Well, apparently this show really ticked off some people. I'm not totally sure why.
This is a "modern retelling" of Greek Myths, which does seem to be very now-now. I guess if you're super committed to the original stories and offended by any change this is not the show for you. Happily you have all the various contradictory versions of the myths to satisfy. Because we all know Homer, Euripides, Sophocles, and assorted buds never changed one iota of the original myths to suit their own narrative or thematic purposes...
The main thrust of the story is Zeus's midlife crisis/slide into paranoid dictator, played with zeal by Jeff Goldblum (The cast overall does a fantastic job). This is mirrored in Dionysus's desire to be the god of more than just a good time. The story is told by Prometheus as a narrator/outside observer and weaves in elements of Orpheus and Eurydice and Ariadne. The only story I wanted to be a bit more clear was Hera's. Loved the performance, but her motivations were a bit opaque. I'm willing to give the show the benefit of the doubt and hope there's clarity in future.
Does "Kaos" change elements of the myths? Well... Yeah. In more ways than just a modern retelling. The entire series is focused on the power of stories; how they're built, who they benefit, and what gets left in or out. All mythology picks and chooses what to focus on to serve a political or societal agenda. This show merely makes an argument for why this version of Zeus built his mythology just so.
The modern versions of the characters work and add something new to these stories. Afterall, isn't that the point of adaptation? This version of Zeus retains his spiteful and temperamental nature and pairs it with a serious New Money vibe (clever, given his insecurities surrounding his goodhood). A testament to how power and wealth doesn't mean you have taste. This version of Eurydice actually grapples with how underwritten she is in every version of her myth.
It's a clever show full of humour, wit, and fun. Give it a go.
