Deron Generally
Deron GenerallyJupiter’s Legacy
Netflix
Season 1 Episode 1
By Dawn’s Early Light
Brandon’s attempt to live up to his father’s high expectations suffers a blow. Sheldon’s carefree life as the boss’ son comes crashing down in 1929.
It’s a world where superhero’s exist and the next generation of superpowered beings will have to learn to navigate with the help of their powered parents. A lesson we see in the first few minutes when Chloe takes a game too far and uses her powers on her playmates, prompting a lecture from Brandon’s dad, The Utopian. It’s a good scene that touches on one of the central conflicts of the series as well as sets up the interpersonal conflict between father and son.
In the present, Brandon finds himself facing similar situations his father did and rushes off to help. Going by the superhero name Paragon, Brandon finds himself taking on a powered villain robbing an armored car. The fight gets pretty intense until Paragon gets a last minute assist from his father who has some choice words for his son. This is another great scene that illustrates the character and relationship dynamics of the series. Dynamics that don’t adhere to normal superhero conventions.
The domestic life of heroes gets a showcase as Sheldon and Grace discuss their kids and the different directions their lives are taking. Duhamel and Bibb do a great job of playing off each other and you get the sense of the length of their relationship. The scene is played really well by both and there is a great juxtaposition between their conversation and Brandon’s heart to heart with Walter. It’s also a great way to transition to the flashback of how the characters began the mission that gave them their powers.
There is definitely a running theme throughout the first episode and that theme is family. The relationship conflicts all come together when the family sits down to a meal and you see how they interact with each other. The tension in the scene is great, but a little forced at times. Elena Kampouris goes too cliché in the performance as the troubled, drug addict daughter with daddy issues. I did enjoy Chloe’s interactions with Brandon after that scene because it did a better job of moving things forward.
Another theme explored in this first episode comes to light when Sheldon and Walter discuss the roles they play in the world. The code they operated under and how the world has changed around them. It’s a great scene and both Daniels and Duhamel do great work with the dialogue and the discussion. In the aftermath, Sheldon’s philosophy is put to the ultimate test when the villain Blackstar escapes and his murderous rampage takes out multiple heroes. With everyone’s life on the line, Brandon makes a decision that will change everything, but nothing is what it seems.
The first episode of Jupiter’s Legacy does a fantastic job of setting up world and, more importantly, its character. The conflicts are laid out and the challenge of both generations working together is interesting and entertaining. I was impressed with the episode and it definitely convinced me to keep watching.
Jupiter's Legacy S01XE01
