Superman & Lois Premiere Review

Superman & Lois is a show that fundamentally understands the characters it is adapting. For something like Guardians of the Galaxy that is not much of a problem as no one had every heard of those characters prior to the release of that film. Superman and Lois Lane are something else entirely. These are the icons of pop culture. A pair that define heroes, super or otherwise.  It is not often something gets it this wrong.

The following contains spoilers for ‘Pilot’.

It begins with the title. The idea was clearly to reference Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, a fairly popular version of the titular characters. You will notice two changes, both of which seem to show the creators’ hands. First, changing Clark to Superman. Obviously, Superman is the more recognizable, brand-friendly name. If you remove the subtitle, there is a chance no one knows Lois & Clark is a Superman series. Unfortunately, it also signals that this series is not about Clark Kent and his relationship to Lois (or their children). It is about Superman before it is about the Clark.

Every bit of Clark’s life and characterization in this episode revolve around being Superman. His mother dies and all they do is make Tyler Hoechlin put on a suit and look sad for a few scenes, then he goes back to be Superman. It is an unbelievable waste of an opportunity to explore the character’s grief or emotional state. Instead, it is merely part of a plot device to get the Kent-Lane family to move.

Second is the choice to give Lois second billing. She is no longer given the initiative in the title, something that clearly translated to production as Lois is not a character. She is barely a decoration, serving only to pester her husband about all the time he spends saving the world and be a ‘coastal elite’ punching bag for local Fire Chief/Asshat Kyle Cushing.

Imagine getting to work with one of the most iconic characters in the history of pop culture, a supremely intelligent, fierce, and courageous hero, who has shined in limited time over a few appearances in recent years and turning her into a stereotypical nagging housewife that does not even defend herself when verbally attacked at her mother-in-law’s funeral. She lets it pass by without a mention.

That is likely because the show believes Kyle is correct. It believes that Clark left Smallville because he thinks he is too good for it. He even believes it. It is why he convinces Lois to move back. He feels bad for moving away. As if staying would have changed the current state of things. Like the coal mines would not have shut down and people would not have moved away to find jobs. Unfortunately, it does not quite work like that. Especially if you are Superman and you need to be somewhere you can help as many people as possible.

Then there is Clark and Lois’ relationship to their sons, Jonathon and Jordan. The most notable aspect is that the twins are unaware of their fathers alter ego. A powerful story could be told about Superman finding the internal strength to change his children’s entire perception of him and themselves. Instead, Clark has no hand in the revelation. Jonathon and Jordan discover the spaceship their father arrived in Ma Kent’s barn. They then rush out to confront their parents. Then Clark takes his glasses off and lifts his truck. He does not explain anything, just shows them a feat of strength.

Worst of all is when Clark attempts to explain to his sons why he kept the secret so long, he lies to them. Or he was lying to Lois earlier in the episode. He tells them he was worried about the burden the potential for powers would put on one or both of them, especially if only one was powered. That on its face is nonsense that Superman would never say or think. In a conversation with Lois early in the episode he tells her he does not want to tell them because he is worried they cannot keep the secret. Not only is that a different reason, it is, again, not something Superman would say or think. He is a character built on trust and hope. Except when he is on this show.

Even the Superman scenes are lacking. The effects look great, but do not at all allow Hoechlin to wield the charm and charisma that has made him such a good fit for the character the last five years. There is a scene where Superman fights seemingly long-term villain Captain Luthor—who is implied to be an alternate universe version of the Jon Cryer character where Doomslayer’s armor—where he attempts to blow off Luthor’s head with heat vision. That may be (arguably) appropriate for Man of Steel, but it is not for this version of the character that wants viewers to see a classic depiction of the character.

Of course, none of this should be much of a surprise. It was all right there when they told us the title 18 months ago. I can only hope that, like many television series, the show finds itself and its characters in the next few episode. After all, Arrow’s opening installments are tragically bad. By the time that season reached its midpoint, it had improved by leaps and bounds. This show has a lot of that one’s DNA both in front of and behind the camera, after all. With any luck, Superman & Lois will be able to reach the highs of that predecessor.