In this week’s Krypton, Adam Strange makes a dangerous decision for the future of Kandor! Seg-El and his allies attempt to survive being hunted by Brainiac!
Krypton 1×07, “Transformation,” is jam packed with changing character alliances, interesting character developments, and delivers on multiple levels.
We discover that Adam Strange (Shaun Sipos) does not think too highly of himself and because of this, he wants to do something big, like save Superman, and to be recognized as a hero. In the end, after a heart-to-fortress chat with Val-El (Ian McElhinney), he decides to change his mission. He is now determined to kill General Zod and allow Kandor to be taken by Brainiac.
Daron-Vex (Elliot Cowan) shows cowardice as he grovels on his knees in front of the now revealed Brainiac (Blake Ritson). He is ordered to reveal the names of those who were part of the coup and execute his own daughter. Will his ambitions keep him alive or ultimately doom him to death by Brainiac?
Seg-El (Cameron Cuffe) and Lyta-Zod (Georgina Campbell) discover that Jayna-Zod (Ann Ogbomo) and Nyssa-Vex (Wallis Day) are being accused of treason to the Voice of Rao. Seg, believing no person, not even a Vex, should be executed, goes to help Nyssa. Lyta is unhappy that Seg decides to save his betrothed instead of helping her and goes to find her mother. Both are successful in their endeavors. Unfortunately Dev-Em (Aaron Pierre) is under the control of Brainiac and Lyta has no choice but to shoot him to save her mother.
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At the end of the episode, Brainiac proves that Seg-El’s faith in the people to rise up was misguided and naive. The question is, what will Seg-El and his allies do next to stop the inevitable destruction of Kandor and eventually Krypton? The plot thickens and the pieces are put in place for the last 3 episodes of Krypton to be filled with more plot twists and fantastic world building we have learned to expect from this show.
Adam Strange wants to prevent timeline from changing but he also is determined to kill General Zod. Seg-El knows all his allies including himself are not innocent any longer, but they are determined to save Kando no matter what. Let’s meet our roundtable for “Transformation!”
Josue (@josue_can) – Lifelong fan of Superman. Lover of Movies and Shows. Time Travel enthusiast.
Haroon (@CinemaCure) – Founder of Cinema Cure, Batman-Eminem fan, addicted to movies and shows that inspire me
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!
Alex (@CmndrLex) – House of El supporter, Lena Luthor apologist, and overall consumer of geek media.
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!)
1. Adam “No Nickname” Strange name dropped Justice League, and wants to be recognized by them. Would they approve of what he is doing now? Is he right in wanting to keep the timeline the same or is he wrong for wanting to let Brainiac win?
Josue (@josue_can): I do think the Justice League would approve of what he’s doing given Superman’s importance to the world. I do think he’s right to want to maintain the timeline and that again goes to how important Superman is. However, he is wrong for wanting to let Brainiac win because of the number of Kryptonian lives are at stake and also because whether he realizes it or not, it could still very well change the course of history not only for Krypton but also for Earth.
Haroon (@CinemaCure): I think the League will approve of what he is doing now but he is definitely wrong for wanting to keep the timeline same. Adam is obsessed with Superman and I think saving Krypton is more important
Evarwyn (@Evarwyn): The JLA is made up of heroes, but they are individuals. I’m sure, among them, they would agree that Brainiac is the ultimate threat, but even they would probably disagree on exactly the right steps. Morality is always subjective and this is a fantastic instance where you can say that Strange is right to keep the timeline straight and let Kandor fall. It’s also equally right for Seg and company to totally disagree, not care about the timeline and the larger picture, and fight for “Hearth and Home” - in their moral perspective.
Alex (@CmndrLex): I think JL would be all for maintaining the timeline. It’s a topic that I feel is addressed often and it tends to be the primary directive, no matter how hard the choice. I think he would be right in maintaining the timeline, for HIMSELF, but I don’t agree with the decision, for the sake of Krypton. I think he’s thinking too small and should help the Kryptonians save their planet. He’s interfered enough, why NOT save Krypton.
Amanda (@oliverbiird): This question confuses me because I’m honestly not sure what JL would think, maybe they would be divided. Some of them would be on Adam’s side to make sure Superman becomes Earth’s greatest hero of all time, while the other half would be on Superman’s side and want Superman to know of his home planet & his parents, etc. After all, Superman legacy is bittersweet.
