Superman & Lois Season 3 Episode 5 Review: Head On

Superman & Lois Season 3 Episode 5, “Head On,” maintains a series of excellent episodes by emphasizing the season’s effort to utilize unexpected dynamics.

Every pairing has a defined angle that propels the story in a new direction, hitting heartfelt character-motivated beats along the way.

For instance, “Head On” delivers plenty of Clark and Lois scenes that detail how they’re navigating Lois’ fight against this illness as a team, but Clark’s interactions with the patients at Hob’s Bay’s Medical Center leave an equally lasting impact.

Tyler Hoechlin beautifully shows Clark’s relief and vulnerability when they ask him how he’s doing — the first time anyone has done so since Lois’ diagnosis.

Then, the women offer quiet, reflective personal stories of this disease’s overwhelming, often relentless, and traumatic impact.

Allegra Fulton and Daya Vaidya’s performances bring an unflinching reality into sharper focus.

“Head On” continues Superman & Lois‘ grounded approach to this story that is often challenging to watch, no matter the super-human world in which the characters exist. The uncertainty of what’s to come in Lois’ fight for her life culminates in a(nother) standout scene for Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch.

Lois Lane often has all the answers; if she doesn’t, she’ll find them. So, it’s a true feat that Lois admits that she can be wrong, especially in the context of her health.

Her desire to hear Clark’s opinions, especially when different from hers, bodes well for how they will lean on each other during this difficult time. They’re a team, and Superman & Lois never forgets that.

Season 3 also manages to expand and strengthen the family at its core in understated ways, like in that touching scene at the end of “Head On” when Clark moves the coffee table so they can have a mini dance in their living room.

Likewise, with the arrival of Metropolis’ Matteo, this episode builds on Nat and Sam’s dynamic from Superman & Lois Season 3 Episode 1, “Closer,” to great appeal.

The backdrop of the Valentine’s Day dance is perfect. It gives Nat and Matteo the space to continue being one of Superman & Lois‘ most endearing relationships, and it is also the ideal setting to crack open Sam and Kyle — and even Chrissy.

The dance embraces those complicated feelings, like Sam wondering if he deserves another chance at love or Chrissy and Kyle leaning into their “whirlwind” fling that could evolve into something more.

Superman & Lois often struggles with how best to utilize Kyle, but “Head On” addresses that issue — wait for it — head on. It gradually develops Kyle and Chrissy’s romantic story while positing a more active role for Kyle in the near future.

It is a bit contrived for Superman & Lois to aim to fix its underutilization of Kyle through Jonathan being the only person who stops to help Kyle with his truck.

Nevertheless, Jonathan’s future at the firehouse inspires a bright future for the teen and Kyle. That story will allow Superman & Lois to reiterate that being a hero doesn’t always require superpowers.

It is frustrating that this story comes at the expense of what Season 3 constructed with Candice, especially after she moved in with the Kents on Superman & Lois Season 3 Episode 4, “Too Close to Home.” 

“Head On” suggests an evolution of the house’s environment when Jordan mentions butting heads with Candice but never shows that tension. That disconnect results in little to no payoff when Candice says goodbye to Jordan by the episode’s end.

It’s a quick turnaround for Candice to move in with the Kents in one episode and move four hours away in the next, especially when Superman & Lois only starts to individualize Candice this season.

A few more episodes between Candice’s move could have elevated her and Jonathan’s relationship or brought conflict between the pair to the surface more organically.

Alternatively, if Superman & Lois is committed to exploring another long-distance relationship for Jonathan, Candice learning about her move more than hours before could encourage a differentiation from Jonathan and Eliza in Season 1.

Season 3 may intend to do so through frequent yet fleeting visits on both of their behalf, but “Head On” already sets them up to fail as it fills Jonathan’s schedule with school, work, and time at the firehouse.

Superman & Lois still has plenty of time to subvert expectations and try to foster this relationship instead of ending it when it’s finally gaining traction.

After all, “Head On” succeeds in spades in moving beyond Bruno Mannheim’s speeches about how he helps Hob’s Bay without providing any evidence.

Superman & Lois takes Bruno’s story beyond the darker dealings with Superman’s blood and finds a solid backbone to challenge the villain narrative the heroes tell.

Bruno is easily the most fascinating antagonist the show has seen. His retelling of his mother’s illness, set against the backdrop of his research facility, marks a compelling juxtaposition to the DNA-altering experiences the character funds.

Consequently and ultimately, “Head On” showcases streamlined stories that tie together more cohesively than in past seasons, proving Superman & Lois is only elevating its potential with every episode.

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Superman & Lois returns on Tuesday, April 25 at 8/7c on The CW.

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