Superman & Lois Review: The Best of Smallville (Season 1 Episode 5)
Superman & Lois Season 1 Episode 5, “The Best of Smallville,” makes it known that the town of Smallville is just as much a character on this show as anyone else. The Harvest Festival is a perfect glimpse into what makes Smallville so special, but also so familiar.
Clark’s voiceover about Smallville’s beauty leading us through multiple establishing shots of the town is a great way to drive that home. It makes us see similarities between small towns we may live in or know of and Smallville. In turn, we connect with these characters even more because we know that feeling that Clark is describing.
There are so many caring, giving people in Smallville. So much so that there is an entire annual event contingent on the generosity of others. It’s not a far stretch to believe that a hero like Superman and, more importantly, a man like Clark Kent can emerge from a town like Smallville.
That belief only strengthens when Superman & Lois lets us see more of Clark’s relationship with his mother, Martha. It’s touching to see how those critical moments in Clark’s life parallel what his sons are experiencing now.
It’s always a friendly reminder that even though Clark Kent is Superman, he’s still experienced many of the big, human moments that all of us have. That’s important for us to remember, and Jordan and Jonathan need to know that, too.
While “The Best of Smallville” describes Martha Kent as the heart of the town, a reliable shoulder for anyone who needed her, the episode only features key moments between her and Clark.
It would have been nice to see a sweet scene with Lana and Martha since Lana speaks so highly of her. Then again, it’s only the fifth episode. Maybe that’s still to come. Since the show is adamant about memorializing her effect on Smallville, there has to be more to see with Martha beyond her relationship with Clark.
As for Jonathan and Jordan, this episode sees the tables turn for a little bit. We’ve seen how Jonathan tends to Jordan’s feelings like a good person and a good brother. Sometimes it even feels like Jonathan can anticipate what Jordan will do next. “The Best of Smallville” lets us see the other side of that with Jordan for Jonathan.
Jordan forgives Jonathan for ruining the former’s time with Sarah, and Jordan forgives Jon. Jordan could’ve held that grudge for a few more episodes, but he lets it go instead. He knows that his brother is going through a lot and gives him space to do just that — to go through it.
Jordan stands by his brother’s side just as Jonathan has done for him time and time again. This moment isn’t likely to be a new phenomenon. Jordan has undoubtedly done something similar, if not identical, to this for Jon in the past, but this is the first time we’ve seen as such on Superman & Lois.
These brothers have such a great and supportive relationship. It’s great to see both sides of that represented.
It’s a relief to know that Jonathan finally had his chance to release all those pent-up feelings about leaving his entire life behind in Metropolis. It’s a little surprising that it took Eliza breaking up with him for him to get to this point. Then again, everyone has their breaking point.
Similarly, “The Best of Smallville” gives us even more details about what led Captain Luthor to this Earth — Earth-Prime — and why he’s so willing to do whatever it takes to protect it. We’ve seen that his friend General Lane died as a result of that Superman’s actions. Now we know that he lost the love of his life in his Earth’s Lois Lane, as well.
Though Luthor’s methods aren’t always safe and sound, he’s dedicated to preserving Superman’s status as he is to stop Superman from becoming the worst version of himself. Luthor knows what devastation that can bring, so he’s made it his mission to protect the people of Earth-Prime from a similar fate.
Luthor is concerned for people other than himself and wishes to help them, not dominate them. This makes Captain Luthor stand in stark comparison to his Earth-Prime counterpart on Supergirl.
It feels like Superman & Lois is heading in the direction of whatever Edge is up to being what could turn Superman into a version of who Luthor knew. This route would be refreshing because it could mean that Luthor and Superman will team-up instead of face-off like we’ve seen what feels like a million times before.
This trajectory would also confirm that Morgan Edge is the true Big Bad of the season, which would align with the events of “The Best of Smallville.” There’s a whole lot of ugly brewing in the mines now that Morgan Edge is using them as a means of creating super-powered soldiers to do his bidding.
That is a lot more threatening than a man from another planet trying to stop the same thing from happening to this one. It’s still too early to tell which direction Superman & Lois will go because there could always be another twist around the corner.
For now, we have to grapple with the twist that Jordan is in danger due to Tag’s vengeful return, and we won’t know his fate until the show returns in May.
Stray Observations
- Chrissy and Lois are such a great team!
- WWLLD: What Would Lois Lane Do?
- Younger Clark saying that he’ll stick with the flannel feels very Smallville to me.
- It’s probably best that Jordan and Sarah be just friends for now.
- Lois is right that it’s Eliza’s loss for dumping Jonathan.
- Lois calling Clark a softie makes my heart melt almost as much as Clark calling Lois “baby.”
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.