Superman & Lois Review: Into Oblivion (Season 2 Episode 8)

Superman & Lois Season 2 Episode 8, “Into Oblivion,” showcases superhero feats on the small screen and finds its strengths in the characters’ vulnerability.

The cinematography and stunt choreography on this show are always top-notch, but some genuinely breathtaking elements are at play on “Into Oblivion.”

Namely, Superman saving whomever he can from the portal to the Inverse World is stunning. But, it’s devastating because of how massive and detrimental it is to society and potentially the world.

But, as a fan of Superman, it’s fantastic to see him slow down the speed of that scene to help people. That switch-up of pacing hones in on the human effects of a literal otherworldly threat.

It reiterates Clark’s growing amount of intrusive thoughts that tell him he’s not doing enough to help enough people. That fear of ultimate failure underscores Clark’s actions and words throughout this episode and the rest of the season.

Superman & Lois takes that even further through Clark and Natalie’s necessary confrontation. Natalie’s stressors aren’t unfounded, and it’s refreshing that Clark doesn’t treat them as such.

Their open dialogue about starting fresh is a critical step in the right direction, but it can’t be the only step in the right direction.

John Henry and Natalie getting their own place is a logical progression of their roles in the series.

After all, it would be a little bizarre to imagine them living at the Kent farm for however long Superman & Lois lasts.

This necessary space allows the Irons and the Kents to open a new chapter. Ideally, it will be precisely what John Henry and Natalie need to move forward with more independent storylines.

“Into Oblivion” strikes a nice balance between Clark’s perspective and Natalie’s — both in the present and when she traveled from her planet to Earth Prime.

As the teenagers’ narratives start to carry more weight, it would be beneficial for the series to grant that to Natalie’s story.

Tayler Buck is an excellent performer who can bring emotional resonance to any scene.

The same is always true for Elizabeth Tulloch as Lois Lane. 

It’s rare for Lois to give herself the space to be vulnerable, and it comes at such an emotionally fraught place in this episode.

Though it’s almost implausible for Lucy to die how Sam and Lois believe she does, Tulloch grounds the scene of Lois in Lucy’s apartment so well that you start to think the impossible is possible.

Then, Tyler Hoechlin and Tulloch come together to prove, once again, why they’re the perfect performers for this iteration of this iconic couple.

Despite Lois voicing her actions as she searches for anything in Lucy’s apartment, there’s an unspoken dialogue between her and Clark.

Lois knows what heartfelt look Clark sends her way without looking in his direction. They share a comfortability and familiarity that speaks to their long history and hopeful future.

Hoechlin and Tulloch perfectly embody these characters — their strengths and flaws — so it’s lightning in a bottle when they come together. They’re excellent in this episode, as always.

Meanwhile, “Into Oblivion” lets Dylan Walsh lean into a different, more vulnerable side of Sam Lane that is equally compelling to watch.

It’s an excellent characterization of both characters for Sam to believe what he sees (No Lucy, so Lucy’s dead) and Lois to constantly search for more answers.

Sam Lane’s armor is only starting to fall away, and the end of this episode could be all he needs to ensure that never happens again.

Unsurprisingly, Lucy betrays her family (once again) to aid Ally Allston in her world-ending schemes.

Hopefully, that devastation won’t cause an unmovable setback in Sam’s development.

As for Lucy Lane, there has to be another storyline waiting for her on the other side of this Inverse World one. There has to be one that focuses on Lucy rather than how her actions solely further someone else’s.

Alternatively, Superman & Lois keeps moving Jonathan and Jordan’s arcs in fascinating directions, but one has a better payoff than the other.

Jonathan’s romance with Candice being the crux of his X-K secret doesn’t work as well as it could have. There’s no time spent with them as a couple before bringing X-K into the equation.

The drug-dealing plot puts high stakes on an undeveloped relationship, so there’s no emotional weight. Subsequently, it’s challenging to imagine Jon would break the law for a girlfriend with whom he shares so few scenes.

Superman & Lois doesn’t even fill in the gaps all that well for what happens off-screen — even Jordan is confused.

So, Candice telling Jon she loves him could’ve been a lovely, vulnerable moment. Instead, it feels rushed and unearned because of the series’ peripheral view of their relationship. 

Alternatively, Jonathan’s tension with Clark is an attention-grabbing narrative. It emphasizes the show’s favorite and most prominent themes through a pivotal dynamic.

That story has longevity, whereas Jon and Candice should probably call it quits. The same is true for Jordan and Sarah, who keep hitting roadblocks.

Their relationship doesn’t seem to be beneficial to either one of them, so at some point, they’ll have to make the difficult decision to let each other go.

Until then, Superman & Lois seems interested in toying with the idea of Jordan becoming The Blur, which is very, very exciting. It gives off early Smallville vibes in the best ways. Young adult heroes can be so cool and have plenty of rich stories.

Most importantly, it’s heartwarming that “Into Oblivion” ends on a note that unites the brothers after all of their understandable contentions over the last two seasons. Their brotherhood is something special.

Stray Thoughts

• Lana Lang is my favorite. I want to vote for her.
• Clark and Lois playing rock-paper-scissors to see who has to talk to their sons is too perfect.
• John Henry having a concussion after extreme head trauma is the type of human effects superhero shows usually sidestep.
• It’s a good thing this show doesn’t ignore them.
• I did cheer when Lois opened the door to Lucy; I can’t deny it.

 

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

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

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

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

All American, Riverdale, and The Flash Among 7 TV Series Renewed at The CW