Wow was this an emotional episode. So emotional that my wife was in tears during the last scene. Had to say I was forcibly holding them back. This show continues to excel in all departments; primarily with having the best Superman ( TV or film ever ). The special effects are still movie quality and it's the best show on TV at the moment. The acting especially from Tulloch was superb but all the rest were great as usual. There's no way they're going to kill Lois but it doesn't mean she can't end up becoming deathly ill so a lot more high charged drama is sure to come. No secret that Lana and John Henry will probably get together and nice to see the kids doing normal teenage stuff. The new villain looks like a good menacing foil for Superman. Only drawbacks were still getting used to the new Jonathan but time will take care of that and Coleman is essentially playing the same villain he played in Arrow so the ep gets one star less. Tuesdays can't come fast enough.
7 Reviews
I almost missed it
sophiejensen-1306325 April 2023
Family stuff is more on point. Because it focuses at least a little bit on John and Natalie, each hanging out with people thier own age. There are two continuing plots: Bruno Manheim and Lois' condition. I am no authority on the realities of breast cancer or how well/poorly this was handled going forward. But while Lana and John Henry are being just two adults working together toward a common goal, there is an assassin that comes in to stop Lana's investigation and this assassin FREEZES when it sees John Henry. I couldn't figure out why...until the last scene.
In an epically cool 'gathering of all heroes' episode of Smallville Icicle (or his son) puts on Dr. Fate's helmet, takes Martian Manhunter out in one swoop and proceeds to wipe the floor with Hawkman, Stargirl, Green Arrow and Clark Kent. Then J'onn Jo'nzz phases in and the villain is like "I...killed you." J'onn Jo'nzz, played by Phil Morris says "I'm Mars sole survivor. There's a reason for that." And that's what this felt like. A 'you should be dead' moment. It actually took me a minute to realize why the assailant was so confused. John Henry Irons on this Earth IS dead and was killed by Bruno Manheim or someone close to him. So seeing him helping Lana out, seeing him assisting in the investigation would be like seeing a very dead Harrison Wells walking around and committing another murder.
In an epically cool 'gathering of all heroes' episode of Smallville Icicle (or his son) puts on Dr. Fate's helmet, takes Martian Manhunter out in one swoop and proceeds to wipe the floor with Hawkman, Stargirl, Green Arrow and Clark Kent. Then J'onn Jo'nzz phases in and the villain is like "I...killed you." J'onn Jo'nzz, played by Phil Morris says "I'm Mars sole survivor. There's a reason for that." And that's what this felt like. A 'you should be dead' moment. It actually took me a minute to realize why the assailant was so confused. John Henry Irons on this Earth IS dead and was killed by Bruno Manheim or someone close to him. So seeing him helping Lana out, seeing him assisting in the investigation would be like seeing a very dead Harrison Wells walking around and committing another murder.
Do Not, Under ANY Circumstances, Waste What You Just Set Up!
demigodshmurda24 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The main villain of Superman and Lois season 3 isn't Bruno Mannheim or Onomatopoeia. It's cancer. And opinions. And today I'm going to tell you why that is absolutely the best decision for the season from a writing standpoint, how Supergirl showed that this kind of story can be done well (yeah, Supergirl actually did a thing, and it was awesome!), and exactly how these writers are gonna shoot themselves in the foot.
Yeah, this is gonna be a fun one.
This is less of a review, and more of a PSA to Todd Helbing and the writers' room. Guys, you might actually have yourself a really interesting story here. And it all stems from one conversation between Superman and Bruno Mannheim in this episode. In this episode, Mannheim tells Superman how all he does is "put out fires", and how only Mannheim made "real change" in his neighborhood. Superman responds with "I save people's lives", but Mannheim's response to that is even more interesting. He says "Not here, you didn't."
