Superman & Lois Review: Holding the Wrench (Season 1 Episode 8)
Superman & Lois Season 1 Episode 8, “Holding the Wrench,” is all the proof you need to know that Lois Lane is a superhero in her own right. This hour of TV is framed around the titular character, and the show is better for it.
By the end, this episode makes a beautiful case in favor of humans being just as extraordinary as super people.
“Holding the Wrench” is a standout episode of Superman & Lois because of its dedication to telling grounded stories through the eyes of Lois Lane and Jonathan Kent. This tactic succeeds significantly due to the powerhouse talents of Bitsie Tulloch and Jordan Elsass.
The superhero world is grand, and the humans that make up that world are just as influential as any caped being. Of course, they’re a little more fragile than someone like Superman, but that doesn’t mean they won’t stand in the face of danger to save the world.
After weeks of a lot of the same, the tables finally turn to Jonathan and Lois, who shoulder so much guilt and reserved vulnerability as they stand on the sidelines. Lois reframes that narrative to show the power in holding the wrench, in being extraordinary in an entirely different way.
In fact, without Lois Lane, there’s a great chance Earth-Prime would be down a Superman. Furthermore, there’s no telling how many times Jonathan has saved Jordan from himself over the prior seven episodes.
This comes together through the framing of “Holding the Wrench,” which focuses on Lois’ therapy session. It’s still so refreshing to see characters going to therapy that it makes you sit up and pay attention. Mental health is equally important as physical health, even for superheroes.
In that session, we learn the heartbreaking truth of a miscarriage that happened to Lois, not because of her. Lois carries around a lot of grief and guilt she hasn’t given herself permission to feel, which influences many of her actions, especially her blowup at Jonathan.
Superman & Lois continually asks what will happen to the world if Superman loses his temper. That’s what John Henry Irons is there to prevent, after all. However, when the show examines Lois’ world when she loses her temper, it becomes even more fascinating.
It’s easy to imagine that an army of angry, aggressive beings won’t take over Earth-Prime by the end of the season. That doesn’t seem practical, especially knowing that Superman & Lois will return for a second season. The world can’t end if there is more show to expect.
Something on a smaller scale is easier to envision. Something like what happens on “Holding the Wrench” could be more effective in the end. There’s always going to be a new problem for Superman to solve, and that’s why it’s more intriguing for me to watch Clark with his family.
The show does an excellent job of making Superman feel like a part-time job to Clark’s full-time father and husband roles. Of course, being Superman matters to him, but his family is his world. What if a time comes when he (not Superman, but Clark) can’t help them?
We see that briefly when Clark knows that he may not be the best one to help Lois through whatever she’s experiencing. He makes the right decision to encourage her to reach out to someone better equipped to give her the help she deserves.
That’s not heroic on Clark’s behalf, though. He’s just a good husband, maybe even the best. Alternatively, it is pretty brave for Lois to make the right decision and show up for herself.
Lois doesn’t stop there because a hero isn’t free of mistakes, and it’s how that hero takes accountability for their actions that matters. Lois does that in that final emotional scene between her and Jonathan.
Accountability matters; learning from your mistakes matters. Lois vows to be better, do better, and teach Jon tools to lean into his vulnerability rather than fear it. That shouldn’t be as groundbreaking as it feels.
But in a world of super people, it’s moving to watch Lois and Jonathan strive to be extraordinary humans. Moreso, it’s inspiring.
Stray Thoughts
- When will Kyle not be insufferable?
- When will Sam not be insufferable?
- Inde Navarrette has a gorgeous voice!
- Superman calling Lois “Ms. Lane” shouldn’t sound as nice as it does.
- This episode wrapped up everything with John Henry Irons too nicely. He’ll be back.
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.