IR TV Review: SUPERMAN & LOIS (“Pilot”) [The CW]
The essence of bringing the Man Of Steel to television in a new way has been an interesting progression. With the movie structure stalled (even with a good actor like Henry Cavill), the questions becomes how do you make the Superman tale relevant without retreading. The multiverse structure that was explored in different shows in the past two years shows how to think outside the box. But also it doesn't need to get so overcomplicated that it would lose the general audience. The new premise which marks Superman having kids with Lois Lane is a radical step, much like a reverse "Smallville" in a way but it truly works in the context of the network it is playing on: The CW. The themes are right on point including the subplot with the two sons which should bring the younger viewer in. The interesting thing about the pilot is how good it is in understanding that the simple things that are done and shown are sometimes the best. The VFX for television has obviously come eons as well. Some of the sequences could have never done this way before. It makes "Lois & Clark" from the 90s look positively primitive (but that was a different kind of show). That said, the show, at least in its first episode has more heart than one would think.
Tyler Hoechlin gets the balance between Clark and Kal El and doesn't over play it. Some choices that the characters make could be seen as false but it keys into the reality that even someone like Superman makes mistakes. The mythology skews differently in a way and that at least makes for different possibilities, most of which is about creating a family drama that is not overdramatic or melodramatic yet still takes into account that your father is Superman. It walks the line but still provides some clues and Easter eggs (look for an early Donner reference). Visually the show has flair but is elegantly cinematic and not garish. But the show, at least in this lead in doesn't feel forced or fake yet. The key is how to maintain that trajectory without both underplaying it or overplaying it. B+
By Tim Wassberg
