Superman & Lois & Pals

Back to back episodes this week as Henry and Sam discuss Bizarro's return, Jesus and Mary Chain, and Professor Sam breaks a big scoop in figuring out where in Kansas, Smallville is!

EPISODE 5: Head On - “I’m just here to support you pumpkin”

Greetings Super friends! Welcome BACK to Superman & Lois & Pals. I’m Henry Bernstein and alongside me is my favorite super pal, Professor Sam Brody. 

Let’s talk about Superman & Lois Season 3, Episode 5

S03E5 - “Head On” 

Directed by: David Ramsey

Written By:

Andrew N. Wong

IMDB & Apple TV: Clark and General Lane are both having a hard time giving Lois room to make her own decisions; Lana and Sarah have a run-in with an old friend at the diner; Natalie has a surprise visitor.

Superman stuff

• Is Superman in this episode? There he is with 10:25 to go. 
• Seems like there’s maybe too much Kryptonie available? I like when it’s a big deal that someone gets it. 
• Villain reminds me of “Loophole” aka Deacon Dickson from my favorite issue of Superman - Adventures of Superman #505.
• YES BIZARRO!

Manheim Investigation

• Lois is so badass for doing the investigating while getting her treatment. 
• Is that a different villain with phasing powers?
• Chrissy is sporting an RGB collar!
• WHOA! Lois was busted by Manheim right away!!!!
• I like Manheim showing Lois is human side and not just locking her in a room

Cancer stuff

• Round 2
• “I’m just here to support you pumpkin, anyway I can” - Sam
• Very moving montage which seemed to have a sense of realism to it. 
• The piano intro is also very moving
• Clark talking to the chemo patients. This is really classic Clark Kent stuff. Connecting with the people of Metropolis. Truly a man of the people. 

Twins, Sarah, Nat, John Henry

• Jonathan/Kyle…interesting. Can a High Schooler work at a fire station? According to the law, no. What’s wrong with a kid wanting to have his weekends free Kyle? Also, why does Jonathan want to do it? Is it cuz he wants to help like his brother?
• Ok Nat.
• Lol Sam Lane online dating
• Very cute sitcom ending

Lana/Kyle/Sarah

• Mayor Dean confronting Lana is rough. Some stop the steal vibes, eh?
• Do we care about the dance and about Lana’s tough time?
• Kyle and Chrissy went to HS at different times.  How different? They seem around the same age. Also, WHY IS THE EDITOR OF THE TOWN PAPER CHAPERONING A SCHOOL DANCE?
• Oh god, this is hard to watch - Kyle, please stop. Is Kyle from the 80s or the 90s? The actor is 43, and she’s 33
• Uh oh Sarah, getting into the hard alcohol. Mayor Dean’s son looks like he’s 40. 
• Can Chrissy keep a secret? I mean isn’t she a journalist

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EPISODE 4: Too Close To Home - “Damn Kent!”

Greetings Super friends! Welcome BACK to Superman & Lois & Pals. I’m Henry Bernstein and alongside me is my favorite super pal, Professor Sam Brody. 

Let’s talk about Superman & Lois Season 3, Episode 4

S03E4 - “Too Close To Home”

Directed by: Stewart Hendler

Written By:

Juliana James

IMDB & Apple TV: Lois interrupts an intense conversation between Clark and John Henry; Kyle tries to run interference between Sarah and Lana; Jonathan has a heated discussion with Candice's dad.

Superman stuff

• Superman + Fire always looks good. Really thought this looked like Superman The Movie when he was lifting up the earth underground.
• Superman’s blood - burn that shit. Love it. 

Manheim Investigation

• Why is John Henry mad about his doppleganger’s involvement in the Manheim investigation and why doesn’t he want Clark and Lois to investigate it?
• John Henry keeps calling the Dr. his “sister” but it’s not his sister
• Awkward intro to his “sister!”
• Seems like Darlene might be around for a while!
  • So in the comics, Natasha is John Henry’s niece, daughter of Clay Irons who is Steel’s younger brother and his enemy. 
• STEEL SUIT!
• It’s cool that Manheim is Steel’s arch nemesis. Since Manheim is Lois’ “white whale” there should be some dramatic Lois/John Henry stuff.

