But even if it doesn't, Krypton has already provided some great surprises and promising world-building. The titular planet may be doomed, but with the right focus, the show could actually thrive.

Syfy's clever Krypton isn't just another origin story - it's the origin behind the origin...Krypton is a clever shot at finding new stories inside one of the most beloved superhero sagas in any universe.

Superman prequel has potential but needs to pace itself.

Overall, Krypton is off to a fantastic start already as the latest DC TV show to join the franchise. The characters are compelling, the visual look of Krypton is phenomenal, and we have a strong villain coming.

It's a shame that Krypton feels the need to lean on the Superman crutch. But while those elements are a distraction, there's still plenty of weirdness to appreciate.

Thus far, Krypton is incredibly ambitious in its worldbuilding, while at the same time cathartically archetypal in its age old, yet still endlessly topical tale of class struggle and societal oppression.

Good news: I've got your new guilty pleasure right here, and its name is Krypton...the real attraction of Krypton isn't Superman's family history: it's that of the Zods.

There are certainly moments when the pilot episode soars. But like Superman without the sun, it's a bit of a bumpy ride getting off the ground.

Krypton has something for deep-cut Superman and DC fans to be sure, but its accessible approach to "hard sci-fi" might serve as a solid gateway to welcoming in fans looking for something big, ambitious, and unconventional in the age of Peak TV.

It's not always successful and it's not nearly as smart as it thinks it is, but Krypton earns plenty of points for its lofty ambitions and its ability to retool the tired superhero prequel concept into something that can stand on its own.

Krypton will fall; there's no getting around that. But it could be very educational to see how heavily ignorance and hubris are to blame for its demise, and what role that insight plays in giving birth to a more hopeful tomorrow.

It requires a logical leap far greater than a tall building in a single bound to believe that the lives of everyone on an entire planet are worth one Superman, but I still have hope for Krypton.

Like anything trying to take flight with too much baggage, Krypton struggles to get off the runway, but once the plots coalesce a bit, it becomes freer to find the good kind of turbulence.

Fortunately, thanks to a likable cast, some beautiful imagery, a slightly retooled concept and a high-quality production, Krypton exceeds those initial impressions and comes out firmly on the side of being something good.

To be clear, "Krypton" is good, not super. Yet based on first impressions, that "S"-like symbol could just as easily stand for "surprising" and "satisfying."