S:TAS "Stolen Memories" Talkback (Spoilers) [Archive]

The Penguin

04-20-2002, 04:51 PM

Discuss this classic Superman: The Animated Series episode!

http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/WF/superman/reviews/stolenmemories/30.jpg

Episode #09 - Stolen Memories
Original Airdate - November 2nd, 1996.

Brainiac, once Krypton's all-knowing planetary computer, comes to Earth as part of his information-gathering trek across the galaxy. But, as Superman discovers, Brainiac's intent after gathering the world's knowledge is to destroy the Earth.

Comments?

The Green Hornet

04-20-2002, 05:07 PM

Brainiac. What a tragic villain in the scheme of Superman: The Animated Series. And I don't mean that he's tragic in the sense that Mr Freeze is tragic. Brainiac was a threatening, callously evil villain who actually posed a threat to the cosmos, but by time he reappeared in GHOST IN THE MACHINE, and every subsequent episode in which he appeared thereafter, he was little more than a joke. A second-rate has-been that used laser blasts and punching fists to challenge the protagonist (whether it be Superman, the Legion, or even Lex.) Without his idea to destroy worlds, the character's impact was GONE and he became a suped-up METALLO in terms of annoyance in his various appearances.

But this episode was great. It was one of the many first-season gems. A well-written script, excellent animation, and proper utilization of Superman's supporting cast.

And the shots of the various worlds were much too cool. I wish Superman had visited more alien worlds during the series's run.

And who voted this episode 1/2 star? Is it a damn Bat-fan who's just unreasonably opposed to everything Superman? Or did you have an actual justified reason you cared to share with everyone? Probably not, or you're probably too damn chicken to say so.

Caped Crusader

04-20-2002, 07:46 PM

Frankly, that question annoys me. Just because some people don't like this episode as much as you do, that's no reason to curse at them and call them chicken. Personally, I think this was a great episode, but if other people don't agree, I still respect their opinion.

Green Lantern

04-20-2002, 07:53 PM

Originally posted by Caped Crusader
Frankly, that question annoys me. Just because some people don't like this episode as much as you do, that's no reason to curse at them and call them chicken. Personally, I think this was a great episode, but if other people don't agree, I still respect their opinion. Ok, well you know what? If you're going to rate an episode THIS good a 1/2 star, I would LOVE to SEE that opinion. Maybe it's justified, like I said, and I want to know HOW someone justifies it. That's all.

I respect opinions, despite the prevailing belief, but I don't respect UNINFORMED and UNDEFENDED opinions. Those opinions DON'T COUNT in my book.

Maxie Zeus

04-20-2002, 09:01 PM

Well, I'm curious to see the person's opinion too, but I don't think cussing them out is going to encourage them to come forward. Or if they do, it will be with both fists swinging.

JohnStewart-GL

04-21-2002, 02:27 AM

i really liked this episode. i don't really rember but wasn't that when he created his fortress of solitude? the braniac was great in this ep.

JTurner954

04-21-2002, 02:48 AM

I gave this episode 3 stars. If "Last Son of Krypton Part 1" didn't air, I would like this episode more. To me, this is the weakest Brainiac episode. I just wasn't too crazy about it. The Brainiac design suffers like Disney villains, you can tell they are villains just by looking at them. One more thing: Of all the orbs that were destroyed, Superman just happens to get the one about Krypton?? That's a bit ridiculous (although MUCH worse has happened in other cartoons). I give it a weak thumbs up.

Excuse me, I'm upset as I type this. My Fox affiliate WSVN 7 once again kicks me in the teeth by making up their own programming instead of following their usual format. I'm so disgusted that I'm recording Batman without watching it. This is also a reason why I didn't like tonight's Superman that much. I apologize.

Webryder

04-21-2002, 05:59 AM

Watching this ep made me wish they hadn't changed the Superman character around so much between S:TAS and JL.

When I first heard they were going to do a JL show I was excited partly because I wanted to see how Bruce Timm and Co. would have THIS version of Supes interact with the other heros (i.e. Wonder Woman, Flash, Bats....especially Bats) But instead they chose to water him down and type cast him into nothing more than a muscle-bound boy scout that can't fight.

Whas Up with that???

