Superman & Lois Review: Fail Safe (Season 1 Episode 13)
The plot of Superman & Lois Season 1 Episode 13, “Fail Safe,” doesn’t meet its characters’ development halfway which makes for a frustrating hour of television that leaves most of its characters right where the episode finds them.
This wouldn’t be nearly as unfortunate if Superman & Lois Season 1 Episode 12, “Through the Valley of Death,” didn’t work so well as a season finale. The structure of that episode makes the structure of this one fall flat.
“Fail Safe” peaks well before its final reveal thanks to an electrifying and endlessly fascinating argument between its two leads, Clark and Lois. The intricacies of their argument hinge on the difficult reality of them both being correct.
Clark is right that Superman should not be immune to proper checks and balances to keep people safe. Lois’ deepest fears are valid with or without the dangerous past that proves her correct.
The core of each of their stances becomes all the more intriguing when factoring in their motives — each other’s safety. It’s only because Clark is also one of the biggest superheroes on the planet that what should be a private decision is quickly blown up to a larger scale. As it should be!
Clark isn’t naive for factoring in the rest of the world and how he could harm it if he loses control.
Superman & Lois‘ attempt to connect Clark and Edge through their desire to no longer repress their powers isn’t nearly as effective as Clark speaking from the heart about the patience and practice it takes to suppress a part of himself for decades.
Any attempt to humanize Edge after he wholeheartedly committed to erase and replace the consciousness of human beings for his own gain is futile. Alternatively, it is only beneficial to the longevity of Superman & Lois to explore every side of the heroes at its core.
Everyone has blind spots, including Clark and Lois, and their biggest blindspots are each other. Lois confronts this head-on when Chrissy pushes Lois’s allegiance to her integrity as a journalist. Upon a mounting list of arguments she couldn’t win, Lois only folds when Clark shows his hand.
Sometimes it’s difficult to think about the real-world implications of being someone who can destroy worlds. If Clark and Lois couldn’t come to that conclusion on their own, it helps to have John Henry Irons, who has seen the destruction that can come from an unchecked Superman, staying on the Kents’ farm.
Though, it is refreshing that this argument doesn’t become a lingering one that causes tension or even separation between the two characters. It actually does the opposite by bringing them even closer through a shared vulnerability that comes with the fear of losing the other person.
The end result of Clark agreeing to 7734 isn’t shocking and its eventual corruption will be equally as unsurprising. However, his journey to that decision is easily the best part of this otherwise underwhelming episode.
Clark could have made the choice to back 7734 on his own, but that’s not who he is. Edge is someone who operates selfishly and, surely, that will be his downfall.
Clark’s ability to rely on the people in his life is what makes him smarter and stronger. It’s what makes him a better man and a better hero. Much like how Barry Allen isn’t the Flash without Iris West-Allen, Clark Kent is not Superman without Lois Lane.
However strong that portion of “Fail Safe” is, Superman & Lois falters in its final minutes when the entire episode concludes on less than a satisfying note. Edge escaping the DOD is a given at this point.
The beginning of the episode teases that maybe, just maybe, Leslie Larr is a lot smarter and stronger than Superman, Steel, and Edge anticipated. For a second, it appears as though the show will reintroduce her as the real puppeteer for the final episodes, which would breathe new life into the antagonistic role this season.
Unfortunately, Superman & Lois side steps what could have been an intriguing move to let Edge become the Eradicator, whatever that means. At least there is some suspense in learning what that means since the show is on hiatus for another two weeks.
It’ll be shocking if the show does stick the landing with Edge by the season finale. It’s unrealistic to believe Edge’s story can go beyond this season with the way things are going now. Regardless of Edge’s role in things, Superman & Lois is lucky to have Tyler Hoechlin and Bitsie Tulloch steering the ship because they never miss.
Stray Thoughts
- Can Jonathan catch a single break?
- Sarah was right about never trusting Tegan Wickhem.
- I still don’t feel bad for Kyle. I do feel bad for Lana considering she put her life on the line to save Smallville.
- Clark being the one who always cooks in the Kent house sparks a lot of joy.
- Clark and John’s fist bump, fully suited up, after apprehending Leslie Larr is very cool.
- I still don’t trust Sam. I’ll probably never trust Sam.
- Though I don’t like Edge, it is safe to say his dad is absolute garbage.
- This show needs more of Chrissy.
- “I believe Natalie would be proud” really got to me.
- Lois saying she has to stay mad to scare Jordan after he got arrested is pitch-perfect.
- To be fair, Lois catching Jonathan lingering at the bottom of the stairs to eavesdrop on her and Clark’s conversation is just as perfect.
- As if Clark and Lois couldn’t get any cuter, Lois tells Clark, “I’m sold on my small-town guy.”
What did you think of this episode of Superman & Lois? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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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.