While adjusting to their new lives in Smallville, Lois and Clark make an important decision concerning one of their sons. Meanwhile, tensions begin to rise between Lois and Morgan Edge. Lastly, Lana Lang-Cushing invites the Kent family over for a barbecue.
In 2020, the television industry aired 493 scripted shows across numerous outlets. The way people consume content now is different than it used to be. It happens according to one's own schedule. As such, it's less necessary to provide ample coverage of each episode in any given season from a show. Moreover, it is simply impossible to watch everything. As such, this site provides shorter episodic reviews in order to cover as many shows as possible. With all of that being said, here are my thoughts on the next episode of The CW's Superman & Lois.
"Heritage" was written by Todd Helbing and directed by Lee Toland Krieger
This drama wants to approach the conventions of the superhero genre in a different way. Of course, there are still moments that feel very familiar to any viewer well-versed in this particular genre. That is abundantly clear whenever Superman flies off to battle Captain Luthor. Those moments are detached from the family drama happening in Smallville. It's a mission that is still important to Clark. It's him continuing his service to the rest of the world. He is still a hero after all. These moments simply prove that the show still feels compelled to offer a requisite amount of action in each episode. It should be fascinating to see if that trend continues now that Captain Luthor has lost his ship and his suit. These first two episodes have presented this villain in a specific way. It has only offered a few cryptic teases about who he is and what he wants. And yet, he acts with the understanding that Superman always has the potential to turn evil. All it takes is one corruption of his morals for thousands of lives to be lost. Captain Luthor blames Superman for the destruction of his home world. Clark doesn't know what he's talking about. The audience doesn't either. One visceral scene is all it takes to immediate understand the drive that fuels this character. It's dark and depraved. It also highlights the volatility of those with powers. This can always be something that happens. Superman operates as a hero in this world. He is adorned and appreciated as such. His biggest problem is trying to balance his work and home life. He feels like he is constantly abandoning his sons when they need him the most. He finds a new way to breakthrough with Jordan. He gets to share part of his world and heritage with him. It's a conversation built on honesty that reveals so much. It's still devastating when Jordan is told that he will never be just like his father. His human DNA will always compromise his alien abilities. That pushes him away from his parents. And yet, Jonathan is always there to offer support. The brotherly dynamic is really compelling so far. Their roles have essentially been reversed. Jonathan now feels like the outsider who can't seem to blend in no matter how hard he tries. Jordan has become the special one. They are envious of each other. They still love and support each other though. That makes for a powerful bond that informs so much in such a short amount of time. Sacrifices were made in the move to Smallville. General Lane believes it's all for Clark's ego. He disrupts his family's lives to chase after his impossible dream of peace. Clark values the desire to have a loving family. Whenever General Lane shows up at the farm, it's always to inform Superman about some threat. He is never truly defined as a father or grandfather. His priorities don't line up in that way. The family has accepted that. It means they aren't willing to listen to his opinions on the big move. However, it's necessary for the narrative to depict why this move is necessary for Lois as well. She could easily feel like the outsider in all of this too. She is the member of the family without powers. And yet, her influence can be just as life-changing. Her work as a journalist can also change the balance of power in the world. Right now, she senses a story that needs to be told about Morgan Edge. She cannot do so while working at the Daily Planet. Sure, it's a huge step down for her to move to the Smallville Gazette which only seems to have one employee. However, she sees Smallville as the place to be. People want to revitalize this community. They are being manipulated by a powerful and influential man who doesn't have their best interests at heart. She wants to expose the truth. It's hard to change opinions though when it is this personal to the stability of the entire community. That's her passion though. She doesn't have all the answers right now. However, her journalistic instincts are telling her to keep pursuing the truth. No one can silence her. Her convictions are just as firm as ever before. In fact, she may be reinvigorated herself in this pursuit of the truth. It's important to her. So is family though. That priority remains at the forefront and allows this show to come across as an earnest entry into the family drama genre. That works incredibly well while also featuring a few moments of action every now and then too.
This drama wants to approach the conventions of the superhero genre in a different way. Of course, there are still moments that feel very familiar to any viewer well-versed in this particular genre. That is abundantly clear whenever Superman flies off to battle Captain Luthor. Those moments are detached from the family drama happening in Smallville. It's a mission that is still important to Clark. It's him continuing his service to the rest of the world. He is still a hero after all. These moments simply prove that the show still feels compelled to offer a requisite amount of action in each episode. It should be fascinating to see if that trend continues now that Captain Luthor has lost his ship and his suit. These first two episodes have presented this villain in a specific way. It has only offered a few cryptic teases about who he is and what he wants. And yet, he acts with the understanding that Superman always has the potential to turn evil. All it takes is one corruption of his morals for thousands of lives to be lost. Captain Luthor blames Superman for the destruction of his home world. Clark doesn't know what he's talking about. The audience doesn't either. One visceral scene is all it takes to immediate understand the drive that fuels this character. It's dark and depraved. It also highlights the volatility of those with powers. This can always be something that happens. Superman operates as a hero in this world. He is adorned and appreciated as such. His biggest problem is trying to balance his work and home life. He feels like he is constantly abandoning his sons when they need him the most. He finds a new way to breakthrough with Jordan. He gets to share part of his world and heritage with him. It's a conversation built on honesty that reveals so much. It's still devastating when Jordan is told that he will never be just like his father. His human DNA will always compromise his alien abilities. That pushes him away from his parents. And yet, Jonathan is always there to offer support. The brotherly dynamic is really compelling so far. Their roles have essentially been reversed. Jonathan now feels like the outsider who can't seem to blend in no matter how hard he tries. Jordan has become the special one. They are envious of each other. They still love and support each other though. That makes for a powerful bond that informs so much in such a short amount of time. Sacrifices were made in the move to Smallville. General Lane believes it's all for Clark's ego. He disrupts his family's lives to chase after his impossible dream of peace. Clark values the desire to have a loving family. Whenever General Lane shows up at the farm, it's always to inform Superman about some threat. He is never truly defined as a father or grandfather. His priorities don't line up in that way. The family has accepted that. It means they aren't willing to listen to his opinions on the big move. However, it's necessary for the narrative to depict why this move is necessary for Lois as well. She could easily feel like the outsider in all of this too. She is the member of the family without powers. And yet, her influence can be just as life-changing. Her work as a journalist can also change the balance of power in the world. Right now, she senses a story that needs to be told about Morgan Edge. She cannot do so while working at the Daily Planet. Sure, it's a huge step down for her to move to the Smallville Gazette which only seems to have one employee. However, she sees Smallville as the place to be. People want to revitalize this community. They are being manipulated by a powerful and influential man who doesn't have their best interests at heart. She wants to expose the truth. It's hard to change opinions though when it is this personal to the stability of the entire community. That's her passion though. She doesn't have all the answers right now. However, her journalistic instincts are telling her to keep pursuing the truth. No one can silence her. Her convictions are just as firm as ever before. In fact, she may be reinvigorated herself in this pursuit of the truth. It's important to her. So is family though. That priority remains at the forefront and allows this show to come across as an earnest entry into the family drama genre. That works incredibly well while also featuring a few moments of action every now and then too.
