‘Superman & Lois’ Plots Finally Clash In Fifth Episode
by Frank Martin
Since the beginning of the season, it seemed as if Superman & Lois was headed in two different directions. One involved the challenge Bizarro presented to Superman (both played by Tyler Hoechlin). The other was all about Lois Lane (Elizabeth Tulloch) challenging a cult leader, Ally Allston (Rya Kihlstedt), who had turned her sister against her. In the season’s fifth episode, those plot lines smacked into each other when it turns out the two were related. In fact, Bizarro’s mission is actually to destroy Ally before she destroys not only Bizarro’s world but Superman’s as well.
Thematically, the concept of a mirror world fits in well with all the other of the season’s subplots. Superman’s sons, Jordan (Alex Garfin) and Jon Kent (Jordan Elsass), are still growing and trying to find their place in a world where their father is the strongest being on Earth. Jon, in particular, is having an identity crisis as he starts using a X-Kryptonite performance-enhancing drug to keep up in the strength department. This is out of character for the boy and shows the troubles and contradictions of teenage life.
Furthermore, the series continues to impress with its non-super drama. Lana Lang’s (Emmanuelle Chriqui) family faces its own crisis when her husband’s (Erik Valdez) infidelity comes to light. It’s standard The CW drama stuff, but it’s powerful storytelling that highlights the troubles of both being a parent and being a child in today’s world. It might seem small in comparison to a bizarre Superman killing people, but that’s what makes this show so interesting. Its relevance goes beyond just super fights.
In just five episodes the stakes for all characters continue to rise, and as Superman finally gets to talk with Bizarro, things shall only get more dire from here. As superheroes become more popular and there are more adaptations all the time, it will continue to get more difficult to see new variations of characters like Bizarro. But so far this season, Superman & Lois has done a decent job bringing new twists to the character.
Superman & Lois airs Tuesdays on The CW.