How to watch Netflix's mind-boggling drama Kaleidoscope in the best order
The new Netflix drama tells its story in a unique way - but how does it work?
From the beginning, Netflix has changed what we watch and the way we watch it.
Now, the streamer is trying to alter the structure of TV itself with its latest experimental show Kaleidoscope, which stars Giancarlo Esposito, Paz Vega, Rufus Sewell and Jai Courtney
Based around a heist that is loosely inspired by an actual underground vault that was flooded, the show is designed to be viewed in any order, with each variation designed to leave viewers with different takes on the show's characters and events.
However, there is of course a chronological order you can watch Kaleidoscope in, which leads to the show’s true ending.
Read on for everything you need to know about the best order to watch Kaleidoscope on Netflix.
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How to watch Kaleidoscope in chronological order
The chronological order of Kaleidoscope is as follows:
- Violet - 24 years before the heist
- Green - 7 years before the heist
- Yellow - 6 weeks before the heist
- Orange - 3 weeks before the heist
- Blue - 5 days before the heist
- White - The heist
- Red - The morning after the heist
- Pink - 6 months after the heist
However, that doesn't mean that is the order the episodes should be watched in - in fact, they shouldn't, as White, the heist episode, is intended to be watched last.
Is there a best order to watch Kaleidoscope?
A different order of the episodes will be lined up for each viewer by Netflix, but everyone will have the same first and last episodes - Black, which is a short explainer of the concept, will be first, while White, the season finale, will come last.
Beyond these, the middle episodes of Yellow, Green, Blue, Orange, Violet, Red and Pink can be watched in any order, with each adding a piece to the puzzle before the final explainer of just what happened in White.
Praising the show's non-linear format, lead cast member Esposito previously told TVLine: "I think it allows [viewers] not to be in their comfort zone.
"When we watch things, we kind of have an idea of how it’ll turn out, how it’ll end, what’s going to happen, so I like the idea of being taken out of your comfort zone, because I think that allows you to be more attentive.
"You’ve got to watch this thing closely, and I imagine you will, because little things happen which you don’t think might be clues, but are."
What is the meaning of Kaleidoscope?
Kaleidoscope is a new crime/heist drama which is told in an innovative fashion, and is available on Netflix now.
What makes it unique to most series is its structure - each of the episodes can be watched in any order, but do add up to tell one story, making it part anthology, part continuing drama.
The episodes aren't numbered - instead, they are each named after a different colour, and will appear in a different order on each individual's Netflix, giving them a different route through the story.
The story takes place over 25 years, with each episode telling a story at a different point in the timeline. They've then been jumbled up so it all becomes a mystery of just how the heist took place, a secret which is finally revealed at the end.
What is Kaleidoscope about?
The official synopsis for Kaleidoscope describes the story as follows: "Spanning 25 years, Kaleidoscope is an all-new anthology series following a crew of masterful thieves and their attempt to crack a seemingly unbreakable vault for the biggest payday in history.
"Guarded by the world’s most powerful corporate security team, and with law enforcement on the case, every episode reveals a piece of an elaborate puzzle of corruption, greed, vengeance, scheming, loyalties and betrayals. How did the crew of thieves plan it? Who gets away with it? Who can be trusted?"
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Each of the episodes add a piece to the puzzle of just how the heist took place, what led up to it in the first place and what happened after.
Eric Garcia, the show's creator, explained that while the idea for the show started from the non-linear structure, the concept for the story came from a real-life event.
He said in a featurette for the show: "It's based on a potentially real story. After Hurricane Sandy, $70 billion in unregistered bearer bonds were flooded and lost.
"My first thought upon reading all these things was, 'Oh, someone made off with $70 billion and is using Hurricane Sandy as, like, a really good excuse.'"
Kaleidoscope is available to stream on Netflix now. Sign up for Netflix from £6.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.
Looking for something else to watch? Visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide.
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