2. Nyssa-Vex is a complicated woman with many facets to her. She showed vulnerability and a willingness to admit her faults. Do you trust her? Will she betray Seg and the Zods?
Josue: I have not trusted Nysaa-Vex through the course of the series. Until now. This episode made me believe that she can be trusted. She seems far too put together in order to let any jealousy of Lyta and Lyta’s relationship with Seg to take over. Especially with the fate of her world hanging in the balance.
Haroon: I absolutely trust Nyssa-Vex. She is one of the most unique and well written characters ever in TV and Im looking forward to more of Nyssa.
Evarwyn: Right now, Nyssa is an outlaw and wanted for her role in plotting to kill the leader of their civilization. Nothing binds people together like necessity, and she needs Seg and the Zods in order to survive. So, until the Status Quo changes, I believe Nyssa can be trusted. I’m sure that’ll change in time.
Alex: I feel like a broken record sometimes but, I ADORE Nyssa-Vex but I don’t trust her. Up until now, I had been certain in the likelihood of betraying everyone and looking out for herself first and foremost. However, her speech to Seg about not having expected anyone to have her back like that gave me hope she’ll at least consider sticking it out with our group. Plus, there’s some very interesting theories going around about her past now, which I’m excited to see more of.
Amanda: I trust Nyssa 100%, she seems authentic compared to her father who lies like there’s no tomorrow. I doubt she’ll betray Seg or the Zods (she might want to but she cares for Seg too much to ruin it). She doesn’t want to be anything like her father, she wants to change the way people see the House of Vex and their family legacy.
3. Daron-Vex: Is he still scheming to try and overthrow Brainiac? Or will he fail one too many times and be a casualty of this invasion?
Josue: Daron-Vex only cares about one person. Himself. That was made evident by throwing Nyssa under the bus. I think that’ll be his downfall and he will be a casualty of Brainiac’s invasion.
Haroon: He can’t and won’t overthrow Brainiac. He knows that Brainiac can’t be stopped and hence he will serve Brainiac.
Evarwyn: Brainiac went through great lengths to show the audience that he knows when someone is lying to him. I think Daron-Vex’s true colors are coming out here, and he doesn’t intend to betray Brainiac, out of fear of losing his own life. At the end of the day, Daron is looking out for Number One here, and his back is against a wall. Daron wont last much longer.
Alex: Daron-Vex is a coward. I don’t think he’s capable of even attempting to take on Brainiac. I’m certain he’ll keep trying to suck up, and end up getting himself killed.
Amanda: I think Daron will 100% fail and be a casualty of invasion. He’s wasting his time and wasting everybody else’s time. I wish he would just die already.
4. Dru-Zod seemed to trust Seg as much as his mother does. This is completely opposite of what the audience knows of Dru-Zod, a person who came to Earth with the purpose of wiping out the last son of the House of El. With this new revelation, do you now trust him?
Josue: Throughout the course of the Superman mythos, Zod has hardly shown himself to be a trustworthy person and I can’t see that being any different here, so no, I don’t trust him. I think he has his own reasons to do what he’s doing now.
Haroon: His motivation is to save Krypton no matter what. He wanted to kill Kal because he chose the humans over Krypton. I think he will do anything to protect and save Krypton.
Evarwyn: In case I didn’t make this clear enough in last week’s round table…I’ll make a second attempt, here today: ABSOLUTELY NOT!
Alex: I don’t trust him at all. I’m convinced he’s playing a long con. Jayna seems to not trust him either, and I trust momma Zod. I do think he’s touched by being around his family like this, but I think he’s got his purpose, and is dedicated to taking down Kal-El.
Amanda: I don’t trust Dru-Zod, I still think he’s up the something but I don’t want to jinx it..
5. Do you think Dru-Zod is telling the truth about his knowledge of his father’s identity? Do you want to learn the identity of Dru-Zod’s father?
Josue: I’d say no about Dru-Zod knowing the truth of his father’s identity. If he knows his father’s identity, why not just come out with it? I would love learn to his father’s identity just to see what impact it his on Lyta as well as Seg.
