Okay, now that was an episode! Superman & Lois flips us on our head this week as things take a drastic turn for the Kent family.
While I’ve thoroughly enjoyed most episodes of Superman & Lois, “Anti-Hero” stood out. I was riveted from the minute it started. Unfortunately, there is a two-week break before the next episode.
But while we wait, there is so much to talk about. So let’s recap the major moments from this week’s episode of Superman & Lois! Beware SPOILERS ahead!
Superman & Lois deals with drugs
Over the last few episodes, we’ve seen Jonathan (Jordan Elsass) taking X-K (aka X-Kryptonite) to strengthen his skills on the football field. But while he’s killing it out there, his personal life is taking a hit. He can’t stop taking the drug, and now Jordan (Alex Garfin) learns the truth about it.
We saw the Kent brothers get in a huge fight during last week’s episode, and that continues here. Even though Clark (Tyler Hoechlin) is being imprisoned for treason, there are still real-world issues going on at home, and I loved seeing that dynamic.
Things get way worse for Jonathan when the cops show up at school with drug-sniffing dogs. At that very moment, Jonathan’s girlfriend is handing him the X-K and panics when she sees the cops. Trying to be a hero, Jonathan holds onto the drugs, thinking he won’t get in trouble for it. I’m sorry, but why did he think that? That’s very unclear to me, and it felt a little bit like white privilege in action.
Anyway, Jonathan is caught and faces possible expulsion. He could get out of it if he rats out his girlfriend, but by the end of the episode he’s refused to tell anyone. That is not going to work out for him!
Lieutenant Anderson
Ugh, the new DOD leader Lt. Anderson (Ian Bohen) is a true pain in the butt during this week’s episode. He’s basically had it out for Superman (Tyler Hoechlin) ever since he took over for General Lane (Sam Walsh), and he’s the reason why Superman is locked up with Tal-Rho (Adam Rayner).
That’s where “Anti-Hero” begins. Lt. Anderson is looking for Bizarro (Tyler Hoechlin) and only Superman knows where he is. Despite Anderson’s efforts, Superman doesn’t appear willing to tell him anything. He tries to coax him with information about Ally Allston (Rya Kihlstedt), but it doesn’t work.
Eventually, Anderson returns to the prison and uses Tal-Rho to find out Bizarro’s location. Even though Tal-Rho almost killed Jordan, Superman can’t help but feel empathy for his brother and eventually gives up the location to his fortress. It’s not the wisest decision, because once Anderson realizes this is not the correct location, both Superman and Tal-Rho are done for.
Happily, Tal-Rho and Superman manage to escape the prison they were being held. Determined to find them, Lt. Anderson inhales some X-K himself. He arrives at Tal-Rho’s fortress where a simulation of Lara-Al (Mariana Klaveno) is there with Bizarro. Anderson doubles down on the X-K along with any and all kryptonite-heavy weapons to fight the Kryptonians. An epic fight ensues, and surely someone is going to die. And indeed, Tal-Rho steps in to save his brother (I know, I was shocked too!) just as Lt. Anderson blasts him with kryptonite. Superman scrambles to save Tal-Rho while Lara-Al decides to let Bizarro loose so he can help out his fellow Supermen.
Lt. Anderson’s rage has no limits as he continues to dose himself with X-K and fires off kryptonite weapons at Bizarro. Because Bizarro is the “opposite” of Superman, none of that works. Once Lt. Anderson realizes this he basically takes all the X-K inhalers and continuously smashes them against Bizarro’s head until he dies.
It is wild.
Anderson runs away and isn’t seen until the very end of the episode when he approaches Ally Allston with the pendant. I’m not sure about you guys but I am not happy about this. I hated Anderson to begin with but now that he’s trying to join forces with Ally, I’m not sure what is going to happen.
Elsewhere in Superman & Lois
Superman eventually is released from prison. His return home as Clark is bittersweet because he finds out about what has been happening with Jonathan. I haven’t seen Clark that angry with one of his kids before. Jonathan breaks down in tears following their argument.
Bravo to the cast for doing such a great job in this episode. There was just so much emotion!
In the world of the Cushings, Lana (Emmanuelle Chriqui) is dealing with the decision to separate from Kyle (Erik Valdez). His affair has taken a toll on the whole family, especially Sarah (Inde Navarrette). She’s not finding solace with Jordan so she turns to an old friend for advice.
And, that’s about it for this week’s episode of Superman & Lois! See you guys in two weeks!
I’m loving where this series is taking us. I mean, they made us feel empathy for Bizarro! That’s so difficult to do with villains and I think how the writers slowly unraveled that storyline was genius.
It’s been such a pleasure to watch a story about Superman not just as a superhero but as a person battling with inner and outer demons. It feels refreshing and different, and I cannot wait to see what the rest of the season has in store for us!
Grade: A-
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