Krypton Season 1 Episode 9: ‘Hope’ Plot Summary:
Seg-El has to decide if he is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in service of the greater good of Kandor. Ultimately, Seg is not alone in this endeavor, as all of the main characters must face this difficult obstacle in their own way.
There is no other way to put it: “Hope,” Krypton’s penultimate episode for the season, is the best one yet.
The technical side of things are done astonishingly well. The CGI is excellent, the writing is solid, and the direction is also of high quality. The performances are again beautifully crafted, nothing new about that. Seg-El is the MVP of this episode due to his layered, multi-dimensional performance and believability, but Lyta-Zod and Jayna-Zod come in a close second and/or third place.
There are some magnificent shots and camerawork in here that we have not seen much of over the duration of the season. A few sequences are also done masterfully, including the sequence of Seg and Nyssa recruiting members to help them fight Brainiac.
The final half of the episode is an example of perfect television. So much happens, yet it all feels natural and earned. In addition, every character is challenged in some way and no moment is wasted. The action is done well, but it is the suspense, teases, and slower moments that make this episode rise above the rest. Whether it be Val-El telling Seg about the meaning of the family crest or Lyta-Zod having to choose between siding with her mother or son, these moments – while also including Daron-Vex fighting his own demons from the past – make every moment memorable in some way of another.
While there is another great cliffhanger moment in this episode, it is improved upon and taken to the next level by not limiting the cliffhanger to only one scene. The entire final act is itself the cliffhanger that leaves many questions (in a good way) and teases an epic, emotional, and potentially action-packed season finale to come. Having said that, the final scene and shot of the episode are pure gold.
Make no mistake about it. “Hope” is the best episode of Krypton yet and, while delivering a magnificent hour of television, sets up a finale that could be just as good, if not, better.
Rating: 10/10
-Daryn Kirscht
