*Superman is soaring back to the small screen this fall on the CW, but can it stand out amongst the storm of other superhero stories out there? A 4th and final season featuring the timeless superhero is almost here.
The series is none other than “Superman & Lois,” developed by Todd Helbing and Greg Berlanti, based on the DC comic book characters created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. A reboot of the 90s drama series “Lois and Clark,” it focuses on the personal dramas within the Kent/Lane household and their small-town lives.
That’s not to say there isn’t plenty of super-powered action and fisticuffs to go around. The show has a very cinematic quality to it as well, with Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch starring as the titular heroes.
The virtually indestructible Superman, the ultimate superhero of our age, is both humbled and humanized as one Clark Kent living in the American town of Smallville. This classic comic book hero is brought down to earth both literally and figuratively, becoming vulnerable and relatable through the everyday struggles of ordinary people.
He may be able to fly around the entire earth at least 100 times before you even finish reading this sentence, but can he handle the task of raising two teenage boys? This is just one of the challenges that must be faced in which superpowers are of absolutely no use. At one time, Superman may not have had anything to worry about on a personal level with no foes or obstacles that he could not overcome, but now as Clark Kent, he has a family to cherish and care for.
Ultimately, to protect his family he must protect his true identity. Being a family man is the figurative break in Superman’s armor, a sort of second kryptonite; his identity and consequence of his family’s identity is a secret of utmost importance to keep closely guarded, preventing them from being exploited by evildoers, such as the cruel, conniving and sometimes petty Lex Luthor, played by Michael Cudlitz of “Walking Dead” fame. Cudlitz’s performance is an especially intimidating portrayal of Luthor, whose confidence and intimidation prove to be an effective weapon and tool for his less-than-admirable aspirations.
The true identity of Superman is vital to be kept secret from the whole world, and in consequence, Luthor himself, to protect those that Clark loves. These include his twin sons Jordan and Jonathan, played by Alex Garfin and Michael Bishop, and not least of all his wife Lois, the courageous investigative journalist of the Daily Planet. Lois’ father, General Sam Lane, played by Dylan Walsh, also plays a key role in the unfolding drama by not only being Clark’s father-in-law but also by getting Superman involved with the US military.
With an over-saturation of superhero and comic book-themed content, it is a bit difficult to strongly recommend this show with so many other options out there. Visually it looks quite nice and is very well shot, but unfortunately, there’s no stylistic liberties that take it to new heights to differentiate it from everything else. It plays it safe, relying on tried and true formulae, but what the show does aim to do it does extremely well. The writing is executed with precision, allowing the pacing to keep audiences hooked.
It is a thrill to see what comes on the next page going from scene to scene in this escalating and increasingly deadly drama. If the first three episodes of the upcoming season are any indication, the series will likely climb to a thrilling conclusion, tying everything up nicely for all the fans who have been watching since the first season.
Season 4 of “Superman & Lois” premieres October 7, 2024, at 8:00 pm ET/PT, in a double episode feature on the CW.
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