In this review, we will be looking at the latest episode of the CW’s new show, “Superman”. The opening sequence of this episode is a flashback to the beginning of the show. Superman has arrived in Metropolis. He is seen walking across the street when a truck slams into him. The truck explodes, but Superman manages to get up and shake his finger at the camera. He walks into the Daily Planet building, and is met by Lois Lane.
In this episode of the hit CW series, the Man of Steel and his wife fight to save Lois from an alien entity that feeds on emotions.
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Superman and Lois have returned. Once again, Clark Kent is fighting crime in Metropolis with Lois Lane in the newly-minted S-Shield protecting his identity as a costumed avenger. (It’s far more useful than the old S-Ray, which Lois used in the show’s first season to cut through Clark’s secret identity.) For the first time, the Man of Steel is also out on the town, in the company of Lois Lane—and her family. (Arguably, he is only polite to Lois Lane, but who’s counting?) But, as we’ve seen in other episodes, Clark’s not above keeping his superhero alter ego secret from the people closest to him—even if it means letting people die.
REVIEW: Superman & Lois – Season 1, Episode 14 “The Eradicator”
“I’m never late.”
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Superman & Lois has shown flailing modern entertainment how to do several things properly since its premiere – Superman, family drama, the Arrowverse in general, to name a few. In “The Eradicator,” it shows how to subvert expectations and satisfy the viewer. For the first half of the episode, I figured this was the clam before the finale’s storm, situating us with the characters before Morgan Edge returned to enact his ultimate power play. Then, “The Eradicator” took a turn and got a couple of profane exclamations out of me (in a good way, not a Loki way). This show is so smart, it manages to make the villain’s evil plan a metaphor for how to write Superman.
Smallville’s inhabitants are panicked in the aftermath of Morgan Edge’s escape, and Clark tries to assist them. Lois is caught between her commitment to the truth and her father’s obligation. Jordan and Sarah’s relationship hits snags early on. Jonathan’s parents are concerned since he spends his spare time with John Henry Irons. Morgan Edge relaxes, but it’s not as boring as it seems. The fan then becomes clogged with excrement.
The film “The Eradicator” starts by demonstrating the cost of a continuous military presence on a community. Nobody wants to remain in a city where armed troops patrol the streets and a superpowered extraterrestrial has recently attempted to wipe out all life on Earth. Businesses are shutting, people are living in continuous fear, and many people are fleeing their homes, unable to recognize the places they once called home. It’s depressing, and it’s made worse by the fact that there’s no correct solution. The Kryptonite remaining buried near the town is a danger that Sam Lane must remove, and it is his duty to keep people safe while he does so. However, the residents are right in not only being concerned, but also in demanding honesty from those who fail to address their very legitimate concerns. Calling the military operation an occupation is “hyperbolic,” according to Clark, but it’s hard to blame them for feeling that way, particularly as they see the civilization they created crumble.
*SPOILERS*
This wouldn’t have the same effect if it was simply the town as a whole, but “The Eradicator” makes it personal for us and Clark by using the Cushings to explore Smallville’s decline. Lana and Kyle eventually succumb in the face of a collapsing economy and dismal employment prospects by putting their home up for sale so they may move away after vowing to stick it out through their personal problems. The fact that Clark connects Lana to Smallville’s spirit emphasizes the point: individuals make a community what it is, and when they go, so does the town. When a fireman talks to Kyle, he expresses a similar concern: when someone as powerful as him gives up, it makes it harder for those who want to fight. While these are legitimate points, it is also unreasonable to expect the Cushings to prioritize the community above their family, and when Kyle receives a job opportunity elsewhere, he and Lana must choose how to provide a decent life for their children.
“The Eradicator” doesn’t stop there, though. It looks at a falling town through the eyes of its teenage characters too. Jonathan becomes more hands-on in his outlook, deciding that he needs to be prepared for the next catastrophe to hit Smallville. Jordan prefers to try living as best he can, taking joy in having a girlfriend and going to parties while Jon tries to get Irons to show him how to make weapons. This is another example of the shift the Kent brothers have made since leaving Metropolis. Jordan has Jon’s old life, being popular and romancing a pretty girl, and he embraces that, reminding himself that life is worth living. But he also has the benefit of superpowers, which Jonathan doesn’t; that means Jon has to go to greater lengths to protect himself and his family, not resting when danger could return at any moment. It’s pretty astonishing that a show about superheroes doesn’t falter when it focuses on a bunch of teenagers, but Superman & Lois devotes as much care to the twins as it does to the Man of Steel.
Clark, who I’ve hardly mentioned thus far, spends the first half of “The Eradicator” doing a lot of nothing, and that’s on purpose. A collapsing town, unemployment, a falling property market, mistrust in the government, and an endless feeling of dread aren’t things Superman can solve, so Clark is left to watch it all unfold, helplessly listening to his friends and neighbors beg for assistance while knowing he can’t help. He’s here because he’ll never leave us, yet he’s helpless in the face of existence. Lois is the one who can play a more active role in this situation. She fulfills the role of a good reporter by holding the government responsible for its actions. Her encounter with her father is a fantastic moment because he and Lois are both correct; he’s in a position where he’ll always be incorrect, but he’s also doing nothing to assuage the concerns of the people he’s meant to protect. And Lois solves this problem by being honest about the things he won’t, telling people what’s actually going on so that the good guys can at least try to keep people’s confidence.
