Seg-El holds the weight of a legacy on his shoulders as he deals with the loss of his parents in Krypton’s second episode

In Krypton’s second episode, Seg (Cameron Cuffe) deals with the loss of his parents and the ever-present knowledge of his legacy. While Adam Strange (Shaun Sipos) and Kem (Rasmus Hardiker) work together, Lyta (Georgina Campell) deals with the pressures of the House of Zod. In order to gain control of her division, Lyta engages in a duel with Quex-Ul. As Lyta gains the upper hand, her opponent begs for mercy to no avail — Lyta snaps the man’s neck, reminding her fellow Kandorians that they are never to ask for mercy.

Related | 5 Reasons to Watch Syfy’s Krypton

Meanwhile, Seg has a very eventful hour. Nyssa (Wallis Day) gives him his parents ashes, breaking the rules, in what turns out to be a play for his trust. Despite her efforts, Seg refuses to join the house of Vex, due to his experience in the fortress. After discovering that his blood activates the fortress, Seg is able to access a projection of his grandfather, who warns him against joining Vex.

The episode is full of action — we learn a lot about the history of well known mythology, as well as exposition into the brand new world the Krypton writers are creating.

Here to discuss Kandor, the fortress, and early favorites, 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

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1. Let’s start with the basics. How familiar are you with the Superman mythology? How is Krypton living up to your expectations so far?

Tasmin (@aspiringkrypto): I know more about the Superman and his current day rather than mythology, if I’m honest. Film-wise the most I learnt was in Man of Steel and also in the comics, and Krypton feels like a direct follow on from this. I love it, and with each episode I’m learning more.

Evarwyn (@Evarwyn): As a lifelong fan of Superman (Richard Donner – Christopher Reeves era & beyond) I’ve always loved seeing Superman on screen and welcomed any incarnation his story would take on. I wasn’t expecting much from Krypton, since Superman, as a character, wasn’t going to be featured. However, Krypton is FAR exceeding my expectations! It’s fun and exciting and I see so much potential. I love that it’s related to Superman, but the story has been so well written that I don’t mind that Superman isn’t the central character! That said, I LOVE the fan service they have peppered all throughout the show so far!

Christina (@Knowngoodgeek): The House of El are my second favorite DC universe family after the Bat family.  I’m more familiar with them then most but not an expert by any means.

Amanda (@oliverbiird): I’m not super familiar with Superman’s mythology in the sense that I know everything, i.e. comics, but I grew up watching Smallville & the animated series Justice League. So far. Krypton is exceeding my expectations. Aesthetically, it gives me Man of Steel vibes.

Haroon (@CinemaCure): I haven’t read much Superman comics but 2013’s Man of Steel made me fall in love with Superman. MOS was written by Goyer and so is Krypton. So far so good!  The visuals & the music has been brilliant so far. The characters are very different from each other and has their own place in the story.

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2. Seg-El and Lyta Zod — Just another Romeo and Juliet story? Or something new and deeper? Are you rooting for them?

Tasmin: I think it’s a development of the whole Romeo and Juliet. There are qualities that are the same – ‘star crossed lovers’, but at the same time, they aren’t anywhere near as lovey dovey as they were. They have a strong bond and both have strong personalities and places within Krypton. And there is also Nyssa Vex thrown into the mix, and Lyta seems unbelievably cool with all of that, I sure wouldn’t be.

Evarwyn: I’m not really into the romance between them. I don’t see them as “Star Crossed Lovers”, I see them as young kids who don’t know each other enough to know they are terrible for one another (we’ve all been there). I heard the rumor Lyta Zod may end up being Jor-El’s mother. In truth, I don’t think she’ll live long enough for that. I’m wondering if Lyta’s fate may be to be killed off as a plot device, either by the end of Season 1 or at some point in Season 2.

Christina: Everyone else is new to him and he doesn’t know them too well yet. That makes her a comfort and reminder of “happier” days. Will that hurt their relationship further down the road? That is the question.

