Superman & Lois Season 3 Episode 1 Review: Closer

Superman & Lois Season 3 Episode 1, “Closer,” brings cinematic flair back to the small screen as it reintroduces the Kent family — and Metropolis.

The season premiere is a return to the form of the superhero show’s first season with a renewed prioritization of family drama and a delightful embracement of humor.

The script balances the tones well and watching the cast stretch different acting muscles while leaning into new sides of their characters is a joy.

Plus, “Closer” starts on a high note by bringing Clark Kent’s reporting skills to the Smallville Gazette — finally. 

The Clark and Lois scene that follows is an evergreen reminder of this couple’s well-rounded life, from their ability to fly to Tal’s villa in seconds for a romantic getaway to the perfectly in-character banter about a story while they’re in bed.

Superman & Lois, seriously and sincerely, struck gold with Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch as its titular pair. 

The season premiere teases that it may have found something special in its new Jonathan Kent, Michael Bishop. While it’s a shame to say goodbye to Jordan Elsass’s iteration of the character, seeing what Bishop will do with the role is exciting.

After all, a new season offers Superman & Lois another opportunity to strike a narrative balance between Jonathan and Jordan, and “Closer” uses a milestone 16th birthday to open the boys up to reflective stories about young adulthood.

Paralleling Jordan’s flying lessons with Clark to Jonathan’s driving lessons with Lois is clever before Jonathan even voices why — driving is his freedom, whereas Jordan’s is flying. Those Jonathan and Lois scenes are especially great because there have been so few like them since Superman & Lois Season 1 Episode 8, “Holding the Wrench.”

While The CW show gets back to some of its best relationships, it avoids redundancy with Jordan and Sarah’s dynamic by favoring honesty in the conversations they — mainly Jordan — ignored last season.

Superman & Lois is interested in exploring both characters, especially Sarah, outside of their relationship, which is a welcome adjustment from past seasons.

Similarly, “Closer” expresses a desire to get to know Kyle more — beyond his infinite knowledge of barbecue, of course — by pairing him up with Chrissy Beppo. 

While the pairing lands as a strange way to utilize the characters more, Superman & Lois teases that the dynamic could go deeper than their one-time hook-up by having Chrissy present when Lana brings Kyle the signed divorce papers.

The show can take that moment of vulnerability and run with it if it plans to develop Kyle and Chrissy’s connection, and it doesn’t even have to be romantic. That scene could build a stable foundation for a strong friendship.

Superman & Lois is more than capable of granting depth to platonic dynamics. For example, “Closer” finds a special story with Sam Lane and Natalie Irons.

Tayler Buck’s Nat is easily one of the best and most complex additions to Superman & Lois‘ ensemble, so pairing her with Sam Lane could underscore the underdeveloped aspects of his character. However, the show avoids that fate with a beat of humility.

Sam admitting his communicative shortcomings builds on the work Season 2 does between him and his daughters. Moreover, his and Nat’s scenes inspire a compassionate and gentle performance from Dylan Walsh, highlighting the need for even more emotional range in the stories featuring Sam.

His performance compliments Nat’s wonderfully portrayed vulnerability while she tries to find connections in this new world that is similar yet different from hers. It’s considerate of the script to have John Henry voice how courageous Nat is for doing so, emphasizing that Sam could learn a thing or two from her.

“Closer” exemplifies that complementary sentiment in the delightful interaction between Lana and Lois at the bar.

The women’s candor and support for each other perfectly demonstrate why it’s a relief to see them interact without the weight of Clark’s secret looming over them — and that Superman & Lois should focus on this friendship more.

Lois and Lana are one of many fun pairings featured in “Closer” that work to the story’s advantage. From Lois beaming when she tells Lana to John Henry running into Clark with a pregnancy test, the cast makes it easy to get swept up in the possibility of the Kent family growing — even if the episode never entirely sells the idea.

Alternatively, Superman & Lois succeeds at the bait and switch with Onomatopoeia to Bruno Mannheim, despite the Intergang leader following in the exact footsteps of the previous seasons’ villains, Lex Luthor or Tal-Rho and Doomsday or Bizarro.

Mannheim’s arrival makes a statement as his episode-closing dialogue satisfyingly bookends Lois’ voiceover. Everyone is becoming closer, which may mean the season’s threat is more grounded than Tal-Rho and Ally Allston’s world-ending plans. If so, “Closer” could be the beginning of Superman & Lois‘ best season yet.

—

What did you think of the season premiere 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!

What to Watch on TV: The Last of Us, Superman & Lois, and Ted Lasso