Deron Generally
Deron GenerallySuperman & Lois
The CW
Season 1 Episode 8
Holding the Wrench
In the aftermath of the stranger’s reveal, Lois decides that she needs to talk to someone about the stress she’s been under. Back at the farm, Clark and the boys work to fix the family truck and Jon feels the limits of what he can do to help. When Clark gets called to the DOD, Lois decides to investigate John’s truck and takes her son with her. I like that the show is giving the audience a chance to see how events are affecting Jon negatively. His arc from being the seemingly well-rounded normal kid to being the one challenged with limitations is welcome and interesting.
There’s more tension at the Lang house as Lana gives her husband more bad news about his attempts to get in good with Morgan Edge. Jordan reveals a talent to Sarah that might bring them closer and Superman goes to interrogate John. We get to see the events that brought him to Clark’s Earth and the interrogation brings many of the story elements into focus as Lois discovers her doubles connection to John and Sam learns what happened to the Lois on John’s Earth. It’s a really intense scene on both sides and well acted by Wole Parks.
Jon sees the video of what happened to Lois on the other Earth and it freaks him out. Unfortunately, his snooping around almost gets him killed. The scene leads into one that brilliantly encapsulates the danger that they face as a family. Lois even takes her admonition of Jon to a place I wasn’t expecting and it was even more interesting to see Clark stand back and let her handle it whether he agreed with her or not. The writers did a great job of showing that there is a balance to their dynamic and a realness to their struggle as parents.
Lois continues her therapy sessions as Superman deals with Lane wanting more information out of John. After another intense interrogation session, Superman and Sam have a talk while John is transported back to his cell. After a confrontation between two soldiers, we see that the Kryptonian threat he’s been railing against might be closer than either Superman or Sam think. At the same time, Jon is still dealing with his near death experience, but takes time to support Jordan and Sarah as she auditions for something at school.
Superman and Sam decide that it’s time for Lois to talk to John, but a break in will force Superman to enter a lab filled with weapons designed specifically to kill him. After a really intense fight that, thankfully, shows a Superman willing to fight through his pain, John, Superman and Lois find themselves in a confrontation that will test what kind of man John Henry Irons actually is. In the aftermath, Lana gets more suspicious, Clark and Sam target Edge and Lois reveals the truth to Jon. The scene is absolutely brilliant and finally showcases the true dynamic between Lois and Superman from her perspective.
The latest episode of Superman & Lois puts Lois through some emotional turmoil and Tulloch plays every scene pitch perfect. I really love the dual nature of the episode and how it pivots between the two characters showcasing that the series is really about the two of them.
Superman & Lois S01XE08
