Superman & Lois Season 3 Episode 9 Review: The Dress
Superman & Lois Season 3 Episode 9, “The Dress,” examines the intimate aspects of the fallout from the season’s biggest battles.
Whether it be the escalation of the tensions between John Henry, Superman, and Bruno Mannheim or Lois’ fight against cancer, “The Dress” intricately peels back the rubble to find nuggets of humanity in a superhuman world.
Tyler Hoechlin, Wolé Parks, and Chad Colman play exceptionally well off of each other, making every scene a treat to watch as Clark, John Henry, and Bruno’s motivations and loyalties shift in the name of protecting their respective family.
Superman & Lois has a great conflict with that trio because every stance is complex and understandable from their perspectives.
Rather than drawing bold lines, “The Dress” amplifies the argument to a point where all division is blurred, causing the heroes and villains to question their status as either — as well as their motivations and methods.
It’s clever to have Bruno cite everything he does, including murder (though he never explicitly confirms such actions to Matteo), as a defense of Hob’s Bay and his son, only for John Henry to kill Henry Miller in defense of very similar reasons.
The gradual build-up to John Henry reaching that breaking point is as good as it is painful to watch. That final scene with Nat is specifically effective because John Henry’s reflection and self-doubt are visible on Parks’ face.
It’s exciting to imagine where John Henry goes from “The Dress,” specifically regarding his dynamic with Nat. This turn of events certainly pushes their story in a different direction for the last portion of the season.
This episode doesn’t lean too heavily on the ensemble’s younger members but purposefully uses them to infuse the episode with reminders of a third and equally meaningful fight — preserving innocence.
Nat and Matteo are torn apart by the parents’ actions, Jordan’s secret is on the brink of exposure, and Jonathan and Sarah’s respective new normals of different familiar dynamics and workplaces can be ripped out from under them at any point.
The interjection of Jonathan, Jordan, and Sarah helping Nat and Matteo see each other underscores how those characters still try to carve out space for mundane teenage experiences even when their literal worlds shift around them.
That uncertainty brings even more emotional resonance to how they come together rather turn away from each other, like Sarah encouraging Jonathan and Jordan to hug.
Because of that, “The Dress” carries an overwhelming sense that the characters are aware that this is the point where everything changes. There’s a real anxiety to that which Superman & Lois refreshingly doesn’t downplay.
Superman & Lois creatively actualizes that fear of change through Lois’ (stunning!) red dress that she wore once 17 years ago.
This show always delivers cinematic flashbacks. “The Dress” maintains that stellar track record with heartfelt glimpses of a sweet point in Clark and Lois’ relationship and a pivotal one in Lois’ perception of herself.
The detail that Lana knows how important it is that Clark sold his baseball trading cards to get Lois that dress is very endearing. Lana’s steadfast and strengthening friendship with Clark and Lois is such a treat.
Emmanuelle Chriqui is so present when Elizabeth Tulloch brings such an authentic emotional journey to Lois as she works through how her overall life will change with her body after her double mastectomy.
The candid and unfiltered nature in which Lois gradually tells Lana and Clark about the procedure and her genuine concerns about its lasting effects is unexpected because of how rare such a discussion still is on TV.
Similarly, it shouldn’t be as refreshing as it is to hear Clark Kent say that he doesn’t want to speak up about Lois’ surgery because it’s not his body or his choice, and he doesn’t want to push her, but it is quietly relevant.
It’s a statement for Superman & Lois to remind audiences that Superman is a man who prioritizes empathy, understanding, and a woman’s right to choose what to do with her own body.
More importantly, it’s a far bigger statement that “The Dress” knows Clark and Lois’ relationship is important, but Lois’ perspective is the one that deserves prioritization in the larger discussion.
The story overwhelmingly meets Lois where she’s at to support her, but that dedication isn’t exclusive to her narrative. Unlike past seasons that struggle to make sense of their antagonists, Season 3 soars to new heights in painting a fuller portrait of its newest players, and it works wonders for the season’s overall appeal.
So, “The Dress” is another example of Superman & Lois taking a page from its titular heroes and approaching every character with curiosity and empathy, creating engaging and emotional stories that grip you well after the TV screen cuts to black.
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Superman & Lois airs Tuesdays at 8/7c 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.