“The Word of Rao” is episode four of season one of Krypton.
The episode opens with the Voice of Rao dressing in his robes. There are some women present, probably handmaidens of some description. The Voice tells them that he is going to begin the Nova Cycle, a ceremony that one of the women says is not supposed to happen for weeks. The Voice says he wants it to begin today, to help quell the unrest in the Rankless following the events of the previous episode, “The Rankless Initiative”. Once robed and helmed, the Voice goes outside and activates something on his pad that effectively turns night into day.
At the communications hub that Rhom, who was possessed by one of Brainiac’s Sentries, entered in order to communicate with Brainiac, some Sagitari try to enter but the other Sagitari guarding it try to prevent them. And fail. The commander of these probably not Sagitari enters and removes his facemask. In the previous episode, prior to the Sagitari invasion of Sector 19, the faces of the Black Zero leadership was shown. One of them was generally unknown, a newcomer who was rising quickly, and this commander is the same man (Colin Salmon, who plays Walter Steele in Arrow).
Lyta enters the Military Guild to be greeted by her mother, who tells her to report to intelligence for review. Lyta disobeyed a direct order and she tells the Primus that she was protecting her squad. Three of who, Jayna points out, are dead. Jayna-Zod tells Lyta that she has tried to help her learn what it meant to be a Sagitari over the years; Lyta’s response is that she wanted a mother, not help.
In the Fortress, Val’s hologram tells Seg and Adam that he has never seen technology before like Brainiac’s. Rhom’s vitals are failing and Val says she will be dead in hours.
The Voice of Rao is visiting Sector 17, where one of the Sagitari shot down a tied and unarmed man. Said Sagitari was arrested by Lyta – the only arrest of the entire raid. The Voice does not prove to be Mr Popular and, after returning, tells Daron that they need someone to take responsibility for the military’s failure. Someone of high authority. Lyta is testifying in the Military Guild when Daron-Vex enters with guards and arrests her for treason and conspiring with Black Zero.
Seg, when he finds out from Kem that Lyta has been arrested, goes to see Nyssa and asks for her help in getting Lyta free. Seg tells Nyssa that Lyta was set up and he wants to prove her innocence. Nyssa makes Seg admit that he loves Lyta before she agrees to help. Seg’s concern for Lyta causes him to make mistakes, and he is captured by the people who broke into the communications hub. It turns out that their commander knows about Sentries and Brainiac. Which is more than most people do.
Daron and Nyssa-Vex reveal what they are up to and it’s a bit of a surprise. Although their plans may end up being pointless given events in the episode. Adam objects to Val calling him Mr Strange and starts suggesting Dr (before probably releasing that one is taken) and settles for Adam.