Krypton Review: ‘In Zod We Trust’ S02E06

After recent events, resulting in a main characters death, tears are being shed in episode 6 of Krypton season2, ‘In Zod We Trust’.  This review contains SPOILERS!

It was only a matter time before they broke out the ‘In God we trust’ reference, but thematically I’m not entirely sure it’s apt for this episode.  Across the board the story this time has less to do with the people and their reaction to Zod (Colin Salmon), but more to do with our protagonists internal struggles, on all sides.  Of course, there is the reference to the attempt to show the people the full horror of Zod, but in real terms this episode would more suitably be entitled ‘In Val El we trust’.

This is predominantly because the actions of Jax (Hannah Waddingham) shock the rebels so much that they are swayed by a stirring speech from Val (Ian McElhinney) and turn against her.  Surely they should have seen her actions coming?  It’s hardly out of character for her.  What’s strange about this plotline is that we’re supposed to see Jax’s actions as barbaric and unhinged, while Val is the sensible, moralistic viewpoint.  By the end of the episode though, he takes an action that is more like Jax, which is deemed by the show to be more determined and resolute.  There’s a discrepancy there, which jarred a bit.

Elsewhere, we see the aftermath of Lyta’s (Georgina Campbell) death as it affects those who loved her, Seg (Cameron Cuffe), Jayna (Ann Ogbomo), and Dev (Aaron Pierre).  This is played pretty well and is handled sensitively and believably.  The only thing that undercut it for me is that nagging feeling that Lyta’s death will prove short lived in one way or another and there won’t be the long term consequences to deal with.  It is only a matter of time before a clone appears, or we learn of some masterstroke of deception.

Into this mix comes Nyssa (Wallis Day), who continues to thread the eye of the needle, morally, while trying to get her son back.  As ever, people underestimate her, to their cost, and she successfully reunites with both her son and Seg.  This plotline, again, seems the most coherent, with the least posturing, unlike the majority of the Val/Zod/Jax stuff.  Yes, there is some posturing in there from Zod, but the focus seems to be more on the struggle within Nyssa whenever she’s on screen.

Running through all this episode, we also have the Seg and Brainiac (Blake Ritson) show, which works surprisingly well.  Unlike some other tv shows where they’ve run this trope, it has been kept fairly sensible; they’ve even dodged the worst bullet this episode, by actually having Seg tell Nyssa what’s going on.  Too many times shows drag this kind of thing out for ages, overdoing the ‘hidden duality’ schtick for episode after episode.  Happily this is nipped in the bud, and hopefully we can move onto something more constructive.

Less successful are the roles of Adam (Shaun Sipos) and Kem (Rasmus Hardiker) this episode, who basically have nothing to do.  With so much upheaval, you’d think they’d readily try to take more of a lead, but instead fall back easily into a supporting position.  This is especially surprising with Adam, as he has insights that none of the others will be able to have.

Despite all the negatives and all the issues that the show has at the moment, there is still potential that is untapped here, so the last few episodes can still turn it around.  What it needs right now is a truly interesting and intriguing twist that will drive it forward.  They have the cast to do it, so let’s hope it happens.