Now, ignore for a moment that Mannheim called out to Superman and *actively tried to get his attention*, only to then say "Don't come into my home thinking you're better than me." That was dumb, but it's also not the point of this scene. The point of this scene is to establish the type of villain that Bruno Mannheim is. He's someone who weaponizes the perception of heroes to instill hate in people. His weapon isn't kryptonite or red solar radiation. His weapon is opinions. And an opinion isn't something Superman can beat by punching it really hard.
And you know what else Superman can't punch? Cancer. Yeah, Lois Lane has cancer now. There's a lot of potential there to see the strongest DC character powerless to fight against a force like that. That's what makes it interesting! You don't have to take away Clark's powers (and then throw him into the sun to immediately regain them) to make him powerless to stop a villain! All you need to do is challenge him on an emotional level! And I'm glad that *somebody* in the writers' room understands that! Thank you!
But all this talk about villains that Superman can't stop despite having all the power he has reminds me of a certain season of another show starring a Kryptonian hero. Supergirl season 4. The season's a guilty pleasure of mine for the same reason that this season I feel has so much potential. The main villain of that season isn't Agent Liberty or Lex Luthor. It's division. Season 4 shows how divided we all are as a society, and uses that to tell a great story that leaves Supergirl struggling with how to deal with it. You can't punch division and hate, because that only creates more division and hate. And seeing the strongest hero in the world (remember when she fought Superman and he said she was better than him? Because I do) struggle with how to unify everyone is such a great idea for a storyline!
Do I think they executed it well? Yeah, until they randomly warped the season's initial premise because they finally got the greenlight to use Lex Luthor. I thought their Lex was fantastic (in season 4), and I know that they understood how much of an honor it was to be allowed to include Lex Luthor, but that doesn't mean his inclusion in the season didn't completely derail this really great storyline.
And spoiler alert, Superman and Lois season 3 is bringing Lex into the fold too, and I assume he's gonna play a major role in what happens. Oh no, am I still trapped in that time loop from the Flash season 9 premiere?? Because history's repeating itself! It's happening all over again! We're about to waste the same powerless Kryptonian setup because Lex is being introduced again! How?? How did this happen twice?? (seriously though, I *can't* be the only one who notices the parallels between this season and Supergirl season 4, right?)
Look, there's a lot of good ideas this episode puts forth. But unfortunately, season 2 (and even the John Irons twist from season 1 since I *still* stand by the idea that he would be more interesting just by changing his name to Lex Luthor) has forced me to ask the question "how are they gonna screw this up?" I wish I didn't have to ask that question, because there is so much story potential here, but it's a question that I have to ask considering the precedent season 2 set. Season 2 set the precedent that the writers were willing to screw up pretty much anything in order to get people on Twitter talking. "What's that, we need more engagement on Twitter? Uh, well I guess Sara cheated on Jordan then! Yeah, let's get people talking about that!" "What's that, we need more engagement on Twitter? Well, I don't think Tyler is particularly excited to sit through all that makeup for the rest of the season, so let's just go ahead and kill Bizarro! Boom! Tons of eyes are on us for another week!" "What's that, we need more engagement on Twitter? Okay, take that Cyborg Superman setup that we've been talking about and throw it out the window! Bizarro Jon Kent kills him now! We need views, man! Just do it! It's like Eric Wallace always says 'Who gives a crap about the fans', amirite?"
It's just sad that I have to go into the shows I watch with that mentality now. Can't we just go back to the days of superhero shows being good just for the sake of being good? Can't we just go back to the days where the expectations we have are met or even exceeded? I miss those days. Yes, Stargirl season 3 *vastly* exceeded my expectations, that season was phenomenal. But that's the exception that proves the rule. DC's record on television in the last few years has been spotty to say the least, with genuinely great seasons being fewer and farther between.
So what I'm saying is this. I know that the season is already finished filming, but it's not too late to get the cast back and change the plans for the season. It's not too late to stop drinking whatever Eric Wallace drinks that allows him to ignore the people giving him actual criticism about the show he's been running into the ground. It's not too late to pull a Legends of Tomorrow and take the feedback you received from season 2 and make season 3 better.
