Superman & Lois Review: The Ties That Bind (Season 2 Episode 2)

Superman & Lois Season 2 Episode 2, “The Ties That Bind,” doesn’t need to deliver any shocking twists for its character development to be great. During the episode, the most enjoyable examples come from Lana and Tal-Rho.

It’s unsurprising Daniel drops out of the mayoral race, and Lana takes his place. However, the delightful part of the beginning of this arc (beyond the fact that Lana will have a more active role) is that it’s not a point of contention between Kyle and Lana.

There was so much tension between those two last season that it’s nice to see them sidestep that for now. It’s probably unrealistic to believe their conflicting schedules won’t cause an argument at some point.

Hopefully, Superman & Lois lets Kyle and Lana openly communicate as adults do if that does happen. This storyline could strengthen Kyle and Lana’s relationship in a way the first season didn’t have a chance to do.

Moreover, it’s exciting to imagine how Lana’s budding career in local politics could collide with Lois and Chrissy’s goal to expand the Smallville Gazette.

It would be a dream to see those three women interact in a way that allows their strengths to shine and collectively help Smallville.

Their collaboration could also expand the Smallville we see on the show as Lana communicates with her constituents. 

Although, it seems like Lois may have more pressing matters to attend to first because, apparently, Lucy was in a cult. All signs are starting to point to Crisis, creating a different Lucy from Supergirl‘s.

The reveal that Clark’s visions are tied to the mysterious being in the mines isn’t nearly as shocking as incorporating this cult storyline into the show.

It’s a little on the nose for Superman & Lois to introduce a cult run by a woman named Ally Alston that encourages its members to find their best selves.

There are too many surface-level similarities to the actress (who appeared on Smallville) Allison Mack’s involvement with a cult for it to be a coincidence. Again, though, maybe the stark differences will reveal themselves on the next episode.

Coincidentally, Superman & Lois knows when something doesn’t need to be shocking, which further contributes to the theory that the show is well aware of how this cult storyline looks.

For example, the show knows Sarah kissing a girl at summer camp doesn’t need to be shocking. So it’s refreshing that Jordan doesn’t get angry about that and reserves his feelings for her general betrayal. 

Sarah’s sexuality is far from labeled right now, and it doesn’t even need to be, but it does bode well that Superman & Lois will have more LGBTQIA+ representation in the future.

“The Ties That Bind” improves on something else the first season lacked — an emotional connection to Morgan Edge, aka Tal-Rho.

The episode does an excellent job of giving Tal more depth while holding him accountable for his despicable actions last season. This duality best presents itself in the scene where Tal comes face-to-hologram with his mother, Lara.

Adam Rayner’s performance in that scene does leaps and bounds for the character’s appeal. The raw emotion at play is devastating and palpable. It adds more reason to his methods but never excuses them.

Rayner holds a lot of Tal’s tension in his eyes, and it’s powerful to watch. His physical comedy is also quite great, like in the moment when he tosses his cuffs aside after telling Jordan he lied.

“The Ties That Bind” sets a lot of exciting storylines in motion for its characters, and for once, it’s exciting to be intrigued on when and where Tal will show up next.

Stray Thoughts

• Lois is Clark’s anchor. The Teen Wolf reference is right there!
• “Hello, brother” will always remind me of The Vampire Diaries.
• Natalie and Sarah’s friendship is already one of the best things about this season.
• The horror elements in the mines are so cool.
• Did they need to abbreviate X-Kryptonite to “X-K?”
• Every Jordan and Jonathan scene sparks so much joy!

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 8/9c on The CW.

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