This Clark Kent/Superman had more dimension, more heart, more charm...in a word more humanity. The JL version just seems so....... "alien" to me figuratively and literally. A real shame because they spent 3 seasons building up that character on his own show just to seemingly throw all that away!! :mad:

What really bewilders me is they got every other characters personaly nailed except Superman's and that sucks cuz "he's my fav'rit" :(

Green Lantern

04-21-2002, 12:34 PM

Webryder, beautifully said. Those are my sentiments about the JL Superman exactly... to say nothing about his voice, right?

And Jturner, this is the weakest Brainiac episode? Have you SEEN Ghost in the Machine or New Kids in Town where he blasted lasers and spewed out hackeyed dialogue and made his plans perfectly clear that he just wanted to destroy stuff and he didn't want anyone in his way. At least in Stolen Memories, he presented himself with a little more mystique, trying to manipulate Clark into helping him in his cause, and showing signs that he thought what he was doing was justified and right. That makes for a more interesting character: one that doesn't fully realize he's a villain. And while a more interesting character for us, also a more threatening villain for Superman.

And yes, he did suffer from the Disney villain syndrome as you call it, (something which is very true and being a Disney aficionado it was something that I recognized as soon as you pointed it out,) but from seeing Last Son of Krypton, we already know he's at least callously evil and totally devoid of sympathy (if you don't want to call the LSoK Brainiac a "villain") so even if they made him bright pink, giggly, and dressed him in an Easter bonnet, we'd know it was the villain anyway, right? :D

As far as your qualm about Superman saving the Krypton orb... I don't find it too hard to believe that he just remembered which orb was from Krypton. I don't find that as unbelievable as some of what we've been subjected to in later seasons of Superman, and much of what Batman is apparently capable in Justice League.

JTurner954

04-21-2002, 02:36 PM

See, it would of been more suspenseful (to me anyway) if LSOK Part 1 didn't air. If I didn't know in advance that Brianiac played a big role in destroying Krypton, it would of made it A LOT better. And regarding the orb: all these orbs are exploding, Superman is flying to get out and grabs an orb right as the ship explodes, and that orb just happens to be the Krypton one?? Sounds too random.

Anyway, yes I liked Brainiac more in that one where Luthor has to build him (was that Ghost in the Machine) and that one where Superman teams up with Robin to find Bruce.

Green Lantern

04-21-2002, 02:40 PM

JTurner954

04-21-2002, 03:04 PM

I guess I'm just tired of all those close call escapes where the character gets what they are after then the explosion happens.

And come on, Brainiac as a "laser blaster ..."? I haven't seen the episodes in a long time, but Brainiac has got to do more than just that.

And last night's/this mornings episode did something I really liked, they hinted at Brainiac's return when they showed the computer screen of Krypton language BUT they didn't make it so obvious (like the ending to the Parasite episode recently). Don't get me wrong, I liked this weeks episode (I've calmed down since my tirade over my FOX affiliate), I was just expecting a little more.

Batman 80

04-21-2002, 03:45 PM

I give it 5 stars. This episode is what made Braniac my favorite Superman villain in the animated series.

Tmansdc

04-21-2002, 04:15 PM

I gave it a 4 1/2. It was great, but not SUPER GREAT, if you know what I mean. I liked a couple of other eps more like the one where green lantern was a guest star (which, in my opinion,was the only good hero guest star episode and such. the ones where flash and aquaman guest starred sucked acorns.)

Originally posted by Green Lantern
Brainiac. What a tragic villain in the scheme of Superman: The Animated Series. And I don't mean that he's tragic in the sense that Mr Freeze is tragic. Brainiac was a threatening, callously evil villain who actually posed a threat to the cosmos, but by time he reappeared in GHOST IN THE MACHINE, and every subsequent episode in which he appeared thereafter, he was little more than a joke. A second-rate has-been that used laser blasts and punching fists to challenge the protagonist (whether it be Superman, the Legion, or even Lex.) Without his idea to destroy worlds, the character's impact was GONE and he became a suped-up METALLO in terms of annoyance in his various appearances.

But this episode was great. It was one of the many first-season gems. A well-written script, excellent animation, and proper utilization of Superman's supporting cast.

And the shots of the various worlds were much too cool. I wish Superman had visited more alien worlds during the series's run.

And who voted this episode 1/2 star? Is it a damn Bat-fan who's just unreasonably opposed to everything Superman? Or did you have an actual justified reason you cared to share with everyone? Probably not, or you're probably too damn chicken to say so.

Don't be so harsh on someone just because you like superman more than batman okay? geez.

