Krypton season 2, episode 7 review: Zod and Monsters

The origin of Doomsday isn’t the only revelation in the seventh episode of Krypton’s second season, as a key figure in Superman’s life is also revealed.

Things have escalated rather quickly on Krypton. Lyta-Zod (Georgina Campbell) is dead. Jax-Ur (Hannah Waddingham) was kicked out of the rebellion by her mentor, Val-El (Ian McElhinney). Nyssa-Vex (Wallis Day), with the help of Seg-El (Cameron Cuffe), rescued their baby, Cor-Vex. Brainiac (Blake Riston) has camped himself in Seg’s mind and given him super powers. And Adam Strange (Shaun Sipos) is essentially saying, “What am I still doing here?”

Amidst all of this is one loose end–Doomsday. Since last season, he’s been roaming across the icy wastes of Krypton, destroying any unfortunate souls who happen to wander in his path. Well, General Dru-Zod (Colin Salmon) has had enough. Thus at the end of the last episode, he set out to capture Doomsday with the help of his new oversized, Codex-powered gun.

Sure enough, at the beginning of “Zod and Monsters,” Zod actually captures Doomsday single-handed. He’s so proud of his accomplishment, he makes a public announcement on the Kandor broadcast network. And if he can capture Doomsday, there’s no reason Krypton cannot also conquer the galaxy. It’s great propaganda, especially since Jax’s execution of Lyta has also turned the citizens completely against the rebellion.

Granted, Zod has to control Doomsday first. Thus, he has the grey, bone-spiked behemoth undergo somatic reconditioning. And it’s here we learn…

How Doomsday came to be

The promos for this particular episode told viewers it would feature “the secret origin of Doomsday.” “Zod and Monsters” does fulfill that promise, but this doesn’t take up the majority of the episode. Instead, a series of flashbacks produced by Zod’s somatic reconditioning recount Doomsday’s creation. As a framing device, it’s highly effective. That said, as these are meant to be Doomsday’s memories, that pretense is shattered when these flashbacks also show dialogue exchanges he couldn’t have possibly heard.

In any case, Krypton’s version of Doomsday’s origin is surprisingly faithful to the original comics, albeit with some alterations. For starters, this Doomsday started life as one Dax Baron (Staz Nair) during another Kryptonian civil war “1,000 cycles ago.” Apparently, he had a rare genetic anomaly which allows his body to adapt when harmed. Obviously, this makes him an invaluable asset for the war. And wanting to help end the war, Dax volunteered for a dangerous experiment.

The problem is Dax’s mutation only activates upon his death. Thus the “experiment” involved him being killed in a variety of gruesome ways, then brought back to life each time. And this was done over, and over, and over until he finally resembled the Doomsday he is now. As it so happens, the two scientists conducting this “experiment” were members of both the House of El and the House of Zod. Also, Dax, prior becoming Doomsday, had a wife.

It’s the name of Dax’s wife General Zod learns, which may hold the key to his controlling Doomsday. Also, over the course of filing through Doomsday’s memories, Zod sees him as a kindred spirit, someone who’s sacrificed everything for the survival of Krypton. In a wonderfully performed scene, in which Zod and Doomsday are alone, you can hear the pride and admiration in Salmon’s voice. Clearly, this Zod sees Doomsday as the son he never had, and it’s a brilliant take on two of Superman’s greatest enemies.

Adam Strange does nothing…again

Meanwhile, back in the current Kryptonian Civil War, there’s still the matter of those Sagitari troops waiting in the caves on Wegthor. Kem (Rasmus Hardiker) wants to go check them out, and Val gives him the go-ahead. Adam whines because he assumed he’d be in charge of the mission. However, Val patiently, and with gentle sarcasm, explains that unlike Kem, Adam isn’t a Sagatari conscript with six months worth of battlefield experience. Besides, it’s not like Adam can’t volunteer for the mission. He’ll just have follow Kem’s commands.

The search for the Sagatari troops pretty much goes without any major incident. In fact, they decide the join the rebels since Zod, after Lyta’s death, essentially abandoned them where they became exposed to radiation. The real purpose of this subplot is to set up how Kem has actually grown into a capable military officer in his own right. And as much as Adam might complain about who’s in charge, he still defends Kem’s leadership against some disgruntled rebels.

That being said, this is another episode in which Adam comes off looking completely useless. By placing him on Wegthor, it’s completely halted his overall story and purpose on the series. Don’t forget, he came back in time to make sure Superman is born and save Earth from Brainiac. He has, unquestionably, more stakes than any other character. Instead, he’s stuck being a sidekick’s sidekick. No wonder he comes off so annoying. All that can be said is Krypton better start doing something with him soon.

The origin of Jor-El

As far as plot progression goes, the real forward momentum happens with Seg, Nyssa, and Seg’s mental ridealong, Brainiac. Knowing full well Brainiac must not regain control of his Skullship, Seg heads to the Fortress of Solitude to have him removed once and for all. This means the return of the holographic Val, and how McElhinney does an excellent job showing the subtle differences between both characters. There’s a particularly amusing running gag in which the holographic Val learns and appreciates the fine art of sarcasm.

In any case, Brainiac forces Seg to damage the surgical table which would remove the Brainiac nanites wrapping themselves around Seg’s central nervous system. That means Nyssa has to manually do the operation herself. Of course, she’s not sure if she can do it, until Seg reminds her of all the cool stuff she’s done over the season. Yes, it’s another excuse for giving Nyssa more agency, and possibly bringing her and Seg closer together now that Lyta is dead and gone. Needless to say, the operation is a success, thus ending one of the most interesting team-up dynamics of the season.