The legend of the Superman takes an interesting turn with SyFy Channel’s Original Series, Krypton. Set 200 years before Superman, Krypton tells the story of Superman’s home planet and the House of El and Kal-El’s grandfather Seg-El. Two episodes in and I’m already skeptical of its longevity. Here is where we are so far. Warning spoilers ahead…
Superman’s great great-grandfather Val-El challenges the corruption that plagues Krypton and is tried for treason and sentenced to death. In doing so, the House of El is stripped of all its privileges and reduced to living in the slums. Fast forward fourteen years and Seg-El prevents a terrorist attack and is rewarded by being allowed to marry Nyssa, the youngest daughter of the Chief Magistrate Daron-Vex, the very man who dishonored the El’s many years ago. Adam Strange later appears to Seg while he is alone with a message to find the Fortress of Solitude.
At the Fortress, Seg finds all of his grandfather’s research that led to his death. After having their house raided, Seg’s mother is arrested and brought before the council. After refusing to give the location of the Fortress, Seg’s parents attack the guards but are killed by Jayna-Zod. Originally Seg does not heed Adam’s warning’s about his future grandson as he plans his revenge on Daron-Vex. Vex tells Seg why he had Val-El killed. As a brilliant scientist, Val was developing a powerful computer system which discovered a “world collector” millions of light years from Krypton. This collector of worlds goes by the name of Brainiac. Hearing this convinces Seg that Adam Strange’s story may have some validity.
Much like Fox’s Gotham series, Krypton begs the question of whether or not the series could survive without the central figure playing a role? With Gotham, it has worked for the most part because the character of Bruce Wayne is prevalent. The same can’t be said for Krypton because the premise behind this series is keep Superman’s future fate as the Man of Steel from being erased. It’s very Terminator like with the Adam Strange character traveling in time to advice Seg-El about the threat Brainiac poses to the future of unborn grandson and the legacy he will have for all mankind.
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