Cancer stuff/Clark and Lois

• Clark listens in on Lois. I’m ok on that
• Isn’t investigating part of the way Lois relaxes?
• I like seeing Clark and Lois binge stuff but they don’t have time for that shit. 
• I love that Lois can solve a crime show in like the first scene
• Good talk between Clark and Lois. I love them
• “Men like you don’t scare me” - Go Lois Go!
• Oof, I don’t like seeing Lois like that
• “This is not a Job for Superman. He’s not going”
• BIG Superman II reference in that diner. One of the more controversial Superman things (he gets revenge), but it’s one of my favorites. 
• I love badass Clark. That was awesome. “Damn Kent!” - Kyle
• Lois leveraging her chemo into a secret investigation might be the most badass Lois Lane move of all time. 

Twins, Sarah, Nat, John Henry

• Haha, boys fighting over a sweater. So stupid but kids fight over that kind of shit. “Idiot. Dumbass”
• Sarah has an oppressively annoying ringtone
• I would love to see Jordan drop Candice’s dead from a roof
• YES! CUT THAT HAIR JORDAN - Can Jordan’s hair be cut?
• I like hearing Sam say, “that hurt my feelings”
• Jordan’s new costume is a reference to Superman: Man of Tomorrow - animated film https://www.cbr.com/man-of-tomorrow-clip-supermans-first-costume/

Lana/Kyle/Sarah

• Ooof, Kyle didn’t know about the slap. Yikes. 
• I honestly don’t care what Sarah said to Lana. The slap was out of line, period the end. Kyle’s right that she shouldn’t weaponize his affair but kids stay stupid, hurtful stuff. Doesn’t give you the right to hit them. 
• Sarah is sitting in the diner listening to her headphones while

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Check out a video version of this episode at https://www.youtube.com/@gonzo3249! Click subscribe!

Sam and Henry fear they won't have much to talk about in this short and sweet episode, but as it turned out there's plenty of comic references, location searches, Bitsie love, big Henry feelings, and some signature Sam voice of reason action!

Greetings Super friends! Welcome BACK to Superman & Lois & Pals. I’m Henry Bernstein and alongside me is my favorite super pal, Professor Sam Brody. 

Let’s talk about Superman & Lois Season 3, Episode 3

S03E3 - “Uncontrollable Forces”

Directed by: Gregory Smith

Written By:

Jai Jamison

IMDB & Apple TV: Lois and Chrissy pursue a new lead in the Mannheim investigation against Clark's wishes. Meanwhile, Jonathan, Jordan, and Nat's attempt at a kind gesture is complicated by an unexpected obstacle. Lastly, Lana, Sarah, and Kyle adjust to their own new normal.

HENRY'S NOTES:

Superman stuff/Manheim Investigation

• Great dream sequence - good symbolism with Clark not being able to save her.
• The address on the Daily Planet is 1980. Any meaning there? Superman II? I wonder what street the Daily Planet is on. In Doomsday Clock #7 it’s revealed that The Daily Planet, is at 2525 Broadway, Metropolis, NY 10025
• So Superman is having the same dream over and over again. Weird because he doesn’t need to sleep. 
• Haha Lois’ bad handwriting. Is that ok? Or do you not like that like the spelling thing?
• “Aleister Hook” is Skyhook! Remember Skyhook from the Byrne era? Superman #15. Demon that stole children and turned them into demons!
• Bruno Manheim is Lois’ white whale? Whoa. That’s kind of a huge revelation. 
• Room full of blood lol
• Can Superman hear through lead or is there anything that Superman can’t hear through? I mean I know they dampen powers all the time.
• “SUPERMAAAAAN!” I love that shit. That’s when a good smashy smash entrance is perfect. Ack! Kryptonite blasters!
• STEEL to the rescue!
• Kryptonian cloning stuff? I’m into it. 

Cancer stuff

• Love Lois’ glasses. Hard to watch this montage of telling all of her loved ones but good to see Lois being so strong. Tracks with her character. Really powerful seeing Sam be so affected. I like some depth to his character.
• Good to see Lois and Lucy are talking. 
• Is Sam right or wrong in getting on Lois about going to her appointments?
• Clark: “Let me help you.” He’s right but he’s gotta let her do her thing. 
• Why do Clark and Lois need to drive to the hospital?

