Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Krypton season 2, episode 9.

In the penultimate episode of Krypton season 2, the Superman prequel series said goodbye to another series regular in the most gruesome way possible. Kem, played by Rasmus Hardiker, was brutally murdered by Doomsday while attempting to save Seg-El (Cameron Cuffe). Kem is the second main character to die in season 2, following Daron-Vex (Elliot Cowan), who was killed in the season premiere by Lyta-Zod (Georgina Campbell).

Kem was introduced in the series premiere of Krypton as a bartender and Seg’s best friend. It didn’t take long for Kem to be drawn into the fight against Brainiac (Blake Ritson). Over time, Kem developed a close bond with the time-traveling Adam Strange (Shaun Sipos). In season 2, Zod’s takeover of Krypton led to Kem being conscripted into the military, forcing him to leave his life as a bartender behind him. Eventually, Kem was able to turn against his superiors and begin working with the rebels to defeat General Zod (Colin Salmon).

In Krypton season 2, episode 9, “Blood Moon”, Zod successfully uses Black Mercy to control Doomsday and unleashes him on Wegthor. Of course, the rebels have no way of holding their own against Doomsday, so it’s agreed that the only way to survive is to escape. To buy them some time, Seg and Kem head off to collapse the tunnels and trap Doomsday inside. Kem makes a heroic sacrifice so that Seg can get away. When Kem finds the detonator for the explosive charges, he is forced to face Doomsday alone. Doomsday impales Kem on his fist and rips off his head, right after Kem defiantly gives him the middle finger and triggers the explosives.

What happened to Kem is easily one of the show’s darkest moments yet. While Kem’s death will understandably have a profound impact on Seg, it may also turn the tide of the war. Kem’s sacrifice caused the destruction of Wegthor, which could also mean that Doomsday has been removed from the equation. If so, Kem’s actions will result in a major win for Seg and the rebels. Thanks to Kem, Zod just lost not only Doomsday but the key to his dream of universal conquest as well.

Doomsday may have been Zod’s most powerful weapon, but Wegthor was the home of his most important resource: stellarium. Zod was mining the stellarium from Wegthor for the purpose of producing warp fuel for his fleet. So without the warp fuel, Zod won’t be able fulfill his goal of exploring and conquering the galaxy. It appears that Zod’s plans are falling apart before the Krypton season 2 finale even begins.

Next: Krypton’s Jor-El Has Been In The Show All Along