Clever girl figures it out and kills her father, proving the prophecy right after all.

With her brother’s body revealed, her mom finally stops hating her. Ari becomes the Queen of Krete and allies herself with Troy’s rebels, who have been mistreated by the gods. When Andromeda, their leader, asks Ari to help rebuild Troy and destroy Olympus, Ari agrees—totally boss-move vibes!

What Happens to Riddy at the End of KAOS?

After Orpheus brings Riddy back from the Underworld, the two part ways when Orpheus realizes Riddy’s feelings for Caenus. Cassandra, our cursed prophet, informs Riddy that she’s now a prophet too. Riddy’s mission? “Set the living free. Caenus will do the same with the dead.” This is all part of the larger plan to bring Zeus down. Keep an eye on this one!

What Happens to Caenus at the End of KAOS?

While stuck in the Underworld, Caenus discovers that his mom led his killers to him to fulfill the prophecy involving him and Riddy. Medusa turns his mother into stone, but Caenus follows her into the Nothing and discovers he has the power to restore human souls. This sets the stage for him to disrupt Zeus’ reign, and possibly change the rules of the Underworld too.

What Happened to Zeus at the End of KAOS?

Now let’s talk about our zaddy, Zeus, the god of the sky, lightning, and thunder. He’s been controlling and moody, suspecting everyone. Hera, having an affair with Poseidon, totally gaslights him into thinking he’s paranoid. With everyone plotting behind his back, Zeus loses it when Minos fails his task.

Zeus, thinking he can thwart prophecies, kills the Fates. He tries to tighten his grip by rationing the gods’ access to Meander Water, which keeps them immortal. Dionysus, guilt-ridden, admits to helping Orpheus and Riddy, while Poseidon confesses his love for Hera. Zeus, in a fit of rage, murders Dionysus’s cat (NOT OEDIPUSS!) and burns Hera’s bees—just to prove that love is a weakness.

When Zeus confronts Prometheus, who’s now on his throne, things get weird. Prometheus shouldn’t be able to leave his eternal punishment, but here he is, bleeding—something gods shouldn’t do. As the water circle collapses, Zeus loses his powers and faces a very uncertain fate.

What About Dionysus?

Our guy Dionysus has had a rough time. Zeus kills the cat he grew attached to and Hera’s bees, which included his mother. However, after seeing Ari’s badassery, he becomes smitten with her. Taking a half-full bottle of Meander Water, he sets off to find her. Maybe he wants to make her immortal? Or help her in her quest to overthrow his family? Who knows? Stay tuned!

Who Did Hera Call in the KAOS Final Episode?

Finally, in the last moments, Hera uses a payphone (who knew gods didn’t have iPhones?). “Darling, it’s Mummy,” she says, “gather the troops and make up a spare bed.” But who is she talking to? It could be any of her children with Zeus—Ares, Apollo, Aphrodite, Artemis, or Hermes. The most likely guess is Ares, the god of war, who can gather troops. Athena, also a goddess of war and strategy, isn’t Hera’s biological daughter.

So maybe we’ll meet even more gods in Season 2. Excuse me while I go binge the whole thing again!

There you have it, the KAOS Season 1 ending explained with all the thrilling twists, turns, and teases for what’s to come. It looks like the battle lines are drawn, and Season 2 is sure to be a god-tier showdown!