‘Krypton’ Season 2, Episode 8 ‘Mercy’ Recap: Black Mercy’s Illusion

Sometimes, the concept of killing someone off and bringing them back to life isn’t quite the best spectacle especially when it was used as one of the biggest surprises of the show. Fortunately for Krypton, it has the clone idea in its arsenal somehow making Lyta’s fake death more reasonable. In fact, it also explains a lot more about Zod’s (Colin Salmon) behavior and his general cruelty. I mean, what kind of nut makes his mother literally dispensable?

On the other hand, one touching aspect of the episode is when everybody comes together for the same cause. Back in Season 1, they were all fighting against each other for personal reasons which Seg smartly summarized in his “Back when we were all friends” statement. Now, we see them all standing together for the future of Krypton. At that moment by the end of the episode, you’d see just how far their characters have developed. But, as victorious that little scene may be, it’s only the calm before the storm.

In this week’s episode of Krypton, Zod uses the Black Mercy, a parasitic alien plant that he’s been using to keep the real Lyta (Georgina Campbell) under intense illusions, in his conquest to control Doomsday. Meanwhile, Seg (Cameron Cuffe), Nyssa (Wallis Day), Jayna (Ann Ogbomo, and Dev (Aaron Pierre) try to break into Fort Rozz to stop Zod’s attack on Wegthor.

Zod’s Mercy

No matter what kind of toxin Lis-Ser (Aoibhinn McGinnity) injects Doomsday to make him controllable, the monsters remain immune to them. So, in his desperation, Zod offers a new toxin unknown to their time from the Black Mercy. Zod discovered the alien parasitic plan in the future in Val’s fortress. It creates an entire alternate reality in the mind of its host. And Zod has been using it for months to keep the real Lyta under. As it turns out, the Lyta that was killed and the Lyta that was reconditioned was just a clone. The worst part is Zod is entirely convinced he’s doing it for the good of his mother.

SYFY

In the alternate reality created by the Black Mercy in Lyta’s head, she and Seg decide to elope to Kryptonopolis. When they get there, Seg surprises Lyta saying that Jayna has approved of their binding and that his family’s rank has been returned. It’s too good to be true. But one thing I can say is that Krypton did a spectacular job making the imagery of the city. It’s a wonderful change seeing a part of Krypton that is under the sunlight. And it’s a wonderful contrast between Lyta’s reality and her illusion. While the reality is all gloom, the illusion is all white, sunlight, and gold.

Speaking of reality, Brainiac’s last hurrah before disappearing has left Seg desperate. Thankfully, Nyssa brings back logic and practicality in the situation. As a matter of fact, their loss has put them both more in sync with each other. As they make plans to contact Val, Jayna and Dev arrive.

When The Illusion Crumbles

While trying to extract its toxin, Lis-Ser finds the Black Mercy having a negative reaction to the extraction. And she fears that pushing it might disrupt Lyta’s fantasy. However, Zod instructs her to go through with it under the impression that his mother can withstand it.

SYFY

In Lyta’s mind, she and Seg are binding. Everyone she loves is there and everyone is happy for them. When they consult the oracle for their future child, it shows Dru-Zod. And it says that he will conquer 467 planets and eradicate 233 billion alien life forms. This quickly wipes off the smile of Lyta’s face. And looking around, it seems that nobody’s bothered by it. Soon reality starts bleeding into her fantasy. One by one, the people she loves turns on her and she’s reminded of everything she’s done starting with Dev’s missing arm then to Jayna’s wound. Meanwhile, the Black Mercy’s toxin is working on Doomsday. But, Zod would need more than one dose to render it truly effective.

The Greater Good

Back in the Fortress, Jayna and Dev inform Seg and Nyssa that Zod has completed his first interstellar ship. He is now planning to launch it in a final assault against the rebellion on Wegthor. Thinking of the greater good, Nyssa and Seg table the discussion on their son and immediately start devising a plan to sabotage the launch. Combining the two former Sagitarii’s knowledge with Seg’s knowledge from his crime dealing rankless days, they’re able to formulate a plan of invasion.

SYFY

The group successfully manages to invade Fort Rozz. However, with the Sagitarii concentration in the area, they run into a group of Sagitarii that was bound to spot them. Going a step ahead, they attack the group failing to be as silent as possible. Soon, reinforcement arrives and a shoot out commences. Thinking quickly, Seg surrenders and Nyssa follows giving Jayna and Dev enough time to escape.

Facing Zod, Nyssa and Seg are confronted with Val’s uncharacteristic actions in Wegthor. And though Zod tries to bend the story to his favor, Nyssa and Seg stand together against it. Getting no information as to why they were there and who they were with, Zod threatens to put them both under sematic reconditioning. Seg confidently reminds him that it doesn’t work on him. But, Zod’s sharp gaze turns to Nyssa and Seg immediately recognizes the threat it poses.

Waking Up to Reality

Meanwhile, because of the illusion crumbling apart, Lyta manages to fight off the Black Mercy’s effects. Waking up, she pulls out the slimy black tentacles from her nose and mouth and throws it off her (It reminds me so much of Stranger Things with Will and all). But, the slimy creature’s not the only nasty surprise she wakes up to. A guard, later on, enters the room hearing the racket. And Lyta tries to keep him quiet. They end up brawling and Lyta gets ahold of his blaster just when he jumps on top of her and shoots him in the stomach.

SYFY

On the other hand, Jayna and Dev continue their mission. But, they’re unluckily caught. Just when they raise their hands in surrender, someone shoots the two Sagitarii from behind. Turning, Dev and Jayna see Lyta. And just as she falls to the ground, Jayna catches her daughter and holds her tight unbelieving yet so full of relief.

When Lyta recovers, she takes her mother and Dev to a control room only the primus can access. There, Dev turns his blaster on Lyta doubtful if she’s just another trap. And Lyta explains what happened. As it turns out, she didn’t agree with Zod’s plans of using Doomsday to colonize other planets. And when she wouldn’t change her mind, Zod threatened to put her under sematic reconditioning. She fought back, got a few good punches in, but was definitely overwhelmed by her son. As Zod strangled his mother, Seg’s voice echoed from the phantom zone where he was seeing the same scenario only for a split second. Then, came the illusions and then Lyta’s waking. Lyta struggled to wake up even if, in her mind, she won’t be able to see her mother or Seg anymore. Now, that’s the Lyta we missed!

United Against All Odds

After her emotional confession, Jayna tells Lyta that Seg is back. In fact, he was in the tower with them being kept prisoner by Zod. Knowing this, Lyta refuses to leave without Seg. Using her access codes as primus, Lyta creates a diversion.

SYFY

Meanwhile, in the prisons, Seg apologizes to Nyssa for the nth time. But, Nyssa reassures him that none of it is his fault. She chose to be there on her own. Being closer than ever, Seg promises her that he’ll be with her every step of the way to find their son. Suddenly, they hear someone outside. And Dev soon comes into view. Using his cyborg’s arm, he punches through the prison barrier and deactivates it.

They all manage to escape the fort via Lyta’s diversion. And they all meet at the rendezvous point. When Seg and Lyta meet, they go through an emotional reunion. Dev suggests moving on but Jayna surprisingly says “yes, but let’s give them this” with a tender smile on her lips. With the happy reunion, it was easy to miss Nyssa’s little look as if resigning herself to the fact that she has once again in a split second become an outsider.

Krypton continues next Wednesday, August 7th, with “Blood Moon” at 10/9c on SyFy.