Superman & Lois Review: Man of Steel (Season 1 Episode 7)

Superman & Lois Season 1 Episode 7, “Man of Steel,” flips the script on who goes by that iconic name. This episode pulls back the curtain and lets us see Captain Luthor for who he truly is: John Henry Irons, aka Steel. 

Superman isn’t the only superhero to be associated with steel, and now he’s not even the only one in Smallville. I should note that John has yet to go by that specific moniker, but he does call himself the Man of Steel. 

Avid fans of the comics may have seen this twist coming, especially if they paid close attention to all the subcontext clues. However, other fans watching this story unfold without any deeper understanding of the source material may leave this episode wanting more. 

The latter isn’t necessarily bad because it is an incentive to watch the next episode and the one after that. The former has a similar effect since those fans will be on the edge of their seats to see how the series will further incorporate the comics. 

It’s not shocking that this character would end up being someone influential in the comics. However, it is pleasantly surprising that John Herny Irons is himself instead of another Luthor. That storyline is tried and true in Superman lore, but it’s also exhausted. 

This route allows Superman & Lois to do something new instead of getting caught in the same cycle that Clark/Superman and Lex always get caught in together. It also reinforces the fact that John is not the villain of this show. 

His methods aren’t great, and he is projecting a memory of a different person onto Earth-Prime’s Superman. Nevertheless, this episode gives us more context that only makes us understand why he is willing to go to such extremes. 

It’s not easy to watch Lois Lane sacrifice her life for the truth and to know that it’s Superman who kills her. It’s heartbreaking to know she leaves behind a husband and daughter who are forced to live in a bunker to survive. 

His past is heartbreaking and unfathomable, even in a fantastical world of superheroes. Wolé Parks is the standout performer on this episode, by far. That grey area John is in would be far less compelling if it weren’t for Parks’ performance.

All of this adds to a more extensive understanding of John’s actions, but they don’t justify his methods. They don’t excuse his projection of a different person from a different Earth onto Earth-Prime’s Superman. 

Understandably, John would see Edge’s plan as a giant stepping stone to what happened on his Earth, but he can’t blame Superman for its downfall without proof that he would participate.  

Hopefully, Superman & Lois deals with the fallout of that tension before things get more violent. Jonathan’s classmate Tegan says, “Nothing good ever comes from anger,” and she’s right. It would be refreshing for Superman and John to realize that before it’s too late. 

Then again, that might not make for the most entertaining TV unless that realization comes with a promise to work together to stop Edge from ruining the world. Furthermore, it would be ideal if Lois Lane isn’t the sole voice of reason between the two because of her emotional “connection” to both of them. 

Let’s be honest, Lois has no emotional connection to John. Anything he feels is something he’s projected on her from someone in his past, and that’s not fair to Lois. 

Alternatively, Superman & Lois should spend more time on Edge. It makes sense for some of his dealings to happen behind the scenes since he is so mysterious. But should the majority of it be off-camera? Captain Luthor’s actions are just as mysterious up to this reveal. There hasn’t been the same build-up with Edge.

He doesn’t come across as someone who will be difficult to stop because right now, all he has is Leslie Larr protecting him. That’s not enough to make me believe that his man is capable of doing great harm — world-ending harm. 

John says that Edge isn’t the “main source” of the end of the world, presuming that Superman is that source. So then, what exactly is Edge here to do? Be a red herring or a means to an end? It took Edge seven episodes to get X-Kryptonite. If he continues at this pace, it won’t be difficult for anyone to stop him. 

Superman & Lois could have more time to make Edge look like more of a threat if it strays away from the love triangle it’s trying to cobble together. Thankfully, l this show doesn’t include a love triangle between Lois, Clark, and Lana. But did they have to trade that for one with their children? 

It’s a reach to believe that Jordan and Sarah have mutual romantic feelings for each other at this point. Adding Jonathan to that only blurs the situation, and not in a good way. 

Jordan apologizes for his irrational outburst, and the boys come to a common ground by the end of the episode. However, that common ground isn’t transparent about where each of them stands on their feelings for Sarah.

That appears to be on purpose to try and make this love triangle a reality. Superman & Lois could shock us with an exciting love triangle, one that may add a twist to the overused trope, but there’s no sign of that yet. 

A good first start would be allowing Sarah to have enough screentime away from the boys. This would only benefit her character development outside of her relationship with Jordan and Jonathan. 

Superman & Lois avoided the classic villain and love triangle, and the show is fresher for it. Hopefully, it can find a way to make its actual villain more entertaining before it’s too late. And, hopefully, along the way, it will realize love triangles aren’t always necessary to tell a story about love. 

Stray Observations

• Clark using his freeze breath to get Jordan’s attention shouldn’t make me as happy as it does. 
• Lois wearing purple will always spark joy.
• It will always make me giggle when people don’t see through Clark’s disguise.
• Should we give up trying to understand Multiverse rules?
• The way Clark looks at Lois makes my heart flutter.
• Lana’s belief in Smallville and its people is so admirable. 

 

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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