SUPERMAN & LOIS 1.2

 

RECAP - SUPERMAN & LOIS  1.2:  "Heritage"  

The Kents have moved back to Smallville....but sadly, they're NOT endearing themselvs to the townsfolk since they've arrived.  Jordan and Jonathan have already gotten in trouble with Sarah Cushing's boyfriend because Jordan made a pass at her, not knowing she was taken.  On top of that, Lois is in full reporter mode since finding out Morgan Edge has interest in opening up the coalmines in the town, knowing HIS checkered past.  She's meeting resistance from Lana Lang Cushing's husband, as well as Edge himself.  Clark, however, has TWO problems:  trying to be a better father to BOTH his boys...and dealing with this new threat as Superman.  This week....things intensify.  

Lois and Clark have decided early on in this episode that Jordan isn't ready to go to school until they find a way to help him control his powers.  So, the family has to cover for him, while Clark files him out to the Fortress of Solitude to have Jordan tested by his grandfather, Jor-El.  Jordan is in awe of his Kryptonian heritage, and learns about Krypton up until its explosion.  He DOES end up getting tested, but it turns out that his powers will NEVER be at the level of Kal-El's.  Jor-El emphatically tells his son that Jordan will always have limited powers, and they will never develop past what they are.  Jordan is obviously upset by this, and doesn't take it well.  Jonathan, on the other hand, has to get used to going to a new high school, and making the football team.  He's a little too cocky this episode about having knowledge of the playbook, even though he didn't get it on time, and pays the price for it by getting drilled by the team, as well as Sarah's boyfriend.  Jonathan isn't happy about it, nor is he all that thrilled about the fact that Clark is spending more time with Jordan, and getting Jordan in touch with his Kryptonian roots.  Clark is obviously just as disappointed in the fact hat Jordan will NOT be able to continue Clark's legacy, but whatever fence-mending he had with Jordan, dissipated rather quick.  Jordan's human DNA prevents him from being what his father is, but I have a feeling Clark won't give up.  Jordan however, IS allowed to go back to school at the end of the episode, because Clark gives him an alert, allowing him to contact his father should there be trouble.  In the end, however, both Lois and Clark feel that they've made progress with the boys.  

Clark, however, also faces his problem with this alien threat that knows WHO he is, and says that he is destined to destroy the world.  Sam and Superman continue to confer on who this threat is, and he makes yet another move to obtain Kryptonite in order to destroy The Man of Steel.  This Luthor makes an attack on General Lane and the DOD.  He manages to get to Sam, and tries to warn him that Superman is NOT who he seems, and that he will destroy the planet.  Superman DOES arrive in time to save the General, and takes down Luthor....only to discover that it's a robot that this Luthor sent in his place.  Superman and General Lane have more questions than answers after this, but it's clear of ONE thing:  this Luthor is planting the seeds of doubt in General Lane's mind about Kal-El.  It also hasn't helped that General Lane is NOT happy that Lois and Clark told the boys about Clark's life as Superman.  He feels that Clark has endangered his own sons, and STILL wonders why Lois has endured what Clark does all these years.  We then learn at the end of this episode that THIS Luthor is from another world...another universe where HE and General Lane were soldiers, and Superman was the evil rogue who killed everyone, and that General Lane from THAT world gave this Luthor a dogtag necklace with Superman's logo on it.  So, we get more clarity as to WHY this Luthor is here, and what HIS purpose is.  And as much as his ship's computer told him that this version of Superman seems like a hero, Luthor isn't convinced...saying that THIS Superman isn't evil....yet.  Because Superman DID save the town from destruction, as he went after Luthor's ship, who sacrificed it in order to have Superman make a choice.  Superman made the right one.  