Amanda: Seg-El and Lyta Zod are definitely another Romeo & Juliet story. I’m rooting for them but I’m also rooting him Seg-El and Nyssa-Vex. I’m what you call a multi-shipper.

Haroon: I am rooting for them. There is going to be some twists and turns in their relationship for sure.

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3. We know it’s early, but who’s your favorite character so far? Why?

Tasmin: Lyta Zod, her morals and personality reminds me much of the House of El. I was surprised when I first saw that she was a Zod. But in comparison with her mother it’s nice to see the contrast, although her morals are simple, her character is not. She’s still learning, and has great potential, and she is already so badass – she does what she has to do in order to do the right thing… So she is the one I’m excited to learn more about. I’m really rooting for her.

Evarwyn: FIGHT LIKE EL!!!

Christina: Adam Strange because he is the audience’s connection to a larger DC universe that the show runners are not afraid to hint and tease us with.  That may make him in the future the exposition man, but for now he was the one who encourages Seg to pause his revenge.

Amanda: So far my favorite character is the obvious, Seg-El. I love seeing the dynamic he has with each character and the unrealized responsibility he holds on his shoulders. For favorite scene stealer, I’ll definitely have to give it to Adam Strange.

Haroon: Definitely early but Adam Strange for sure! He’s funny, brave and probably the most relatable character in the show (I know that he is the only human we’ve met so far LOL).
And most importantly, Adam is a big deal in ‘Planet Detroit’!

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4. What do you think of the decision to kill Seg’s parents right away? Too Batman-y? Or the perfect beginning to this story?

Tasmin: I feel like I would have wanted to know more about them, seeing as they are also a part of the Superman legacy. But, I feel like it really kicked the series into motion, you know they aren’t messing around now. But… there are times that I feel like Seg-El’s response to it, is VERY Batman like. Almost like a moody teenager who doesn’t want or won’t get help from anyone. But that seems to be easing off for now.

Evarwyn: I actually didn’t see it coming and it was a VERY emotional moment for me when it did! It galvanised my support for Seg-El, and I just want to see him succeed that much more, now.

Christina: Batman in most of his origin stories goes after the man who directly killed his parents.  With Seg he avoids going after Mother Zod and focuses on Vex, which shows he is still mindful of his feeling for Lyta. I’d say it’ll probably set up some interesting plot twist emotionally for Lyta, Nyssa and Seg in the future.

Amanda: I personally didn’t like it, but it was bound to happen. It definitely gives depth to Seg’s determination to make his House proud.

Haroon: I have to admit that his parents death went fast. But it’s definitely the right thing for the show. It kick started Seg’s place in the story.

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5. Krypton isn’t just a story about Superman’s ancestry, it’s also an origin story for many aspects of the mythos (such as the phantom zone and the fortress.) What’s the most interesting thing we’ve learned so far?

Tasmin: The story of the gods – I thought Rao was the only god, but there are multiple. Rao was the one who saw wasted potential so created the starts and the planets. Its nice to see that although they are godlike themselves, they still look up to one being, as a majority of people do here. I also love the Duelling introduced by Jo-Mon, that has a great mythology.

Evarwyn: The Phantom Zone drop was a bit of a disappointment for me, since I grew up knowing that Jor-El was always the one to have first discovered it. So, I found that to be an interesting change in the mythos – and I hope it serves the plot in some way. I find all of the bits of Kryptonian history great. We learned a bit about the Old Gods, and a bit about how the Warrior’s Guild sorts out leadership roles and disputes. Very barbaric, and as such, I wasn’t expecting a piece of the “Late Stage” Kryptonian culture to espouse such practices. Fascinating!!

Christina: I like the mention of the Zeta Beam, going back to why I like Adam Strange, connects this show to a greater universe. It’s unpredictability will probably play a role in some major plot and character reveals.

