Originally Posted by
daBronzeBomma
Some takeaways from #SupermanAndLois season 1 episode 5 (spoilers)
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1. It finally happened: Jonathan snapped.
And it's about time. Nobody, especially not a teenager, could take all the compounding Ls the kid did for 5 episodes (moving to a new city, losing all his old friends, getting benched, watching his brother steal his football thunder, not having any powers, getting dumped, etc) and NOT act out in some way.
And he acted out in the most teenage way possible, by getting caught drunk in public.
But it should be noted once he ruined Jordan's night with Sara at the Harvest Festival, Jonathan immediately (tho still too late) recognized his mistake and apologized. This was his highlight episode so far, and badly needed.
2. Martha!
Too often in Superverse lore, the fathers get too much of the credit for Clark/Kal.
With his Kryptonian parents, it's a complete blowout: Jor-El alone referred to by Kal 100 times before his mother Lara Lor-Van gets any unique mention.
It's a little better with his Terrestrial parents, as Martha (maiden name Clark) Kent typically outlives Jonathan Kent Senior anywhere from a few seconds to a few decades. But she is primarily only a source of comfort and not a source of wisdom as her often-late husband gets to be.
This episode she got to be both. Hope we get more of her in flashbacks set a little closer to the present. Glad she got a bench.
3. Clark and Lois' best episode yet as parents.
I don't want to imagine what would happened to me if my folks had managed to catch me underage-drinking in high school while in public to boot. Safe bet they wouldn't have handled it as nicely as Clark and Lois did.
They're not easy pushovers but they're not strict disciplinarians either. They can get righteously angry but realize in the moment there is more to gain by not bringing down the hammer.
He even offers Jonathan a potential way back to Metropolis if he gives Smallville a honest chance.
I thought Clark in particular meted out parental justice extremely well, considering ...
4. Young Clark was a selfish jerk.
This. More of this.
Clark is good, but he is not, was not, and never should be a saint. He has messed up. Constantly. And this episode showed that he had learned from those past screw-ups and didn't repeat the cycle.
5. Nighttime Superman!
This still takes some getting used to. I've never seen Superman operate under the shadow of darkness like this before. It's about as weird as seeing Batman in broad daylight. The setting goes against the brand.
But unlike Ol' Pointy Ears, Clark can act in full power, day or night. Loved the night chase, with Clark putting out fires at superspeed, and flying thru cornfields. Reminded me of both MAN OF STEEL and SUPERMAN IV (in a good way).
6. Tyler Hoechlin takes the championship belt.
Christopher Reeve is still untouchable as my favorite Live-Action (costumed) Superman.
But Live-Action Clark Kent? That's all Tyler Hoechlin's spot now.
Of the 14 men so far who have played the role over the last 80+ years, he is already hands-down the most likeable and relatable and adorkable Clark Kent ever.
7. Captain Luthor is a smooth criminal.
I was impressed that this Luthor was able to connect with Lois so naturally.
And then we see why: on his Earth, he was married to Lois, who was killed by his evil Superman. Got to be a gut-punch to see any version of your spouse happily married to someone else.
I'm more convinced now that Captain Luthor is actually much more a misguided hero than a villain, and won't be the season's big bad at all. He's definitely one to watch.
8. Clark Kent the Journalist no longer matters.
Not really about this episode, but between 1) this show having him laid off to become an assistant HS coach and 2) the DCEU Clark Kent officially killed off at the same time Superman died and 3) Clark revealing his identity to the world and universe in the current comix.
It's never been more clear than Clark doesn't need to be a reporter or in the news media at all. Lois Lane absolutely has to, but not Clark.
9. The Langs are still there, but not useless. Kyle is ultimately a good dude (firefighter who does actively risk his life to save others) with a very punchable face and a drinking problem.
Sara put drunk-ass Jonathan right in his place (her best scene in the series, so far , by far).
Lana is ... good for exposition, I guess. Still not feeling her character.
10. Freaks of the Week.
Superman doesn't necessarily need someone to hit every night. But it sure helps what when he does, they are not disposable freaks of the Week that the old show SMALLVILLE got saddled with.
Hopefully, SAL gets access to the real Superman rogues gallery like Lex Luthor, Brainiac, Zod/Faora, Doomsday, Mongul, Metallo, Bizarro, Lady Blaze, Maxima, Mxyzptlk, Parasite, etc.
Next week: Nothing ��. On hiatus till May.
Grade: 8/10.