Twins, Sarah, Nat, John Henry

• Mom has cancer so the boys made breakfast. Nice job kids
• Haha at first I thought Sarah was using a replicator. 
• Glad to see Jonathan’s girlfriend is doing good honest work. Wait so Jonathan has 2 girlfriends now?
• Wait, who attacked John Henry? I’m drawing a blank.
• Does John Henry not want to get involved with helping Lois because it’s too weird, too close to “home?”
• Haha why is Candice’s dad so weird? Relax Candice. CW nonsense….
• Yessss Nat in the suit!
• Nice job Jonathan!
• Nice to see Candice come around. Her dad is a piece of shit.

Lana/Kyle

• Jesus Lana, dial it back a bit. Is what Kyle did so bad?
• Lana is out of control. She’s gotta chill. The slap. Oy vey. Not good. Why do they always do that on tv? The mom slapping the kid then immediately regretting it? Didn’t Lois do that to Jonathan too? I hate that trope. No adults hitting their kids please. Shuuuuuut uuuuuup Lana.
• Oooh Chrissy and Kyle connecting. I’d ship them.

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Sam and Henry discuss the The Rock/Zachary Levi/Henry Cavill situation & HBOmax's Titans returning! We talk about Lois' big news and if this is the kind of thing for a superhero tv show. There's plenty of DC Comics easter eggs discussed and even a little Bob Dylan!

Henry's show notes:

EPISODE 2: Uncontrollable Forces - “I Can Shave Hours Off Your Commute”

Greetings Super friends! Welcome BACK to Superman & Lois & Pals. I’m Henry Bernstein and alongside me is my favorite super pal, Professor Sam Brody. 

Shazam/Black Adam news

Titans news

Let’s talk about Superman and Lois Season 3 Episode 2

S03E2 - “Uncontrollable Forces”

Directed by: Elizabeth Henstridge

Written By:

Katie Aldrin

IMDB and Apple TV: Clark and Chrissy notice a small crack in Lois' game face; Sarah and Jordan have an awkward encounter; Lana receives a panicked phone call.

• Lois Cancer Stuff
  • I don’t think I’m emotionally prepared to handle a Lois Lane illness portrayed by Bitsie. She’s too good of an actress, it’s going to wreck me. 
  • Why didn’t Lois tell Clark about her health? That doesn’t seem realistic. 
  • Clark is being very supportive as usual
  • Fuck, Cancer. I don’t want this. This fucking sucks. I have this personal thing about tv. I don’t want to see real shit. I want to escape into a fantasy.
    • “I was a little shocked when [the producers] first told me that’s what they wanted to do,” actress Elizabeth Tulloch tells TVLine. “But I actually think it’s pretty wonderful. This storyline hasn’t been done, and cancer is such a prevalent force in so many people’s lives. This villain is so relatable and so real, and more than anything it’s one that Clark and Superman can’t just go handle. For Superman, who is this all-powerful superhero, to be faced with something he’s completely powerless against is even more grounding for the show, and it places a greater emphasis on the strength of us as a couple and the family dynamic. I thought it was exciting, and I hope the fans feel the same way.”
    • “We reached out to so many people — doctors, oncologists, people who had been through it, spouses who have been through it, families that have been through it,” Fletcher tells TVLine. “All of our scripts have been vetted to make sure that it’s playing real, because we don’t want it to be taken lightly. We want to put Lois on a real journey that so many other women in the world are going through. Hopefully they can take solace in seeing that a character as iconic as Lois Lane is suffering the same thing, and to feel like they have someone to relate to. We thought long and hard about it, and we felt like we had something to say.” Fletcher expects fans to be surprised at how “in-depth” the show goes with Lois’ cancer battle without shifting the show’s established tone. “We’re not going to despair and darkness all the time,” he says. “We have a very hopeful family, and we hold onto that, but we’re never telling the audience that the threat isn’t real.” “It’s our arc for the season,” he adds. “It’s our villain for the season, to be honest.”
• Wait, why couldn’t she give a full family history because of her mom?
• “I promise I will never look at you any other way. We will get through this together. You’re gonna beat this thing, not a doubt in my mind”
   
