Journey to KRYPTON

Article first published as TV Review: KRYPTON on Seat42F.

Are you tired of all the superhero television shows out right now? If you aren’t, SyFy has a new entry in the genre called KRYPTON. And if you are tired of them, KRYPTON might be something a bit different, since it takes place on the alien world two centuries before the birth of Superman. Hence, it’s not a bunch of people with powers running around. If tonally it didn’t feel so similar to other SyFy programming, I would say this is a very unique take on what has become a saturated market, giving it a hook to allow it to break through. As it is, it’s still pretty good.

As only a casual Superman fan (with basic knowledge primarily from movies and TV, not the comics), KRYPTON is a completely new story, full of things I’d never heard of, so I don’t know if it follows established mythology or is something original. Either would be a valid choice for a show to make, but I don’t know if it’s a very loose reimagining, like Gotham, or if it sticks close to previously established backstory. A cursory internet search seems to indicate the latter, with some liberties taken.

KRYPTON begins with Seg-El (Cameron Cuffe, The Halcyon) watching his grandfather (Ian McElhinney, Game of Thrones) executed and his family stripped of their title. The House of El is no more, and Seg and his parents are forced to live with the un-titled down in the ghettos of the city. Years later, Seg is coming of age and, despite family grudges, saves the life of Daron-Vex (Elliot Cowan, Da Vinci’s Demons), the chief magistrate who executed Seg’s grandfather. Daron offers Seg the chance to join the House of Vex and bind with his daughter, Nyssa (Wallis Day, Hollyoaks), the youngest of five, who otherwise probably wouldn’t marry anyway. This might be an opportunity for Seg to climb back up the social ladder, or it could be Daron’s chance to fully conquer the Els once and for all.

If that doesn’t sound complicated enough, don’t worry, it gets even more twisty within the first hour. See, Seg may be making a child with Nyssa (which does not involve sex), but is sleeping with Lyta Zod (Georgina Campbell, Broadchurch), a soldier. And Seg’s parents, Ter (Rupert Graves, Sherlock) and Charys (Paula Malcomson, Caprica), are secretly continuing Seg’s grandfather’s work to try to save their race. Also, Adam Strange (Shaun Sipos, The Vampire Diaries) arrives from the future to warn of Brainiac’s (Blake Ritson, Da Vinci’s Demons) impending coming, the villain intending to destroy Krypton before Superman can even be born. So there’s a LOT packed into this series opener, and I haven’t even mentioned all the series leads.

It takes some time to get into KRYPTON. Not only is there a dense story, but the society is so much different than ours. The caste system feels very outdated, even while the planet is futuristic. Procreation without physical intercourse and babies raised in bubbles cared for by machines feel cold and impersonal, which matches much of the rest of the culture we’re seeing. Except in the lower class, which still parties and fights and loves at will. Is this a cautionary tale or a commentary? The refusal of some to listen to science and fact hits a little too close to home in the current political climate.

All of this is very interesting, and I found myself more and more drawn in as it played out. Where my hesitation lives is that most of the central characters are good looking, very young adults, an overdone television trope, and the tone of the program is not as weighty as it could be with the material. I hope it finds its legs, but I fear it will be a ‘typical’ Syfy show lost in the crowd.

KRYPTON airs Wednesdays on SyFy.

Book Fans May Want to "Kill" GAME OF THRONES

Article originally written for Seat42F.

This week’s GAME OF THRONES on HBO is called “Kill the Boy.” The title does not refer to a person that should be murdered, though fans could be forgiven for thinking that, given the high death count in this series. Instead, it’s a phrase meaning to step up and be a man, readying yourself for whatever is coming at you next. While only directed at one character on screen, as with many episode titles, it can be applied to many.

“Kill the Boy” is the advice Maester Aemon (Peter Vaughan) gives to Jon Snow (Kit Harington) when Jon seeks advice about making a tough decision. Aemon doesn’t need to hear the details of the choice; he voted for Jon Snow and he trusts Snow’s leadership. What Aemon is telling Jon is that he just needs to embrace that mantle, no longer second-guessing his decisions. It’s a tough lesson for anyone to face, but especially for Jon, a very young man now leading a ragtag group who may be their realm’s only chance at survival.

