Superman & Lois’ Season 2 premiere started strong, and thankfully Superman & Lois 2×2 episode of this season continues that momentum. So let’s dive in and discuss this episode! SPOILERS, you have been warned!
Warning: Spoilers for Superman & Lois 2×2 “The Ties That Bind” Ahead
This episode answered a few questions but raised even more in the process. We learned what is causing Clark to have visions, but who or what exactly is causing them? Sarah admits to Jordan what happened at Camp, but will Jordan potentially forgive her?
Tal-Rho (Clark’s half-brother) reveals he still has his Kryptonian powers, but will he now plan an escape from his prison? This show does a great job of keeping us fans guessing what will happen next. We can theorize, but most of the time, we are wrong.
We start with Lois trying to make an excellent first impression on Natalie, but then it falls apart with her being a vegetarian and not a breakfast person. John tells Lois later that it will take time to get Natalie to open up. Lois responds with “I’ll wait,” indicating she is willing to take as much time as possible to have that relationship with her.
Lois’ patience with Natalie is essential and goes a long way to show that this is a crucial storyline moving forward. Their bonding was never going to be an easy process, but this relationship taking time will pay off more when they finally bond.
Having Clark go to his half-brother to answer his questions about his visions was potentially necessary, but it shows Clark still has flaws in seeing any possibility. The chance of Tal-Rho
lying about his powers being gone was low but not out of the realm of possibility.
The fight between Tal-Rho & Jordan was a highlight for me, as it showed Jordan has more confidence in using his powers. He, unfortunately, loses the battle, but not before hitting Tal-Rho a few times. I think this leads to Jordan wanting to train more with his powers.
Talking of Jordan, let’s talk about Sarah’s reveal at the end of the episode. Since last week, Sarah has been distant from Jordan. She is ignoring his texts, forgetting things he planned with her, just overall a bad feeling that something is wrong. Sarah reveals she kissed a girl at camp and that to her, it meant nothing. For Jordan, it means everything. He feels betrayed, and I don’t blame him.
He finally opens up to Sarah, and she kisses someone while she is away? But, I don’t think this is the end of the relationship. We are leading Jordan down a different path with learning to control his emotions. At least, that’s my perspective as he could lose control and hurt someone while he is broke over this. Jordan just needs training in general, and he won’t be the high school kid forever.
While at Tal-Rho’s fortress, we see a hologram of Clark & Tal-Rho’s Kryptonian mother. She is delighted to see Kal-El (Clark) along with Jordan. It’s a satisfying moment, one I didn’t expect to happen on the show.
We had her conscience in Lana in Season 1, but to see her was an entirely different experience. What was most hurtful was her not recognizing Tal-Rho, which angered him even more than he already is. Finally, Clark’s Kryptonian mother reveals what is wrong with him. The attacks on his mind are because of the being that is in the mines, causing chaos.
Related: Superman & Lois 2×1 “What Lies Beneath” Spoiler Review
The being, creature, Doomsday, whatever you want to call it, was teased even more. We see its outline and hear it snarl, yelling, and overall giving us a creepy vibe. Everyone says this is Doomsday, but would this show do that?
One theory I saw commented on my Reaction to this episode suggested this could be the evil Superman from John Henry Irons’ earth that mutated somehow. It’s a longshot of a theory, but not too insane. This show loves to surprise us and to keep us on our toes, so this being could be more than what we are expecting.
In this episode, Dr. Faulkner, who Lois interviewed, is connected to this being. Dr. Faulkner answered every question Lois threw at her about the mines. We later see that Dr. Faulkner is working at the mines because of the creature trying to break free. She calls someone to verify she is more than just working at the mines.
Who is she speaking to on the phone? Anderson? Lex Luther? The list could go on and on.
Lois drops a powerful bomb regarding her sister Lucy, who we haven’t seen since Supergirl Season 1. Lucy Lane was a part of a cult and almost died in the process. We know she is coming later this season, so this will set up some emotional moments between the sisters.
Does Lucy also know Clark is Superman? I don’t remember if this has been mentioned in the Arrowverse before, but if she doesn’t. Adds more to the tension as Lois hasn’t spoken with Lucy since an article came out about the cult, Lucy being a source from it. Regardless, the sisters’ reunion will be something to see for sure. It won’t be sunshine and rainbows, and everything will be fine.
Anderson’s supers are seen again in this episode, and we also get to see Tag Harris (we haven’t seen since Superman & Lois Season 1) working with them. Superman gets surprised when a criminal at an aircraft hanger uses some sort of toxin created from X-Kryptonite to make him stronger.
He hits Superman several times before being saved by Anderson’s supers. Tag runs to Superman with his superspeed, confused as to what happened. During all this, Superman had another attack in his head. The worst timing ever, but it shows the attacks won’t wait for specific moments. Anderson makes it clear Superman is on his own from now on since he won’t agree to Anderson’s terms.
Season 2 is ramping up to something special, as was Season 1. We had several great storylines happening at once during Season 1, and the writers are continuing that aspect that makes this show great. I feel bad for anyone not watching Superman & Lois, for it continues to prove it’s one of the best Arrowverse shows we have ever had. I expect the next episode to be even more bonkers and have us questioning everything.
About Superman & Lois
After years of facing supervillains, monsters and alien invaders, the world’s most famous superhero, The Man of Steel aka Clark Kent and comic books’ famed journalist Lois Lane come face to face with one of their greatest challenges ever — dealing with being working parents in today’s society.
Complicating the already daunting job of raising two boys, Clark and Lois worry about whether their sons, Jonathan and Jordan, could inherit their father’s Kryptonian superpowers as they grow older.
Returning to Smallville to handle some Kent family business, Clark and Lois are reacquainted with Lana Lang and her Fire Chief husband, Kyle Cushing. The adults aren’t the only ones rediscovering old friendships in Smallville as the Kent sons are reacquainted with Lana and Kyle’s rebellious daughter, Sarah.
Of course, there’s never a dull moment in the life of a superhero, especially with Lois’ father, Gen. Samuel Lane looking for Superman to vanquish a villain or save the day at a moment’s notice.
Superman & Lois 2×1 “What Lies Beneath” is available to stream on The CW now.
