Category: Krypton

There’s a huge reveal this week which is the major story running through the episode. As much as I like to keep some things as a surprise in my reviews there’s no avoiding this … LYTA IS ALIVE!!!

In his plight to take control over Doomsday, Dru Zod decides to force him into an alternate reality using a little something called black mercy. There’s only one problem … it’s currently stuck down the throat of its current host, Lyta. That’s right people! Dru had cloned Lyta and reconditioned her mind so he could control her. That was the Lyta we saw killed. The real Lyta has been living in another reality, in a picturesque part of Krypton where she’s married (or bound) to Seg. Everything is perfect there until, in the real world, Dru begins picking away at the black mercy to implant in Doomsday.

Lyta regains consciousness and breaks free. Her reunion with Jayna and Dev are lovely to watch but it’s when she is back in the arms of Seg that you get goosebumps. They kiss. A lot. And I couldn’t help thinking that maybe she should have taken the courtesy to brush her teeth first after having that nasty black stuff hanging out her mouth for months.

When Dru realised what has happened he shows some anger for the first time – and coming from a man who has been controlled and in control all this time, it was very telling.

There was a lot of action this week which plays out fab. In particular the scene between Lyta and her son battling as he tries to take her mind was brilliant. In this episode we see a union between different houses really cementing. All families who previously were at loggerheads are coming together to fight the common cause – Dru Zod. Everything has gone his way so far but it looks like that’s about to change.

I think this was my favourite episode so far.

We got some Kryptonian history as we travel back 1000 cycles to a time where the Els and Zods are working together to protect and preserve Krypton. Zod’s new pal – the beast from the outlands – memories show how as a mere human, his advanced genetic make up resulted in him being tested on and ending up taking on the extreme form we see him in now. I think that was 455 rounds of tests at my last count. I like that the show did this for the viewers. Some context behind the monster is great, not just for us, but for Dru Zod too as he eventually figures out it’s trigger.

Kem leads a new mission and Adam’s nose is put a little out of joint as he doesn’t understand why Val wouldn’t have chosen him as leader. Adam makes things quite difficult for Kem until he realises that he really was the man for the job. Who knew the barman would be such a great freedom fighter!

The most exciting part of this episode happens when Nyssa helps Seg get back to the fortress of solitude in the hope that they can eradicate Brainiac from his mind. With the holographic version of Val, their mission is a success and as Seg holds his son for the first time as his own true self a huge moment in Kryptonian history takes place. Kor-Vex is renamed Jor-El with an echo of some very familiar music playing out in celebration. There’s an extra little moment of excitement from Seg too.

Brainiac isn’t named Brainiac for no reason. He ain’t stupid!!! While Seg and co celebrate they quickly learn that they’ve fallen into a trap, worse than if Seg had just done what Brainiac had asked!

There’s a lot going on this week and it’s all in reaction to Lyta’s death at the hands of Jax. I kind of expected to watch this episode to find out Lyta was still alive really. But no. She’s very much dead. Whilst everyone is deeply upset about her death the show must go on and there’s plenty of scheming, plotting and planning throughout the episode.

Nyssa is on her way back to Kandor and is in position of the codex which Dru sent her to get. They tango throughout their interactions passing the upper hand to each other from one minute to the next. Regaining custody of her son is at the forefront of Nyssa’s mind and once she has Cor there’s no stopping her. Dru is becoming even more ruthless and he confirms this when he congratulates Jax for killing the only person who could appeal to his better nature. He demands that Val hands Jax over to him or destruction will be forced upon Wegthor. His discovery of Doomsday’s whereabouts is also a bad sign for everyone. Jax faces a rebellion of her own as the people of the resistance turn their backs on her, lead by Val. In front of them she shows no remorse but when captured and alone in the company of only Araame she admits that she wishes she didn’t have to do what she did.

The most interesting thing for me over the past few episodes has been watching Seg gradually lowering his shield against Brainiac. Events really have placed Seg in the palm of Brainiac’s hand and Seg is talked into taking him back to his ship. Brainiac promises to help him in return and to leave Krypton without destroying it. Can he be trusted? Doubtful!

This really was a great episode and I must applaud the cast on some great performances. Jayna’s reaction to her daughter’s death was wholly realistic as she spent most of the episode in silence, almost unable to react up until a bug outburst at the end. Nyssa seemed to have lost her way at the start of the season but we are beginning to see the true side to her which we saw last season. Whilst extremely sad, Lyta’s death appears to be the catalyst things needed and we are working up to a huge face off between Seg and Dru.