Then comes the twist, and the whole dynamic of the show shifts. Morgan Edge is back, he’s busted Leslie Larr out of jail, and he’s now assaulting Metropolis, which seems to be a task for Superman. With a fun and exciting fight in the little-seen Metropolis, “The Eradicator” switches from a social and character drama to full-on superhero action, as Edge – who has now gotten a solar upgrade by washing himself in the sun’s rays up close – has gained the ability to turn people into Kryptonians without the eradicator. That’s most likely what occurred when he destroyed it; he absorbed its abilities. So it’s Edge’s freshly formed team against Superman and Steel, with Metropolis on the line, and the battle is epic. I liked how they depicted the strength disparity between Superman and Steel; Clark can hold his own against Edge’s henchmen, while Irons can barely stay alive when his suit is smashed apart. Steel must outsmart his foes as much as outfight them.
In the second half of “The Eradicator,” there’s a lot to like. Because it was built up so beautifully throughout the season, just seeing Superman and Steel stand alongside like buddy policemen is incredibly gratifying. In Man of Steel, Superman and a Kryptonian are on their way to causing the collateral damage that no one seemed to care about until Superman redirects the oncoming collision away from an innocent bystander and prevents the building from collapsing. Irons goes to great lengths to avoid being crushed by physically stronger opponents. But the show-stopper comes when Lois starts reporting and recreates the situation in which she died on Irons’ Earth, and Irons finally has the opportunity to rescue her, to do what he couldn’t for his Lois. It’s great, and it’s the glorious conclusion Irons needs, and it’s even built up earlier in the show when he tells Jonathan how bad things were in their world for him and his daughter. I wasn’t anticipating any of this after the first half, which made it much more entertaining.
Then there’s that dreadful conclusion. I was wondering how they were going to surpass Edge’s portrayal of Superman as evil in “Through the Valley of Death,” but “The Eradicator” has a wonderful answer: he transforms Jordan. Edge’s real goal was Clark’s family, and now Jordan is not only possessed, but he’s also the conduit for the ultimate Kryptonian evil person (not called Zod, at least), the one who transformed his reasonably good kid into a monster. This is, once again, how you humanize Superman and explore his non-Kryptonite flaws. Superman can easily smash an alien into the ground, but he’s a mess when his kid is missing. And what will he do if he discovers he has to battle his own child? Superman now faces the same problem as Sam Lane, who had to choose between the world and his family. Edge’s strategy has become a metaphor for how to write Superman; his last attempt is to expose Clark’s real vulnerability, placing the greatest superhero in the most painful situation conceivable. It’ll be a long week while we wait to see what happens.
However, I did have a few small problems with “The Eradicator.” In a few of moments, especially in Metropolis, they go a little too far with Lois. It’s great that she grabbed a microphone and camera to capture the story, but how is she going to take leadership on the street when the violence starts? Aren’t there police and troops on the scene who could help folks get off the streets? After the battle, she actually instructs the troops to take a captive Leslie Larr away. I get you’re the top guy’s daughter, but your authority should be limited to instructing the military what to do. I believe they have a hard time deciding what to do with Lois at times, and it’s especially apparent in “The Eradicator” since she’s utilized so effectively elsewhere. Sarah’s wailing and screaming wore me down quickly as well. Her quarrel with her parents quickly escalates from reasonable emotions of a harried adolescent to “Somebody slap this ungrateful child.” But that’s all; everything else is fantastic, and even Superman’s speed can’t keep up with the climax.
Each half of “The Eradicator” is fascinating, beginning with a quiet, character-driven episode about the concerns of a tiny community in decline and ending with an action-packed superhero fight. A few of minor character flaws don’t distract from the gratifying payoffs, explorations of Superman’s limitations, the major battle sequence, or the buildup for the climax.
Plot – 9
Acting – 9 points
Progress – ten
8 – Production Design
Themes (nine)
9
Each half of “The Eradicator” is fascinating, beginning with a quiet, character-driven episode about the concerns of a tiny community in decline and ending with an action-packed superhero fight. A few of minor character flaws don’t distract from the gratifying payoffs, explorations of Superman’s limitations, the major battle sequence, or the buildup for the climax.
The show has revealed the identity of the Eradicator, and it’s none other than Lex Luthor. After the confirmation, I was finally able to watch the conclusion to this episode. It was a good one, but definitely not the best of the season so far.. Read more about superman returns and let us know what you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the message of Superman 1978?
The message of the movie is that no matter how powerful somebody/something is, if they do not have a heart, they are not truly alive. Q: What is the message of the movie Ant-Man? The message of the movie is that you should follow your heart
Is Superman a good movie?
Superman is an excellent film. It is based on the DC Comic of the same name and features a great cast led by Christopher Reeve as Superman. It is a highly enjoyable story, and I highly recommend it.
What is Superman rated?
Superman is rated PG-13, which means it can only be watched by people 13 years of age or older. It is not recommended for viewers under the age of 13, due to some adult situations. Q: What is the best movie in the MCU? That is an
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