Just please, please, PLEASE don't screw this up! I beg of you, writers. Do not, under ANY circumstances, waste what you just set up!
Yeah, this is gonna be a fun one.
This is less of a review, and more of a PSA to Todd Helbing and the writers' room. Guys, you might actually have yourself a really interesting story here. And it all stems from one conversation between Superman and Bruno Mannheim in this episode. In this episode, Mannheim tells Superman how all he does is "put out fires", and how only Mannheim made "real change" in his neighborhood. Superman responds with "I save people's lives", but Mannheim's response to that is even more interesting. He says "Not here, you didn't."
Now, ignore for a moment that Mannheim called out to Superman and *actively tried to get his attention*, only to then say "Don't come into my home thinking you're better than me." That was dumb, but it's also not the point of this scene. The point of this scene is to establish the type of villain that Bruno Mannheim is. He's someone who weaponizes the perception of heroes to instill hate in people. His weapon isn't kryptonite or red solar radiation. His weapon is opinions. And an opinion isn't something Superman can beat by punching it really hard.
And you know what else Superman can't punch? Cancer. Yeah, Lois Lane has cancer now. There's a lot of potential there to see the strongest DC character powerless to fight against a force like that. That's what makes it interesting! You don't have to take away Clark's powers (and then throw him into the sun to immediately regain them) to make him powerless to stop a villain! All you need to do is challenge him on an emotional level! And I'm glad that *somebody* in the writers' room understands that! Thank you!
But all this talk about villains that Superman can't stop despite having all the power he has reminds me of a certain season of another show starring a Kryptonian hero. Supergirl season 4. The season's a guilty pleasure of mine for the same reason that this season I feel has so much potential. The main villain of that season isn't Agent Liberty or Lex Luthor. It's division. Season 4 shows how divided we all are as a society, and uses that to tell a great story that leaves Supergirl struggling with how to deal with it. You can't punch division and hate, because that only creates more division and hate. And seeing the strongest hero in the world (remember when she fought Superman and he said she was better than him? Because I do) struggle with how to unify everyone is such a great idea for a storyline!
Do I think they executed it well? Yeah, until they randomly warped the season's initial premise because they finally got the greenlight to use Lex Luthor. I thought their Lex was fantastic (in season 4), and I know that they understood how much of an honor it was to be allowed to include Lex Luthor, but that doesn't mean his inclusion in the season didn't completely derail this really great storyline.
And spoiler alert, Superman and Lois season 3 is bringing Lex into the fold too, and I assume he's gonna play a major role in what happens. Oh no, am I still trapped in that time loop from the Flash season 9 premiere?? Because history's repeating itself! It's happening all over again! We're about to waste the same powerless Kryptonian setup because Lex is being introduced again! How?? How did this happen twice?? (seriously though, I *can't* be the only one who notices the parallels between this season and Supergirl season 4, right?)
Look, there's a lot of good ideas this episode puts forth. But unfortunately, season 2 (and even the John Irons twist from season 1 since I *still* stand by the idea that he would be more interesting just by changing his name to Lex Luthor) has forced me to ask the question "how are they gonna screw this up?" I wish I didn't have to ask that question, because there is so much story potential here, but it's a question that I have to ask considering the precedent season 2 set. Season 2 set the precedent that the writers were willing to screw up pretty much anything in order to get people on Twitter talking. "What's that, we need more engagement on Twitter? Uh, well I guess Sara cheated on Jordan then! Yeah, let's get people talking about that!" "What's that, we need more engagement on Twitter? Well, I don't think Tyler is particularly excited to sit through all that makeup for the rest of the season, so let's just go ahead and kill Bizarro! Boom! Tons of eyes are on us for another week!" "What's that, we need more engagement on Twitter? Okay, take that Cyborg Superman setup that we've been talking about and throw it out the window! Bizarro Jon Kent kills him now! We need views, man! Just do it! It's like Eric Wallace always says 'Who gives a crap about the fans', amirite?"