• The kid stuff
  • Sorry, Jordan is now just being pathetic and desperate. Give it up kid. But Sarah is very nice and loved that she gave him her oversized shirt
  • Party in Metropolis! Woooo!!! Now we’re seeing a little bit of Jonathan's “bad-boy" persona. I like it. “Fraternals Right?”
  • Ok what part of Metropolis is this?! Is this the suburbs? Gold Coast-ish? 
  • Why was she annoyed he brought his TWIN BROTHER?Poor Jordan. He’s got the whole clumsy Clark thing but not on purpose. 
  • Get it Nat!
  • SARAH’S WEARING A BOB DYLAN I WANT YOU 1966 SHIRT! 
    • I Want You is the first track on side 2 of disc one on 1966’s Blonde on Blonde. 
    • Obviously I’ve been searching for the shirt. 
    • @msdylangirl on twitter found it!
  • This party is terrible. Get out of there kids! Just leave!
• Clark and Lois
  • Love the little Clark/Lois reporter dynamic
  • “Do you think Harry has that early bird special” - Clark
  • Clark listens to her heartbeat to see if she’s lying. 
  • “Get your hands off me! Don’t Touch me!” - Very Margo Kidder vibes
  • “We’re a team, best one I know”
  • I love that Lois was the one to talk her down, not Superman saving her
• Manheim
  • So it looks like Otomotopia’s powers are sonic based and have changed a bit from the comics
  • George said, “It was always about the pride of Smallville”
  • Shotgun wounds but no bullets
  • We’re just hearing now about George Jr?
  • Who’s Mr. Orr?
  • Very Luthor vibes from S:TAS calling Superman to his balcony
  • “The Suicide Slums” - not an official neighborhood, but a nickname, which I think it always was but now Manheim has gentrified it? Nice callback to Luthor and Edge.
  • Lana and John Henry are a fun team. One of the few good things that came out of New 52.
  • Oh cool Onomatopoeia killed this earth’s John Henry
  • Nice seeing Chicago’s “L”

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Closer -  “They’re Gonna Have to Wait.” Yeah”

Greetings Super friends! Welcome BACK to Superman & Lois & Pals. I’m Henry Bernstein and alongside me is my favorite super pal, Professor Sam Brody. 

How was your Superman Summer? And fall? And winter? It’s weird how in my kishkes, shows feel like they should be on September to May. Anyway did you do or read anything Supermany? Lots of comic news. Superman Warwold came to an end and the Dawn of DC began. Phillip Kennedy Johnson is doing a great job with Superman. Movie news, Cavill in, then out, Gunn takes over DC then announces he’s writing and directing Superman Legacy. And here on the CW, Superman and Lois’ future is in question as DC shows are going away…

Let’s talk about Superman and Lois Season 3 Episode 1

S02E15 - “Closer”

Directed by: Tom Cavanaugh

Written By:

Brent Fletcher and Todd Helbing

IMDB: Jordan and Jonathan celebrate their 16th birthdays, Sam reaches out to Natalie with poor results, Chrissy ends up with a surprising bed partner, Lois gets some surprising news, and Atom-Man returns posing a new threat to Superman, as does Bruno Mannheim.

• VERY horny episode - L and C AND Christy and Kyle
  • Love seeing this so much more than horny teens
• New fortress seems a lot like the old fortress but LOVE that Jordan has to fight Superman’s Rogue’s Gallery. Atomic Skull!
• Bruno Manheim - Sam give us a character bio and where does Manheim rank as all time Superman villain? Top 10? Top 20?
• ONOMATOPOEIA
• Atom Man, we saw him in the flashback with Superman in the Fleischer suit, but here he was kinda sympathetic Nazi? Don’t love that. I hope this isn’t a one off with him. He’s too good of a villain. 
• Teens were much less annoying but honestly I still don’t care about Sarah and Jordan
• Lana was fine in this episode. Seems like she’s finding her comfort zone
• The whole Sam Lane with Natalie thing is dumb. Every grandparent I know are nice and cordial and even welcoming to their grandkids’ friends, but I don’t know a single one that would rather spend time with them instead of their own grandchildren. Was it so bad what Sam Lane did? Recruiting Natalie? That’s his world AND she is super smart. 
• METROPOLIS - I wanted it, I got it. 
• More reporting! A little awk that it’s just the three of them writing at this small town newspaper
  • Great seeing them working together but why is the Smallville Gazette reporting on huge national news? Why isn’t this just Lois Lane Dot Com?
• Coach Gaines - why is he so crabby all the time? Also a funny edit where it looked like he put a rib bone in his pocket.
• Bitsie just gets better and better, so does Tyler. 
  • It’s great seeing her play happy too. I’m so nervous for what’s going to separate them.
• Suicide Slum? What about it? Bibbo?

