‘Superman & Lois’ Continues To Deliver On Super Family Drama

In it’s short time on the air, Superman & Lois has done an excellent job portraying the troubles of a normal family despite the superhero-sized problems they face. The latest episode, titled “The Thing In The Mine,” adds to this grounded storytelling as Clark (Tyler Hoechlin) continues to struggle with this season’s looming threat.

As children, we tend to idolize our parents. Or at the very least, view them as invulnerable superheroes that will always be there for us. In the case of Jonathan (Jordan Elsass) and Jordan Kent (Alex Garfin), their dad is literally an invulnerable superhero who has rescued them on multiple occasions. So to see our parents struggle — or fall ill, or lose their temper — is shocking. It violates that perceived image we have of them and can be scary.

As Superman continues to be mentally assaulted by the thing in the mine, he’s losing control of his powers more and more. On two occasions during the episode, he lashes out at his sons, even going so far as to involuntarily unleash a blast of heat vision. He has to direct this blast into his own hands to stop it from destroying the high school, burning his palms in the process. Jonathan is in disbelief and terror over the incident. Obviously because his father is a superhero. But his expression resonates on a familiar level, too, as its something we can all relate to when our parents don’t live up to the idolized image we have of them.

And of course, the episode has plenty of superhero action as the thing in the mine emerges, battling both Superman and John Henry Irons (Wolé Parks). Like usual, we’re left with more questions than answers, but there’s just enough mystery surrounding this new and strange threat to keep the season going. Combined with the typical family drama and the tension Superman is bound to face with the Department of Defense’s new super team, this season is priming up to be just as suspenseful as the first.

Superman & Lois airs on Tuesdays on The CW.