Superman and Lois – The Thing in the Mines review S2 E3
We finally found out The Thing in the Mines identity and it was a terrific fake out from the season premiere tease.
And that thankfully leaves that character on the table while Superman and Lois builds up some more of Superman’s superhero supporting cast. Since apparently, Flash, Black Lighting, Batwoman, etc. are always busy.
This was the kind of episode my guy Tim Reeves definitely was gonna be concerned about given all of the teen melodrama focus. In fairness, that’s a justified gripe this issue as the teen issues/cool Superman, Lois and John Henry subplot balance seemed a little off this week.
Jon is upset that his quarterback rival, Timmy, is clearly doping. He’s griping about it to everyone including girlfriend Candice. But Timmy’s got a major bombshell! Candice is his supplier for this alien superpower drug.
Like any dude dating one of the hottest chicks in school, Bro Jon doesn’t want to break up with her — he just wants her to sell to him. Granted Candice needs the money to help her family from losing the house, but you’d think being a boyfriend would come with perks. Like not having to pay for your girlfriend’s drugs…
Jordan’s also dealing with girl drama. Typically, the show has been excellent about silly teen issues yet this issue somehow made Sarah kissing a girl more of a Jordan issue since she apologized and felt terrible about it. I kinda feel like if a writer’s spouse/partner cheated, but apologized and felt really, really bad about it they might not be as forgiving as they envision Jordan.
This is proving to be tough on Jordan, who’s somehow managed to shift the blame to himself with gentle prodding from Nat and Jon. He needs to be cool about her cheating, so Sarah isn’t the same way when he reveals his powers (and his dad’s secret identity). I don’t think that’s the same thing though, Jordan.
Clark is a little more pissed about that than his normal kid glove treatment for the boys. And Jon catches the red eye flare up and super yell treatment too after getting into a fight with Timmy.
It’s not the boys’ raging hormones that’s got Clark so on edge. Whatever is in the mines is conveying its emotions to Clark.
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Time for Lois to call in Gen. Lane to get John Henry access to the mines. Meanwhile, Lois and Gen. Lane hash out some old feelings about how he was never there and why he never rebuked Lucy’s crap as he was afraid to lose her. I’m a little confused as to when Lucy joined up with this cult.
Was it after she showed up on Supergirl to win back her husband, James, only to find out he was in a mutually crushing relationship with Kara that lasted for one season before it was scrapped? My Arrowverse to CW Verse translator can get dodgy at times.
Dr. Faulkner is clearly not fooled by whatever strings Gen. Lane pulled and knocks John Henry out and calling for immediate retrieval of what’s in the mines.
It’s a massive looking being in a containment suit. Superman can’t quite match up with it since its rage keeps overwhelming him. Good thing John Henry is able to summon his Steel suit after waking up. The shot of Steel getting his armor on was about as close to an Iron Man homage while still doing something different yet making it look cool.
Steel is able to get a dent in the creature’s helmet allowing Superman to see a doppelganger with glowing blue eyes and cracks in his face. This is a very solid take on Bizarro. In such close proximity to each other without the helmet’s protection, both Superman and Bizarro are shortening each other out … until Bizarro flies off.
Nat isn’t thrilled that John Henry still wants to help Superman, but more from his crappy Steel suit. She wants to work on an upgrade to help make him more formidable.
Speaking of upgrades, Lana ditched her traditional mayoral candidate breakfast in favor of a virtual cooking Q&A with Lana. That was a nice adjustment in the mayoral subplot.
Lois goes to meet Lucy, but her handler, Aly (Rya Kihlstedt, Heroes Reborn), shows up instead. Looks like this family reunion is going to be delayed for another week.
Bizzaro seemingly shows up at the fortress and takes a look around. I’m worried about the renovations he might have in mind. In a nice touch, the logo is reversed to wrap the episode.
The Thing in the Mines debuts a major Superman villain while hopefully ending at least one melodramatic teen subplot. Now if we can just shift the focus more towards the adults again.
Rating: 7.5 out of 10
Photo Credit: The CW
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