Season 2, Episode 7 of the Netflix series Blood of Zeus, titled “Hidden Realm,” is directed by Jae H. Kim and Jae Woo Kim, and penned by the show’s creators, Charles Parlapanides and Vlas Parlapanides. The story finally reaches its climactic point where all the characters converge in the Hidden Realm. This isolating realm is located inside Mount Dikte on the island of Crete. It is where Gaia raised Zeus to take Kronos’ place as the new King of the Gods. Although Zeus was a better and more restrained leader than Kronos, he was still a tyrant, albeit one with a fair appearance and a kind personality. Zeus was raised in the Hidden Realm, and it is horrifying to think that this realm was where such a monstrous god was born and raised.
The Poisonous Spores
In the present day, the contest for the Eleusinian Stone continues. Demeter (Cissy Jones) unleashes poisonous spores across Greece in an effort to weaken the bastard children of Zeus, which include Athena (Sarah Elmaleh), Hermes (Matthew Mercer), Apollo (Adam Croasdell), and Artemis (Jennifer Hale). These bastards are part of “Team Heron,” and they want Heron to be the next ruler of Olympus, fulfilling their father’s wishes. Additionally, having a bastard on the throne can help protect the other bastards of Zeus.
However, the poisonous spores are fatal to mortals, causing horrifying deaths as plants start growing within both innocent and guilty victims alike. Hades (Fred Tatasciore) is horrified by what his younger sister – who is also his mother-in-law – has done. As the ruler of the Underworld, Hades sees an influx of dead souls who are likely to suffer in its many fields or rivers due to Demeter’s actions. Hades wants to avoid casualties in the competition, but Demeter is killing people left and right. Now, it is understandable why Persephone found her mother annoying and considered Hades a refreshing companion due to his calm and pragmatic attitude.
Later, Athena confronts Persephone (Lara Pulver) for information on Hades’ plans. The way Athena confronts Persephone is unrealistic for the Goddess of Wisdom, who typically gathers information and uses evidence to convince Persephone to reveal her plans. However, the death of Zeus and the potential civil war among the gods might have dulled Athena’s mind, which should not be the case since she also represents war more positively and sensibly.
Talos: The Giant Automaton
Heron (Derek Phillips), Alexia (Jessica Henwick), and Kofi (Adetokumboh M’Cormack) go on a side quest to retrieve the Adamantium Sword, which can cut through anything. It is important because Heron needs a sword to survive what is to come in the Hidden Realm and its aftermath. The trio succeeds in retrieving the sword after breaking into Talos’ body, conveniently aided by a fleet of Amazons led by Alexia’s aunt Chrysanthe (Claudia Christian). With the Adamantium Sword, Heron is ready to face Gaia’s trials in the Hidden Realm.
Seraphim and the Kouretes
Seraphim (Elias Toufexis) arrives at the entrance of the Hidden Realm, guarded by the Kouretes. The Kouretes are technically Zeus’ kingsguard or bodyguards who looked after and trained him to become the powerful god he was before his death. Seraphim uses the Lethe water on the Kouretes to strategically enter the Hidden Realm without fighting them. He dulls their memories enough that they will blindly fight anyone else who tries to enter without a second thought.
Rating: 9/10