Wednesday, June 23, 2021

My Review of Superman And Lois 1x11: "A Brief Reminiscence In-Between Cataclysmic Events"


Written by Brent Fletcher
Directed by Gregory Smith

Lois: "John, it's happening, just like you  said it would. I think Superman's been turned."

Oh boy, this doesn't look good at all, does it? To protect his family, Superman ended the episode submitting to both Tal-Rho and the latter's father Zeta and Lois was on the phone to John to get reinforcements to save her husband.

Now here's the thing, you wouldn't be wrong in assuming that the John she would be calling for help would be Steel as set pics have confirmed that he'll be back for the final episodes but there's also the fact that David Ramsay (who already directed Man Of Steel) will also be paying a visit as Diggle after we get his imminent appearances on both Legends Of Tomorrow and The Flash out of the way.

Tal-Rho wasted no time in getting Superman at his most vulnerable and because of a little mind invasion, we also got a much wanted trip down memory lane as more of Clark's early days were covered. If you enjoyed the flashbacks in the opening episode, then this episode was a treat to behold.

Things opened with the younger Clark making his own Fortress of Solitude and being introduced to his father, Jor-El as well honing his abilities, reconnecting with Martha, lamenting the loss of Lana (who moved on with Kyle) and of course, the move to Metropolis.

Then we saw the origins of his first adventures as Superman, getting a job at Daily Planet, meeting and falling in love with Lois, coming out to her as Superman, marriage, becoming a father and so on before it was obvious what was happening.

With Clark firmly believing in the good of humanity, Morgan of course continued his tirade of viewing them as a weakness and it was the threat of killing Superman's family that made Clark submit to his older brother, whose own discovery of his Fortress and family reunion was on display here too.

The flashbacks/dream sequences took up the majority of the episode but they were the best part nonetheless. All those gaps filled in nicely, the blossoming romance with Lois and Clark as well as the reverse of a usual trope between Lois and Superman as well was a nice surprise.

It's not unfair to assume that while Tal-Rho views Superman's humanity as his weakness, it will be Lois and the boys who bring Superman back from the brink of destruction and perhaps sooner than expected. It's good to see that Lois had a Plan B in motion.

- Major props to Kyle for apologising to Lois this episode. He learned the hard way but I have to respect the guy for admitting he was wrong about Morgan Edge.
- Jordan and Sarah became a couple in this episode. In flashbacks, we saw Perry White and Ron Troupe. Jimmy Olsen was mentioned but not seen.
- It makes thematic sense to have Tal-Rho's Fortress be in the desert.
- Chronology: From where the previous episode left off. Tal-Rho met his father in 1987.

A Brief Reminiscence In-Between Cataclysmic Events takes the title for next episode. This show keeps surpassing itself and this flashback heavy episode was a delight with a hell of an ending that has set the final four episodes up beautifully when it returns next month.

Rating: 9 out of 10

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