Superman & Lois Season 3 Episode 4 Review: Too Close to Home
Superman & Lois Season 3 Episode 4, “Too Close to Home,” believably expands the show’s universe by continuing its efforts to develop underexplored characters and dynamics — as well as different corners of Smallville and Metropolis.
The episode weaves in self-referential nods to the show’s past by mentioning John Diggle’s visit on Superman & Lois Season 2 Episode 15, “Waiting for Superman,” which makes for a more engaging viewing experience.
Not to mention, “Too Close to Home” telegraphs the eventual arrival of Michael Cudlitz’s Lex Luthor through direct connections to Bruno Mannheim.
Those tethers strengthen the world Superman & Lois exists in and give the characters more room to grow beyond a plot-driven setting.
More specifically, “Too Close to Home” defines John Henry Irons’ motivations for at least a large portion of the season, and it poises a deeper arc for Bruno Mannheim — one that will be a thrill to watch Chad Coleman bring to the small screen.
Following in the footsteps of Superman & Lois Season 3 Episode 2, “Uncontrollable Forces,” Bruno provides his qualifications as a hero through his positive impact on Hob’s Bay, and this episode’s cliffhanger propels the series to show instead of tell.
In turn, Superman & Lois can transform a fascinating antagonist into an even more dynamic character by filling out his backstory with concrete examples.
Unlike Ally Allston, Bruno Mannheim has more longevity in this world that Superman & Lois is building. So it’s exciting to see the show confidently lay the groundwork for him to become a staple in it — and one that affects all of its biggest players, no less.
Despite its failure, “Too Close to Home” finds natural angles to signal that the show is still digging through the rubble of Allston’s scheme.
For instance, Darlene’s “Like the place with the square sun” is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the multiverse that quickly evolves into something better and deeper when John Henry saves her by the episode’s end.
The D.O.D’s nonconsensual stock of Superman’s blood is a darker side effect of Allston’s interference. That story or ones like it and their metaphors are evergreen in Superman’s lore and will likely remain so on Superman & Lois.
This season, especially this aptly titled episode, successfully harnesses the theme of forces getting too close to home — whether it be Mannheim comparing John Henry to John Irons or the D.O.D.’s suspiciously large supply of Clark’s blood.
The narrative threads are so finely tuned this season that the stories never feel larger than life, unlike Allston or even most of Tal-Rho’s plan. The grounded implications of Mannheim and the D.O.D.’s potential threats land with an impact.
Even then, “Too Close to Home” continues Season 3’s work to explore characters and dynamics that fall a bit short in past ones, like Jonathan and Candice’s relationship.
It’s a bit of a letdown that Candice’s father isn’t more of a long-standing antagonist for Jonathan because Superman & Lois Season 3 Episode 3, “In Cold Blood,” shows how thrilling it is to see the teenagers, albeit ill-advised, fight their own battles.
However, “Too Close to Home” subverts expectations in ensuring that Candice will be a more prominent fixture on Superman & Lois for the time being — she’s moving in with the Kents!
It’s one thing for Season 3 to make the change so that Candice works at the diner the characters frequent, but this literal move opens up many stories.
The end of the episode even teases how the dynamics will shift, like Candice knowing what tea Lois likes and Jordan offering his chair to Candice.
Most importantly, Candice and Jonathan being under the same roof encourages the development that their relationship needs, and it makes space for Superman & Lois to explore Candice independently of her romantic relationship.
Candice is one of many examples of Season 3 expanding underutilized characters. The character development that “Too Close to Home” displays with Sam Lane isn’t as overt as in other cases, but it’s still a positive change from past seasons.
Sam opening up about his feelings to Jordan is a testament to his growth, and it’s a delight to watch Dylan Walsh play these other sides of this character.
This episode often opts for open and honest dialogue instead of exasperating feelings for prolonged tensions or drama’s sake.
For instance, “Too Close to Home” could have taken the story with Lana, Sarah, and Kyle in an entirely different direction. Refreshingly, the trio embraces accountability and a non-linear timeline to heal those critical relationships’ cracks.
As it will take time for that family to adjust to its new normal, the same is true for Clark, Lois, and their boys, and “Too Close to Home” breaches that story with the kind of authenticity that flourishes from the cast’s chemistry.
The heartbreak on Michael Bishop and Elizabeth Tulloch’s faces when Jonathan realizes he can’t open up to his mom because he doesn’t want to put more burden on her shoulders and Lois recognizes that Jonathan is holding back is so good.
Most notably, Tulloch’s delivery of “I am a mother and a wife and a reporter. Cancer doesn’t change me” leaves an indelible mark, as does Clark’s defense of his family.
Not only does that scene hark back to Donner’s iteration of Superman, but it also introduces Clark in a new light — three seasons into Superman & Lois. So, repeatedly, “Too Close to Home” proves that this show still has plenty of places to take these characters — up, up, and away, if you will!
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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.