TV REVIEWS: FTN Reviews The Superman & Lois Series Premiere!

The character of Superman is one that has been dissected and visualized for more than 80 years, and in recent years especially with the “two forms of Superman” via the Synderverse and the Arrowverse people are more divided than ever on what Superman needs to be or should be. I for one love the Snyderverse Superman and his modern take, but, I also loved growing up on Superman The Animated Series and Justice League and absolutely appreciate how Tyler Hoechlin has portrayed the character in the Arrowverse as a whole. So I’m very happy to say that Superman & Lois starts the latest chapter in Superman’s saga in great fashion and regardless of where you fall on the “Who Is Superman?” spectrum you should find something to like here.

Let’s start off with the basics, ok? This take on Superman is very much one based on the “restart” that Crisis on Infinite Earths gave the Arrowverse. So Superman’s “origin” with Lois and his kids is different from how you might remember it pre-Crisis but here’s the jist. Superman & Lois have been married for a while, have two kids about to enter high school, and their lives…aren’t the best as a whole.

Not because of them bickering or anything major on their part, but because the world is changing. The Daily Planet gets downsized and Clark gets fired and Lois follows suit. Martha dies tragically and to top things off, one of their two sons appears to have powers and they’re not sure what to do.

This is the crux of the show in many ways, not unlike what Black Lightning was in its first season (which we loved here at FTN if you recall). But the fun part is that this is a live-action situation we’ve never truly seen. Superman has kids in the comics depending on the continuity but we’ve never seen it acted out on this live and this far into Clark & Lois’ relationship and that’s fun to see.

Anchoring this great drama is Tyler and Bitsie (Lois), who have a great chemistry together that is even greater here. You feel their pain and struggle as things shift around and they’re trying to figure out what to do.

What’s more, the sons of Jonathan and Jordan add their own drama to the mix while also showing that they’re as close as brothers can be despite being entirely different. There’s a LOT to mine here, especially as the unexpected son gets powers (though the other clearly has them) and even more things are thrown for a loop.

But, what Superman & Lois makes sure to do is not make Lois a “sidepiece”. We get the seeds of her investigating storyline which is great because she’s the world’s greatest reporter dang it! The question of this “Morgan Edge” character is likely going to be her focus and I look forward to seeing it unfold.

I also can’t help but praise the visuals of the show. It CLEARLY takes reference to how Zack Snyder did Man of Steel and don’t let anyone tell you different. It’s beautifully rendered and truly gives a special look at how things are in this show. It’s cinematic, it’s gripping, and I love it.

That being said…they do sometimes pull a “classic CW” in terms of the teen drama. Including Jordan blowing up at his parents after Clark reveals who he is and yet a few scenes later he’s like “tell me everything!”. And his already big love connection with Lana Lang’s daughter (a nice touch I’ll admit) was very eye-rolling, especially when a mob of kids beat the two Super Sons (see what I did there DC fans?) to a pull and NO ONE comes to help them. Furthermore, Superman ALREADY meeting a foe “more powerful than him” as well as him shrugging off a Kryptonite knife and being “fully-powered right after” was a bit sad.

Still, even with these flaws, this is easily one of the best pilots the CW has ever done. I personally would rate it up there with The Flash which was amazing in its first episode and its first season (which I still hold as its best ever). Will Superman & Lois maintain its momentum? Hard to say, but I’m hopeful…

…and don’t you know? The “S” stands for hope.