Credit – The CW
The Season Two premiere episode of ‘Superman and Lois’ did not disappoint, and proved to fans that there might be some sanity left at The CW. The ratings were on par with last year and saw a very solid 1.1 million viewers, that actually topped any of the other CW show premieres, and sends a message to The CW. Give the fans high quality entertainment, stay true to the established core of the characters, and leave the identity politics out of the stories. Other than one minor irritation, that I’ll discuss later, ‘Superman and Lois’ began where it left off, and ended their first episode of season two with a bang. If The CW can manage to keep their mitts off of ‘Superman and Lois’, season two looks to be very promising. Tyler Hoechlin’s version of Superman, is quickly becoming one my favorite iterations of the character. The Superman we are seeing in ‘Superman and Lois’ so far, is one that is grounded, powerful, and unwavering in his core beliefs. It’s refreshing to see a depiction of this character that more closely resembles the comic book version from decades ago, rather than the trash we are now being subjected to, in DC Comics’ version. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still waiting for the other shoe to drop, because let’s face it, The CW has a long history of destroying everything they touch.
Superman Believes in Hope for All
The season two premiere had a lot going on in it, and managed to orchestrate it beautifully. We had Superman contending with General Lane’s replacement Lt. Mitch Anderson, over his allegiance to America, we had Lois navigating her conflicting feelings at the arrival of John Henry Irons’ daughter Natalie and Lois’ own loss, we had the Kent boys traversing their own relationship issues, and we had new threats from beneath the ground and from above. Initially, when I saw the trailer for the new season, there was an inference that Superman did not ally himself with the United States. After watching the episode in its entirety, and seeing what Superman meant by telling Lt. Anderson that he swore his allegiance to the world, and not just to the United States, it makes much more sense. Superman is not going to help someone in danger based on what country they reside in. This was all a result of Lt. Anderson questioning Superman’s loyalty, when Superman saved a communist China submarine. Superman says to Lt. Anderson, that he wouldn’t insert himself into the geo politics of the world when someone’s life is in danger…that’s just not how he operates. In my opinion, I think this Superman does believe in America, but also believes in saving all human beings, no matter their politics. I do think, however, that The CW could have said all that, without Superman saying he swore his allegiance to the world rather than America. But for The CW, that must have had some of them over there having spasm attacks…so I’ll take it.
Superman and Lois is Giving the Characters and its Fans the Respect They Deserve
‘Superman and Lois’ is doing a phenomenal job at character development, and it showed in this episode. In the last episode of season one, we saw the arrival of John Henry Irons’ daughter Natalie. Three months have passed, and Lois and Natalie are both having a hard time dealing with the emotions that Natalie’s arrival have brought. Natalie is from an alternate universe where Superman killed her mom, who happens to be Lois Lane, and Lois is dealing with seeing a daughter that could have been, as a result of losing her own daughter that was going to be named Natalie. The two Kent boys are dealing with their own relationship issues, among them teenage sex and Jordan Kent’s girlfriend blowing him off throughout the whole episode. There was a lot going on in this episode, but the show runners managed to weave that all together, giving us a family fun, wholesome, and action packed episode, that is quickly becoming a recipe for success in this series. The father sons talk on sex, with Jonathan and Jordan were uncomfortable, wholesome, natural, and funny, and reminded us what being a family means, and how open and honest conversations keep it all together. This also included how the show runners wrapped up the Natalie and Lois’ relationship. Lois found a way to be there for Natalie and vice versa, ending the episode with the Kent’s inviting the Irons into their home while they get themselves settled. This show, so far, is giving the fans the respect they deserve, not insulting their intelligence, and are staying true to an American icon.
Credit – DC Comics
Doomsday is Coming…
One of the best parts of this episode, however, was the impending threat you felt throughout the whole episode, from an unidentified villain, that you couldn’t quite put your finger on. Throughout the episode, Smallville is having earthquake tremors that can’t be identified, and has Clark/Superman puzzled by their existence. When Superman is trying to save the Chinese submarine, he is temporarily stunned by something he doesn’t recognize. Later in the episode, when Superman identifies where the tremors and his disorientation are coming from, he sees two people dressed in Superman similar outfits. He immediately confronts Lt. Anderson at the DOD, and Lt. Anderson informs Superman, that the DOD is experimenting with their own versions of Superman. Lt. Anderson tells Superman, that because he wouldn’t join his team, the DOD had to have other alternatives in fighting for American interests. It’s at that point you think, ok, we have identified the threat, the tremors, and the villain. But, no…that’s not where it ends. At the end of the episode, Clark is heading towards the Kent house and hears a thunderous pounding in the distance. He looks thoughtfully and concerned to where the sound is emanating from, and then walks back towards the house. The audience is then brought to the underground spot where the DOD is experimenting, and we continue to hear the loud bangs. They get louder, and begin to sound like punches trying to break through the earth, until finally, something does break through and we see a gloved fist. To comic book fans, that can only mean one thing. Doomsday is coming…and that is both terrifying and exciting. Doomsday killed Superman way back in 1992 with the Death of Superman, and was a great run in the comics. This development is thrilling and worrisome at the same time. I hope The CW pulls it off, and pays respect to the artists and writers who brought us those stories.
Credit – The CW
Please Check Your Politics at the Door With Superman and Lois
‘Superman and Lois’ has started off on a very good track, and I hope it continues to follow its recipe for success. There was no identity politics in this episode, no “wokeness”, and it just felt grounded, and more importantly entertained us while we escaped into Superman’s world for an hour. Oh, and did I mention that Natalie and her father John Henry Irons, AKA Steel, are black? No, because it didn’t matter, and that’s how a show should be written. I love the John Henry Irons character. I loved John Henry Irons in the comic books because he was written so well. I never focused on his color, because I didn’t care. The CW have written him in a very thoughtful complex way that makes us believe in his cause. The CW is literally writing stories that are the antithesis of what they usually do with their shows…and that makes me nervous. They aren’t throwing representation at us, and forcing it down our throats because we need to be better. They are just giving us solid entertainment, and that surprises me. And that’s why I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. I hate that I have to feel this way, and be nervous before each viewing of a new episode, but that’s what The CW has trained us to do.
Related: No Allegiance to America
