Superman & Lois - Series Premiere Review

Creators: Todd Helbing 

and Greg Berlanti

Stars: Tyler Hoechlin, Elizabeth Tulloch,

Alex Garfin and Jordan Elsass

Rating: 6 of 8

Superman & Lois

Series Premiere 

Since 1939, he's been leaping tall buildings in a single bound - and now it's time for him to finally make the leap from special guest to series lead. Since 2016, he's been a special guest in shows like Supergirl, Arrow and The Flash, but now it's time for him to again headline his own show, something he hasn't done since Lois & Clark ended in 1997. It's surprising that it's been that long since Superman had his own show and I'm not really sure why it's taken this long.

Regardless, it's nice to see the Man of Steel hit the small screen again, played once more by Teen Wolf's Tyler Hoechlin, reprising the role from various DC shows. He's joined by Elizabeth Tulloch (Grimm) as Lois Lane, who previously played the character in numerous DC shows. Though you definitely get the fast paced action you'd expect from a Superman show, there's plenty of other kinds of drama too, as the couple have to deal with raising two teenage boys, named Jordan and Jonathan.

Though Jonathan's their only son in the comics, here he has a brother named Jordan, who's strikingly different to his brother. While Jonathan's more outgoing and more popular, his brother's a lot less so, largely due to a mix of social anxiety and the large shadow cast by his brother. Though later on, he discovers something that could go some way to changing at least some of that.

Surprisingly, neither of them know their father's secret, something I find hard to believe given just how many unexplained absences he's bound that have had throughout their life. He prefers not to tell them, feeling it could place an enormous weight upon them and worries how it'd affect one if the other had powers and he didn't. It's an understandable concern, especially with how downcast Jordan already feels.

Intriguingly, the series seems to be using Morgan Edge as it's insidious business magnate. It's not a choice I would've expected, given that Lex Luthor usually fills that role and, when he doesn't, (as in Supergirl's 1st Season) it's been Maxwell Lord. Throughout the episode, his presence looms large, despite never appearing. Later on, the episode introduces a new, fiercely powerful antagonist, one that makes his presence known in a very painful way. 

It's also interesting that, despite their usually antagonistic relationship, General Lane and Superman seem to get on pretty well, with the General even calling him in when he's needed. He does so in such a way that Clark already seems familiar with, which to me indicates a pre-established trust, one the pair don't usually share. It's an interesting change and I'm not sure how I feel about it yet.

Some things they didn't change are Lois' inquisitive, yet compassionate, nature, characteristics that emerge when it comes to Morgan Edge and her family. Though I still prefer Erica Durance's (Smallville) Lois' vim and vigour, there's still time for Tulloch's to win me over. Clark's humility, kindness and very human self-doubt also remain, things that have remained a part of the character throughout most of his history. If the series manages to maintain these elements, it could have a long, bright future.

One of the few problems I have with the episode's definitely the lull in the middle. Until some climatic action, the premiere starts to lull, despite some sharp character moments and intense emotion. Otherwise, it's a surprisingly good premiere, one that managed to pleasantly surprise me, despite my uncertainty about it's leads.