Superman and Lois – The Dress review S3 E9
The Dress was a perfect example of why we probably don’t deserve a superhero show as good as Superman and Lois. So far beyond the overly simplistic nature of way too many shows, this one takes the time to have tough conversations about serious subject matters while having the characters act in a realistic manner. This has been an exceptional season and this was another stellar episode.
Smallville is collecting old clothes to donate to those less fortunate. While getting clothes for the giveaway pile, she comes across a fantastic sparkly red gown. This prompts a trip down memory lane 17 years ago while she and Clark were deciding where they wanted to get married. Clark got the dress for Lois after she was nominated for a big award. Lois alleges she doesn’t care about the popularity contest award, but it’s Lois Lane — she wants to win it.
Equally important — the dress was so expensive that Clark had to sell his baseball card collection to buy it. That’s such a sweet aw shucks kinda Superman thing to do. The writers intrinsically know and understand everything that makes Superman Superman. I’m sure James Gunn has a heck of a script, but he really should let some of the S&L writing crew offer suggestions and potential enhancements.
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This scene was also cool as it showed journalists aren’t typically swimming in money. Even the good ones like Clark and Lois.
Clark is surprised to see the dress in the giveaway pile as Lana tries to help him out. “Clark, she’s about to lose her breasts.” He knows that of course, but doesn’t want to presume to tell her what to do. This right here is what’s missing in shows. The hero/main character has legit doubts and can express them without coming off weak or undermined in any capacity. Lana offers to talk to Lois leading to the kind of mature and sensitive conversation this season has made the norm.
Lois tells Lana she felt empowered for her beauty and shares she barely feels like a woman now before wondering how the double mastectomy will affect her marriage. First, the writers are really handling this subplot with so much grace and care that it shows how a great human subplot can have strong merit on a superhero show. This is a lesson too late for The Flash and… well, that’s it for the CW, but it might prove helpful to some Disney+ shows.
When Clark returns, Lana and Lois are all set to have a pre-surgery party at Bazoombas. “Oh the chicken wing place!” I love Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman/Clark Kent. That was adorable. Lana says no one goes there for the food. Where’s this fun, cool BFF Lana been all season? We needed way more of her.
John Henry is intense and playing hardball with Bruno about not letting him see Peia until he starts giving up valuable intel. I admire JH for not wavering with his stance here and this is a layered difference in opinion with Superman where neither side is fully right or wrong.
Surprise! Nat is acting like a brat whining about how unfair it is that JH won’t let her see the potentially dangerous son of the man who tried to kill him. Naturally, Nat just ignores JH’s advice even after some of Bruno’s goons come after him and meets up with Matteo. They both declare their love for each other and I hardly have the heart to tell them what typically happens next in these scenarios.
Superman tries to talk to Bruno, but JH had the DOD set to raid Bruno’s office. Recognizing that this has become personal for JH, Sam sends him home. After the raid proves fruitless, Bruno demands his men revive Atom-Man to go after JH. Superman doesn’t prove much help — one of the two questionable aspects of the episode. Superman can’t get punked out to give JH a moment. That arrives this time while Superman is traveling back from getting punched into the clouds.
JH summons his hammer and kills Atom-Man, prompting some serious disappointment from Superman. For every great thing the show does they really don’t understand how this dynamic with Nat and JH would play out. Here’s a hint: she would only say “Answer Me!” once.
While Matteo could be madder at his father, he at least listens long enough for Bruno to show him the basement dungeon where he reveals the Inverse Superman (read: Bizarro) — the cure to saving Peia.
Clark gets back from all the craziness and has a genuine heart to heart with Lois. Again, there’s no dancing around this topic and Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch handle it with such conviction that it’s easy to imagine this being a conversation with Superman and Lois Lane. Clark assures her that nothing is going to dull his love for her. To close out the episode, Clark takes Lois for a spin in the skies.
I love so much about this show. The minor Nat hiccups remain a problem, but otherwise this show is absolutely killing it with these main storylines. Bring on next week!
Rating: 9 out of 10
Photo Credit: The CW