WARNING Spoilers for the fifth episode of Superman & Lois.
Father of The Year
Lex Luthor has taken center stage in this episode of Superman & Lois. After being absent from the previous episode, Lex reflects on his divorce from his wife which ultimately led his daughter to become estranged from him following the story Lois published about him seventeen years prior. McCoy reveals that Milton has found a way around facial recognition, but Luthor insists on returning to Smallville – Superman has returned, putting a wrench in his plans. Or does it? Lex is reunited with his daughter at long last, however, things do not go quite as planned. The reunion with his daughter Elizabeth, is no different, even if it shows the mogul’s emotional side at points.
Dad Talk
Knowing full well that Luthor will retaliate in the wake of Superman’s return, Lois and Clark plan their next steps. Clark decides to try and talk to Lex Luthor, father to father. This is quite endearing, and humanizing in a way. Despite everything Luthor has done to the Kent family, Clark is still willing to talk things out before things escalate further. This is honestly, one of the best Superman moments I’ve ever seen. Despite all the turmoil Luthor has caused, Clark is still trying his best to de-escalate the situation any further. Even though Lex Luthor does not give in to what Clark conveys, the human sentiment is still just as powerful as any other world-saving event Superman does. This is an excellent showcase of how human Superman is.
Daughter to Daughter
Meanwhile, Lois does some sleuthing of her own in case Clark’s plan to talk to Luthor does not pan out. When digging through her father’s D.O.D. files, she comes across some key information – the location of one Elizabeth Luthor. Lois then makes her way to France to talk to Elizabeth in hopes of keeping her own family safe. While hesitant at first, Elizabeth does agree to help Lois out. Lois Lane can be persuasive and honest in most scenarios, and Bitsie Tulloch’s performance elevates those key character traits to a satisfying level. Especially when the stakes for her family’s safety are at an all-time high.
Teenaged Secrets
While Jonathan and Jordan’s story is relegated to more of a subplot, the chemistry between the boys is always a highlight of Superman & Lois. Jonathan’s girlfriend Candice comes to visit for the 4th of July but is evaded by Jonathan’s heroic duties and assisting his mother in finding Elizabeth Luthor. This culminates in Candice wanting the truth and getting it from Jordan about the true nature of the Kent family. This is foreshadowed at the beginning of the episode when another student recognizes that Superman is the boys’ father. While some diehard fans will likely complain, it’s become common practice for innocent bystanders to eventually figure out the identity of the titular costumed heroes in some CW shows.
Family Values
When Lex Luthor learns that Lois Lane has tracked down Elizabeth, the inevitable reunion between the two ends on a low note. Despite being the only person Lex Luthor truly cares for, Elizabeth gives him an ultimatum – give up his conquest to dismantle Lois Lane’s life, or Lex will not be allowed in her life, and subsequently the life of his soon-to-be-born grandson. Despite how much he cares for his daughter, Lex still chooses a path of anger and revenge. Michael Cudlitz does a phenomenal job of balancing sincerity and sinister in this episode, and will likely go down in history as one of the better interpretations of Superman’s arch nemesis.
Doomsday Averted
While Luthor was having a heart-to-heart with Elizabeth, Lois decided to do some more digging. Discovering the device Lex uses to call on Doomsday, she takes it for herself. The episode ends with Clark going home to warn Lois that Lex and Elizabeth have parted ways, and they need to go to the fortress to avoid Doomsday. Lois tells Clark everything is fine. The episode closes with Lois having a heart-to-heart with Doomsday, sympathizing with Luthor’s monster in an attempt to save her family. Doomsday realizes that he’s being ordered to destroy would result in the same loss it suffered. Doomsday flies away, and the Kents are safe. Things are not in Luthors favor, but the man has a plan. Overall this episode continues the trend of solid character moments and strong storytelling. With five episodes left, Superman & Lois feels like the DCCW will end on a high note.
New episodes of Superman & Lois air on Mondays on the CW.