“There’s a lot Easter eggs this season,” Helbing adds. “ A lot.”

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We bring you a super-sized episode for the Season 2 Final!  We kick things off with some show and tell of some new Super-goodies (shout out to Jim Bowers @capedwonderjim)! We're talking about the vacuum of space, throwing sh** into the sun, Tal-Ro's redemption, what we want to see in Season 3 and so much more!

EPISODE 15 ““It’s Dad, It’s Clark, It’s Superman””

Let’s talk about Superman and Lois Season 2 Episode 15

S02E15 - “Waiting for Superman” 

Directed by:

Gregory Smith

Written By:

Brent Fletcher and Todd Helbing

Chrissy Beppo (Sofia Hasmik), with the authorization of the Department of Defense, has a message for the people of Smallville: not only is the merging of planets real, it is happening.

HENRY'S NOTES:

DOD officially declaring what’s happening. Reference to “Bizarro self.” Why is Christy Beppo making this announcement? 

Lois used the word “blip” - Kevin Feige sending his Disney lawyers after them?

This makes sense that Nat is having PTSD from losing her world.

Oooh the Loises switched. “Our Bizarro Mom just magically appeared.”

Jon saying “You’re our family too” and Nat responded with a hug and “I really liked having brothers” is the kind of emotional beat stuff that make the show good. The faux conflicts are not. 

People disappearing and cars crashing is very reminiscent of Infinity War. Is it too derivative?

Tal Ro - “I’m fighting for you. You and your family are the only people that matter to me on this planet” followed by a bro hug. Chef’s kiss. 

Jordan, close your goddamn mouth while you’re in space. “You saved my life nephew, i’m forever in your debt”

“There’s still one person that can stop her, me”

YES!!! LOVE WHEN SUPERMAN THROWS SHIT INTO THE SUN!!! Love that he’s getting thrown into it. 

Hahaha why is Nat’s AI german? “Frau Irons”

HOW ARE SUPERMAN AND TAL-RO TALKING IN OUTER SPACE?!!!!! That’s as ridiculous as Superman IV. Nice that Clark says, “I love you too” though. 

Who are all these people who are like, waiting for the rapture? Are the people of Bizarro Smallville super religious? 

So one throw away line from Sam confirmed that this is not in the Arrowverse - “and even though we only have your father on this planet.” That’s fine but I wish they would’ve told us earlier so we didn’t waste time and energy getting upset about it. 

I love seeing superman being burned alive while also supercharged up by the sun. Reminds me of Superman #1,000,000.

“It’s Dad, It’s Clark, It’s Superman” - 

Overloading the parasite is a classic Superman move. 

He’s circling the Earths! Like superman the movie!!!!!

Love his Supercharged S shield. 

I don’t get the physics of how he did what he did but I like it. 

Miracle Monday! A reference to both the Elliot S Maggin novel and the day in which Superman saved the world. “Truth Justice and a Better Tomorrow”

Oh come on Lois. Now Crissy Beppo knows the secret? Jesus. 

Love a good Superman festival in Smallville and so cute that kids were cosplaying as Nat and John Henry. 

Nat and John Henry eating Rhubarb pie, Martha’s specialty

“With you around, always” - Lois in response to “are you ok?”

Kyle’s babyface from heel turn was done so smoothly and so well over the past two seasons.

“I wish everyone could be as happy as i am”

You never stop trying to help people do you? I love you Superman”

Why are Ally and Bizarro Ally in the same cell?

Uncle Tal buying F-150s for the nephews is amazing. Love that he went to Bizarro world to be their hero. 

BRUNO MANHEIM - INTERGANG!!!!!! Let’s have a season of Clark investigating them. 

Lucy and Lois made up, which is nice. I wonder where she’s going.

Clark is finally not wearing his glasses with the family and I love his Chris Evans, Knives Out sweater. 

Throwing a crystal to make the fortress is very reminiscent of Superman The Movie AND doing it in the ocean is like the comics. Love it all. “It’s only the beginning.” 

