Review: Superman & Lois 2×10 – “Bizarros in a Bizarro World”
[Editor’s note: This review may contain spoilers!]
Director: Louis Shaw Milito
Writers: Brent Fletcher, Todd Helbing, Juliana James, Katie Aldrin, Jai Jamison, Andrew N. Wong, Adam Mallinger
Starring: Tyler Hoechlin, Elizabeth Tulloch, Jordan Elsass, Alex Garfin, Dylan Walsh, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Adam Rayner, Rya Kihlstedt, Ian Bohen
Reviewed by: Steven Brown
Summary
Chasing Ally Alston and her followers to this Bizarro world, Superman finds counterparts of his family, and even former enemies. Discovering Ally’s claim to this strange Earth is all but complete, Superman must enact a plan to stop her before she merges this Bizarro World Earth with his own one.
Positives
Breaking through the portal and entering a seemingly black hole, Superman makes his way through to a distant light. Going through it, the hero lands on the Bizarro Earth, which is shaped like a cube instead of a sphere. It seems that here in this world, Superman is a worldwide celebrity and travels throughout many social circles. Besides not only saving the day the hero also poses for pictures, attends grand openings, and does advertisements. These things all seem to be completely fine at first, however, Superman’s constant disappearances from home put a strain on his relationship with Lois and his family. It was interesting to see all of this from Bizarro Superman’s point of view. In this story he wasn’t the pale, broken monster we know–here he looked exactly like Kal-El.
Immediately going to the Fortress of Solitude, a place with some familiarity, he encounters Jon-El, Jonathan’s mirrored self. On this Bizarro world, it’s Jon-El who has powers instead of Jordan, and they’re pretty refined. I loved Jon-El’s outfit- an early callback to the 90’s Superboy, especially with the leather jacket. During their first encounter, Jon-El seems helpful at first, but a brief backstory into his character shows otherwise.
Negatives
Although the Superman of this Bizarro world is a celebrity, all is not perfect as it seems at first. Bizarro versions of Lois and Jordan aren’t close at all with Superman, and we soon find out that Lois has plans to leave Clark for good. Jon-El who seems to be embracing his role as this Bizarro world’s protector, soon finds himself under Ally’s influence. Citing his constant need for his father’s approval, Jon-El gives up on seeking Superman’s validation and instead turns to Ally. Along with Bizarro Lana and Tal-Rho, the three form a near unstoppable alliance–all in pursuit of Ally’s goals. With the entire world under Ally’s sway, Bizarro Superman slowly begins to unravel mentally from all of the loss and the constant use of his powers all over the world.
The Superman of prime Earth thinks Jon-El is an ally, but soon discovers he’s not. Thanks to the help of Bizarro world’s Lois Lane, Superman finds out Jon-El now works for Ally. An intervention by General Anderson left Superman and even myself completely shocked. It seems that Anderson figured out Ally’s true goals with the pendant, and stole it. Now she wants it back. Anderson apologizes to Superman and admits he wishes he could’ve worked more closely with him. Now the two are forced to fight Jon-El and Bizarro versions of Lana and Tal-Rho. I just knew the fight wouldn’t end in Superman’s favor, especially with him fighting under a red sun, however, Tal-Rho does something surprising here that helps Superman slightly.
Verdict
“Bizarro’s in a Bizarro World” was a great take on a legendary character in Superman’s rogue’s gallery. Here, we’re given an entire backstory on the character, and how he turned from hero to something else completely. You actually feel for Bizarro in this episode, and not just for what he’s lost, but the way everything falls apart as well. This is probably the first time I can think of myself where we haven’t seen Bizarro as some mindless, killing machine. It’s a different and unique spin on the character and I expect more surprises like this as the season goes forward.
