One of those critics, Darren Franich, knows entirely too much about comic book history.
The other critic, Kristen Baldwin, has a lot of questions.
KRISTEN: Am I supposed to giggle every time I hear that voiceover guy say House of El?
Credit: Gavin Bond/Syfy
DARREN:If you think El sounds funny, wait until you hear everyone attempt to make Seg happen.
Which is cool, right?
The name Seyg-El was intended as an homage to Jerry Siegel also cool, right?
KRISTEN: The Big Bad is called The Voice of Rao?
That sounds like a lounge act.
Is that a real thing from the comics?
Kryp-ton, youre so dull
BLOW IT UP!
In my memory, Rao was actually the name of the star in Kryptons solar system.
I was going to credit the show for coming up with a cool-weird religion built off that idea.
KRISTEN: Why is Supermans grandpa British?
Why is EVERYONE on Krypton British?
Of all the dubious decisions that went into makingKrypton, this one irritates me the most.
DARREN:GREAT question, Kristen, on so many levels!
KRISTEN: The magnetic handcuffs are cool.
Sorry, thats not a question.
DARREN:Magnets are always cool.
Or is it just a convenient explanation for why Krypton ultimately gets destroyed?
(Yes, even a neophyte like me knowsthat.)
The planet was introduced in the past tense, this place that exploded long ago.
ButKryptonseems to largely exist to remind people that Superman is a character they love.
But theres a long-term paradox here.
To create Superman,Krypton has to blow up.
Or maybe he would implant false memories into baby Kal-El and fire the kid to Kansas.
This also seems hilariously cruel.
KRISTEN: Is this Adam Strange guy Dr. DARREN:Oh boy, so Adam Strange isnt Dr.
Strange, and was actually created a few yearsbeforethe Marvel superhero.
I actually have a lot of love for the classic version of Adam Strange.
And so theKryptonversion of Adam Strange is, um, a Tigers fan?
(Its possible there are decades of Adam Strange history that delve into his Tigers fandom.
Apologies to Adam Strange fans everywhere if thats true.
This is not me making some dumb joke.
If there is an Adam Strange fandom, I want in.)
Which is a bummer!
There have been lots of variable depictions of Krypton over the years.
Im not saying by any means the show shouldve done that.
Im saying the show could have literally doneanything.
Theres a real missed opportunity here, I think, to portray a new kind of Krypton onscreen.
Knowing that Krypton is a doomed planet, why would you want to set a series there?
DARREN:Theres a line in Segs opening narration that I think is aimed specifically at this anxiety.
Seg says, The story of El isnt how we died, but how we lived.
Translation, I think: Even ifKryptondoes last 20 seasons, we still wont see the planet blow up.
He also says, Our ending is yet to be written, but this is how we begin.
Translation, I think: Perhaps some of the characters from this show could time-travel past Kryptons explosion!
Howdoyou get the average viewer to care about a society that isnt just dead, butfamouslydead?
Like, not to be blunt, but:Of course he wants to destroy Krypton!
Thats all the planet was ever good for!
KRISTEN: OH COME ON, SUPERMANS CAPE IS AN HOURGLASS?
When it disappears, Superman ceases to exist?
I am offended and annoyed on Marty McFlys behalf.
If so: Dissipate, Supercape, dissipate!