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EPISODE 14 “You Are More Than Just Your Powers”

The penultimate episode of Season 2 is upon us! Sam and Henry pay tribute to the late, grate artist Tim Sale. The Pals share a lot of frustrations with some things they liked sprinkled in. Also some signature tangents about TV trends and still wondering where is Supergirl??? 

Greetings Super friends! Welcome to Superman & Lois & Pals. I’m Henry Bernstein and alongside me is my favorite super pal, Professor Sam Brody. 

Let’s talk about Superman and Lois Season 2 Episode 14

S02E14 - “Worlds War Bizarre” 

Directed by:

Sheelin Choksey

Written By:

Michael Narducci

"Superman is rendered powerless by Ally's attack, and the others rally as the two Earths merge."

Romantic violin version of the theme over the title screen

John Henry/Nat - Ally is an energy parasite, can absorb power from anything. Nat being assertive of going in there with John Henry. Love it. Ugh, I’m with Nat, “Dad don’t do this.” LET HER HELP. Nat could definitely get through those safeguards. So John Henry was right that Nat shouldn’t come but not for the right reasons. She obviously needed to save everyone but she could’ve helped him. 

Lana - “This is what tired looks like”, um Lana you look amazing. Smallvillians riled up again. They’re so cartoony. Nice to hear Kyle and Lana finally talk about his infidelity. Why are the Smallvillians laughing at Lana. They literally went through an army of Kryptonians attacking them last season. Obnoxious George is back. Lol to “you’re flying in and saving the day.” Lana did you fucking tell everyone Superman lost his powers? What the fuck Lana?! That’s not your call to make. Great now Sarah is going to be mad at Lana. More CW nonsense. 

Lois/Chrissy- Bizarro world taking over, text was backwards. 

Ally/Inverse - Wait was Bizarro Lana doing with her eyes?

Lara - Cells not healed? Sam explain please. He’s like a baby again? Developed powers at 4! How is Lara’s projection being affected by the merge? Isn’t it Kryptonian technology?

Clark - Why does he need to wear his glasses all the time when he’s Clark? Is it just a visual cue, a marketing thing? Seriously, it doesn't make sense. Why does he need to wear his glasses in the fortress with John Henry and Lara? We talked about this in the first episode. The kids never saw their dad without glasses? 

Incredible Lois pep-talk to Clark and frankly to US, reminding him what Superman means.  Superman is a “Friend”

Jordan/Jonathan - Kids, suit up and do your job. Blah blah Sarah/Jordan blah blah. Well now Sarah knows. Nice angry red eyes of anger Jordan. Ok that fight was awesome.

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So much to cover on this one! We celebrate Professor Sam's birthday coinciding with Superman day, disliking comic book annuals,  Lana giving Jordan a verbal thrashing, Ally owning Lucy's mind, Clark's new job prospects, Jordan's flight school, Alanis Morsette and Kessel run being the same joke, Batman 66 reference, Nat and John Henry's unnecessary CW conflict, our wish list for finale/cliffhanger and to close it out a long tangent about the state of TV watching. 

EPISODE  13 “I Used To Call It The Kessel Run.”

Greetings Super friends! Welcome to Superman & Lois & Pals. I’m Henry Bernstein and alongside me is my favorite super pal, Professor Sam Brody. 

Happy Birthday Sam! Did you know that your birthday is one day before the official “Superman Day?” Officially, June 12 is considered Superman Day. 

Let’s talk about Superman and Lois Season 2 Episode 13

S02E13 - “All Is Lost” 

Directed by:

Elaine Mongeon

Written By:

Kristi Korzec

iTunes recap: Clark and Lois disagree on the best way to figure out if Ally Allston went to the Inverse World. Meanwhile, John Henry makes a surprising discovery and Lois sets out to track Lucy down.

HENRY'S NOTES:

Lois/Chrissy

Is Clark wanting to work at the Smallville Gazette just a backup story or is it for real? It would make sense that Clark wants to start reporting again but he’s never mentioned it.  Lol to Chrissy being the driver. Chrissy looking at Clark’s resume and not wanting to hire him? Why? Wouldn’t you want 2 Lois lanes?

