Krypton: Do We Need Another Prequel Series

By: Darryl Ley

“Krypton” is a new series based on the Superman mythos, which premiered on March 20, 2018 on Syfy. Prequel shows, as a genre, have had a mixed track record. Despite a few notable success stories, the question that remains at this point is do we need another trip into the past of an established story?

Let’s take a look at “Krypton” on its own merits. The first grey area that arose was a somewhat troubled development cycle, the hype train such as it was beginning on this project back in 2014 with the same outline as the show we are now watching. It then took two years for anything else to emerge on the show, but once we arrived in 2016 things finally seem to be moving forward.

That in itself doesn’t leave me exactly reassured about the network’s confidence in the show in a time where continuing shows are getting two season renewals and some new projects are getting full season orders after a successful pilot. So what is “Krypton” actually about? Here’s the most recent synopsis:

According the Syfy series breakdown, the show is “set two generations before the destruction of the legendary Man of Steel’s home planet, Krypton follows Superman’s grandfather (Cameron Cuffe, The Halcyon) — whose House of El was ostracized and shamed — as he fights to redeem his family’s honor and save his beloved world from chaos.” I am not sure what to think after reading that but as someone who has been following the development of this show it seems that the time travelling aspect that has come to the forefront might be a cause for concern for potential viewers. However, given the setting and the fact that the show will exist on its own it can definitely work. It still leaves me wondering though if this is something that is going to generate enough interest to capture viewers who are already swimming in comic related TV shows like “The Gifted,” “Agents of SHIELD” and “Arrow.”

One thing that also springs to mind about “Krypton” is that this is a show all about one of the most powerful races in DC mythology. It follows the El house when they aren’t super strong with freeze breath, but are just normal humans with no powers besides their impressive technology. Is there enough interest that people will stick with this show for however many episodes season one will be in numbers great enough for a season two? It doesn’t immediately seem like a show with endless possibilities due to the fact that in theory we know how this will end. If it somehow decides to throw that pre-destined ending off would anyone really accept it?

There could be an argument that this show might have been an easier pill to swallow if it was launched with a limited series tag, but then you get into mysterious behind closed door calculations about how a show with a set schedule of say twelve or twenty-four episodes can generate a profit with those firm restrictions in place – that weighing of potential profit and loss is something the end viewer will know nothing about. Let’s look at the Syfy network and its own track record with another prequel series like that of “Caprica.” This show was a prequel story to “Battlestar Galactica” the rebooted show that was a critical and popular success. According to Syfy, the show is “set fifty-eight years before ‘Battlestar Galactica.’ It follows two rival families – the Graystones and the Adamas – as they grow, compete, and thrive in the vibrant world of the peaceful 12 Colonies, living in a society close to our own. Entangled in the burgeoning technology of artificial intelligence and robotics that will eventually lead to the creation of the Cylons, the two houses go toe-to-toe, blending action with corporate conspiracy and sexual politics.”

In the case of that original show though it seemed the success of the overall brand did not transfer over to the new show. That was despite an excellent cast, an interesting story and a lot of marketing money thrown at the show initially. I watched and enjoyed the show, but it certainly wasn’t another “Battlestar Galactica” and I think that cost it in an era where first seasons and indeed the first few episodes meant everything as to whether or not a show would be cancelled.

Perhaps Syfy has learned from the mistakes of the past with “Caprica” and we live in a very different time in terms of television and how it is consumed. We shall have to wait and see, but it would be unfair to highlight just a prequel that failed to get started without highlighting others that went from strength to strength.

Going forward, “Smallville” is a prequel with an interesting premise as it posed the question what did Clark do before he moved to Metropolis, got a job as reporter and became the Man of Steel. In fact, the success of that show, which ran from 2001 – 2011 for 217 episodes, could be said to have led to the commissioning of “Krypton.” “Smallville” is an excellent example of right show at the right time, which definitely let all the major networks know that comics were rich in ideas to plunder for shows that could generate real numbers.

Furthermore, there are arguments to be made as to whether we would have the shows “Arrow,” “The Flash,” “Gotham”  or even the Marvel/Netflix shows without “Smallville” demonstrating that you could do a superhero drama with decent effects work with steady viewing figures. The show proved that there was an audience there for it and networks dived on that fact leading to less than eight years after the show ending there is now more than two dozen comics adapted and related shows on our TV schedule.

The fact that “Smallville” started seventeen years ago means that it might not stand up as a direct comparison to “Krypton” and its potential success or failure, but there is another show released far more recently that might be a more accurate show to compare. I’m talking about the previously mentioned Fox network series “Gotham,” which premiered in 2014. Now on season four of the series, the Fox network notes “We are witnessing the emergence of the criminal landscape for which Gotham City is best known. We see detectives Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie) and Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue) at the forefront of the fight against the most depraved and unhinged villains. While Gotham City fights for normalcy, a new hero will rise as Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz) begins to assume responsibility for the city’s well-being.”

There will always be those uncomfortable with what the show does with the canon of “The Caped Crusader,” but it seems clear to me that is not the demographic that the show is aimed at. After a shaky response to the first season, “Gotham” took major steps to deal with the main criticisms and since then has seemingly gone from strength to strength. It is clear that even someone whose knowledge of Batman came from the only from TV and video, the animated shows from the early 90s and the various animated straight to DVD films would find it easy to point out the issues with a show set in Gotham before Bruce Wayne becomes Batman. However, it is clear that the show is clearly aimed at viewers who know Batman as a concept and less so to comic and lore fans.

So, the question was “do we need another prequel series?” I believe that the answer the viewing public is likely to give is a qualified “yes.” Yes, if the show delivers an impactful and original take on “Krypton” on its inhabitants in a way that has never before been shown on screen. Yes, if the plot doesn’t either leave too many holes in the opening few episodes or give viewers headaches over the implications of time travel, parallel universes and alternate dimensions. And, finally, yes if the Syfy network believes in the show in a way that that communicates itself to the viewer – for example a lack of jarring schedule shifts a commitment to publicity and marketing strategy. If one or more of those conditions fails to be met, then “Krypton” might find itself destroyed again a lot quicker than the show might hope.