The Penguin

04-21-2002, 04:28 PM

This episode was really good and now that I think about it I don't know why I didn't give it the full five. Brainiac's return to the series was very well done. It's always fun to watch the hero discover something that you knew the whole time. You're cheering for him to figure it out and when he finally does you wait to see his reaction. Which was very well done in my view.

GL, I'm pretty sure there is someone out there who swoops in to all these talkbacks and just rates it "1/2" without ever having seen the episode just to see if they can get a rise out of someone. Nobody steps forward to defend the low score because there is no defense for it! They just want to say "I rated it 1/2, that should :mad: some people off!

Green Lantern

04-21-2002, 04:28 PM

Originally posted by Tmansdc
Don't be so harsh on someone just because you like superman more than batman okay? geez. No, not at all. I would never. But that vote of 1/2 a star came well before the episode aired and with no justification. It's perfectly reasonable to assume it was a Bat-fan blind with rage that Superman was even in existence. And that's what I'll think until I see a well-written, well-informed post as to why this Superman episode was THAT terrible in this coward's eyes. And then, once he shows his face and defends his opinions, I will issue a public apology for calling him a coward and an idiot and everything else I have called him.

I want to see REASONS, and I'd like to see them soon.

Penguin, you posted your thread just as I posted mine...

But you're probably right. It's just some loser wanting to get me angry, and I'm sorry I let someone with as little class and ZERO maturity get under my skin like that.

I know that the episode was fantastic. You know that the episode was fantastic. And a lot of other people know that the episode was fantastic. If he doesn't, then that's his own loss, and I pity his life that his fun comes from rating Superman episodes with 1/2 of a star; that really is the saddest thing I've ever seen.

mosszonedotcom

04-21-2002, 05:26 PM

4 and 1/2 stars

Great episode. I still think that Legacy is the best though.

Tmansdc

04-21-2002, 05:42 PM

maybe instead of a 1/2 rating you could put in it's place "I didn't see this episode"

Green Lantern

04-21-2002, 05:49 PM

If you didn't see this episode, you shouldn't be voting on it.

The Penguin

04-21-2002, 05:50 PM

Originally posted by Tmansdc
maybe instead of a 1/2 rating you could put in it's place "I didn't see this episode"
If you didn't see it there is no reason to participate in the talkback for it. It takes away from having the poll if say 8 people vote "I didn't see this episode" The talkbacks are about the episode, not whether or not you saw it.

The polls (started by I believe Jim Harvey) are to rate the episode on a scale to help foster the discussion, otherwise we'd have things like
"Liked it"
"Thought it was ok"
"Didn't like it"
"I didn't see this episode"

There is always someone who likes to mess around with polls. Whether it be giving a solid episode 1/2, voting for a really bad episode in the Best 'Batman: The Animated Series' Poll or voting just to break a tie in John Delaney's Sketch of the week. We can't change the system because those people exist.

Now... who else who saw it would like to share their thoughts on "Stolen Memories"?

CadaverousEyes

04-22-2002, 12:42 AM

Hell hath no fury than a Superman scorned. I mean, he punched a hole through Brainiac's chest. So what if he's not technically alive? He has sentience and a personality. Not even Darkseid got the chest hole treatment.

A proper first season finale. Luthor's scumlike qualities are starting to get a bit more exposure, Superman gets some payback for Krypton (as well as those other several hundredsomething planets which will now be forgotten forever), and there's a subtle hint at Brainiac's return.

Brainiac's 2nd appearance isn't all that bad. Sure, kidnapping and humbling one of the world's most powerful men isn't on par with destroying hundreds of planets, but it's still pretty vile.

murmur

04-22-2002, 02:35 AM

Very good observations CadaverousEyes. I totally agree on how thrilling it is to see some Krypton closure and especially to see Superman taken by anger. Can't think of much more to add on the quality of this episode that hasn't already been elaborated upon.

One thing to keep in mind about Braniac's "track record" for his episodes: Braniac's destruction of other planets happened before Stolen Memories. It's just that we found out about it in that episode. He didn't really accomplish anything more in that episode, it was just the first time we got to see his horrid past. It would be well beyond the censors to have him destroy planets in an actual episode. For me, the goal for Braniac episodes has always been "Stop this cyberthing from letting loose upon the cosmos again." With the memories of this episode in my mind, those are high enough stakes.