Jon’s declaration is not a popular one. He tells the Night’s Watch they will be letting the Wildlings through The Wall. Wilding leader Tormund Giantsbane (Kristofer Hivju) isn’t happy either, refusing to serve any king or crow. But Jon’s orders are fair and just, basically instituting a diplomatic treaty that no one negotiated, not asking for fealty. It is painful for both sides, but if they don’t adopt it, they will all probably die. Tormund is wise enough to see that. The men of the Night’s Watch seem less so. Will they stage a coup, signing their own death warrant, or truly trust the man they elected?

Speaking of leadership, Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) is having a rough go of it herself. After the Sons of the Harpy kill Barristan Selmy (Ian McEhinney) – a change from the books I am very upset about, but that might open up a spot for Jorah (Iain Glen) to serve her again – she reacts in anger. She gathers the house leaders together and lets her dragons eat one. But after reflection, she realizes this will not solve the problem, only making the rebels more determined to fight against her. So she reopens the fighting pits, as requested, and decides to marry Hizdahr (Joel Fry), one of the leaders. 

Is this a sign of weakness from Daenerys? “Kill the Boy” has her giving in to the demands of terrorists and uniting with one of the rulers she hates. However, Hizdahr has been much more cooperative than most, and based on his actions in this episode, probably will willingly play second fiddle to the dragon queen, advising her on the best interests of his people, but scared enough of her to not try to overrule her. The question is how the rest of the people of Mereen will see her and if the thugs will be satisfied with their victory or keep pushing.

Jorah will surely find quite a different Daenerys when he gets back to her, if he gets back to her. Trying to take a short cut away from pirates, Jorah and Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) are beset upon by stone men in one of the coolest settings GAME OF THRONES has shown us in awhile. The fight itself is grounded, nothing super spectacular, but by letting it happen in mist-filled ruins with a dragon flying overhead, it really adds something cool to the proceedings.

Sadly Jorah is infected by the stone men, which is again quite a bit different from the books, since he isn’t even with Tyrion on the page when Tyrion goes through that waterway. Does this mean he isn’t destined to make it back to Mereen, or even if he does, his usefulness will be short-lived?

GAME OF THRONES is now swiftly chewing through the source material, ditching the majority of it, unfortunately, and simplifying the rest. Any time a book series is translated for the screen, changes happen, and I think most fans accept that. What is frustrating in this situation is that the show used to
be very true to the books, making some changes, but mostly minor ones. This gave viewers the expectation that this trend would continue.

Season five, however, has made for some extremely different situations, with about half the main cast (or possibly more) now on different paths than they were on the page, and many, many chapters being tossed out to get to the next thing quicker. Some arcs have already moved beyond what has happened in the five published volumes, even though they could be taking their time. HBO would be willing to make ten seasons or possible even more, but those in charge of GAME OF THRONES are determined to finish in seven years, a very unwise choice if you ask me, given the story could easily fill many more without dragging.

This makes for a conundrum. I try very hard to take the show on its own, and when doing so, I think GAME OF THRONES is still a very strong, very enjoyable show. There hasn’t been any episode I didn’t enjoy, and none of the stories have stopped making sense. The problem is, there is a lot I want to see but now realize I won’t. By starting out with respect for the books and then, halfway through, hugely abandoning them, the show writers and runners are demonstrating a major lack of respect for the author and the fans and a betrayal of trust.

Sansa’s (Sophie Turner) story is one of the few places I agree with the decision to change things. Sansa does not go to Winterfell in the book, it’s an imposter the Boltons are trying to pass off, and so the stakes have been raised greatly in “Kill the Boy.” But her case is the exception, not the rule.

I think, when the series is over and done with, GAME OF THRONES will still be a show I can rewatch and enjoy. However, there will be a big sense of wasted opportunity that the series did not go anywhere near far enough in its efforts to make a good adaptation, and I’ll be longing for another attempt as soon as possible.

GAME OF THRONES airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.

GAME OF THRONES Fights "Harpy"

Article originally written for Seat42F.

“The Sons of the Harpy” are just one of the dangers faced in this week’s GAME OF THRONES on HBO. King’s Landing seems to dissolve further into chaos, with the leadership of the city in doubt. Mereen is in a very similar situation because of the group in this episode’s title. Strong families in the North and South make plans to strike towards the unstable middle, but who will win remains far from certain.

Let’s start with Mereen, which is where the hour ends. Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) continues to resist reopening the fighting pits, no matter how strongly Hizdahr (Joel Fry) argues for it. As a consequence, “The Sons of the Harpy” continue to slaughter her men, possibly taking out Grey Worm (Jacob Anderson) and Barristan Selmy (Ian McElhinney) in the final scene.

