Krypton season 2, episode 3 review: Will to Power

A mental battle between Seg-El and Brainiac is the central conflict, while the civil war on Krypton escalates, as does the drama within the House of Zod.

On Krypton, the rebellion against General Dru-Zod (Colin Salmon), lead by Superman’s great-great-grandfather, Val-El (Ian McElhinney) is ready and mobilized on the moon of Segthor. Unbeknownst to them, however, is a mole in the form of Superman’s grandmother, Nyssa-Vex (Wallis Day). She’s been forced to spy for Zod, as her infant son is now being held in the care of Zod’s future mom, Lyta (Georgina Campbell). Lyta’s own mom, Jayna-Zod (Ann Ogbomo) is somewhere in the Outlands and reunited with her would-be son-in-law Dev-Em (Aaron Pierre).

And what about Superman’s granddad, Seg-El (Cameron Cuffe)? He and his time-travelling Earth buddy, Adam Strange (Shaun Sipos) are having a load of fun running for their lives from the crazy intergalactic bounty hunter, Lobo (Emmett J. Scanlan). As if this couldn’t get any worse, Seg is also the new organic host for Brainiac (Blake Riston). After all, Krypton can’t be all about a family soap opera in space, can it? And for its third episode of the season, “Will to Power,” we get a nice mixture of that soap opera melodrama with some sci-fi goofiness.

Head Games

Most science fiction series would usually drag out the “two minds in one body” subplot (I’m looking at you Farscape and Battlestar Galactica). To Krypton’s credit, it resolves such issues lightning quick before moving on to the next obstacle for their protagonists. How then does Seg purge Brainiac from his mind, then? Apparently, along with Brainiacs powers, Seg can get access to Brainiac’s memories, and he discovers that on Colu, there’s a hidden terminal allowing for Brainiac to be uploaded into the planet’s supercomputer.

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Unfortunately, Brainiac can also access Seg’s memories. And if you have a super villain in your brain, that’s bound to lead to a lot of “internal monologue” on the “mindscape.” In this case, the inside of Seg’s head looks a lot like the Fortress of Solitude with green backlighting. But this reused set design allows for some wonderfully delicious evil pontificating from Riston’s Brainiac, once again showing why this is the best of this Superman nemesis in any non-comic book medium. Also, for an emotionless living computer, he certainly takes delight in mentally torturing Seg, especially by projecting himself as Lyta.

Yes, this confirms Seg is still very much in love with Lyta, which makes sense as he’s General Zod’s father. Not to mention he did see a vision of Zod strangling Lyta, so of course, he’s desperate to get back to her. Even though Seg is eventually able to resist and overcome Brainiac, that he almost seemed willing to stay with “Lyta” isn’t exactly an encouraging sign given what she’s become since her son’s takeover.

Outside of Seg’s Brainiac-possessed mind, we see Adam’s usual antics along with some black comedy in the form of Lobo. In this case, some gruesome displays of the Main Man’s regenerative powers when he tries breaking through the terminal’s force field. Props to the special effects and CGI team on this episode, particularly the moment in where a still healing Lobo proceeds to chase Adam on his hands. And, of course, Emmett J. Scanlan knocks it out of the park. Here’s hoping he comes back later in the season.

Zod family matters

Meanwhile back on Krypton, Lyta’s still determined to lead the assault against the rebels on Segthor despite her son’s strong objections. One would think that all Zod would have to do is remind his mom that, because he technically hasn’t been born yet, he’ll cease to exist if she gets herself killed. Instead, he essentially tells Lyta that he’s already seen her die once, and he can’t live through that again.

According to Zod, when Brainiac stole the city of Kandor in the original timeline, Lyta, overcome with grief over the loss of the city and Seg, fell into a deep depression and, eventually, “lost the will to live.” No wonder Zod grew up into the zealot that he is; the clear subtext is that everything he’s done has been all about trying to restore “honor” to his house because of Lyta’s “dishonor.” Of course, Lyta insists she not and could never be that woman, and Zod ultimately allows her to lead the assault on Segthor. They even have a heartwarming hug, which somehow still looks ominous thanks to Salmon’s intense-looking eyes.

Jayna’ undergoing her own family turmoil during her reunion with Dev. The former head of the Kryptonian army isn’t just a wanted fugitive, he’s also a disillusioned drunk. It also shows just how out of the loop Jayna’s mom is when she thinks killing General Zod will actually help bring her daughter and Dev back together. However, a later scene between them hints at the possibility of a romance developing between Jayna and Dev. Told you Krypton was a soap opera.

How Kryptonians go deep undercover

As for Nyssa, her role as Zod’s double agent is still going according to plan. With the rebels having successfully raided a supply convoy containing “oxygenators,” Val has her complete trust. He even relaxes the guard on her, which makes Nyssa feel even more guilty. They even have a terrifically acted chat about Seg, how proud he would be of her, and how she’s proven to be nothing like her despot of a father. Leave to McElhinney making Val sound like the wise old sage that he is to unintentionally slather on more guilt for his would-be granddaughter-in-law extra-thick.

We also learn some more about Nyssa’s relationship history, as one of her former lovers just so happens to be part of the rebellion. After a little seduction, Nyssa is able to steal from her the rebellions plans to wage an assault on the space elevator connecting Krypton and Segthor. Seems the plan involves those same oxygenators stolen from the convey Nyssa gave Val the intel about. Whatever he’s planning according to the holographic display Nyssa’s reading, it has her horrified.

Of course, it’s not like anyone we know will be part of the Sagitari coming to Segthor through that space elevator. Wait? Isn’t that Seg’s best friend, Kem (Rasmus Hardiker)? Yes, it seems during the last six months, he’s been conscripted into the Kryptonian army, and is looking for some action. Looks like the show is setting up a scenario where there are heroic people on both sides who will become potential casualties.

Next. Krypton season 2, episode 2 review: Ghost in the Fire. dark

Yet as the episode ends, Seg and Adam have returned to Krypton via Zeta Beam right outside of Kandor. Granted, Kandor is still several miles in the distance and they’re in the middle of a snowy wasteland. Also, Adam had to do emergency chest compressions on Seg. Still, it looks like they have a chance to stop the slaughter before it begins. Then again, what kind of show would this be if something tragic didn’t happen in the fourth episode?

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