Krypton Review: Transformation S01E07

Things aren’t going to plan for the conspirators, and there’s a twist in this week’s Krypton, with episode 7: Transformation.  (BEWARE! This review contains SPOILERS!)

It’s all change on Krypton this week, as the conspirators plan fails miserably, despite their best efforts, and things take an intriguing turn.  To be fair to them, the plan was fairly solid, and who are they to know that the Voice of Rao (Blake Ritson) has been taken over by an alien entity?  To make matters worse for them, it not only fails, but ends up with a number of the Sagitari under his direct control, so he now has his own personal army.  What this turn of events does do is provide a great twist for the ongoing plot line and throw various characters together unexpectedly.

At the heart of it all is Daron Vex (Elliot Cowan), who, having been discovered as a conspirator is interrogated by the Voice of Rao/Brainiac’s sentry.  Ever the slimy character hell bent on self-preservation, he gives up all the co-conspirators immediately, including his daughter, despite the fact that he has suggested that all the ‘traitors’ be executed.  If there is a glimmer of paternal thought there, it comes in the form of him asking to be able to execute her himself.  This cowardly politician role is well played by Elliot Cowan, and you do get the sense of a practiced, self-serving politician at work.

KRYPTON — “Transformation” Episode 107 — Pictured: Wallis Day as Nyssa-Vex — (Photo by: Steffan Hill/Syfy)

Aside from the physical transformation of the Voice of Rao, the theme continues throughout the plots, as dramatic shifts occur in the set up of the show.  The writers do a good job with Seg (Cameron Cuffe) in this episode, as they show he has some honour, and isn’t just a ‘bag of quips’, as he risks everything to go and help Nyssa.  Aware she is in danger, Nyssa (Wallis Day) has already protected herself from the attempted execution by her father, and she and Seg are able to escape, although Daron does slip their grasp.  Nyssa is confused as to why Seg would risk anything for her, and this could represent a new start for her character.

The rise of Brainiac’s sentry, and Daron’s betrayal, forges a new alliance between Seg, Kem (Rasmus Hardiker), Jayna (Ann Ogbomo), Lyta (Georgina Campbell), General Zod (Colin Salmon), and Nyssa (Wallis Day), into a new resistance, which I’m sure none of those characters would have seen coming.  The tensions that exist between those characters will surely make for some good drama in the episodes to come, as trust is tested.

KRYPTON — “Transformation” Episode 107 — Pictured: Ann Ogbomo as Jayna-Zod — (Photo by: Steffan Hill/Syfy)

On the negative side, Adam (Shaun Sipos) fails to transform, as he struggles with the notion of being a hero, and whether he has it in him.  Despite an extensive discussion with Val-El (Ian McElhinney) in the fortress, which he subsequently deletes any record of, he remains unconvinced of his worthiness, and is determined to return to Earth.  It’s nice to see at least one of the characters struggling with their place in all this and showing that it isn’t always so easy to make a change, or accept one that has occurred.

KRYPTON — “Transformation” Episode 107 — Pictured: (l-r) Shaun Sipos as Adam Strange, Ian McElhinney as Val-El — (Photo by: Steffan Hill/Syfy)

With a large twist at the end of the show concerning the Voice of Rao/Brainiac’s Sentry, it is very likely that we will see Adam return, as the new resistance will need all the help they can get.  Pleasingly, the show doesn’t seem to be taking the easiest route, and although there are some common tropes kicking around, it is all working very well, and gaining momentum.