One can’t help but wonder if Hizdahr is working for the enemy. It may just be coincidence that he argues for one of the things that the Harpys want just before the attack, but in GAME OF THRONES, it’s hard to know where loyalties lie.

Whether Hizdahr is connected to the bad guys or not, I don’t know if Daenerys should give in. Many governments, that of the current United States included, have a policy against negotiating with terrorists. If Daenerys allows these tactics to work on her now, how soon before they use them again to force her into something else? If Grey Worm and Barristan are dead, though, which is unclear, she has little protection left to her and she may need to do something to stay on the throne.

One reason we have reason to hope Barristan is alive is because he is a storied, long-lived fighter, evidenced in the story Little Finger (Aidan Gillen) tells Sansa (Sophie Turner) in the crypts. Barristan is a bit player in the tale, which is used to remind Sansa of her lineage and how she must be strong, whether marrying a man she hates, or taking over as Wardeness of the North if Stannis (Stephen Dillane) arrives to retake Winterfell. But it reminds us that Barristan is around for much of the chaos earlier, and came out strong. He may do so again.

Daenerys may soon have more help in the form of Jorah (Iain Glen) and / or Tyrion (Peter Dinklage), who are on their way to her. She has reason to distrust both and may not take kindly to their arrival, but they both want to assist the queen. She could use more allies, and hopefully she will be reasonable enough to listen to them and what they have to offer.

Pivoting to the North, Stannis prepares to march to Winterfell, but before he does, he shares a very sweet moment with his daughter, Shireen (Kerry Ingram). Scarred and detested by her mother, Selyse (Tara Fitzgerald), Shireen has every reason in the world to be down on herself. Yet, in “The Sons of the Harpy,” she makes a connection to her dad, who does show his affection for her. Stannis is a busy man with a lot to think about, but the fact that he takes a little time out for his child says a lot about him, his often stoic disposition aside.

Stannis is staying with Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and The Night’s Watch presently. Jon is still refusing to help Stannis, as The Night’s Watch is not supposed to get involved with the affairs of the seven kingdoms, being above family alliances. He is tested, though, when he has to ask the Boltons, among others, for help in recruitment even though they killed his family. He is also tempted by a naked Melisandre (Carice van Houten), but resists. Can Jon stay strong and do what needs to be done to carry the mantle he has assumed?

I say yes because Jon is Ned Stark’s son. He may not be Ned’s biological child, a fact teased in Littlefinger’s story, which just may have quietly revealed Jon’s parentage for those paying attention (or not; all we have for now are rumors), but he was raised by Ned and that means a lot. He follows in Ned’s noble footsteps, putting duty above all else.

Those in King’s Landing are pretty much the opposite. Cersie (Lena Headey) finds a way to regain control when she sends Mace Tyrell (Roger Ashton-Griffiths) away to deal with a financial issue and empowers the High Sparrow (Jonathan Pryce) to raise an army and arrest Loras (Finn Jones), spurring Margaery (Natalie Dormer) to leave in anger when weak King Tommen (Dean-Charles Chapman) can’t free her brother. But Cersei has sins greater than Loras, and I can’t help but feel that the High Sparrow’s men will not care that she is the king’s mother when it comes time to charge her. She is playing with fire here.

This is a time when King’s Landing needs to be united. In Dorne, Ellaria (Indira Varma) and the Sand Snakes (The Almighty Johnsons’ Keisha Castle-Hughes, Mia and Me’s Rosabell Laurenti Sellers, and Silk’s Jessica Henwick) are planning to start a war with King’s Landing. Their time table is moved up when they learn Jamie (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) has arrived to take away their leverage. The thing is, I don’t know if there will be anyone left in the capital for them to fight, given the uneasy state of things.

There are many great scenes in “The Sons of the Harpy.” I particularly like the interchanges between Jon and Sam (John Bradley), Jamie and Bronn (Jerome Flynn), and Tyrion and Jorah. All these moving parts are hard to balance, but GAMES OF THRONES does. With so many interconnecting players, though, it’s impossible to figure out where things will end up, especially as the show departs further and further from the source material, rushing through the existing material, skipping huge chunks, and making bold changes. The only thing for certain is that the story will be feature enjoyable messes.

GAME OF THRONES airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.