TV Review: ‘Superman & Lois’ Season 3, Episode 6
by Frank Martin
With every new episode, Superman & Lois continues to find ways to make the character compelling. In the show, Superman (Tyler Hoechlin) is vulnerable in a way he has never been before. The character is historically hard to write for because he’s so strong, but the show finds ways to challenge that strength in different areas. Lois’s (Elizabeth Tulloch) cancer is one of them. Jordan’s (Alex Garfin) growing powers is another one. And what’s great is that the show displays Clark as an imperfect individual. He’s a person like everyone else and is constantly looking for ways to evolve and change for the better. It’s an understanding of the character that is often lost in other live action adaptations.
As Lois continues her cancer treatments, she connects with a fellow patient and goes out to lunch with her. They even discuss Bruno Mannheim (Chad L Coleman) and his place at the hospital. Meanwhile, Jordan continues training just as Jon (Michael Bishop) gets working at the fire station. In order to try and take Superman out, the bad guys set a trap, but Jordan steps up to the plate and saves his father, proving that he is ready for more responsibility. In the episode’s closing moments, it was revealed that the patient Lois befriended is actually the main villain and love interest for Manheim.
The great thing about Superman & Lois is that its human drama lands differently than most shows on The CW. Those shows tend to hit the viewer over the head by having its drama be front and center. This show has its side characters be subtle with their arcs, always making sure the main characters take the spotlight. And because Lois is facing a very real and relatable threat, it grounds Superman in a way that makes the character extremely compelling. It truly is superhero storytelling at its finest.
Superman & Lois airs Tuesdays on The CW.