Toxic cycles of abuse in the Rising Son/the Season
Disclaimer: This is mainly for fun and because I like delving deeper into this stuff. Based on my recent rewatch of the Rising Son, the Christmas special and the short form content.
The main (or really only one) cycle of abuse and manipulation we see in the Rising Son is the one in Zues' main family, but especially with Apollo. Now, it's very obvious that both Zues and Hera are both toxic, manipulative and narcissistic. While, I do believe that Zues had an effect on all six (6) of his children; Hera, most likely, on only her own children (Athena, Ares and Heaphustus). Hera most definitely had a controlling side for the younger three, but other than being a controlling and most definitely abusive step-mother, she didn't have any other effect. While being raised by an abusive step-mother has its effects, it's probably nothing on how Zues controls them.
Now, based on the myths as they are canon, Athena and Apollo were probably the golden children who were doing everything in their power to stay on Zues' good side. Heaphustus probably stayed on the side lines. He behaved well enough, but tried to stay away from everything. Artemis did the same, but in a different way. Artemis used her Hunters and her freedom to escape her abusive family. Hermes is the clown of the family. Hermes is well behaved, does what he's asked, but other than that, he's really just a jokester trying to hide from the reality of his situation. Ares...is well Ares. He's the least "well-behaved", he does everything to oppose Zues and when he feels like Zues is doing something wrong (marrying Aphrodite off) he stands against that. He's the one his family can easily blame and he probably takes it really hard but plays it off like it's nothing. Ares most likely got very used to this treatment.
So, now, that brings us to the big questions.
Does Hades contribute to the toxic cycle of abuse? Did Athena run away from the toxic cycle of abuse or was she deliberately kicked out as another form of control? Did Heaphustus go no-contact? Artemis, who had originally hid away from the toxic cycle of abuse in the woods with her found-family, is now directly under the control of the main preparator of this cycle (Zues), so how would that affect her relationship with her family specifically Apollo? Did Hermes tell Apollo to ask Zues for help as a desperate attempt to have his siblings with him in the toxic environment, or was it an entirely self-less act to help Apollo and Dionysus, or was a mixture of both? How does Ares being disowned now affect his relationship with his parents? How does he feel now that he's directly under their control and can't stand against them without harming his loved ones?
Now, the Season, as a show, is there to make the mortals worship the gods. That's a simple tool to get power. However, while discussing abuse and manipulation, we can easily see that when it comes to Apollo how the Season is used as a tool of control and manipulation. Apollo is there in the Season because of the lies and manipulation from Zues and his own desperation because he feels useless and unable to help Dionysus on his own. Now, Apollo is shown to be someone who ignores most problems (i.e. not taking Dionysus seriously when he's first told about his mental issues. Trying to talk things out with Dionysus while Dionysus is still recovering from his attack). Apollo doesn't have the best judgement at all times (who does?), but he prides himself in being right, being the rational one and being the problem-solver. The last one is evident when he immediately tries to find solutions for Dionysus problems instead of just listening and being there. And, while, his actions come from a good place his approach isn't always the best. Knowing all this, it's easy to see how Apollo would fall victim to Zues manipulation. Zues plays into what Apollo wants to hear and who he was before the fall of Olympus. Zues tells Apollo that he's powerful (or atleast was) and that Zues can give Apollo all that. Apollo states later that the reason he agreed to the deal was to both help Dionysus and for his own selfish reasons. Though, I personally think that Apollo is more used to the way Zues treats him than an actual desire for power. I could be wrong. Anyway.
Artemis joins Apollo because she doesn't want her twin to suffer alone. This is an entirely selfless act on Artemis part. Artemis most likely feels like she abandoned Apollo on Olympus with Zues and that is why she chose to do this selfless thing. Leaving a sibling behind is a guilt that never wavers. Now, Artemis orginally, as discussed, had isolated herself by hunting to the woods with her Hunters. This isolation effectively put a barrier between her and Olympus (Zues). So, this single selfless act (joining her brother) puts Artemis in an entirely new situation and one in which she's under the direct control of her manipulative father. Now, someone going from being isolated to under the direct control of their abuser is a risky move. She's also tied down which for the goddess of wilderness is definitely a strange thing. Zues will definitely utilise her in some day, perhaps by making her Apollo's manager or more blatantly Artemis keeping an eye on Apollo so Apollo doesn’t screw up. While Artemis won't knowingly nor willingly help Zues control her siblings. However, in this series Zues is shown to be insanely intelligent and he would definitely find a way to utilise, use and exploit Artemis as much as her siblings.