Oh, and another couple takes on Superman somehow finding the Krypton orb: I remember seeing somewhere on the STAS site that Superman has a computer-like intelligence (don't know if this is a yellow sunlight power or a natural Kryptonian trait) which seems to involve an outstanding memory. Superman may not be portrayed as the smartest superhero in this continuity, but he is capable of some pretty unique things like knowing every language on earth or perhaps exactly where certain objects are, like that orb. Another possible interpretaion: those orbs work on what seems to be a telepathic connecion with their users. With Superman's strong emotional tie to Krypton, it is conceivable that he could have an instinctive feeling for the orb, including where it is.

The Green Hornet

04-22-2002, 02:46 AM

actually it can probably be boiled down to his journalist skills and his love of his home planet

as a journalist, he is trained to watch and observe and remember

im sure he watched EXACTLY where that orb went after he let go

worlogog

04-22-2002, 04:02 AM

4.5 stars

A great episode overall. I especially liked the scene where Supes went to his knees in grief after learning that Brainiac had destroyed all those worlds... then getting angry and yelling "Brainiac!" like he was going to deliver a big can of whoopass. That's why I agree that STAS Supes had a better and more interesting personality that JL Supes (not to mention that he also seemed to be a more effective hero there too).

Mattashell

04-22-2002, 05:47 PM

This is the best S:TAS I've seen so far. I like to see an ep like this with more plot and not all action. The scene where Supes is assaulted by the robots was comical in a Loony Tuney kind of way. The situation with Luthor tricked by Brainiac and helpless to cut him out, with the world in perril is truly suspenceful. Very rare for this series. Five stars.

Anubis C. Soundwave

04-22-2002, 10:04 PM

Kal-El ONCE AGAIN uses many of his powers here, whereas in JL...grr. :mad:

Maybe the JL team got Bizzaro by mistake...? Naah, Bizz would have used his flight and superspeed at least.

==

On the episode; solid, good characterization and reason to watch Brainiac again, but not the absolute best ep. [that would be "The Late Mr. Kent", easy. :D] Did love the dream sequences.

Livewire

04-23-2002, 04:57 PM

Originally posted by JTurner954
See, it would of been more suspenseful (to me anyway) if LSOK Part 1 didn't air. If I didn't know in advance that Brianiac played a big role in destroying Krypton, it would of made it A LOT better. And regarding the orb: all these orbs are exploding, Superman is flying to get out and grabs an orb right as the ship explodes, and that orb just happens to be the Krypton one?? Sounds too random.

Anyway, yes I liked Brainiac more in that one where Luthor has to build him (was that Ghost in the Machine) and that one where Superman teams up with Robin to find Bruce.

JTurner954, in no way does "LSOK" pt.1 ruin "Stolen Memories", IMO. We [the audience] know how wicked Brainiac is and desperately root for Superman to learn the horrible truth about him as well. The build-up is suspenseful, as Supes gradually puts the pieces together, finally coming to the tragic realization of what Brainiac's plan really is.

And like Murmur said, Superman does indeed have computer-like intelligence, which makes it very possible for Supes to find the orb. I'm positive he'd make sure to remember where it was, too, considering it contains the knowledge of his entire civilization.

A 5 star ep that I'd give more, if I could. Daly's performance was superb, as usual, especially when he drops to his knees and cries, "Brainaic!". A truly magnifecent ep that I can watch again and again.

JTurner954

04-23-2002, 06:02 PM

Originally posted by Livewire

And like Murmur said, Superman does indeed have computer-like intelligence, which makes it very possible for Supes to find the orb. I'm positive he'd make sure to remember where it was, too, considering it contains the knowledge of his entire civilization.
[/QUOTE]

And they didn't mention it in the episode. Therefore, it loses points.

And of course you know that he will find out. You mean to tell me that you wouldn't of been more shocked if you didn't know Brianiac was responsible in the first place??

Mattashell

04-24-2002, 02:49 AM

Brainiac commited species genocide on what could be hundreds of worlds, and thereby murdered millions of people (by "people" I mean intelligent life forms.) The show made this very clear, but after On Leather Wings the censors made sure they never showed blood, because of a little bit dripping from Batman's chin. I'm always moved by the glimpses of Brainiacs acts. I'm not saying I'd want it cencored, I'm just wondering how censors set their priorities.

James Harvey

05-24-2003, 11:50 PM

Cartoon Network is airing this episode at 1:30am (ET).

http://wf.toonzone.net/WF/superman/episodes/StolenMemories/Screens/07.jpg

Episode #09 - Stolen Memories
Original Airdate - November 2nd, 1996.

