Review: ‘Blood of Zeus’ Season 2 Episode 5 “Judgement Day”

Season 2, Episode 5 of the Netflix series Blood of Zeus, titled “Judgement Day,” is directed by Jae H. Kim and Jae Woo Kim and penned by the show’s creators, Charles Parlapanides and Vlas Parlapanides. The story primarily focuses on Zeus’ (Jason O’Mara) trial and judgment in the Underworld and Heron’s destiny.

Zeus stands Trial

Before his judgment, Zeus briefly meets with Electra (Mamie Gummer) in Elysium apologizing for his past actions. He did this to give his final consort some sense of closure in death before being judged by King Minos, King Rhadamanthus, and King Aeacus, his own sons. The irony. Though it pained the three kings to judge their father, they will judge him unbiasedly through the arguments of both the defense led by Hera (Claudia Christian) and the prosecution led by Hades (Fred Tatasciore). 

Hera defends Zeus despite his infidelity by explaining how Zeus was a strong ruler and military leader who defended Olympus, leading victory after victory against his enemies. Hades argues how careless Zeus was as a leader and that his infidelity should not be blatantly ignored. The Lord of the Underworld even reveals to everyone present of how Zeus and Hera cheated the fair choosing of the next ruler of Olympus and how Zeus never helped Seraphim. Hades’ anger is likely very real since many souls who died in the Underworld are souls who do not die naturally but through death, conflict, and war under Zeus’ reign as King of Olympus. 

Zeus admits his sin for not helping Seraphim and not reuniting him with his mother, Electra, due to the demon looking exactly as his cruel biological father. This confession is the final nail to the coffin in having Zeus imprisoned in Tartarus until more and more living beings on the mortal plane do positive and heroic actions in the name of Zeus, essentially Heron. This would make one question if Zeus really cared for Heron or is merely using him as a tool to keep himself from being imprisoned forever in Tartarus. 

Heron’s Destiny

Heron returns home with the aid of his friends: Alexia (Jessica Henwick), Kofi (Adetokumboh M’Cormack), and Evios (Chris Diamantopoulos). Evios decides to leave after learning that one of his smuggler acquaintances is alive. He also leaves because he does not want to get into the crossfires of the conflict between the Olympian gods. 

Following Evios’ leave, the remaining trio enter Heron’s hometown and visit his home where an underground chamber is revealed. The chamber releases a hologram in Heron’s presence which is a recording of Zeus explaining how he knew he would die one day and that Heron is destined to save the world from Typhon’s return. This would mean that Heron will be the new King of Olympus, leading the Olympians against the monster or prevent the monster itself from ever being released. 

Seraphim avenges Gorgo

As Seraphim heads to the Hidden Realm’s entrance, he makes a detour and has to kill the Hades’ bird to have a moment of privacy. Seraphim is curious as to how Gorgo died and in his investigation, he learned that a treebender giant is responsible. The giant’s nature is to eat humans as food, but he ruthlessly killed and devoured Gorgo despite promising to let her cross his gorge after solving his riddle. 

This sign of oath breaking angers Seraphim as the giant was being cruel for cruel sake not because he needed to eat. Seraphim kills the giant for his treachery, but the demon becomes wounded as a result. This major wound delays Seraphim in his infiltration of the Hidden Realm which will likely lead to Heron getting there first despite being days behind. 

Rating: 9/10

Ryan Seun Woo Kwon: I am currently pursuing a major in Film & Media with a minor in History & Creative Writing at the University of California, Berkeley. Growing up in Portland, Shanghai, and Seoul has given me a multicultural perspective that I use to view social and historical events. With a strong passion for TV and film, wish to explore opportunities in narrative development, story writing, and production.
Related Post