Hermes is the least known about. However, it's safe to assume that he was around when Athena was around. Now, weather Athena left on her own accord or because she was kicked out is still a mystery, however in both cases one truth remains: Athena left Hermes in the house with Zues and Hera. Now, if Athena escaped the abusive house, then good for her I do not want to imply or say that she did something bad by escaping her house. However that does not change the fact that Athena left Hermes behind. Leaving your sibling behind in a toxic house is a guilt that can never wavers even when you know you did the right thing for you. This is probably going to be a big reason on why Athena comes back. Hermes' own truama is hidden behind laughter and jokes. The myths always note Hermes good humour and easy going nature, something he shares within the Rising Son. Hermes, no matter how hurt, would hide that hurt behind his easy going persona. A persona that is easier to maintain after the twins move into the house. Because, at the very least, Hermes isn't completely alone. However, it is very probable that this facade will break when Athena comes back. That is when his hurt and his annoyance at being left behind will show. Even if he knows what Athena did was right for herself.
Ares is mostly far away and in a safe-space. He's obviously working for Zues (all of Cheaper than Therapy is working for Zues) and he joins the Season and plays his role, but he is mostly in a safe-space. Ares has friends, his uncle and aunt, he has community and a place to safely deal with his issues. Out of the five (5) involved siblings he's definitely the most well-adjusted (however liberal that term might be applied).
Heaphustus is obviously the safest. Considering that he's not ij the Season, it's most likely that he cut contact with his family after Olympus fell and simply refuses to be seen or hear anything from them. Heaphustus went from someone who did as he was told and behaved as he was expected and in the end he managed he escape his toxic family and cut contact. If we follow the myths again, he most likely married Algaia. One of the graces.
So, how does Hades prepetuate this cycle? Simply really, he funds the Season. The Season is the tool that Zues uses to control Artemis, Apollo and Hermes. And, to some extent, Ares. Sure, the Season benefits them all by providing them the worshipped they need, but it is also a tool of control. It can be argued that Hades helps Apollo hid from Zues later on (according to one short), but it doesn't change the fact that Hades, weather through manipulation by Zues or not, funded the Season.
Hermes telling Apollo to ask Zues for help is either a selfless act coming from a good place or a desperate act hoping that he wouldn't end up alone again after Athena abandoned him. This is really a fine line and depends on weather or not Hermes anticipated that Apollo would fall for Zues' tricks. Which, I think he did. Hermes and Apollo are really close even during Olympus. There was no way that Hermes did not anticipate that Apollo would fall for Zues' tricks. While this is a selfish act, it's good to point the desperation Hermes felt from that and the possible guilt he feels after the fact. Hermes was left behind in a toxic household and did what je believed he had to do in order to survive that house. Even if it meant dragging his siblings down with him. Dionysus can also be described as a tool of control when it comes to Apollo.
Speaking of Apollo, let's go back to the twins for a second and answer the question of how does all of this affect the twins' relationship? Hardly. This al hardly changes the relationship between the twins. The twins have each other's back and are there for one and another. However, considering that Artemis was previously distant from all of this, it can be easy to assume that her relationship with Apollo might be a bit strained. Not all the time. Not always. But, sometimes, in her worst moments she will blame Apollo for his rash decisions. However, I doubt their relationship would change much.
Ares is effectively disowned in the Season. He's the blacksheep. He's the one who's blamed for everything. Some of it is founded and others not as much. Ares is under the control of his father yet in a safe space. Ares is floating in the in-between. He's in a position to protect those he cares about from his parents (i.e . the Underworld gang, CTT and Dite). Yet, he can't exactly take all the pressure off of them. For someone who's always fought against his parents he's most likely finding all this strange and very anxiety-inducing. The thought of his parents hurting his loved ones and his inability to help them are the thoughts that plague his nightmares. Yet, he knows he's far enough away. He only sees his parents once a week every year. For the Season.
In conclusion, the sibling dynamics in this series however briefly explored are some of the most complex and nuanced relationships. Their dynamics are not only your average sibling dynamic, but it's also plagued with doubt, anxiety and a feeling of abandonment. It's plagued by their dysfunctional homes, their own individual personalities and doubts and the manipulation of their father.
(I really love those siblings.)