Brainiac, once Krypton's all-knowing planetary computer, comes to Earth as part of his information-gathering trek across the galaxy. But, as Superman discovers, Brainiac's intent after gathering the world's knowledge is to destroy the Earth.

Comments?

The Detective

05-25-2003, 04:38 PM

4 stars

This is great. I haven't seen most of the Superman episodes so now I'm using the oppurtunity to catch up on them.

Now this was a good episode. Great to see Superman finding out more about his past and the very beginning of the Fortress of Solitude. Actually, I prefer us knowing that Brainiac is a villian. It makes it more suspenful that we know and Superman doesn't. Funny, Luthor and Superman working together for once. They were both trying to save the planet. Good to see Luthor brought to his knees for once. A man like that needs to be humbled every now and then or he begins to percieve himself as all powerful.

How sick can Brainica be. He destroys worlds just so the knowledge is more precious? That reminds me I liked the scene where Superman started touching all the orbs and realized that Brainiac had destroyed them all. Intruiging. I wish we could have seen more alien worlds in STAS.

Probably the best Brainiac episode. While I liked NEW KIDS IN TOWN I agree that for the most part, after this episode Brainiac lost some of his appeal. He works best a creepy robot trying to desroy planets.

One thing I'm confused on, did Brainiac originate on Krypton?

oranthal

05-25-2003, 04:53 PM

How sick can Brainica be. He destroys worlds just so the knowledge is more precious? That reminds me I liked the scene where Superman started touching all the orbs and realized that Brainiac had destroyed them all. Intruiging. I wish we could have seen more alien worlds in STAS.

That is one thing I don't understand. Why would Brainiac need to be the only one to have that kind of knowledge? He gains nothing from it and considering money has no value to him, he wouldn't need to have that knowledge being more precious.

Near the end of the episode where Brainiac's ship was in the process of being destroyed, he seemed genuinely concerned about the information in the orbs even though he was about to be blown up. Odd.

maxnugget

05-25-2003, 05:41 PM

That is one thing I don't understand. Why would Brainiac need to be the only one to have that kind of knowledge? He gains nothing from it and considering money has no value to him, he wouldn't need to have that knowledge being more precious.

I always thought of Brainiac's logic for collecting data and then destroying the worlds a different way: If you collect data, and don't destroy the world, you have to continually update your data as the world continues living. It becomes an impossible task. But if, say, he collects all data on Krypton and its civilization, then destroys the planet and its populace, he has a full, complete knowledge of the planet, from start to finish, and no need to stay there to find out what happens after he collects the data. This has always been my interpretation of Brainiac's motives. That would make a lot of sense, since his motivations are what he was programmed with, and this explanation would make logical sense to him, that as long as the planet remains in existence, he cannot have complete knowledge of it.

Anarky

05-25-2003, 07:42 PM

i may have an answer, a theory actually, to the "orb controversy"

Kal has residual images from the orb hours after he had touched it.
Perhaps when he touched the orb, he made a connection w/ it, hence when Brainiac's ship was exploding, it made it easier for him to sense the orb (kinda like a homing signal)

i liked this ep. i'm glad they made Brainiac an A.I. instead of an organic creature

I liked him in "Ghost in the Machine" too, especially his crank call to Kent ):-)

I was very disappointed in the Legion epsiode though. You'd think that after all those years, Brainiac would've had a new design instead of carrying the same shell into the 30th Century. Same goes for the Static eps. I had thought they'd remake the character, perhaps giving him the B-13 design.

Frank White

05-26-2003, 02:54 AM

I also like GitM. Given the circumstances Braniac couldn't be an evil planet destroying robot, but I'm pretty sure if Superman wasn't there he would have started on plans. Nevertheless Braniac was a convincing threat to Superman, the "crank call", the missles blowing up the bridge, the attack on Mercy, and the final fight. I liked how Superman immediately went after Brainiac with no concern for Lex or Mercy. It really convinces me of how seriously Supes takes Brainiac. I feel like I'm in the Ghost in the Machine talkback :)

Simpler Simon

02-02-2005, 11:26 PM

Well I just watched this episode again via the volume 1 boxed set, and it still holds up pretty well. Few comments though (and I was listening to the commentary, so maybe i missed something):

-is superman's dream connected to the orbs somehow? Did they transfer that knowledge subconsciously into his head to make him curious? Or is this merely a plot device by the staff to move the story along?

