REVIEW: Superman & Lois, S4, Ep 1-3
The final season of ‘Superman & Lois’ has premiered in the U.S. with their take on “The Death of Superman”. Both episode 1, “The Beginning & The End”, and episode 2, “A World Without”, released simultaneously to create a two hour event. Having always been a family drama, this season’s opener sets a more somber tone with little indication things will work out as the season unfolds.
“Superman & Lois” stars Tyler Hoechlin as Clark Kent/Superman, Elizabeth Tulloch as Lois Lane, Alex Garfin as Jordan Kent, Michael Bishop as Jonathan Kent, and Michael Cudlitz as Lex Luthor, with special appearances by Dylan Walsh as General Sam Lane, Emmanuelle Chriqui as Lana Lang, and Inde Navarrette as Sarah Cushing.
Picking up right where season 3 left off, we finally get to see the epic battle between Bizarro/Doomsday and Superman. We also see the affects of the trimmed down cast as “The Beginning & The End” flashbacks through key moments in Lois and Clark’s relationship including Lex’s initial vendetta against Lois. As Clark battles for his life in space, Lois tasks Jordan to find General Lane and Lex sets up residence in Smallville. The episode does conclude with Superman’s death but with a much worse outcome than the comic book source material.
“A World Without” brings in Lana and Sarah as Lois, Jordan, and Jonathan try to rally in hopes to revive The Man of Steel. Lex continues to insist on staying in Smallville as he continues his efforts to dismantle Lois’s life. Acting brashly, Jordan confronts Lex for the means to save his father’s life, but sadly and tragically fails only to have Lex figure out Superman’s true connection to Lois as Clark Kent. The episode concludes with what feels like will be the status quo of the season as Clark programmed a version of himself in the new fortress in the eventuality of his passing.
This final season pulls no emotional punches with its premiere. With how unpredictable the show’s writing has been in order to make a fresh take on familiar stories, there’s no guarantee for a version of “The Return of Superman”. I, for one, am still in a bit of shock but curious and hopeful on how things will play out.
Episode 3, “Always My Hero” doesn’t ease up on the emotional ride started in the season premiere. With the grief and guilt of losing Clark continuing to affect the Kent family, General Lane formally recruits John Henry and Natalie Irons into the D.O.D. With a bittersweet reprieve during the second act, the episode quickly takes a turn leaving this viewer a bit misty eyed.
Using the flashback method of storytelling that worked well with ‘Arrow’, we get more insight to Clark and Lois’s early relationship, this time through the perspective of Sam Lane. It’s great to see the cast change their demeanors and body language for these flashbacks as it gives a real sense of how they’ve all grown through the years. It’s also a clever way to keep Tyler Hoechlin active and present in the show.
One of the bittersweet moments comes with John Henry and Natalie Irons being included this episode. Although they start out with a few scenes just the two of them, we get a great payoff as they both don their power suits and work as a team to try and be an obstacle against Bizarro/Doomsday. Although they’re no match for the creature, they’re successful in buying Sam time to inact his plan which has both devastating and hopeful results. The other more notable bittersweet moment is too much of a spoiler to reveal here, but it will have lasting effects to the Kent family dynamic going forward.
This final season of Superman & Lois is shaping up to being a very somber and heart wrenching send off, as Luthor continues to exact his revenge against Lois for his wrongful imprisonment. We’re left with a tear jerking final sequence before a completely opposite cliffhanger scene which makes this one of the more emotional rollercoaster episodes of the show to date.