It's just sad that I have to go into the shows I watch with that mentality now. Can't we just go back to the days of superhero shows being good just for the sake of being good? Can't we just go back to the days where the expectations we have are met or even exceeded? I miss those days. Yes, Stargirl season 3 *vastly* exceeded my expectations, that season was phenomenal. But that's the exception that proves the rule. DC's record on television in the last few years has been spotty to say the least, with genuinely great seasons being fewer and farther between.
So what I'm saying is this. I know that the season is already finished filming, but it's not too late to get the cast back and change the plans for the season. It's not too late to stop drinking whatever Eric Wallace drinks that allows him to ignore the people giving him actual criticism about the show he's been running into the ground. It's not too late to pull a Legends of Tomorrow and take the feedback you received from season 2 and make season 3 better.
Just please, please, PLEASE don't screw this up! I beg of you, writers. Do not, under ANY circumstances, waste what you just set up!
Good drama but a superhero show without any superhero action is wrong
salabama9123 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The drama really worked in this episode. I like how they balance the screentime of the characters this season compared to last. Lois & Clark are the center focus but everyone else gets the chance to shine.
The new Jordan is fine. The more screentime he has the better he becomes.
I just realized that they made Chad L. Coleman (who plays Mannheim) a series regular. His character so far seems very one dimensional. I think they shouldn't waste too much screen time on a forgettable villain.
My real complaint of the episode is that there is no Superman action at all, or any other real action. It is a superhero show so putting in at least one save, averted disaster or something should be mandatory. Even if they don't find a good place for it during the episode then just put in in the cold open... because the show has really weak cold opens lately.
The new Jordan is fine. The more screentime he has the better he becomes.
I just realized that they made Chad L. Coleman (who plays Mannheim) a series regular. His character so far seems very one dimensional. I think they shouldn't waste too much screen time on a forgettable villain.
My real complaint of the episode is that there is no Superman action at all, or any other real action. It is a superhero show so putting in at least one save, averted disaster or something should be mandatory. Even if they don't find a good place for it during the episode then just put in in the cold open... because the show has really weak cold opens lately.
Well... it's Decent
panagiotis199324 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Live Reaction / Review for Superman & Lois Season 3 Episode 2: Jordan trying to get Sarah's attention still has to be one of the saddest things in the show, friendzoned for life. This episode spends maybe too much time seeing the teenagers living their lives but I don't complain, they make it interesting enough. Why the villains killed Dean though? Am I missing something? Also we get another teaser for Bruno Mannheim but not much. Lois has cancer? What? That sucks so bad. This season got really dark really fast. This will definitely be a challenge for both Clark and Lois and the whole family. Im sure Lois wont die though because the name of the show is Superman & Lois after all. The episode ends in a very dramatic way with Lois telling Jordan and Jonathan about her cancer. While not much happened in this episode, while it is not anything special and there isnt much action, it still is decent and entertaining. My rating is 7.2/10.
A great show with an unclear focus
grlym-4684925 March 2023
The first season was great.
It seemed like smallville esque where it was a slow walk through the life and discovery of what Superman's life is like as a young family.
Then season 2 not only fell off the cliff, but took a rocket pack off of it. Just really weird. But at least there was some superhero stuff.
And then there was just a lot of the CW channel teen level plots and drama. Each with its own after school special topic. The show often feels like it's about teenage angst or divorce than a superhero show. I think those plots could be more interesting if it was written better and not drawn out forever. And it has become predictable with girls always right and guys wrong. Like Lois goes nuts on her kids, but never apologizes or is held accountable. Clark raises his voice over his kid involved in drugs and he is shown as toxic masculine must grovel for a way back in.
Seasin 3 seems to want to go back to season 2 where boys and men are all pouty over girls that dumped/divorced them. Again, it's the execution or length of the arc that seems to be dragging more than the topics themselves.
