(The Vintage Tempest)
Thankfully, Superman & Lois‘ entry into the Arrowverse is a departure from all the other DCEU television shows. When most of these programs are dealing with superheroic adventures of the title character to save the Earth (or someone) from a villain of the week, this take has a different focus. These parents have to teach their values to the next generation!
The world found here continues with Tyler Hoechlin playing Clark Kent. I still have trepidation whenever he’s in Kal-El mode. He’s certainly gained some mass since appearing in Supergirl, but the look doesn’t work. Part of the reason is that his hair is too slicked back. Over the years after Reeve took on the role in cinemas, finding the ideal actor who can fill in the suit (after his passing) has been tough. Brandon Routh’s swagger makes playing Supes easy and he easily channels the awkwardness of being a Clark that Christopher made famous.
Henry Cavill’s performance could never imitate that, but his presence is for great beefcake moments. Ultimately, it’s Dean Cain’s charm which many found memorable. Because Tom Welling never wore the iconic red and blue, just where he fits is in being the one and only Kent who went from shy to confident hero.
After saving the Earth from countless villains, dealing with Darkseid and other threats (off camera), Kal-el has the greatest challenge ahead of him, and that’s with raising two teens. This focus is refreshing since it’s rare to find heroes as parents. Not even Young Justice deals with the idea head on. In that animated universe, the kids are left to figure things out for themselves with the odd adult coming in to offer advice.
Jonathan and Jordan have to learn about their place in hicksville. They’re used to big city life, so being thrust into a whole new world will no doubt make up part of season one. To see them deal with high school life has been done in Smallville, but the differences here lays in the fact two Kents exist. One may have super powers. The other wants to be all American (i.e. a sports star) but has to face a family legacy which he’s not too keen on following. The brothers are also opposites.
Whether this family becomes permanent residents in Smallville or returns to Metropolis was a quick subplot. One mystery concerns what the industrialist Morgan Edge wants with the town. If he’s going to build an oil pipeline through pristine farmland, I’m sure there’ll be protests! But the bigger unknown is the steel armoured soldier from some future and how is he related to the Luthors? A few hints are made by episode one’s end and how he fits in is not fully defined.
It’s hard to say where this new series fits in the continuity since the Crisis of Infinite Earths crossover event. I suspect it has to be before the alternative dimensions merged. Until more episodes air, I feel adding this to my weekly superheroes on television watching fix is a must. Sadly, Batwoman has not fared well and I don’t plan on continuing to watch.
4 Stars out of 5