Haroon: He is definitely lying. It’s going to be a huge twist at the end of the season.
Evarwyn: That look from Lyta’s mother said it all: “He may or may not be telling the truth. Right now, there is no way to know, and right now…we have bigger brains to fry.” Spot on, and perfect. An amazing wink and nod to the audience that General Zod is likely lying. Honestly, I think he’s full of it. I think he does know the identity and just isn’t saying anything.
Alex: I feel he’s definitely keeping secrets. I would LOVE to know who Dru-Zod’s second parent is, especially considering some recent points regarding sexuality and their awesome kryptonian genesis chamber. I had expected it to be Dev-Em. I’m a bit heartbroken at the loss.
Amanda: I think he’s telling the truth. I really don’t want to know who the father is, because if I think I know who it is I’ll just upset my stomach.
6. With the events of this episode unfolding, do you think the timeline has changed in the future yet?
Josue: Instinctively, I want to say that the timeline hasn’t changed yet and the reason is because of Kal-El’s cape still being in Val-El’s Fortress. I believe if it had changed, it would cease to exist.
Haroon: Not yet.
Evarwyn: I honestly don’t think there is much that can be done to change history here, except a few things: 1. Kandor is saved and Brainiac leaves Krypton 2. Brainiac dies 3. Seg dies. Any other major change in the status quo here doesn’t really threaten how events will unfold. Obviously, if Kandor is saved and Brainiac is beaten, this likely means Krypton is saved and Superman isn’t sent to Earth. Jor-El and then Superman wont be born either if Seg dies. So, when looking at the timeline, the characters and events at this point really wont prevent Superman’s birth or leaving Krypton at all.
Alex: I’m hesitant to say it has, because I feel it would create a paradox erasing Adam and Dru-Zod, but TV doesn’t play it that way. I think some points have changed, and I’d be interested in seeing if we end up seeing them.
Amanda: I don’t think it has changed anything permanently yet.
7. Lyta-Zod’s trust in Seg seems unbreakable. Do you think it will hurt her relationship with her son?
Josue: I do think her relationship with her son will be the thing that breaks her relationship with Seg because if Seg begins to come around to Adam Strange and knows that Zod tries to take over Krypton in the future and relays this to Lyta, it will spell disaster.
Haroon: Probably yeah. Let’s wait and see.
Evarwyn: It’s possible, because General Zod is a “You’re with me, or you’re my enemy” type. However, General Zod isn’t stupid, either. He’s not going to risk his own birth by killing his mother if he truly believes she’s become an enemy to his own intentions. So, in either case, General Zod doesn’t represent a real threat to Lyta or her mother. Seg, on the other hand..
Alex: I think there will certainly be tension further down the line between the different generations of Zod. Jayna already doesn’t trust him. I expect things to heat up as we come closer to the finale!
Amanda: It might definitely hurt her relationship, but I can’t be too certain, I feel she will eventually go against Seg to please her son.
Seg-El has allied with his grandson’s worst enemy, General Zod! Doomsday is revealed and the House of Vex starts a coup!
In this week’s episode of Krypton, “Transformation,” Adam Strange concludes that the only way to redeem himself in his eyes to to kill General Zod and allow Kandor to be taken, setting into motion the events that will eventually allow Kal-El to land on Earth.
Seg-El finds allies in three generations of the House of Zod as well as Nyssa-Vex. Although they don’t seem to trust each other, especially the Vexes and Zods, they decide to work together to try and stop Brainiac. Seg-El believes the people will rise up if they prove Brainiac is a danger to Kandor. Unfortunately for them, Brainiac proves to know exactly what to say to get the people, especially the rankless, to adore and follow him.
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Daron-Vex’s motives are revealed as self-preservation overtakes even his paternal bond with his daughter. He cowardly tells Brainiac the names of those who try to start the coup. He then tries to execute his own daughter for Brainiac. Unlike Dev-Em, who is under Brainiac’s control against his will, Daron does not need to be brainwashed to do the alien’s bidding.
The question now remains, what will Seg and his allies do to defeat Brainiac? How will Adam Strange’s new found determination hinder Seg? Will we see Doomsday truly become the only option the grandfather of Superman has to defeat Brainiac?