Ricky Church reviews the fourth episode of Superman & Lois…
Much of the focus on Superman & Lois‘ ‘Too Close To Home’ laid in the family dynamics for many of the characters in this quieter, drama filled story. Plenty of great character moments were on display as everyone settled into their new realities, from Clark and the kids with Lois’ cancer diagnosis and chemo therapy to Sarah’s tense relationship with both her parents. After several action-packed sequences in the previous episodes, it was nice for things to go a little slower and character driven this week.
Both Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch were fantastic as Hoechlin spent most of the time as Clark and Tulloch showed Lois’ fiery side when it came to protecting her family, even if she was tired out by her treatment. Hoechlin did a great job showcasing Clark’s overprotection of Lois as he wanted her not to worry or be bothered by anything, even at their kids expense, while trying to balance his struggles as Superman all on his own.
The pain and frustration on his face as he tried to help Lois in his own misguided way was evident, serving as a nice reminder that as powerful as Superman is he still doesn’t know what is best for everyone. It is even rarer to see Superman get into action when he’s in ‘Clark mode’, confronting the father of Jonathan’s girlfriend for attacking him and threatening Lois in a very satisfying scene and Hoechlin pulled off a menacing Clark very well.
Tulloch has been giving some of her best work yet in the series this season and this was no exception. As powerless as Lois is in the face of her cancer, she is still a force to be reckoned with whether you’re family or not. Her anger with Clark was clear over how fragile he was treating her, but none more so than telling Jonathan and Jordan to tell her their problems no matter what which sent her into mama bear mode.
Her facedown with Candice’s father was another exceptional scene, but as much as Tulloch should be praised for Lois’ bravery and protection, so too should she be praised for how vulnerable she makes Lois when she’s with the family and the chemistry she shares with the cast. Her rapport with newcomer Michael Bishop as Jonathan is quite strong so soon after he’s taken on the role.
Even with the focus on the characters and their family troubles, the plot momentum was nicely done as we learnt just how much further Bruno Mannheim is willing to go to protect his secrets. Wolé Parks carried a lot on his shoulders as he had an unexpected reunion with his sister-from-another-world Darlene and a confrontation with Mannheim that put her in danger.
Parks and Angel Parker made their characters’ reunion feel emotional and awkward while Chad L. Coleman again exuded a menacing confidence to Irons. The bomb sequence was tense and several questions were raised throughout John Henry’s story of how much his Earth Prime counterpart helped Mannheim as well as the exact circumstances of his death, not to mention how Mannheim managed to get Superman’s blood from a secure DOD facility.
‘Too Close To Home’ did a nice job of slowing things down and letting our heroes breath from the dangers they face while amping up the family drama. The cast shines together, even Bishop as more of him is seen now, and the emotion between the characters is well done while still finding room to move the plot forward and provide gripping action.
Clark, Lois and John Henry now have a firmer plan to tackle both Lois’ cancer treatments and their Mannheim investigation in a tw0-birds-one-stone situation while Superman’s archnemesis was given yet another name drop, raising the question further of how long Lex Luthor will be kept in the wings and what kind of relationship he’ll have with the ambitious Mannheim.
Rating: 9/10
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