Superman & Lois Review: What Lies Beneath (Season 2 Episode 1)

Superman & Lois Season 2 Episode 1, “What Lies Beneath,” is a strong season premiere that improves on many of the first season’s weaker elements.

That positive change instills great confidence that Season 2 will only be bigger and better than Season 1.

Two things that gladly stays the same are the outstanding family dynamics and the visually stunning elements of Superman & Lois.

The camera work and the saturation of earth tones are lovely and contribute to the story by drawing deeper connections to the settings — namely, Smallville.

Also, “What Lies Beneath” pulls off a time jump, which isn’t always easy. Even though this one is only three months, plenty can get lost in translation in that short amount of time.

Superman & Lois fills in enough gaps to inform us of where key characters stand and uses the rest of the time to build suspense about the new characters.

The first of which the show introduces is Lt. Mitch Anderson, who is already a refreshing switch-up for Sam Lane at the D.O.D., and it’s not only because Ian Bohen plays Anderson.

Though, Bohen is a massive contributing factor in favor of this character (despite Anderson’s unlikable demeanor) because it means that he and Tyler Hoechlin reunite on the small screen.

A Teen Wolf reunion is always worthy of a celebration, and Bohen and Hoechlin’s work on that show proves the two actors are great at playing adversaries.

Regardless of who brings Anderson to life, his character instantly creates tension with Superman that already lands better than Morgan Edge did last season.

The idea of Superman vs. America that Anderson perpetrates is fascinating on the heels of Superman’s motto change at DC FanDome 2021.

It’s no longer “Truth, Justice, and the American Way.” Instead, it’s “Truth, Justice, and a Better Tomorrow,” and this arc is putting that motto into action.

Bohen and Hoechlin’s chemistry elevates the tangible tension in the scene when Anderson pushes Superman to put America first. 

Undoubtedly, the Anderson/Superman dynamic will be one of the most exciting to evolve over the season, but it could run the risk of making the stakes too high.

Alternatively, “What Lies Beneath” starts to make up for how last season failed what could’ve been one of its best dynamics — Clark and Lana.

They both verbally express how they are each other’s best friends in the first season, but Superman & Lois doesn’t show us enough of their dynamic to make it feel genuine.

The scene in the Kushing’s kitchen is an excellent place to start rebuilding that friendship. Hoechlin and Emmanuelle Chriqui have great chemistry that fosters a comfortability that should exist between Clark and Lana.

Their one-on-one scenes are so rare in Season 1 that it makes this one all the sweeter. It’s nice to watch them connect and share challenging parts of their lives because that’s what best friends should do.

Hopefully, Superman & Lois keeps that momentum going because it would be a shame if this is the only Clark and Lana scene we get until the second half of the season.

So, the antagonists are more interesting, and Lana and Clark’s friendship is more realized. Even Kyle is more likable, which is a significant bonus.

Yet, it’s Lois and Natalie’s roles in “What Lies Beneath” that make this episode so phenomenal. Those two characters are the emotional throughline of this premiere.

Bitsie Tulloch and Tayler Buck give incredible performances that contain multitudes. So even when they’re saying one thing, we can simultaneously see the internal dialogue.

Unfortunately, this episode doesn’t follow Natalie as closely as it could have. She deserves as much attention as Jordan, Jonathan, and Sarah because that time would only amplify her perspective.

However, Lois Lane’s realizations about herself, her family, and Natalie spectacularly enrich her character. Moreover, they tee up Lucy Lane’s arrival at Superman & Lois.

Though this show could have prolonged the divide between Clark and Lois to build a larger fracture between them, it’s refreshing that they chose a different route.

There doesn’t need to be drama between a couple for drama’s sake, not when Clark and Lois can be adults who openly communicate with each other.

The same is true for Lois and Natalie. That question of “will they or won’t they speak to each other” could have gone on for so much longer. It could have bubbled under the surface like whoever is underneath all that rubble.

Those two massive rifts could have been the driving force of this season. It’ll be interesting to see how Superman & Lois uses the repairment and strengthening of those dynamics as the groundwork for Season 2.

Stray Thoughts

• Maybe it’s for the best that Jordan and Sarah are heading towards a break-up.
• Clark’s exasperated flail of his arms in the background after Candice gets Jonathan to take Clark’s advice is so good.
• It’s equally great when Clark sits backward on a chair to give Jordan and Jonathan “the talk.”
• Lana should run for Mayor!
• This episode could use more of Chrissy Beppo and The Smallville Gazette. 

What did you think of the season premiere of Superman & Lois? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Superman & Lois airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on The CW.

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