Lane Family

Lane family going down together. I like it. FINALLY we see Lucy in all of her traumatic delusions. Lois bringing back all the things Lucy did to them including fucking DRUGGING HER FATHER. The way Lois sounds when she’s trying to convince Lucy that she loves her is so lectury and factual. Of course Lucy feels the way she does. “I am so sorry I ever made you feel like a burden because the truth is you were my life raft. I wouldn’t have survived my childhood without you and I still need you. You have to mean it, you have to show it. Please give me a chance to prove how much I love you.” Dangerous game Lana is playing, sharing with Kyle that she has “secrets.” Good thing Kyle is a bit of a nice dumb guy and didn’t bother following up. Sam Lane is great, and Lucy is right when she says she doesn’t deserve him. 

Cushing Family

Is “who’s alanis morsette” and “what’s the kessel run?” the same joke?

Relax Lana, it’s not a big deal that Kyle took Sarah to open mic, in fact it’s really sweet. 

I gotta say I was super into Lana lecturing Jordan. “Not even Superman can keep everyone safe.” Get outta here kid. And I also like that she felt bad about it. Really good acting here Emmanuelle. 

Clark and the boys

Boys, relax. The Cushings are annoying. You’ve got a cooler friend/sister in Nat and fucking powers like Superman. Jon feeling guilty about his mess up and his Bizarro’s murderous spree. Good talk between Clark and Jon. “As a parent you care so much about your kids and I want to protect you but I want you to learn to make your own mistakes and that’s really hard but I will always be here when you do.” When Superman says, “it’s gonna be fine” he means it.  “I still love her, dad.” Please. But great timing to take him flying. The flying training was great because traditionally, Clark just flew and that was it. Even if it was shaky at first or he just leapt at first he then seemed to master it. Like in Man of Steel. I like the idea of Clark spending years at the Fortress just practicing flying. Btw, they could’ve picked up Jonathan, a winter coat and given him a job instead of just ditching him. 

Ally Alston

The cold open “5 years ago” was interesting. It still doesn’t give us that much background in her motivations. I like that they actually reference the “LL.” It’s also huge that they make mention of being in Lois’ shadow. That’s gotta be tough. It’s cool that they low-key backdoored their way into making Ally The Parasite. Lois literally called her Parasite. I’m not mad about it, even though we made fun of it last week. I actually kind of like it. On Bizarro world Ally has completely taken over. Ally’s really good at subtly putting a wedge between Lucy and Lois. It’s cool that Ally’s doubled voice is her backwards voice behind her regular voice. 

When Ally demands that she summon Superman, Lois retorts that she doesn't have a red Superman phone to contact him, likely an homage to the red "hotline" Commissioner Gordon used to get in touch with Batman in Batman (1966).

Is it consistent or inconsistent with Lucy’s character that just when she seems to be coming around she goes full super-villain. 

I guess the parasite thing is slightly different because she doesn’t need to touch people. 

Scary seeing Superman turn into Bizarro. How does her Parasite powers let her stop a hammer from hitting her? 

Nat and John Henry Irons

Nat is smart enough to make a fucking secret Iron Man suit but didn’t think. John’s overreaction to Nat’s suit is both realistic but in the context of the show is kind of dumb. She’s clearly an asset and I’m glad that John Henry came to his senses eventually. “I build things, not destroy them.” The conflict was very CW episodey. But it's very cool that Nat’s tech is superior. “Agro dad.” I’m so sick of them over-using that term. Do teenagers really talk like that? Very nice resolution by John Henry and not taking things personally. Nice turn of events that Nat gets to save Superman. I think we called that earlier on. Why didn’t they try throwing Superman into the Sun?

What’s next?

What if the Earths merging isn’t bad? What if it like brings the best out in everyone? 

I would love to see a cliffhanger where Superman loses all of his powers and Jordan, the Ironses and Jonathan suit up to take over. Next season can pick things up 3 months later with Clark having a summer as a regular guy. 

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Greetings Super friends! Welcome to Superman & Lois & Pals. I’m Henry Bernstein and alongside me is my favorite super pal, Professor Sam Brody. 

Another long hiatus in the books (hopefully the last one) as the Pals are back to talk Episode 12. We open the show talking about Sam's rewatch of Superman IV The Quest For Peace. How did it stack up with Sam's Superman III rewatch? Both Pals are over Lana being mad about "the secret." Is the secret even a big deal? Is Ally the Parasite? Sam and Henry both loved the kids forming their own little Scooby gang and want to see more!