Amanda: I’ve learned that computers exist on Krypton, jk. I learned that Kryptonians went from worshiping multiple gods to one, but with multiple faces??

Haroon: The different ‘Houses of Krypton’ has got me intrigued.

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6. What do you make of Lyta’s total lack of mercy? If she was able to snap a man’s neck this early on, where do you think her character is headed?

Tasmin: I think she did what she had to do, in order to do the right thing. It very much reminds me of Man of Steel, when Superman kills Zod. She had to make a sacrifice of his life in order to save hundreds more. I don’t think she killed him coldly, she had a great reason behind it and he was about to unlawfully kill the unranked with no mercy. He deserved it. I think she is headed for greatness, she has the spirit and morals of House El, but the name of Zod. I want to see where her character is going.

Evarwyn: Lyta Zod is merciful – to those who are not her enemy. Namely, the rankless.
However, she has learned that her job as a warrior MUST be to remain merciless with her foes.
Honestly, she can be written with honor or be written as a rising military dictator. Either would fit at this point and would be anyone’s guess. I see the show playing off of the audience’s natural distrust for the name Zod (Due to the future General Zod’s betrayal of the Kryptonian council and blood lust of Superman), but I think ultimately the show will give the House of Zod a position of honor on the show, and in the hearts of the audience, simply to establish the honorable name General Zod was born with and flip those villainous expectations the audience has of them.

Christina: I’m going to compare her to Oliver Queen in Arrow, who also in the first few episodes snapped someone’s neck. She can be given a greater redemption story and I feel like that is where the show is heading. She is not as cold as her mother, we’ve seen that. She however will kill to get her point across.

Amanda: If she was that brave to snap a guy’s neck in only the second episode, I for sure do NOT want to mess with her ever. Then again I do not want to mess with anyone from the House of Zod.

Haroon: Lyta wants to be the commander for a reason. You can snap a man’s neck and still go ahead and become the world’s greatest superhero, so I am not worried at all. By being the commander, I think Lyta is trying her best to help Seg.

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7. What do you think of The Voice of Rao? Creepy, right?

Tasmin: Definitely! I think it’s also because you never see his face too, that adds to the creepiness… although, I feel that he is up to something and I want to know what it is! Seems like a supporting villain at the moment, but I’m sure something will come of that.

Evarwyn: I hide behind my couch when I see him.

….Don’t you dare judge me.

Christina: He is a mystery and he seems to have his own agenda different then the house of Vex. I was actually expecting a Bane like voice, and was slightly disappointed. No sound of cybernetics to hint that he is a Braniac plant either.

Amanda: Yes, The Voice of Rao is definitely creepy.

Haroon: That’s exactly what I have been saying since the pilot aired! That dude doesn’t speak much and is creepy as hell. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is part of the twist at the end of the season.Anyway, can’t wait for Episode 3 and hopefully we see Brainiac in Action!!

Despite being only two episodes in, we are already deeply invested in the storylines surrounding our new favorite Kryptonians — and, a certain strange earthling!

Although the show is called Krypton, it seems Adam Strange, the show’s only human, is the early favorite. Fans are also loving Lyta-Zod, and are quick to defend her seemingly merciless actions — it seems we may actually have a trustworthy Zod on Krypton, something that Superman fans haven’t really seen before. And of course, the audience adores Seg-El himself, a now orphaned young man with the weight of a literal planet on his shoulders. All the pieces are in place for a season of political turmoil, emotional heartbreak, and geeky sci-fi fun.

If there’s any complaints we have about Krypton so far, it’s the utter creepiness of The Voice of Rao. Somehow, the fact that his voice doesn’t quite match the omniscient creepiness of his mask makes him even more mysterious and terrifying.

Krypton is an ambitious show — it’s not easy to make a prequel show about previously unknown characters — but so far, SYFY is totally nailing it. Here at TV After Dark, we are all in on Krypton.

Krypton airs Wednesday, April 4th at 9/8c on SYFY.