“Kaos” offers a fresh and unique take on Roman mythology by bringing characters like Zeus and Persephone into the contemporary world, where they face off with humanity in a bid to shape the future. Despite having all the makings of a hit, “Kaos” was concluded on Netflix after just one season. Modest ratings and limited awards buzz contributed to its fate, and even positive reviews from critics couldn’t save the show.

The plot follows three humans who are entwined by a prophecy from Prometheus, played by Stephen Dillane, as he seeks to escape his chains imposed by Zeus, portrayed by sci-fi icon Jeff Goldblum. Prometheus aims to retaliate against Zeus by starting the era of Kaos, an event that would end divine dominance and liberate him. As Zeus acknowledges the impending threat, chaos begins to unravel within his family as well.

Despite featuring a notable cast including Janet McTeer and Suzy Eddie Izzard, “Kaos” initially thrived on Netflix, ranking in the top 10 for four weeks. It amassed a total of 22.8 million viewing hours during its peak, a figure that might make its abrupt end surprising. However, while it hit a high point in its second week with 39.2 million hours watched, viewership quickly dwindled. The show’s hefty production cost—over $58 million— likely contributed to its cancellation, alongside streaming statistics. While viewers drifted away from “Kaos,” it was well-received by critics.

A good Netflix show desperately needs critical buzz to keep it afloat, and “Kaos” did fairly well with critics, landing a 77% “Certified Fresh” score at Rotten Tomatoes. Critics who loved the show appreciated its aplomb and style, with Hannah Giorgis from The Atlantic calling it “a darkly funny, visually rich saga that highlights the enduring relevance of these moral quandaries and character studies — without taking itself too seriously.”

The few negative reviews that “Kaos” garnered lambasted it for its failure to find its own identity. “The series doesn’t have a consistent enough internal logic to succeed as a grown-up fantasy series,” said Slant Magazine’s Ross Mcindoe. The Hollywood Reporter was the most dismissive of all, stating, “The world of ‘Kaos’ becomes smaller and less rich — much too adult for young viewers, not really mature enough for grownups.”

It’s always unfortunate when a show dies soon after it premieres, and there’s always the slim chance that “Kaos” might see a revival someday. But as it stands, if viewers remember it at all, it will go down in TV history as an ambitious, fascinating flop.