Clark/ Superman seems like a prop,...not a character in this show. No growth.
And the hero villian stuff in the show is starting to really be corny. This particular episode really felt like the black lightning show, just a lot less aggressive in its real life politics. But very present.
It seemed like smallville esque where it was a slow walk through the life and discovery of what Superman's life is like as a young family.
Then season 2 not only fell off the cliff, but took a rocket pack off of it. Just really weird. But at least there was some superhero stuff.
And then there was just a lot of the CW channel teen level plots and drama. Each with its own after school special topic. The show often feels like it's about teenage angst or divorce than a superhero show. I think those plots could be more interesting if it was written better and not drawn out forever. And it has become predictable with girls always right and guys wrong. Like Lois goes nuts on her kids, but never apologizes or is held accountable. Clark raises his voice over his kid involved in drugs and he is shown as toxic masculine must grovel for a way back in.
Seasin 3 seems to want to go back to season 2 where boys and men are all pouty over girls that dumped/divorced them. Again, it's the execution or length of the arc that seems to be dragging more than the topics themselves.
Clark/ Superman seems like a prop,...not a character in this show. No growth.
And the hero villian stuff in the show is starting to really be corny. This particular episode really felt like the black lightning show, just a lot less aggressive in its real life politics. But very present.
Nope
bigubergeek23 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
As an ardent follower of superhero television shows, I've come to expect a certain level of excitement and escapism from my favorite characters. The "Superman & Lois" series has usually managed to meet these expectations, with exhilarating action and captivating storylines. However, the latest episode took a disappointing turn, leaving viewers underwhelmed and questioning the direction of the series.
The episode's focus on Lois Lane's cancer diagnosis was an unwelcome deviation from the core superhero theme. Rather than offering a thrilling escape from reality, the show plunged into a somber and heavy storyline that felt more at home on a Hallmark Channel special than a superhero series. The decision to dive into such serious territory is confusing, given the target audience's love for action and high-stakes adventure.
One of the most glaring issues with this episode was the lack of "super" in Superman. The iconic hero barely took to the skies, with only a 20-second flight sequence to remind us that we were, in fact, watching a show about the Superman & Lois. This brief moment of superhero action was far from enough to satisfy fans who eagerly anticipate every episode for the thrilling, high-flying escapades of Superman.
Additionally, the side story involving the Kent children sneaking out to parties was both mundane and unoriginal. The series has the potential to explore unique and captivating storylines, yet chose to spend precious screen time on a clichéd teenage rebellion subplot. The underwhelming drama overshadowed the opportunity for character development and added nothing to the series' overarching narrative.
The episode's attempt to humanize the characters by dealing with real-life issues like cancer and family struggles came across as misguided. While adding depth to the characters is a commendable goal, it should not be at the expense.
The episode's focus on Lois Lane's cancer diagnosis was an unwelcome deviation from the core superhero theme. Rather than offering a thrilling escape from reality, the show plunged into a somber and heavy storyline that felt more at home on a Hallmark Channel special than a superhero series. The decision to dive into such serious territory is confusing, given the target audience's love for action and high-stakes adventure.
One of the most glaring issues with this episode was the lack of "super" in Superman. The iconic hero barely took to the skies, with only a 20-second flight sequence to remind us that we were, in fact, watching a show about the Superman & Lois. This brief moment of superhero action was far from enough to satisfy fans who eagerly anticipate every episode for the thrilling, high-flying escapades of Superman.
Additionally, the side story involving the Kent children sneaking out to parties was both mundane and unoriginal. The series has the potential to explore unique and captivating storylines, yet chose to spend precious screen time on a clichéd teenage rebellion subplot. The underwhelming drama overshadowed the opportunity for character development and added nothing to the series' overarching narrative.
The episode's attempt to humanize the characters by dealing with real-life issues like cancer and family struggles came across as misguided. While adding depth to the characters is a commendable goal, it should not be at the expense.
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