Lois and Clark were invited to the Cushing's BBQ, and Lois and Tyler get into it again about Morgan Edge.  Seems that Tyler is happy thinking that Edge is giving Smallville a leg up with the mines opening up again, and people getting work...even if it is at a lower wage.  This conversation happens because Lois attended the town hall meeting the night before, where Morgan Edge DID show up to talk about his plans for Smallville.  But Lois---being the intrepid reporter that she is....wondered about Edge's plans considering the last town he tried to uplift--Carthage--suffered at his hands.  Edge compliments Lois on her tenacity, and then says that he TRIED to give the townsfolk of Carthage a chance, but never PROMISED anything.  Then, he decides that maybe he'll rethink what he does with Smallville.  This doesn't go over well with the townsfolk, but it DOES get the attention of the reporter from the Smallville Gazette, who is all-too familiar with Lois' work.  But her and Tyler continue to butt heads on the Morgan Edge matter.  Later on, she tells Clark what she found out, and as much as Clark is hesitant about it....he knows that she won't let it go.  So, he gives her his blessing.  

Lois isn't thrilled when she finds out, however, that Edge had her story re-written for the Daily Planet, and she's pissed off about it.  Lois, in her career, has NEVER been re-written.  Edge ordered the re-write, saying that it was a smear piece, and he won't have it for the paper.  Then, Lois decides to leave the one thing she's loved more than anything....she quits the Daily Planet.  We then see Lois going to the Smallville Gazette...where she meets up with the reporter---who also happens to be the editor and everything else.  Lois asks if she'd like a reporter, and she asks when Lois can start.  

The drama was dripping this episode, and it seems like Clark's second go around back home is going to be a rougher road than what it was when he was growing up.  His mother is gone, so he has no guidance from her as a parent....so he and Lois have to lean on each other MORE to get the parenting thing right...and it's been  A LOT of hit-and-miss thus far.  Jordan feels even MORESO like an outsider now that he finds out that--due--to his human DNA, he'll NEVER have the level of powers that his father has.  Even Jonathan felt a bit jealous this episode because Jordan was getting some on-on-one time with their Dad, and he felt a little left out.  I do like the boys, but I do think they might be a bit TOO angsty.  If they dial it back A LITTLE, I wouldn't mind.  Lois is the anchor here, desperate to keep her family together.  But Lois is also dealing with the fact that she isn't getting the chance to be what she CAN be---Lois Lane.  Having to quit The Planet was tough for her...leaving all that she loved behind.  But in the end, we see that Lois doesn't regret her decision.  Despite all that she and Clark face---she's putting family first.  It's a new side to Lois Lane that we have never gotten to see, because she's been the top notch, fierce reporter who has no fear when it comes to the danger that comes with following a juicy story.  

Clark has the hardest road:  trying to be there for his boys, but also trying to balance his life as Superman.  It was EASIER for him when it was just he and Lois---but with two teenage boys---ONE of which with social anxiety issues, trying to be the best father he can be, and also be the superhero everyone looks up to is becoming TWO full time jobs.  And he's struggling to find that balance.  And with this new Luthor threat...who knows all about him...he's going to have to work overtime to reign it all in.  

But THIS is why we watch...

I DO have ONE bummer out of this, though:  it's the recasting of Morgan Edge.  When last WE saw Morgan Edge in the Arrowverse, he was played by Adrian Pasdar.  NOW, we have a new guy in the role, and he's got an accent.  I don't know if this was just something that slipped through the cracks, but it's inconsistent with what we've known previously.  Unless, in this Post-CRISIS world....THIS Morgan Edge is the one that's existed all along, and they couldn't get Adrian Pasdar back.  So...that's the ONE thing I was no right about this episode.  

We're learning to grow with The Kents, and we'll see how they face each new challenge as a family going forward.  How long before Superman's problem hits close to home?  And then when will General Lane start to question Clark and his motives MORESO?  And will he try to convince Lois that being with Clark is a bad idea, and that she---AND the boys---would be better off without him.  That his ONLY life should be that of Superman?  These are things pondering my mind as we go forward.  Overall, a good episode, and I'm awaiting to see what happens next....like all of you.

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Until next time....Up, up, and away!