Superman & Lois Season 3 Episode 6 Review: Of Sound Mind

Superman & Lois Season 3 Episode 6, “Of Sound Mind,” redefines the fight at the heart of the season with a worthwhile twist that puts Superman and Bruno Mannheim on a more level playing field.

The episode builds on the groundwork Superman & Lois Season 3 Episode 5, “Head On,” creates and, thankfully, expands the role of Daya Vaidya’s character Clark meets at the Hob’s Bay Medical Center. 

It’s frustrating for most of “Head On” and “Of Sound Mind” that her character is the agent for Clark and Lois’ internal reflection, yet the show never introduces her with deeper characterization, let alone a name.

The final minutes of this episode make that wait worth it with the reveal that Onomatopeia is Peia, Bruno Mannheim’s wife. 

Onomatopeia’s identity is one of Superman & Lois‘ biggest mysteries this season, and the unveiling works. Clues in previous episodes, especially those in this one, are subtle enough that it doesn’t outsmart viewers but reward them.

Not to mention, Peia being Onomatopeia retroactively draws distinct parallels between Bruno and Clark that make Clark’s recognition of his fear and the behavior it caused a genuinely effective way to end “Of Sound Mind.”

Superman & Lois finds the fascinating juxtaposition in how Clark and Bruno cope with that fear. Clark struggles to show up for Lois how she needs because he can’t let himself fall into the possibility of her death. Meanwhile, Bruno lost his mom to illness. Now he’s overcorrecting not to lose another woman he loves.

Ultimately, the story that Peia’s role opens up for everyone involved is compelling. Ideally, it means that Superman & Lois will see more emotional work from Vaidya and Colman, who already prove to be dynamic performers individually.

“Of Sound Mind” continues down that path for Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch when Clark admits to feeling powerless.

This episode goes out of its way to allow its male lead, who happens to be Superman, to embrace vulnerability, attend group therapy, and vow to be better for himself and his loved ones. That kind of character work isn’t always expected or encouraged for male characters, and it’s such a great example to elevate, especially with Superman.

Clark and Lois’ conversation leading to a compromise that values both of their needs before they fall into each other’s arms is a prime example of why Superman & Lois‘ Clois is one of TV’s best relationships. 

That conversation also seamlessly expands the mythology around Jordan’s abilities, revealing that Kryptonite doesn’t affect him the same way that it does Clark. The true crux of the dialogue, though, is Clark saying Jordan’s human side — the one he gets from Lois — saved him and may make Jordan stronger than Clark.

Considering the season’s themes, the duality in that dialogue is outstanding — Superman & Lois Season 3 just keeps improving.

The scene in the Kent home, when Jonathan comes home with his Li’l Kent shirt, and Lois isn’t sure how or what to tell him about Clark and Jordan, is also fantastic. When the latter two join the scene, multiple conversations are unfolding that lend themselves to the believability of this family’s dynamic.

Like Clark and Lois keeping Jordan off the carpet earlier, Jonathan throwing a dig at Jordan that Sarah likes his new fire hall shirt is a great example of their brotherhood. Alex Garfin and Michael Bishop fall into that chemistry organically.

Despite the jealousy that may brew between the brothers, it’s great to see Jonathan and Sarah strike up an on-screen friendship during “Of Sound Mind.”

Hopefully, their scenes are no longer such a rare occurrence since Jordan and Sarah have agreed to be just friends. After all, Jonathan’s new gig with Kyle posits that they’ll cross paths more frequently.

It’s a good thing they do during this episode because Superman & Lois uses Jonathan’s history to find a meta and fitting way to bring Kyle and Lana’s youngest daughter Sophie back into the narrative.

Sophie is often left to the wayside of the family’s stories, but Kyle and Lana’s divorce is the perfect time to bring her perspective into focus.

It’s challenging to find emotional resonance in the growing tension between Lana, Kyle, and Chrissy when Sophie clinging to her family’s happy memories at the county fair leave much more of a mark.

This show often succeeds at representing the nuances of its various family dynamics. For example, Superman & Lois Season 3 Episode 4, “Too Close to Home,” shows how Kyle, Lana, and Sarah’s interpersonal relationships have shifted during this time.

It’s only fair that Superman & Lois checks in with Sophie, too, and it does so in a way that never undermines her feelings.

This show is hitting all the right notes, making “Of Sound Mind” a considerate and compelling outing in an increasingly fantastic season of TV.

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

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