SUPERMAN & LOIS 1.1

RECAP - SUPERMAN & LOIS 1.1:  "Pilot"  

Welcome back to Smallville...albeit different from what WE remember.  This is a brand new show for The Man of Steel as he faces many new challenges:  devious criminals, saving his parent's farm, and balancing his life as the World's Greatest Superhero....and a husband and father.  Superman has come a looooong way, and now we get to see a NEW aspect of The Man of Might, as he and Lois Lane try to balance their professional lives, while trying to raise two sons.  And we packed A LOT into the debut episode of this new Arrowverse series.  So, let's dive in, and see what happened to kick off this new program:

One of the things we get to kick off this show is a quick recap of Kal-El's life from the time he landed on Earth, until he and Lois had Jonathan and Jordan.  We also find out that Jordan suffers from a sociological disorder.  Jonathan is protective of his younger brother, and Lois and Clark struggle with him....as well as just being there for the boys as they try to balance their work at the Daily Planet (as well as Clark's time as Superman).  It's a good way to catch us up to speed on the happenings in the life of the Kents as we dive into current time, where this story truly begins.  

This episode gives us Superman saving a nuclear reactor from having a meltdown, being called in by Lois' father, General Sam Lane.  Apparently, this isn't the FIRST reactor that's been attacked.  Someone put a hole into it, to cause it to overload and heat up.  Superman and the General discuss what's happening before the General mentions that he wants to spend time with the boys (especially Jonathan), and Superman says he'll talk to Lois, and flies off. Once Clark gets home however, Lois reminds him that he missed Jordan's therapy session, and Jonathan wanted to talk to him.  We see in this episode that Clark is truly struggling as a father, and having trouble balancing everything.  Lois IS supportive, however, but she also sees that Clark hasn't done the ONE thing he needs to do with the boys:  tell them the truth.  He ends up talking to his mother Martha about what's going on, and she suggests that he come home to Smallville.  Clark agrees to do make those arrangements.  

Things go from bad to worse, as it turns out that Clark has been the newest Planet employee to be laid off since Morgan Edge took over the paper.  Lois is pissed about it, but Clark says they will find a way to manage.  Lois mentions that ever since Edge took over, he's gotten rid of all the members of the staff, and the paper isn't what it used to be.  Clark gets another call, this time from his mother's doctor, and he's off like a rocket---racing back to Smallville, only to find out that Martha had a stroke, and she passed away. Here, we meet up with Lana Lang, her husband Tyler, and their two daughters.  Lana gives her condolences to Lois and Clark, and the boys catch up with the elder daughter of Lana, Sarah Cushing.  Lana, Tyler, Lois, and Clark talk about Martha, but also talk about how bad Smallville has gotten---fallen on hard times.  Tyler brings up Morgan Edge, and his plans on revitalizing the town, which certainly gets Lois' dander up, and she has a debate with Tyler about it.  The conversation is tabled, and Lana tells Lois and Clark to show up at the bank, because they need to discuss what's going to happen with the farm.  

The boys are in the barn trying to fix the wifi, and Jordan falls after he slips on the pipes in there.  They fall, and Jonathan goes to save his brother, and they're buried under the pipes.  Sarah warns Lois and Clark about it, and they head to the barn, and help moves the pipes and save the boys.  However, Jordan wonders WHY they didn't suffer more severe injuries.  This leads the boys to investigate the barn---which they've been told to stay OUT of all their lives---and they go into the cellar of it....and find their dad's rocket that he came to Earth in. In the meantime, Lois tells Clark he needs to fess up to them about him being Superman.  General Lane shows up with info on the attacks on the reactors, and he says that whomever it is, is sending messages saying that Kal-El is no hero, meaning they know who he is.  The General tries to get Clark to check it out, but Lois tells him that the family needs him more right now.  Clark agrees with her.  But the General says that because he's Superman, he doesn't get to have a life, and Lois knew this going in.  She throws it back in her own father's face when she says that Clark is doing what he needs to be doing---being a father. 

Turns out, when the Kents go to see Lana, that Martha and many other farmers took out loans on their farms at extremely low prices, and now they have had to sell them.  And despite Martha's help, many lost their land.  She tells Lois and Clark that they have to make a decision on what to do with the Kent farm----sell it, or pay off the loan.  Clark now understands WHY his mother told him to come home. 

After finding the rocket ship, the boys confront Clark about it...and he finally tells them...and shows them....that he's Superman.  They are pissed because he kept this secret from him...and aren't happy with their mother, either.  They want space, and Jordan gets invited to a party with a bunch of kids by Sarah later on.  Clark, however, is mulling over the fact that he's a bad parent, and Lois informs him that it wasn't going to be easy, and that it's what makes him human.  Clark then hears about another reactor being attacked, and he's off.  Superman arrives at the facility, but it's lined with lead, ensuring he can't see his attacker, but he does.  They have a battle that rages from the reactor, to Metropolis, and eventually into subspace just above the Earth, where Superman gets stabbed with Kryptonite, and is falling helplessly back to the planet.  The perpetrator flies off as The Last Son of Krypton falls.  

