My Superman & Lois review
Superman and Lois: This show is centered on Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane's life as parents. Being parents becomes difficult when the boys learn about a family secret that affects one of them. On top of that, something tragic happened to Clark that cause him and his family to move to Smallville. Meanwhile, there is a conspiracy in Smallville that could endanger the world and Superman has a target on his back. So, Superman has to figure out who's after him and stop the conspiracy before it's too late.
This show gave us the best adaption of Superman we've had in a long time! The show took inspiration from Superman rebirth and I notice some references to the source material. I'm impressed with the production value of this series because it looks like it was made on a movie budget. Making a show around Superman's family could be problematic, I was worried that this series would focus more on the family drama than the Superman stuff. Thankfully that's not the case here, hopefully, it won't be the case in the future. The writers separate these elements and not have one overshadow the other most of the time. Speaking of the boys I'm glad that the writers help us separate the two, so we won't have to deal with the brothers switch places cliche. I would prefer the boys to be ten instead of teenagers, doing that would give the show less focus on the typically teenage tropes. Moving to Smallville also helps the family dynamic.
Episode 11 is the best episode of the season because it works as a love letter that reintroduces us to this character. The theme of this season is nature vs nurture. We see those themes being explored by using loyalty and the use of power as underline themes. The series also deals with other subjects like Journalistic integrity, Capitalism and how the past affects the present. Remember when I said that you can do a serious or dark Superman story without making the character that way? This show is an example of how to do that, take notes Mr. Synder because this is how it's done! Not only that this series feels like an apology letter to anyone who was disappointed with Man of Steel and Dawn of Justice. I say that because this show handled scenes and plot points from both films better than those movies did. Before I talk about the characters, I want to say that this series surprised me in that arena. We think these characters are stereotypes but there more compelling than that.
Clark Kent/Superman is similar to the one the late Mr. Reeves played. What makes this character different is that when he's Clark he's not as clumsy or timid and when he's Superman he doesn't come off as cheesy. (Well, that depends on the viewer.) I appreciate that he has one moment of character development. Giving Clark/Superman a family helps humanize him because we see him trying to balance being Superman and being a father. Sidenote if this doesn't make people stop complaining about Superman being unrelatable nothing will.
What bugs me about this character is that he did something reckless and stupid in episode 3. Also, the writers don't seem to know what to do with the Clark Kent character, he doesn't do much to push the story forward. I have gripes with the Superman suit, I don't think the design is terrible but it's missing his signature red trucks. Plus, it has fake muscles on it because the actor is not big enough to fit in the suit. Another thing there are times where Superman seems to be too fast.
I like what this show has done with Lois Lane! In the past, Lois was portrayed as a sassy report who jumps before she looks and she's fond of Superman. This show has done more with her, I mean we get her backstory of her being an army brat, she struggles to find her place in Smallville and she shows a wide range of emotions. Another thing I appreciate about this Lois is she's drawn to Clark instead of Superman. The reason why is because Superman unintentionally made her job difficult. She finds Superman off-putting because of that. This is refreshing considering that she treats Clark like crap in the past. We learn something awful happened to Lois and the writers wasted it. They could have used it to show why you shouldn't prove your kids to wrath.
Johnathan Kent (One of the twin sons of Clark and Lois.) is a people person. You feel bad for him because things are not working out in his favor when he gets to Smallville. That's why he becomes a handful for Clark and Lois. The only complaint I have with him is his brother Jordan Kent did something to get him out of his shell, but it involves stepping on his brother's toes. I know John is trying to be the bigger person however, this was warrant an argument.
Jordan Kent is the opposite of Johnathan as far as keeping to himself and an outcast. Part of the reason why is because he has mental problems. That's what annoys me about this character I mean why establish that about this character if the show doesn't focus on that?
Sarah Cushing is a good supporting character to Johnathan and Jordan. She's also a troubled girl. I wish the show would show us her problems instead of telling us. Also, she didn't make the best first impression on me.
Kyle Crushing (Sarah's father) may come off as a hotheaded douchebag but he's going through a hard time. Plus, he has Smallville's best interest in mind.
Lana Lang (Sarah's mother) is someone who's stuck in Smallville. She loves Smallville but she wants to do more with her life.
Gen. Lane (Lois Lane's father.) is a standard soldier who puts duty above his family. This creates fractions between him, Lois and Clark/Superman.
I don't have much to say about the stranger because he's someone who has a vendetta against Superman for understandable reasons. The writers did something else with this character that will take Superman fans by surprise. (I'm mad at myself for not figuring it out sooner because I should have seen it coming.) Something happens at the end of the season that took away some of the emotional weight of his backstory.
Morgan Edge (the main villain) is a brilliant, manipulative and ruthless businessman. He's not only a good foil for Lois and Superman, he also parallels with Superman. What drives me nuts about him is the twist involving him. I don't think it's bad it's just that he's already similar to a Superman villain and now he reminds me of another one. Plus, he turns into a new baddie towards the end of the show and we don't have enough time to appreciate that. Really, I'm getting sick of the two bad guys he started off as because they're overused. That's a shame considering that they didn't get proper representation most of the time. Another thing his plan opens up a can of worms.
One of the problems I have with this series is the actions scenes, there not terrible they were just lackluster. Episode 12 could and should have been the finale episode if it wasn't for some loose ends. Speaking of episodes episode 3 could have been better if it addresses society's hypocrisy on fairness. I was outraged that this network had to make this show connect to their universe because it did a good job at separating itself from that. I notice two subtle moments of feminism. The show also lacks world-building, I mean Superman has been around for years but most of his villains are not mentioned, the fortress of solitude doesn't have much inside of it and we don't see Jimmy Olsen. Speaking of worldbuilding I wish Prof. Hamilton was in this show to make up for how Man of Steel wasted him. A minor complaint is the title of the show it should have been called Superman Family because that's what it is.
Overall, this is a series that's too good for this network! I would recommend this if you wondered what a sequel series to Lois and Clark the new adventures of Superman would look like.