The TV Column

Man of Steel's grandpa focus of Syfy's Krypton

Cameron Cuffe stars as Superman’s grandfather, Seg-El, in the new Syfy action/thriller Krypton. The prequel to the Superman saga debuts at 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Cameron Cuffe stars as Superman’s grandfather, Seg-El, in the new Syfy action/thriller Krypton. The prequel to the Superman saga debuts at 9 p.m. Wednesday.

DC Comics fans rejoice! Krypton, based on characters found in that vast universe, is set to premiere at 9 p.m. Wednesday on Syfy. Turn off your phones and computers and pay attention.

Devotees know that DC Comics is home to a wide range of folks, from Ace the Bat-hound to Kara Zor-El (Supergirl). Having "El" in your name is a giveaway that you hail from Krypton, because the House of El (translation: "of the star") was one of the noble ruling families of the planet. The last son was Kal-El, better known to us humans as Superman/Clark Kent.

Ah, but the saga of Superman didn't begin with the destruction of his home planet and his escape as a baby via rocket to a field outside Smallville. It began generations before Kal-El was born.

I've previewed a couple of episodes of Krypton, and although not a huge comics fan, I can tell that those who are will be excited by this lushly produced prequel to the Superman saga.

The action begins two generations before the destruction of Krypton in Kandor City. It's there that Superman's grandfather, Seg-El (Cameron Cuffe), learns that Krypton, an advanced planet late in its life cycle, is in danger of being destroyed. If that happens, Seg's future grandson -- "the greatest hero in the universe" -- will never be born.

What will Seg-El do? Does he save Krypton, or let it be destroyed so that Kal-El can fulfill his destiny?

Granted, we know what eventually happens. The point of this series is the journey, not the destination.

The series begins with Krypton's leadership mired in Machiavellian politics and the House of El ostracized. Seg-El and his family have been stripped of their house sigil (the famous Superman "S" glyph) and declared "rankless."

In an authoritarian theocracy with a strong caste system, being without rank dooms one to the slums of civilization.

With the help of Earthling time traveler Adam Strange (Shaun Sipos), Seg must redeem his family's honor and protect the ones he loves while being challenged by the villain Brainiac (Blake Ritson). Fans should be pleased with the depiction of this infamous DC Comics character.

The series will also focus on the House of Zod because Seg-El and Lyta Zod are in a secret romance. That could go quite badly if word leaks out.

Syfy has embargoed spoilers, but I can tell you that Cuffe says, "Even though this franchise has been going on for 80 years, the world of Krypton is so rich, there's really no end to the different story telling possibilities. People genuinely have no idea what's about to come their way."

If the first couple of episodes are any example, Syfy has a winner on its hands that could go on for years.

Speechless, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on ABC. It's the Season 2 finale. In the episode, "N-O--Nominee," J.J. goes to a film festival where he has been nominated for an award; Jimmy tries to protect Dylan from the truth about an impending eviction; Ray tries to win back Taylor.

The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story concludes its second season at 9 p.m. Wednesday on FX. Episode 9, "Alone," finds the hunt for Versace killer Andrew Cunanan come to a frantic end.

Note: A third season of American Crime Story based on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is in the works, as is a fourth season based on the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal.

Pregnant at 17 is a juicy 2015 TV movie airing at 7 p.m. Wednesday on Lifetime Movie Channel.

Sonia (Josie Bissett) discovers her husband Jeff (Roark Critchlow, V) is having an affair and his mistress, high school dropout Chelsea (Zoe De Grand Maison, Orphan Black), is pregnant. Being a spineless cad, Jeff wants nothing to do with the baby.

Sonia feels sorry for Chelsea and tries to help her, but everyone's lives are put in danger when a dark and sinister figure from Chelsea's past returns.

Fans will remember the 47-year-old Bissett (real name Jolyn Christine Heutmaker) from her years as Jane Mancini on Melrose Place. Lately, Bissett has appeared in the three Hallmark Channel romantic comedy films in The Wedding March series opposite her former Melrose Place co-star Jack Wagner.

Speaking of Wagner, he is also one of the regulars on Hallmark Channel's popular When Calls the Heart. Season 5 is airing at 8 p.m. Sundays.

Pregnant at 17 is silly and vapid, but don't let that stop you from watching. I know a guy who never misses any film of this sort and swears there's a cathartic effect to these escapist thrillers.

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Style on 03/20/2018

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