Back at the party, Jordan plants a kiss on Sarah, but she tells him she has a boyfriend, he feels bad, but not before the boyfriend sees this, and attacks Jordan.  This brings Jonathan into the fight, and the elder Kent boy tussles with Sarah's boyfriend, all the while, Jordan's eyes light up, and eventually fires heat vision out, causing a fire, and the kids start fleeing.  As Superman falls back to Earth, he think about his life, his kids, Lois....and pulls the Kryptonite out and manages to save himself.  He then flies off, hearing that his kids are in trouble, and goes to save them.  He arrives to see Tyler---who's a firefighter---make sure the kids are okay.  He thanks him, and he takes the boys home.  Lois had contacted Clark as she was starting to get dirt on Morgan Edge and his interest in Smallville.  

Lois and Clark talk, and now he realizes that his mother meant to come home and save the farm.  So, Lois and Clark believe that they can live on the farm, and make everything work.  Of course they discuss it with the boys.  He apologizes to Jordan for not being there, and promises to work harder on being a better father.  They boys, of course, have A MILLION questions for their superhero father, and it seems like they're beginning the healing.  Earlier on, Sarah and the boys make amends, and decide to remain friends as well.  

The episode ends with us seeing the mysterious assailant arriving at a remote, artic HQ, where he says he needs more Kryptonite in order to destroy Superman.  The computer system refers to this man as "Captain Luthor".

This was a pretty raucous start to series.  We got a HEAVY dose of drama, and we get to see just how much more HUMAN Superman can be.  Despite all his powers...and all he can do...he's still learning A LOT about being human---especially now as a parent.  And while Lois is there to ground him...give him his humanity...she is ALSO learning on the job as a mother.  You have, essentially, two really good young men...but one is troubled, and NOW has this added burden of superpowers manifesting.  This is going to be the next challenge for both Lois AND Clark as parents...to navigate Jordan through his special abilities.  

I DID enjoy Lois dressing down her dad on this show in regards to Clark NEEDING to be a parent at that point in the episode, and NOT just go zooming out as Superman---especially at General Lane's request.  It's another little subtle clue as to the acrimonious relationship Lois has had with her father her whole life.  While we haven't seen Lucy in awhile (and not sure if we'll get to see Jenna Dewan as Lucy anytime soon), Lucy is the military gal that followed in Sam's footsteps, while Lois was the military brat who bucked the trend.  So, it will be more fun to explore Lois' relationship with her father as the series progresses.  But I DO wanna see her and Lucy interact---would be fun!  

Jonathan and Jordan---these kids are GREAT.  I love the chemistry between the two actors, and I enjoy the relationship they have with each other.  Jonathan is protective of Jordan when it matters most, and they seem to have a pretty tight bond.  Being twins, I guess that's what happens.  But to know that they have each other's backs  is an awesome feeling to have, and just reminds me of the relationship I have with my own brothers.  The addition of Lana Lang's older daughter Sarah just means that the boys can get into more trouble in Smallville with her in tow.  She seems to also be someone who's slightly damaged, considering that it seems that her mom and dad don't always see eye to eye.  It appears that Lana and Tyler's marriage is contentious at best, and they're together for the girls' sake.  But Lana's story is one to pay attention to.  

And as for the villain---is this the "new" Lex Luthor we've been hearing rumors about?  And a much different LOOKING Luthor at that?  And what happens to Jon Cryer's Lex Luthor?  Where does HE fit into all this?  Will we even SEE him on this show?  I get that the pilot wanted to established Superman in the Arrowverse, but I AM hoping we get Kara's name dropped or SOME kind of Easter Egg planted that will tether the show to the rest of the Arrowverse.  Maybe we'll get Diggle this season---sure would like to get him into being Green Lantern at SOME point---this show would be a good start to do it (hey....if it worked out for Barry Allen being on Arrow....it can work here!).

And to give you all a quick lesson on Morgan Edge:  You saw him in Supergirl, and he hasn't been seen since.  And...on top of that....CRISIS kind of re-wrote the Arrowverse in a way, so it could be that the Morgan Edge we get to meet on THIS show will NOT be the same Morgan Edge we saw in National City.  But don't quote me on that.  But it's interesting to know that HE is still playing dirty, and is someone the town will have to deal with.  I like that Lois' reporter itch is getting scratched, as she looks into what he wants from Smallville.  It allows us to not only get our dose of Clark/Superman, and the boys....but also allows Lois her own little side story.  

Overall, I'm happy with this show, and curious how it will all play out.  Hats off to the show as well for giving us the flashback of Superman in one of his classic suits.  "My mom made it" is such a great quote from this first episode.  Enjoyable program, and looking forward to how the story plays out.  

What did YOU think of the show?   Do you enjoy THIS version of Lois & Clark?  Parents with kids?  And what about the new Luthor?  Subscribe and leave a comment below.  

Until next time....Up, Up, and Away!