Superman Homepage writer Michael J. Petty reviews episodes from the “Krypton” TV series, airing on SYFY.
Check out his review of the 2nd episode of Season 2 in which Adam Strange and Seg evade a bounty hunter, while General Zod uses Nyssa to further his cause.
Originally Aired: June 19, 2019
WRITTEN BY: Kiersten Van Horne
DIRECTED BY: Marc Roskin
REGULAR CAST:
Cameron Cuffe as Seg-El
Shaun Sipos as Adam Strange
Georgina Campbell as Lyta-Zod
Aaron Pierre as Dev-Em
Wallis Day as Nyssa-Vex
Ann Ogbomo as Jayna-Zod
Blake Ritson as Brainiac/Voice of Rao
Ian McElhinney as Val-El
Colin Salmon as General Dru-Zod
Hannah Waddingham as Jax-Ur
Rating – 4 (out of 5): Krypton continues its momentum this week, further expanding the world of Krypton. The most notable event this week might be that Seg-El, now infected by Brainiac, has superpowers. Initially, my thought was that Culu is under a yellow sun and thus Seg would have the same powers as Superman, yet we were soon proven wrong as telekinesis, telepathy, and super-intelligence were quickly added to the roster. It became clear very quickly that Brainiac is in fact inside of Seg-El (and Lobo, in true Lobo fashion, makes a point to make it weird).
Immediately I spot similarities between Seg’s new parasite and the Lex Luthor/Brainiac arc from Justice League Unlimited. In that series, Lex began developing powers throughout the course of the season until Brainiac finally revealed himself and took over. It seems as if Krypton is taking a similar route, albeit at a quicker pace. Seg’s eyes have already begun to turn black and his calculations are clear that he only has a small window of time left before the 12th level intellect takes control. Either Seg and Adam will have to pull Brainiac out somehow (maybe getting by getting back into the Phantom Zone?) or Brainiac will end up taking over Seg’s body for a while (ala Chloe on Smallville).
In any event, things could be going better for Seg and Adam. Especially with Lobo on their tail.
Speaking of Lobo, I’ve been very impressed with him so far. He feels like a character ripped right out of the Superman comic books and, although I was a little worried about how the writers would use him this season, he has been a faithful adaption thus far. I’m certainly intrigued to see what they do with him next and I’m still laughing at Adam’s KISS Army comment from last week… Classic.
On the other side of the galaxy, Nyssa is returned to Wegthor and makes it clear to Jax-Ur and Val-El that she is, in fact, Dru-Zod’s spy. I’m glad that Zod is the one she *seems* to be playing at this point as opposed to the Resistance (though she’s certainly using them too, after all her son is her priority). We’ve seen Nyssa as the villain, we’ve seen her as the power-hungry daughter or an even more power-hungry man, but as I mentioned last week, I think she’s so much more than that. She has a lot of heroic potential and it would be a shame if they wasted it by having her double-cross Val-El and company. Especially since the Resistance is a cause she does believe in.
That being said, there is still a level of deception on her end that will end up biting Jax-Ur and the rest of the Resistance in the butt when all is said-and-done (and will probably hurt her as well). It’s clear that General Zod is doing what he can to wipe them out swiftly.
We also catch up with Jayna-Zod this week in the Outlands where after traveling with the “ghost” of her brother, we hear the story of the Flamebird. I can only hope that Nightwing is on the way. Again, like I said numerous times last season, the world building possibilities for this series are endless and the inclusion of Nightwing and Flamebird, whether as Krypton’s heroes/vigilantes or as super-powered entities, is something that would be foolish to pass up.
Lastly, Zod gives Cor-Vex to Lyta after she nearly beats a man to death for looking like Seg, which was clearly a well-thought-out decision. Lyta’s rage is going to get the best of her, sooner than later, and when Seg does return to Krypton and inevitably expose Dru-Zod, how she responds is going to be incredibly interesting. Her bond with young Cor-Vex will similarly prove compelling because Cor still has a mother out there, fighting to get him back. My hope is that this fight won’t end with Nyssa’s death and Lyta raising her son, but it is certainly a possibility. Probably a strong one.
Again, this season of Krypton has proven exciting so far and will no doubt continue to thrill as the summer continues.
Check out the “Krypton – Episode Reviews” Contents page.
