Brainiac’s influence on the events in Kandor continues to grow, while Lyta finds herself charged with treason
All is not well on Krypton. In fact, for a show in only its fourth episode, it’s incredible how badly things are already going for, well, pretty much everyone. Lyta (Georgina Campbell) finds herself accused of correspondence with Black Zero (i.e. treason) and Seg (Cameron Cuffe) does not react well. His tendency toward impulsiveness lands him in a sticky situation — tortured, with a literal bug crawling around his actual brain. Ick. Meanwhile, Kem (Rasmus Hardiker) cares for Rhom’s daughter, Ona, in the wake of her destruction by Braniac.
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Nyssa-Vex surprisingly disagrees with her father on something — he wants to execute Lyta, but Nyssa thinks that his solution would only create more problems. It’s hard to say whether Nyssa truly wants equality in Kandor. Is she misguided? Or truly malevolent? While all of this is going on, Doctor Adam Strange is working on the Brainiac problem with Val. In the final moments, a cliffhanger: Ona’s gift to The Voice of Rao busts open, allowing Brainiac to apparently possess the Voice of Rao.
Yikes! There’s a lot to say about this week’s episode, and here to say it is our Krypton roundtable.
Tasmin (@aspiringkrypto) - Superman Superfan and Collector; Writer and Editor at The Aspiring Kryptonian blog
Evarwyn (@Evarwyn) - Owner of Quest Gaming Network, show host of “Elder Scrolls off the Record” and “Quest Gaming: Magic the Gathering” podcasts and life-long Star Wars, X-Files and Superman fan!
Christina (@Knowngoodgeek) - Lover of all things Bat family related and unapologetic DCEU fan.
Amanda (@oliverbiird) - Nonconventional comic book fan (has watched plenty of comic book movies and comic book shows, but has not read a comic book yet!)
Haroon (@CinemaCure) - Founder of Cinema Cure, Batman-Eminem fan, addicted to movies and shows that inspire me
1. Seg was a bit rash and impulsive this week, thinking only of Lyta and not of Krypton as a whole. Are we sensing a pattern here?
Tasmin (@aspiringkrypto): It seems like it… I think it makes him a bit more human-like though, like I said before he isn’t the stand out hero just yet. In most situations people would go miraculous lengths to save and help the people they love rather than the world itself. I think his character and heroism will grow throughout the series.
Evarwyn (@Evarwyn): I believe we are, however, I think it’s also a theme right now with him early in the show. If you watch some of the interviews done with the creators, Seg’s brash and impulsive character traits are intentional, but also supposed to act as a starting point for character evolution. Also, for my Superman comic book fans, Seg’s impulsiveness feels VERY much like The New 52 Superman, in a way. Love it!
Christina (@Knowngoodgeek): Yes, he is again acting just like his grandson. One of the reasons why a Batman, Wonder Woman or Lois with Superman works so well is to balance out his rash actions. Seg going off gung-ho with no idea what he’s doing except final goal of saving Lyta and not caring if he is hurting anyone who gets in his way, totally a house of El thing to do. Bruce, Diana or Lois would talk sense and rational ideas with Clark so he doesn’t barge off without a plan. Unfortunately we don’t have someone like that for Seg (yet), though Adam tried, so Seg is not being pulled back and reasoned with.
Amanda (@oliverbiird): Seg was definitely aggressive, stubborn & impulsive, he did it out of love but still.. He fought a lot in so many scenes….. yikes. I’m starting to sense a pattern for sure.
Haroon (@CinemaCure): I think Seg is trying to do more than just saving Lyta. He obviously cares a lot about Krypton but I think his relationship with Lyta is making him more violent & harsh towards others. When it comes to Lyta, she not only loves Seg but cares about the rankless & is a believer of doing the right thing.
2. Did you like the idea of Kem adopting Ona? Would he have made a good “dad” for her?
Tasmin: I love it! So sweet, I think she is going to be a significant character in the series. Kem seems like a great guy so far, and I think that will brush off on her, or I hope.
Evarwyn: Very much so, and in the vein of character evolution, it was a choice that I think would have made an amazing pivot point for Kem. After that decision, I actually gained far more respect for him! Also, as a side note, can I just say that, in my opinion, this week’s episode has easily been the STRONGEST episode so far and was an absolute joy to watch the various plot twists and personal character evolutions.
Christina: Kem is a complete sweetheart I’d love for them to have a story about him caring for Ona, especially if we get an Uncle Strange and Uncle El out of her eventually. With what happened in the episode I’m fearing she is more Brainiac then Kryptonian but I hope I’m wrong about her fate.
Amanda: I found Kem adopting Ona adorable and redeeming that he did so, it is only right. I wouldn’t say father figure, he’s definitely more of the uncle type.
Haroon: Yes, he would’ve been a great guardian/dad for Ona. He even relates to Ona as he too lost his mother. The scenes involving Ona were well executed and emotional.
3. Is it at all possible that Nyssa truly wants what’s best for Kandor?
Tasmin: She is such a complex character… to me I almost think she plays hard and cold for her father and family name, but I think she has the best intentions at heart, but likes to do it in a cold way. For example, she gave Seg his parents ashes…But was very blunt and hard about it.
Evarwyn: We don’t have much to go on, in regards to Nyssa to truly say what her values and true intentions are. However, I am VERY skeptical of her true motivations. We know that Nyssa is a political animal, through and through. Her actions seem to be motivated by gaining and holding both political influence and power. That said, we did see her, a few times in this episode, seemingly act in spite of her calculations and become motivated by emotion and fear. We’ll see what she has in store for us. Nyssa may end up being a hidden villain or an unexpected hero by the end of this season!
