Brandon Sampson, also known as Paragon, is a character on Netflix's Jupiter's Legacy. He is portrayed by Andrew Horton.
He is Grace and Sheldon Sampson’s son. In training to assume the mantle of the Utopian and become the new leader of the Union of Justice, he struggles to live up to his father's mythic legend.
Biography[]
Background[]
Throughout the series[]
Season 1[]
By Dawn's Early Light[]
In a park somewhere, some children are playing a game of heroes and villains. Eventually, one of the kids, a girl, takes the game too far, and the kid she and her brother will play with runs off after she uses her powers. Shortly after, their superhero father flies down and warns Chloe about using her powers. He then proceeds to remind her of their responsibilities as super powered individuals. At first, he promises to take his kids for some ice cream, but is quickly forced to cut his time with kids short, when he hears there’s trouble afoot somewhere in the city. Chloe is downbeat because she was about to spend time with her father.
In the present day, a grown up Brandon Sampson sees on the news that supervillain Blackstar is in court.
Elsewhere, a couple of robbers try to take over a bank when a supervillain who calls herself Iron Orchid appears and uses her powers to stop them. She then opens up a van full of cash, but before she can take it, Brandon as the superhero Paragon arrives to try and fight her. However, he struggles to fight her, so she mocks him instead, and angers him by referencing his father. Speaking of the devil, the Utopian, who is also Brandon's father, arrives and helps put a stop to the aforementioned villain. Later, he tells his son that he needs to call for backup next time.
Sheldon confides in his wife how he is worried about his daughter Chloe, but his wife tells him to calm down and advises him that what he needs to do is find the right time to talk to her. The conversation eventually shifts to Brandon, and Sheldon tells Grace that their son is "not getting it" and probably never will regarding what it truly means to be a superhero. Grace tells him to give their son time, but Sheldon believes Brandon is too emotional and distracted to take on the Utopian mantle.
On the house’s roof, Brandon uses his powers to hear his father's conversation, which appears to make him upset.
Later that day, Sheldon, Walter, Grace, and Brandon begin their evening dinner. A drunk Chloe storms through the door as her father, Sheldon, says grace. There's a clear tension between Chloe and her father. Especially when Chloe talks about her latest photoshoot in a magazine. Sheldon disapproves of the attention she brings herself and states that Brandon tries to use his gift to better the world. The conversation inevitably turns into an argument, and Chloe states how much she regrets having Sheldon as her father. Her mother, Grace, demands that she apologize. Chloe does apologize but states that this will be the last dinner she will be coming to before storming out.
Brandon tries to speak to his sister Chloe to try and reason with her, mentioning how someone else has to be the next Utopian. Chloe argues that they needed their father when they were younger and she is "sorry" that Brandon has to pick up 120 years of their dad’s bullshit.
Eventually, Brandon and Walter arrive with more superheroes to fight Blackstar. Unfortunately, Barry Bishop and Vera, along with other young superheroes are killed in the battle. Brandon gets emotional and tries to fight Blackstar one on one. His mother arrives to help, and while Blackstar repeatedly punches The Utopian, Walter takes control of Blackstar’s mind while the others beat and restrain him. Eventually, Blackstar frees himself from mind control and fights again. Blackstar starts to go nuclear, so Brandon super punches the villain to kill him.
There's shock amongst the heroes and Sheldon tells his son that they do not kill. Brandon argues that Blackstar was about to take out half the state, along with his parents, but his father feels he took the easy way out while Brandon argues that taking a life was not easy.
Paper and Stone[]
Brandon is frustrated, as he remembers hearing his father’s words that he will "never be ready". Blackstar mocks Brandon, stating he would have swallowed him whole, and is soon dragged away to return to maximum security prison. The Utopian is keen for answers, and Walter feels they need to cut the corpse open to find out.
Outside, the press is curious as to who the Union was fighting if it wasn't the real Blackstar. Grace fields the answers to the journalists. There’s a single question that irks The Utopian due to a poll that claims 78% of Americans agree with Paragon’s execution of the supervillain.
When the dust settles, Sheldon tells Brandon that his actions reflect on the family. Brandon argues that he had to make a choice, it was either his father or Blackstar and he asks Sheldon if he would have done the same if it was him or Blackstar. Sheldon avoids the question and states how one day he will be gone, and Brandon will be the new Utopian. He reminds him that the only thing they have left is the Code. The father and son keep on disagreeing, with Sheldon telling his son to stay at the farm while things calm down.
Later, Brandon makes a speech about his friends who died in the fight. He feels like he failed. After the ceremony, Fitz Small thanks Brandon, claiming he did the right thing or his daughter Petra Small would have died as well.
