Review: Superman & Lois 4×01 – “The End & the Beginning”
[Editor’s note: This review may contain spoilers!]
Director: Gregory Smith
Writers: Brent Fletcher, Todd Helbing
Starring: Tyler Hoechlin, Elizabeth Tulloch, Alex Garfin, Michael Bishop, Dylan Walsh, Michael Culditz,Rebecca Staab, Yvonne Chapman, Ryan Jefferson Booth, Paul Lazenby
Reviewed by: Steven Brown
Summary
Superman & Lois 4×01: Superman continues his battle against Doomsday in the darkness of space, while Lois and the boys attempt to find retired General Sam Lane, who has been kidnapped.
Positives
The episode begins with Superman and Doomsday continuing their battle from the conclusion of season three. Doomsday, created by longtime enemy Lex Luthor, is hell bent on destroying the Man of Steel. As the two take their battle to space, Lois and the boys are left to deal with the aftermath in Smallville.
The emotions are all over the place in this episode as we see Superman getting pummeled in space, along with flashbacks of Lois and Clark and their lives. You really feel bad for him here as he’s battling this behemoth monster, while thinking about home. Lois, meanwhile, is struggling to cope with General Lane missing, as he was actually kidnapped by Lex. I loved how Jordan and Jonathan stepped up in this episode in the absence of Superman.
Lex Luthor is still in the picture of course, and while Superman is fighting Doomsday in space, he’s free to move as he sees fit. There are many iterations of Lex in the DC Universe, and Michael Cudlitz is becoming a favorite of mine. He comes off as cold and calculating to everyone, and no one intimidates him at all. It’s almost a shame this is the last season, because I would love to see another season of Lex Luthor and his schemes on this show.
Negatives
I have no complaints about this episode.
Verdict
Superman & Lois 4×01 is a great introduction to the final season, and delivers to the audience a real emotional ride. The episode ends on a dark note, and I’m eager to see how, in the next episode, the Kent family will be able to cope with this current situation. Lex seems determined to destroy Lois’ life no matter what it takes — and he might just succeed.
Score: 5/5
