Superman & Lois Season 3 Episode 12 Review: Injustice

Superman & Lois Season 3 Episode 12, “Injustice,” takes an understated route to Lex Luthor’s introduction while he takes a walk down memory lane.

This episode raises the momentum with internal and external pressure in every act, whether interpersonal strife or a tornado. Never once, though, does that crucible explode because of Lex. Superman & Lois shifts and subverts expectations for the iconic DC character’s arrival with a (mostly) calmer and quieter confrontation.

That delayed gratification gives Clark, Lois, and Lex’s first scene together kinetic energy that Tyler Hoechlin, Elizabeth Tulloch, and Michael Cudlitz use to their advantage. It’s masterful work in front of and behind the camera.

The setting of the Kent house brings three larger-than-life characters down to Earth, and the truncated view of the porch charges every step they make. It’s an intimate backdrop for a conversation about personal developments, like Lois and Clark’s sons, Lois’ battle with cancer, and Lex’s lost years with his daughter.

After a series of telling flashbacks that detail how he bends Stryker’s to his whims, the scene doubles as a case study of Superman & Lois‘ Lex Luthor.

Lex’s years of calculation become more unnerving than his emotional turn, which doesn’t shake the intrepid Lois Lane. The anticipation of his next move makes this scene as nerve-racking as the natural disaster that spins up out of nowhere.

Even behind bars, especially then, Lex Luthor’s plans have evolved for 17 years. “Injustice” is only the beginning of Lex’s mission to right his wrongs — and create some new ones, one way or the other.

Meanwhile, Jordan continues to thwart his plans to be Superboy, the Smallville Samaritan, or someone else entirely. His temptings of fate build gradually throughout the season, with “Injustice” being Clark and Lois’ breaking point. It’s a fantastic blend of teen and superhero drama, giving high emotions even higher stakes.

This story, which features the return of Yoshié Bancroft’s Janet, sets the Kent family up for a return to Metropolis. The heat of the press and small-town suspicion around Jordan’s super crusade on “Injustice” colliding with Lex’s return to LexCorp could be enough reason for the family to move — again.

This move would be understandable with Superman & Lois‘ casting shake-up ahead of Season 4. However, it’s a shame to think “Injustice” could be one of the final episodes with this show’s impressive ensemble.

For instance, Sam’s presence amplifies the disappointment and frustration around Jordan’s recent behavior before that confrontation between Jordan and Clark. The live-wire emotions that Alex Garfin and Tyler Hoechlin pull to the surface make it simple to momentarily forget the super-human context of their argument.

Not to mention, Inde Navarrette delivers a compelling performance as Sarah Cushing works to take control of her narrative, independent of its connections to Jordan and his secret. Sarah’s efforts to care for herself and create boundaries is an engaging story, even if it doesn’t have the same flair as Jordan’s trip through a tornado.

Superman & Lois has always been great at magnifying the humanity in every story, and Sarah’s during “Injustice” is an example of those efforts.

Sarah wanting to turn the page to a new chapter — with Lana’s help — lands as a constructive way to close out her story this season, especially if it could be the last tie she appears on the show in this capacity.

The only minor downsides are that Superman & Lois skips the scene of Lana dying Sarah’s hair and Junior’s place in this narrative still feels unnecessary.

Although, Junior’s overall purpose is easier to overlook than the inconsistent approach to Kyle’s role on Superman & Lois.

With Chrissy out sick, “Injustice” turns to work at Smallville’s firehouse, but Kyle’s main assertion to Jonathan comes up in smoke because of the story’s missed connection. 

Superman & Lois spends more time breaking the Superman-shaped ice between Clark and Kyle than strengthening the dynamic between Kyle and Jonathan. So while Jonathan should come to Kyle as his boss, the message falls short in its delivery because the two characters barely speak to each other.

Perhaps the final episode of Season 3 will hold space for Kyle and Jonathan to work in the field and within their dynamic. It would be nice to see Kyle more involved with the other ensemble members, especially now that he knows Clark’s secret.

One person who doesn’t know about Clark’s secret is Lex Luthor. “Injustice” cleverly holds that card close to its chest throughout the trio’s scene until Lex delivers his parting threat about visiting the Man of Steel next.

Superman & Lois provides a chilling twist with the version of the hero that Lex faces in the episode’s final minutes — Bizarro Superman.

This character exists in Season 3’s peripheral vision, with small reminders that he exists and often fuels Mannheim’s efforts to cure Peia. Somehow, though, it never feels possible for the antagonists’ paths to cross through Bizarro Superman.

In a disturbing turn of events, “Injustice” leaves Superman & Lois with the penultimate reminder that — with Lex Luthor — anything is possible.

—

What did you think of this episode of Superman & Lois? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

Superman & Lois‘ Season 3 finale airs on Tuesday, June 27 at 8/7c on The CW.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

‘All American: Homecoming’ and ‘Superman & Lois’ Renewed at The CW