-did anyone else feel the intro to the fortress of solitude was a little underwelming? It seems like he first discovered the place offscreen, but I would've liked to see it revealed onscreen, if only because its an important part of his mythos (after we got a full origin story and reveals of the upgraded spaceship and radiation suit, guess i was expecting a bit more)

-he only saves the krypton orb? when i was a kid it wasn't the benign brainiac that confuzzled me, it was this. Countless civilizations are now permanantly lost, and all he managed to save was the krypton orb.

Krypton_Knight

02-02-2005, 11:32 PM

Has there ever been a line that's established Jor-el as the creator of Brainiac in canon?

If Jor-el's responsible for bringing that bloody thing to life, then Jax-ur was even *more* correct than I thought about the need for different leadership on Krypton. :-)

KK

The Penguin

08-27-2005, 11:49 PM

Tonight at 12:30 a.m. ET, Boomerang airs the Superman: The Animated Series episode, Stolen Memories. If you do not have Boomerang, you are encouraged to follow along on disc 2A of your Superman: The Animated Series, Vol. 1 (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=132297) DVD set.

http://wf.toonzone.net/WF/superman/tb.jpg

Episode #09 - Stolen Memories
Original Airdate - November 2nd, 1996.

Brainiac, once Krypton's all-knowing planetary computer, comes to Earth as part of his information-gathering trek across the galaxy. But, as Superman discovers, Brainiac's intent after gathering the world's knowledge is to destroy the Earth.

Comments?

Crow

08-28-2005, 11:01 AM

Seeing this now after seeing Twilight sort of alters your perception a bit - Brainiac in Twilight seems so emotionless robotic and menacing, but in this episode he seems a tad bit more 'human' in his voice. Burton obviously got more into the character as time went by and his performance in this was in no way a bad one, it's just a quirk that I picked.

I don't see Brainiac as 'almost like Joker killing Batman's parents', the best thing out of him being Kryptonian is he was played against Jor-El (who of course was made into such a stronger character). When Superman finds out what happened between them, well that's one of the best parts of the episode.

The Penguin

10-13-2005, 10:21 PM

ROBOTRON

10-14-2005, 01:24 AM

4 1/2 stars

Brainiac is great...I like the STAS, JLU version of Brainiac much better than the comic book version. Great episode.:D

warmachine04

10-14-2005, 08:40 AM

One of favorite episodes of the S:TAS. I like Brainiac's design and origin story. A well develped story. :D

Caswin

05-28-2006, 05:41 PM

No one's mentioned the Fleischer homages yet? C'mon, we've got the robot fight from The Mechanical Monsters, the laser-punching thing from The Mad Scientist, and scenes like Superman summoning the strength to fight back against Brainiac's beam were pretty much a Fleischer staple.

Speaking of that scene: PWNED!!

5/5

Mattashell

03-12-2008, 10:43 PM

I didn't watch the commentary yet, so forgive me if this was mentioned.

I find it an interesting point that this Brainiac has loose connections to Silver Age Barainiac, particularly how this appearance is like Brainiac's first appearance.

In the Silver age, Brainiac collected cities (shrunken in bottles) from throughout the galaxy including one from Krypton (Kandor). When he came to Earth he tried to capture Metropolis and ended up defeated by Superman who kept Kandor in his Fortress of solitude.

In "Stolen Memories" Brainiac collected whole planets in the form of all their knowledge and all the information about the world, then destroyed the physical world. Krypton is in his collection, and he tries to add Earth, but is defeated by Superman. who saves the Krypton orb in a place where his Fortress will eventually be built.

Gravitea

05-14-2010, 02:43 PM

A great episode

I enjoyed how Superman was overjoyed when he heard that there was another Kryptonian, but learnt that Brainiac had bad intentions in mind. I enjoyed the fact that Lex didn't just trust Brainiac blindly, and was actually cautious about the alien he knew almost nothing about.

It was chilling that Brainiac simply collected data about planets then destroyed the planets to make the knowledge more valuable. Nothing else mattered; which indeed made it a great villian.

One thing that I've noticed was that Brainiac does indeed have a lack of empathy. Maybe when the Kryptonian Council had programmed it, they made sure that the all-knowing computer only used logic to make decisions. A grave mistake as this all-knowing, unsympathetic AI was treated like a deity and its AI became more and more developed...