What's the Use?[]
In the present, over on the family farm, Grace wants to show her husband Sheldon some photos from her latest heroic venture. But Sheldon doesn't appear to be all that interested. He then reveals that he has sent Brandon to the autopsy of Blackstar's clone as he needs to see it. His wife is annoyed that he's made that decision without consulting her, but Sheldon wants Brandon to see the consequences of his actions. Grace feels he is punishing their son and reminds him that Brandon is also human.
Meanwhile, Brandon tells Walter that every time he replays the battle with Blackstar, it becomes unclear in his head. Walter tells him that he made a decision, and nothing can change that. Mr. Wolfe then drops in for a visit to analyze the Blackstar corpse. He uses his powers to pull the body apart so that they can analyze the body further. Much to everyone's surprise, deeply embedded inside the corpse is a device. When Mr. Wolfe opens up the device, there’s a pocket watch inside.
Cover Her Face[]
In the present, Grace notices that Brandon is in a possible romance with Ruby again. Brandon brings up how since Blackstar, everyone else in the field is tense, and he cannot stay on this farm anymore. He then brings up what’s good about setting an example if nobody follows it. His mother reminds him that it's because it is the "right thing".
At home, Sheldon apologizes to Grace for taking so long to save the planet from the comet. He tells her it isn't as easy as it used to be and might need Brandon next time. Grace explains she ran into Janna while on patrol and that she is dead now. This in turn brings an uneasy silence between them.
Omnes Pro Uno[]
In the present, Brandon and Chloe grieve over Janna, and they are both understandably upset. Brandon wonders if it is his fault, but Chloe states that somebody dies regardless of who does the right or wrong thing. After debating on who may or may be the next Utopian, Brandon asks Chloe to be around more, and she says she will think about it.
Petra Small then tells Brandon that she is thinking of leaving the Union as she does not believe in the Code anymore. Brandon admits he has had doubts over the Code as well. Especially more recently, but he remembers what his father told him; that "the Code was not meant to make our lives easier. You have to care about people. About this world".
How It All Ends[]
Brandon speaks to Sheldon to comfort him about Walter and states he will be okay. Sheldon mentions how one time he had to make many sacrifices. He then references Skyfox and how his friend felt like the Code held him back and ended up breaking it. Sheldon states Skyfox became their worst enemy, and so he cannot lose his son as well, just like he lost George, who was like a brother to him. Brandon reassures him that he’s been talking like his own father recently. Unfortunately, their conversation is cut short as they are alerted by Petra that the real Blackstar is now free.
At the maximum-security prison, it has been locked down as the guards and superheroes look for Blackstar. Brandon surveys the place but ends up getting attacked from behind by Blackstar. Sheldon arrives, and Blackstar wants to test him on his Code. He asks if his son comes first or the Code. Sheldon knows if he kills Blackstar to save his son, the Union will lose its trust in the Code. Luckily, Sheldon doesn't have to make a choice as Petra comes to help in the fight. Brandon remembers his father’s words when he claimed he was not close to being ready. So he puts Blackstar in a compromising position, and he has a choice to kill him. However, he chooses at that moment to follow the Code.
Sheldon tells his son that he wouldn't have let him die and Brandon states he believes him. However, Sheldon isn't convinced by his son's statement to him.
Meanwhile, Grace knows Skyfox gave Walter a message, which is why he let them go. Walter eventually shows her what it was by transferring it into her mind. She then sees visions of Sheldon and Brandon dead, with Skyfox standing over them victorious. Walter proceeds to explain that George cloned Blackstar, knowing that it would trouble the Union. He's going after all of them. Grace vows that no one will hurt her family and they will bring him to justice.
However, unbeknownst to anyone, Walter was the one behind the Blackstar clone and is looking to tear father and son apart in order to become to the new leader of the Union.
Personality[]
Powers and Abilities[]
- Superhuman Strength: Brandon has inherited his father's strength and will only get stronger as he grows older.
- Flight: Brandon has the ability to fly through the air at supersonic speeds.
- Vacuum Adaptation/Self-Sustenance: He can survive in outer space.
- Superhuman Hearing He has super-sensitive ears that can perfectly pick up sounds from miles away and even through structures.
- Superhuman Speed: While in motion, he appears as a blue blur.
- Longevity: Brandon can survive for thousands of years without succumbing to death.
- Superhuman Durability: He can survive being smashed through cement and withstand punches from even Blackstar, he has even been able to survive from energy powers.
Weaknesses[]
- Blunt Force/Limited Durability
Equipment[]
Relationships[]
Appearances[]
Season 1[]
- By Dawn's Early Light
- Paper and Stone
- Painting the Clouds With Sunshine
- All the Devils Are Here
- What's the Use?
- Cover Her Face
- Omnes Pro Uno
- How It All Ends
Memorable Quotes[]
Trivia[]
- Fans may agree that Paragon is somewhat a combination of Jon Kent/Superboy in DC comics and Spider-Man in Marvel comics.
Gallery[]