Superman & Lois Review: Haywire (Season 1 Episode 4)
Superman & Lois Season 1 Episode 4, “Haywire,” digs deeper into the core relationships of the show. In fact, relationships are the main priority of “Haywire.” Subsequently, it doubles down on why some of the show’s antagonists are so unnerving.
The show strikes a fine balance between action sequences and the alternative, proving that they can go hand-in-hand to tell character-driven stories.
Oftentimes, action sequences feel like convenient pieces of superhero shows. That’s absolutely fine and sometimes necessary, but it becomes tiresome when that’s all they are.
We’re only four episodes into Superman & Lois, and Clark has spent far less time in his super suit than he has in his everyday clothes. Clark only suits up when it’s a pivotal part of the given story. Sam Lane sees this as the problem of Clark trying too hard to be a good father, and not enough at being a good hero.
An alternative argument is that Superman & Lois knows there’s no point in watching these beautifully shot action sequences if we don’t know what Superman is fighting for in the end. Yes, Clark is driven by a responsibility to fight for justice – he even states that in this episode.
It’s more than that, though.
It matters that when Clark puts on that suit, we know what he’s leaving behind. We’ve seen Clark struggle with what that means in terms of his children. “Haywire” lets us see how that has put a strain on his relationship with Lois.
It’s not unheard of that Lois would feel like less of a priority in Clark’s life with everything he takes on. That’s why it’s so refreshing that Lois doesn’t harbor that anger but voices her concerns to Clark, and he listens. Elizabeth Tulloch and Tyler Hoechlin are outstanding in that scene.
Superman & Lois could have used Lois’s frustrations as a means to drive a wedge between the titular couple – pushing Clark into the suit to escape relationship issues. That story may be told down the line, but not yet. Clark makes it abundantly clear that he can’t be Superman without Lois Lane.
That matters. As Lana said: Lois makes Clark better. The magic of Clark and Lois is that the same can be said about Clark for Lois. They make each other stronger in their belief in one another.
Their mutual respect and trust contribute to what makes this couple so compelling and iconic.
All of the lends itself to why it’s so exhilarating to watch Clark and Lois take on Sam Lane as a united front. They’re stronger together.
The end of “Haywire” implies that Kyle and Lana may be on their way back to that themselves. The light shining through the kitchen window on a sweet moment evokes hope that things may work out for them.
It is a bit odd that Kyle never properly apologizes for mishandling everything at the dinner with Edge. Lana’s discomfort was palpable for me at that moment, through a TV screen, so it’s baffling that her own husband of more than a decade didn’t pick up on it at all.
It’s also alarming that the most we’ve seen Kyle emote so far is when he’s with Morgan Edge. The end of “Haywire” reveals Edge’s nefarious plans to create a super-powered army, which, of course, Kyle is unaware of. But even before that, there isn’t any real reason to believe Edge is a good guy.
It’s unfortunate that Kyle is willing to believe what he wants about Edge because he thinks it’ll help Smallville. If Edge continues on the path he’s on (which looks like it’ll include Lana), Kyle could lose the chance to improve his relationship with Lana.
That’s why people like Sam Lane and Morgan Edge create so much uneasiness on Superman & Lois. They threaten what matters most to characters like Clark, Lois, Lana, and Kyle. “Haywire” gives a real sense of what could be lost if people like Sam and Edge are unchecked. That’s going to be exciting to watch develop over the course of the season.
Stray Observations
- All of Clark and Lois’s pet names for each other are so sweet!
- Clark and Jonathan cheering Jordan on during the game warms my heart.
- Clark is the ace up Lois’s sleeve.
- I can’t believe Sam thought it was a good idea to tell his grandkids to not go to their father for help.
- Lois blowing a kiss in Clark’s direction after he speeds off is too much for my heart to take.
- More girls’ nights with Lois and Lana, please!
What did you think of this episode of Superman & Lois? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Superman & Lois airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on The CW.
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Shelby Elpers
Shelby is a TV enthusiast and pop culture writer. She's an avid podcast listener, green tea drinker, and soccer fan. Her brand can be summarized in rom-coms, superheroes, teen dramas, and workplace comedies.