Superman & Lois Review: Anti-Hero (Season 2 Episode 7)
As familial turmoil intensifies, this season’s big bads finally join forces on Superman & Lois Season 2 Episode 7, “Anti-Hero.”
Intriguingly, such a pivotal move is happening relatively early in the season, which could mean the eventual fallout will be more than anyone can anticipate.
Even that is challenging to perceive considering the substantial drama with significant emotional stakes already happening in Smallville.
Nevertheless, Superman & Lois doesn’t struggle to juggle the many strifes of its characters. Instead, it weaves them together in quite moving ways that propel the story forward.
For example, Lois and Lana’s heart-to-heart is incredibly gratifying. Likewise, it’s heartening to see Lois and Lana show up for each other as friends, mothers, and women in Smallville trying to make their voices heard.
Moreover, Sarah and Lana’s dynamic has come leaps and bounds from where it was last season, so it’s effective for Lana to advise Lois to adopt some of the same tools with Jonathan.
The problem with Jonathan is that his reason for withholding the truth from Lois about where he gets his X-K isn’t as iron-clad as he wants it to be.
He’s honest about his feelings of inadequacy, and Lois, unsurprisingly, doesn’t shame him for those feelings. But, thankfully, she does hold Jonathan accountable for using space drugs that could hurt him and others.
The issue lies with Jonathan not wanting to tell his parents that the X-K comes from his girlfriend Candice.
Candice is one of Superman & Lois‘ biggest mysteries thus far this season because she is predominantly absent despite being Jonathan’s “serious” girlfriend.
Not to mention, when she is on-screen, Candice constantly says how dealing drugs is a way to keep her family afloat. Yet, the show never dives into that.
We are meant to take her word for it as much as Jonathan is, which would work better if Superman & Lois developed Jonathan and Candice’s relationship more before now.
While that element of Jonathan’s story doesn’t land well, the rest falls devastatingly into place when the realization of his actions finally hits Jonathan. Jordan Elsass’ performance is excellent in that final scene.
Alternatively, Superman & Lois Season 2 Episode 2, “The Ties That Bind,” pulls back enough of Tal-Rho’s layers so that his return during this episode is exciting.
“Anti-Hero” proves there’s no better way to set Tal-Rho up as the series‘ anti-hero than to put him up against General Anderson.
Anderson’s execution of his motives is intense and irredeemable, much like Tal-Rho’s last season. The difference lies in Superman & Lois‘ obvious interest in making Tal-Rho a character that exists well beyond this season or the previous.
This show is about family, and however fraught or arguably non-existent Clark and Tal-Rho’s relationship is at the moment, it’s impossible to imagine a version of this show’s future without him in it.
Tal-Rho is Clark’s brother, after all. “Anti-Hero” plays with that bond in enriching ways by exploring their betrayal, touching on their heritage, and putting them in a Fortress with their mother and Bizarro.
Tyler Hoechlin and Adam Rayner bounce off each other in a captivatingly seamless way, making it disappointing to see Clark place Tal-Rho back in his holding cell.
There is so much left to explore there, and Clark’s parting words to his brother are evidence that Superman & Lois has every intention to follow through on that exploration.
Similarly, this season appears to want to follow Anderson into the depths of his desperation for control and power as he teams up with Ally Allston.
This duo is sure to create too many problems, but that’s another episode’s responsibility to uncover. For now, the more alluring element of the story is that Sam Lane wants to take responsibility for the search for Anderson.
This season keeps giving Sam more to do with his grandsons and trying to bring his daughters back together. However, his mission to find Anderson and maybe reform the D.O.D. could be his most challenging task(s) yet.
What stands out from last season is that Clark and Sam are on the same side now. Despite the impending threats, the Lane/Kent family gets stronger with every episode.
Stray Thoughts
- This episode isn’t the first and last time we’ll see Aubrey, right?
- Where are John Henry and Natalie?
- I’ll be so upset if Dean wins the mayoral race.
- Lana is the better choice, and she needs a win.
- Bizarro isn’t dead. I’m not buying that.
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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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.