Is Superman & Lois the Best Superman TV Series Ever?

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As a lifelong fan of Superman and someone who has watched countless adaptations of the Man of Steel over the years, I can confidently say that “Superman & Lois” is, without a doubt, the best television incarnation of the character yet.

Following an exhilarating four-season journey, the TV show Superman & Lois has officially ended, earning the title of the finest Superman series ever produced on television. Initially introduced as a guest character on The CW’s Supergirl, Tyler Hoechlin’s portrayal of Superman gradually evolved into a permanent role within the Arrowverse. When Superman & Lois debuted in 2021, the show maintained a vague and intriguing link to the Arrowverse. However, it wasn’t until the Season 2 finale that the series’ connection to the Arrowverse was clarified – it takes place in an entirely different universe. By this point, Superman & Lois had already accomplished something truly remarkable.

Superman & Lois isn’t just among the best superhero TV series; it has solidified its position as the superior Smallville tale for Superman through a compelling four-season narrative. Although numerous elements contribute to the show’s success, they all stem from one significant difference. Essentially, Superman & Lois distinguishes itself from every other Superman television series.

Superman & Lois Feels Like a Cinematic TV Show

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One notable aspect of the television series “Superman & Lois” since its debut is its high-quality production. Despite being broadcast on The CW and sharing a universe with the Arrowverse for most of its tenure, “Superman & Lois” frequently feels like a standalone Superman film in terms of its aesthetics. The show’s cinematography and visual design bear striking similarities to Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel“, and this parallel can also be drawn when considering the action scenes, which depict Superman rescuing people and engaging in battles against metahuman antagonists.

It’s also evident that the television series “Superman & Lois” boasts the largest budget among all CW DC shows. The show consistently utilizes its resources effectively, with the picturesque small-town setting of Smallville being beautifully portrayed in each episode. Frequently, summertime sunsets are skillfully incorporated to enhance the cinematic feel of the series.

In simpler terms, the action sequences in “Superman & Lois” are among the best and most polished of any superhero TV show, thanks to a larger budget that allows for more grandiose displays of Superman’s heroics. For instance, you’ll find Superman putting out a fire at a power plant during the series’ first major rescue scene, which looks just as impressive as something you’d see in a movie. Furthermore, the fight scenes in “Superman & Lois” are intense, with Superman’s battles against villains like Tal-Rho, Bizarro, Parasite, Doomsday, and Lex Luthor delivering powerful punches and consistently feeling worthy of the big screen.

Superman & Lois‘ Story Is Big and Small Simultaneously

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In simple terms, the TV show “Superman & Lois” presents an innovative twist as Clark Kent is not only married to Lois Lane (Elizabeth Tulloch), but also parenting teenage twins Jordan (Alex Garfin) and Jonathan (Jordan Elsass in Seasons 1 and 2, Michael Bishop in Seasons 3 and 4). The series takes Clark back to his Smallville roots, allowing it to narrate a Superman tale that resonates on both large and small levels.

In the smaller town of Smallville, Clark and Lois juggle the complexities of parenthood and local politics. As Lois embarks on a fresh reporting role at the Smallville Gazette, and Clark assists as an assistant coach for the high school football team, their children, Jordan and Jonathan, encounter the struggles of adolescence while discovering their Kryptonian abilities (with these powers not emerging until Season 4 in Jonathan’s case). Characters like Lana Lang (Emmanuelle Chriqui) add depth to the series, with Lana now serving as Smallville’s mayor and dealing with her own issues in keeping a bond with her former spouse Kyle Cushing (Erik Valdez), while their daughter Sarah (Inde Navarette) longs for a life beyond the town.

In contrast to what some might expect, the series “Superman & Lois” doesn’t ignore the massive, universe-threatening challenges that Superman routinely encounters. Each season of this show has featured the Man of Steel taking down apocalyptic threats, such as the merging of Earth and Bizarro World in Season 2, where he physically separated the two worlds. The adaptation of “The Death of Superman” in Seasons 3 and 4 portrays Kal-El’s death and resurrection as the significant battle it is while also focusing on Lex Luthor (Michael Cudlitz) having a vengeful and personal grudge against Lois.

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The dramatic reveal of Clark as Superman on the show creates a captivating contrast between grand and intimate storytelling. This revelation unfolds in a Smallville diner with only a few people present, yet its impact is monumental – it alters the world significantly while also reshaping the lives of the Kent family. Throughout its series, Superman & Lois has skillfully balanced epic global conflicts and personal, human narratives and familial dramas.

Superman & Lois Gives Tyler Hoechlin’s Man of Steel an Emotional & Definitive Ending

In the midst of various external factors that could potentially harm the show, such as the end of DC’s era on The CW and James Gunn’s upcoming DCU, Superman & Lois has skillfully managed to shield its audience from these off-screen issues. This strategic move has not only allowed it to deliver one of the most compelling and emotional Superman adaptations but also provided a fitting farewell for Tyler Hoechlin’s portrayal of Superman.

Despite being resurrected following his battle against Doomsday, Superman discovers that the human heart of General Sam Lane (played by Dylan Walsh), infused with Kryptonian DNA, can’t support him indefinitely. This revelation adds tension to Superman’s subsequent fights with Doomsday and Lex Luthor in his mechanical suit, creating edge-of-your-seat moments for viewers. The narrative also highlights the progressive decline of Superman’s powers, delivering the kind of action-packed Superman storylines fans have come to expect from the series.

The triumph of Superman is followed by a series of scenes depicting the subsequent 32 years, showing the Kent boys carrying on his legacy, John Henry Irons (Wolé Parks) and Natalie Irons (Tayler Buck) stepping up as heroes, Lois Lane sadly losing her battle with cancer, and Clark Kent spending his later years with his canine companion Krypto before his human heart ultimately fails.

Stepping into the unknown realms, I find myself side by side with Lois, and it’s clear that the final episodes of ‘Superman & Lois’ have encapsulated the profound impact of a Campbellian Hero’s Journey, bringing this epic tale to its intended conclusion. Despite the relatively brief run for a series of such grand production quality, sweeping narratives, and grandiose action, ‘Superman & Lois’ has had the chance to draw a definitive line under Tyler Hoechlin’s portrayal of Superman in a manner that leaves an indelible mark on his heroic legacy. This enduring resonance is what sets ‘Superman & Lois’ apart as the ultimate representation of Superman on television.

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2024-12-03 23:40