Superman & Lois Review: Truth and Consequences (Season 2 Episode 11)

Superman & Lois Season 2 Episode 11, “Truth and Consequences,” confronts the interpersonal effects of living in a superhero family as Jon-El puts his plan into action.

The most immediate aspect of this comes through Jonathan’s connection to Jon-El.

Jon’s frustration with the situation instills more uncertainty in Clark’s decision to keep Superman a secret. Unbeknownst to Jon, Clark recognizes this tension as what could become a stark parallel to Bizarro’s World’s El family.

Because of his perspective, Jon repeatedly reframes Clark’s decision as selfish, while wholeheartedly believing his choice to protect Candice is selfless.

Superman & Lois makes a good argument with Clark and Jon’s perspectives because there is truth to both sides.

However, the show will never be able to make much sense of Jonathan’s dedication to Candice. It seems too little too late for that, but there is still time left in the season.

As of “Truth and Consequences,” that relationship is far too underdeveloped for Jonathan to compare its gravity to Clark’s rational fear of his loved ones facing unfair repercussions for their connections to Superman.

Jon is a teenager who feels things in bold letters, but Superman & Lois never does the work to make such believable between him and Candace. Subsequently, Jonathan’s emotional argument falls apart at the seams.

Alternatively, the show does plenty of work — sometimes too much — showcasing Jordan’s steadfast love for Sarah.

Their relationship has run its course (for now), yet Jordan refuses to give Sarah the space she requires.

His desire to be honest with her about his powers is noble and necessary. Still, his timing is all off. Sarah even tells him as much, yet Jordan doesn’t let up.

Jordan’s persistence makes it difficult to root for them to reunite soon because it could do Sarah and Jordan some good to figure out who they are without each other.

They’re so young (They’re only 15!), and Superman & Lois has longevity as a series. Sarah and Jordan will find their way back to each other if it’s meant to be.

Until then, the show can only benefit from giving their narratives more independence from each other, and it seems like Sarah starts to create that boundary in this episode. Only time will tell if the story stays true to that.

No matter how things end, “Truth and Consequences” does an excellent job of capturing Jordan’s world-ending feeling of believing Sarah is “the one who got away.”

Jordan’s disappointment in Lois’ communication with Sarah feels like a genuine betrayal from a kid who wants to be transparent with the girl he likes.

Honestly, that scene with Alexander Garfin and Bitsie Tulloch in the kitchen captures the entire essence of Superman & Lois.

Lois can’t even entertain a conversation about Jordan’s love life at the moment because she’s concerned about alternate realities. At the same time, Jordan can’t possibly think about alternate realities because his love is so critical.

Refreshingly, Jordan takes a beat to remind his mom that his relationship with Sarah is important to him, regardless of the Bizarro World threat.

Additionally, it’s brilliant for Lois to validate Jordan’s feelings then (and later) instead of discount them entirely. That balance is what makes Superman & Lois great TV.

Likewise, Superman & Lois‘ grounded nature gives John Henry and Natalie’s portion of “Truth and Consequences” an equal measure of truth and consequences.

It’s unclear whether the series will dig into it any further, but it suggests Nat could have some PTSD from her time in space after her planet’s destruction.

She spirals after imagining Jon-El recreating that devastation, and she mentions that the portal reminds her of what she was stuck in before reuniting with John Henry.

That fear of history repeating itself is the plausible motivation for Nat to race her father to destroy the portal or take matters further into her own hands.

Similarly, it would be remiss of Superman & Lois to ignore the additional head trauma John Henry suffers at the hands of Superwoman — Bizarro Lana. 

The show almost gives his recovery the attention it deserves, but it doesn’t quite deliver. This other violent interaction could allow the show to course correct.

Season 2 has done that in spades with Clark and Lana’s friendship. Because of this, their dynamic has become one of Superman & Lois‘ greatest assets.

“Truth and Consequences” takes that and runs with it with the kind of cinematic flair this show has become known for — all at the guidance of David Ramsey’s direction.

Clark and Lana’s friendship becomes the beating heart of the episode during the first act and never wavers after that.

Though it is disappointing for Lana to have a passive role for much of her encounters with Jon-El and Superman, those scenes find their saving grace in the flip of the script with the damsel in distress trope.

Well, Jordan Elsass’ performance as Jon-El is also a significant selling point for the high stakes of those scenes.

Nevertheless, Lana goes from the person who needs to be saved to the one who does the saving. This scene gives Lana the space to remind Superman (and Superman & Lois fans) that even those without traditional superpowers can save the day.

Plus, Lana’s heroics after a potentially near-death experience inspire Clark to be honest with his best friend in a beautifully-shot emotional cliffhanger.

It perfectly captures Clark and Lana’s history through Lana’s comfortability with him and Clark’s visible nerves. Tyler Hoechlin and Emmanuelle Chriqui are excellent together throughout “Truth and Consequences,” but especially in this scene.

The camera work and score prove superhero stories can succeed on the small screen with the same awe-inspiring flare as one on the big screen.

More importantly, it exemplifies Clark’s character development. He knows that sometimes the best way to protect the people he loves is by telling them the truth. Now Clark has to deal with the consequences of waiting this long to tell Lana. 

Stray Thoughts

• Lois knows Clark was gone for exactly 33 days. Can you hear that? That’s the sound of my Clois heart breaking.
• Sarah getting her car is a much-needed win for this episode and Sarah as a character.
• Did anyone tell Kyle when Lana went missing? I know they’re separated, but they are co-parents, and Lana has the kids.
• Lana trying to convince Jon-El she can help him get the help he needs is so sweet and sad and in character.
• Jordan’s training with Sam paid off!
• Clark standing over Jordan’s shoulder after Jordan’s win against Jon-El is heartwarming.
• The younger generation is the next generation of heroes!
• Putting Jon-El in a cell anywhere near Tal-Rho sounds like an awful idea.

 

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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