Christina: I think she has believed her father’s idea of a better Krypton for so long that she thinks she is right, and that is the worst type of villain right? Those who think they are doing the right thing.
Amanda: I do believe Nyssa wants what’s best for Kandor. I mean for crying out loud she stood up to her own father.
Haroon: It’s definitely possible but she doesn’t give a shit about the Voice of Rao which makes her stronger from the rest.
4. Did you expect The Voice of Rao’s kindness toward Ona? Is it even kindness, or is there something more at play here?
Tasmin: I didn’t! But, I don’t think its kindness… I think Rao will try to make her a pawn in the game of Krypton. Definitely an underlining plan here, Rao has seemed like that sort of character throughout the series so far and I don’t think that’s about to change.
Evarwyn: I was half expecting the Voice of Rao to smack poor Ona off that pedestal and crush the little toy figure she gave him, to be honest. There was so much tension in that scene for me, I didn’t want to let my guard down, in fear of being horrified if he acted violently toward little Ona. After seeing what happened, however, I do believe that The Voice of Rao was acting out of kindness and generosity, if only to gain favor among the Rankless again - which seemed to have worked if that was his goal.
Christina: I suspect he had ulterior motives for taking in Ona. His disciples seemed surprised when he did this, also I think he knew allowing a child to be killed would not help the Rankless calm down, or trust him.
Amanda: I did not expect Rao to be kind all, I was expecting him to break the doll head in front of her. I definitely thought it was a sweet warm moment though. I appreciated it.
Haroon: At first, when Rao visited the rankless at the start of the episode, Rao was pissed seeing the rankless giving no respect for him. That scene with Ona in the end was perfect. I think all he is trying to do is to win the hearts of the rankless & nothing else.
5. Are you enjoying learning about the culture on Krypton?
Tasmin: I am LOVING it! I know bits anyway from being a Superman fan, but I love hearing more about it and its history. I feel like its something that has been left out or limited throughout Superman’s time in the limelight.
Evarwyn: I am, however one of the criticisms I have at the moment is that there isn’t enough of that Kryptonian culture being shown, likely due to time constraints (they have an extremely ambitious story to tell in 10 episodes, afterall). I’d love to see more of the mundane Krypton, apart from the main plot. Krypton is being portrayed as a dystopian theocracy right now with a 2 class system. Is that actually the case, or is that just in the city of Kandor? What do the ranked and rankless do in their spare time, and what values do they share, how do they differ? How does their culture support their society?
Christina: It is incredibly interesting and seeing it through multiple peoples eyes, both adult, the main character and a child’s perspective is unique too.
Amanda: I’m loving every second of it!
Haroon: Yesss!
6. How permanent do you think Lyta’s situation is? How long will she be imprisoned?
Tasmin: I don’t think it will be for long, you can’t imprison everyones favourite character! She will shine in the end and it will be a test of her character.
Evarwyn: I predicted a few weeks ago on the roundtable that Lyta may not make it past season 1. We’re seeing her life in jeopardy now, however, I don’t think this is going to be it for her. I believe that Lyta’s fate here will be meted out in the next episode, but she may lose her rank and position in the military guild, rather than her life. Her mother may end up breaking her out of prison, or committing some act regarded as treason, to save her daughter, which may result in her mother’s sudden death. We’ll see what happens!
Christina: I have my suspicions that she will be executed (phantom zone) and Seg will go after her in the finale. But that is just conjecture. From next weeks preview it looks as if she is freed by the mysterious not black zero commander.
Amanda: I give her no more than 2 weeks of being imprisioned.
Haroon: I think Lyta will get out in the next episode itself.
7. How about that ending!! Is Brainiac taking over The Voice of Rao? Or is something else going on?
Tasmin: WHAT AN ENDING! I can’t wait to see what happens here. Something is definitely happening and with Brainiac on the loose – it is very likely that it is him. What a cliffhanger!
Evarwyn: Brainiac is absolutely taking over the Voice of Rao, which is sort of a shame, because I’m sure Brainiac is going to disrupt The Voice of Rao’s, obviously strict, ab workout regimen.
Christina: Oh I think it is definitely Brainiac and it leaves more question than answers: Will the voice change (like Rhom’s did) now that he is infected? Will anyone suspect? Will Ona and the other disciples be infected too?
Amanda: That shook me, not gonna lie, I think Brainiac is going to take over Rao for sure!
Haroon: Yes, Brainiac is taking over The Voice of Rao. I was wrong about Rao being a clone of Brainiac since in this episode it looks like Rao has nothing to do with Brainiac until the end. Now that Brainiac has the control of Rao’s body, he can manipulate and destroy Kandor & the entire Krypton until Seg & co find a way to stop him. Also, Brainiac controlling Rao will be good news for Nyssa’s father. This gives him a reason for overthrowing the Voice of Rao
Things… are not going well on Krypton
But, hey, we didn’t sign up for sunshine and rainbows. Krypton is certainly dark, preferring the tone of DC’s cinematic universe over it’s televised one. However, this show occupies a space that is truly reflective of neither. Hardly reminiscent of a comics story at all, Krypton is, as the network suggests, a Sci-fi show through and through.
Our roundtable is loving the show — especially, it seems, the character arcs. Lyta, in particular, has quickly grown a vocal fanbase, and young Ona lit up the screen this week.
As any good science fiction does, Krypton uses a fantastical world to say something about our own. Issues of power, class, and politics are ever present on Krypton, in a way that initiates thoughtful response without overwhelming the narrative.