HENRY'S NOTES:

EPISODE  12 - “They Weren’t Just Flowers, They Were Peonies”

Superman IV - Thoughts?

Let’s talk about Superman and Lois Season 2 Episode 12

S02E12 - “Lies That Bind” 

Directed by:

David Mahmoudieh

Writing Credits:

Rina Mimoun

We pick up right where we left off with Clark levitating in front of Lana. Meanwhile, Jordan and Jonathan question whether Lois and Clark are telling them the complete story. Lastly, Natalie tries her best to get Sarah to acknowledge Jordan.

The Lana Stuff - Lana asking the obvious question right off the bat, “How did people not put this together” and Clark having a great response for the age old question - “People see what they want to see.”

“After saving you and Pete that night” - confirmation of Pete Ross’ existence. Also reminiscent of the famous Dan Jurgens’ story from Adventures of Superman #474 about drunk driving.

“Did you ever love me?” I mean yeah in the way that a 14 year old loves his girlfriend aka JORDAN AND SARAH. Sorry, Lana has NO reason to be mad. This is contrived. 

Now she’s mad at Lois? Oh please. I mean I get it, they are lying but it’s too protect everyone. Lol to Lana BREAKING UP with the Kent-Lanes.

The Kids - Finally the boys with Nat IN school…and I guess out of school. What happened to Jon-El’s S shield. 

SUIT!!!!! FINALLY!!!! How do we feel about Nat giving her suit to a boy? Love the kids being a scooby gang searching the caverns. Love that Jordan saved them and that they were all sitting around laughing about it. This is a good team that I wish had come together sooner. It was nice not seeing Nat so crabby. 

Awwwww - Kyle! What a sweet dad, making an open mic night for Sarah. LOVE THIS. Huge babyface turn for this guy. Who actually wrote that song? Didn’t see it in the credits. 

Tal-Rho - Do we trust him? Or do we smell another double cross? I like the idea of redemption because Superman trusts him. 

Does yelling while doing heat vision help? Did it hurt?

Ally - She can siphon powers? Cool action scene. Fun that she’s a god now but like, still what are her motivations?

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In this episode Sam and Henry talk about Superman's "Secret." Does he need it? Does it matter? We also cover Sam's trouble buying comics, how many DC Crises do we need? Are Lana and Clark actually best friends? What are Ally Alston's motivations and thoughts? We also have some drops from Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld and Superman The Movie in there. Shout outs to Motor City Comic-Con, the Superman Celebration in Metropolis, IL and more!

S02E11 - “Truth and Consequences” 

Directed by:

David Ramsey (Arrow)

Writing Credits:

Katie Aldrin and Jai Jamison

We pick up right where we left off with Jon-El smirking at Lois, who is still standing on the porch with Jordan. Jon-El catches sight of his doppelganger, Jonathan, standing not too far away. He lunges at him and Jordan tries to intervene but Jon-El appears to be stronger and faster than him. 

Henry's Notes:

Jordan used the words “bizarro self.” 

“You’re my son and I love you and I’m not going to let anything happen to you.” Clark is the best. 

Do Clark and Lana have the same coat?

Is the opposite of 1 day, 33 days?

“If that’s what the secret is doing, it’s doing a crap job” - Jon

Bizarro Jonathan is chewing up the scenery, so good. Incredibly violent what he did to Lana. Could’ve killed her!

What is Sarah’s shirt? "Merchant Unite?"

Haha - Primus cover band “what’s Primus”

Jonathan looked like he was going to a rave in the Matrix - lol

Yes! Finally some John Henry and Nat science! More of this.

Love hearing Lois say, “you’re right. I’m sorry”

“NEGATIVE ZONE?!” Uh oh, Here come the Fantastic Four

It’s always confusing to me how effective and deadly kryptonite is. I never kills anyone right away. 

Brother vs Brother showdown! - Final punch could’ve been bigger.

Just get the K out Lana! Jesus!

I’m feeling kinda meh about the reveal. Like it seemed like some sort of romantic gesture but that’s not the relationship they have. Nor have they really shown that Lana is Clark’s best friend. So it sort of seemed like the kids and Lois got ramped up about the secret without any sort of previous set up.

Nat and Steel - Is he going to destroy the portal?

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