Here we are! Superman is back on our television screens and if you ask us, the timing couldn't be better! People really need this escape from the real world and they need hope, two things Superman can provide in spades. Ever since his appearance on Supergirl, Tyler Hoechlin has provided a version of Superman that is so familiar, safe, and honorable. It is no surprise to us that he is now headlining his own show with Elizabeth Tulloch. Superman and Lois is all about family and exploring the Man of Steel mythos in a time in his life not usually explored! So what is it that brings Clark, Lois and their family back to the sleepy town of Smallville? Lets find out, here's what stood out to us:
- The Story You Know: No matter how many times we've heard, seen, read the Superman origin story it always amazes. We see Clark's arrival, Jonathan's death, Clark in the original Superman suit and finally Clark meeting Lois. We catch up with the Kents in Metropolis where the twin boys are teenagers now. Superman is out patrolling when an accident at a nuclear power plant happens. General Lane is on site and uses his hyper-sonic pager to call in Superman. Superman quickly freezes a section of ocean and brings the ice to the reactor to cool it down. Superman and General Lane share a moment among the scientists and we discover that other Nuclear power plants have been targeted. It's also clear that General Lane knows Clark is Superman. At home Clark checks in with Jonathan and Jordan, Jonathan made quarterback as a freshman on the Varsity team. Jordan, diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, is in therapy that Clark missed to save the Power Plant.
- The Daily Planet: Clark is feeling the weight of the world. His mom calls to remind Clark that he needs to prioritize his family and be the kind of father Jonathan was. In the morning, Clark and Lois discuss how Jonathan might be manifesting powers. They are worried that Jordan isn't acclimating. Lois thinks they should tell the boys but Clark thinks it's a bad idea. At the Daily Planet, Morgan Edge has bought the paper and subsequently, Clark is fired.
- Martha Kent: If losing his job at The Daily Planet wasn't putting him down enough, we find out Martha has died via a stroke. The Kent family head back to Smallville for the funeral. We find out that the farms around Smallville are all shutting down. Lana and her family arrive on the farm to mourn Martha with most of the town of Smallville. Morgan Edge's influence seems to be extending all the way to Smallville as he's buying up the farms that are failing. Lana tells Clark that Martha had business with the bank alluding to the fact that they might not own the farm outright. Out in the barn, Jordan, Jonathan and Sarah are looking for the router. Jordan climbs up a ladder to get to it but falls and all these pipes fall onto the boys. Clark throws the pipes off quickly but they aren't hurt. Because the boys weren't hurt, Jordan is suspicious that something is going on. Lois and Clark suspect that it's Jonathan who's manifesting powers and they are worried that telling the boys might make Jordan pull further away from Clark.
- The Stranger: The two nuclear plants were attacked by a Stranger moving very fast. He's writing Clark a message in Kryptonian! General Lane asks Clark to suit up and help find this stranger but Lois puts her foot down, the family needs him. General Lane says that she married Superman and he doesn't get to take a day off. At the bank Lana shares a story that let's us know she doesn't know that Clark is Superman. Martha took out a second mortgage to help keep farms in the families that held them. Martha was the Superman of Smallville saving those who needed the money. Martha set up the mortgage so that there would be a nice buyout to send the boys to college. But to keep the farm, the Kents would have to repay the money Martha gave to the other families of Smallville.
- Clark Kent is Superman: Back at the farm, Jordan is determined to discover why he wasn't hurt. The boys find Clark's ship that he came in. The ship responds to Jordan and he is given a sunstone. The boys run up to Clark and ask why he has a ship in the barn, Clark tells the boys who he is. He takes off his glasses and lifts the pickup truck and flies above his boys. Jordan is upset that they lied to him. With Clark and Lois thinking Jonathan is the one with powers, Jordan yells at Clark and the boys retreat to the farm. Clark hears yet another Nuclear facility is being attacked and he goes to investigate. The Stranger is using Nuclear facilities to test Superman and hides from him because of the lead. At the bonfire, Jordan and Sarah share a moment together. Jordan makes a move and kisses Sarah. Then we learn that Sarah is taken. Her boyfriend starts to attack Jordan but Jonathan arrives to take on the fight. As the boys fight so does Superman and the Stranger. As Jonathan is kicked Jordan fires a blast of heat vision straight into a fire causing an explosion! Jordan is the one with powers. Superman is stabbed with Kryptonite and is falling to Earth just as Lois triggers the hyper-sonic pager. He is able to pull the Kryptonite out just before hitting the ground and returns to Smallville.
- Jordan Has Powers: It turns out that Jordan is the one with powers and he was the one that saved Jonathan. Clark and Lois consider moving back to Smallville as a way for Clark to be more around the boys and save the farm. Clark heads to console Jordan on the porch. The next day Lana goes to buy out the farm but Clark and Lois deny the buyout. Lois reveals that Morgan Edge, through a shell corporation bought out Lana's bank. Sarah debriefs the boys at the farm about the fallout after the bonfire. Jordan and Sarah are forming a fast friendship and Jonathan is giving his brother space to get over his own social anxiety.
In the final wrap up moments, Clark and Lois share their idea to stay in Smallville. The boys have so many questions about their dad now that they know he's Superman but Clark wants to teach the boys how to farm. We cut to a spaceship in the Artic where The Stranger arrives. He starts talking to his AI and he needs more power from his suit and more Kryptonite. The ship then refers to him as "Captain Luthor"!
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Comments
I had no expectations about seeing Melissa's Supergirl but no mention? Really? What was more upsetting to me was that on the TV monitors, there was a mention of the shuttle launch (as seen on Supergirl's season 2) and it said:"Superman assists in shuttle launch." Come on! The word missing is Supergirl. "Superman assists Supergirl..." That's not that hard. Maybe a future mention by the boys saying : So, is Supergirl our little cousin... could be cool.
Anyway, the show is up to a great start and I can't wait for the next episode. I won't make any comparison to the Supergirl tv show because obviously, they don't have the same budget.
Sorry for your loss.
Super scruff. :-D
This was a very strong premiere. It is so different from the existing Arrowverse, I almost can't see it fitting in with the rest. The tone, writing, aesthetics all went in a fresh and more mature direction.
I wish I could say I enjoyed it as much as it deserved. My father died a couple weeks ago, so some of the story points and themes running through picked at some still-fresh wounds. But I am definitely looking forward to seeing more of the Kents.
Superman, super hair growth?
Below Batwoman's debut demo last season and less total viewers than Walker's debut this season. But, its first hour gave CW it’s largest audience in that time slot (1.71 mil) in two years... improving over The Flash's recent seasons.
I wish CW would keep S&L in the earlier time slot.
I was very disappointed to see Lex as the villain with the closing scene. Also, it's not a good look to have Superman with the 5:00 shadow on his face in the morning hours. When I shave it's as smooth as a baby's arse and remains that way until the next day.
Will Jonathan display powers too is still in play? They did show him as a child throw a foot ball that cut through the swing rope. With the hope of a 5 year run ahead of it, it think they'll eventually go there.
A very solid start to the series with some nice homages to Superman history.