'Superman & Lois' Impresses Critics

         On October 7, 2024, The CW premiered the fourth and final season 'Superman & Lois', which has earned predominantly positive notices from critics. In the series, "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." The ensemble cast includes Tyler Hoechlin, Elizabeth Tulloch, Yvonne Chapman, Michael Bishop, Alex Garfin, Michael Cudlitz, Emmanuelle Chriqui, and Erik Valdez. But what did the critics say?

       Felipe Rangel of Screen Rant says, "Superman & Lois is back for its final season. That was not always the plan, which was meant to include at least seven seasons of the popular DC series. Still, with changes at The CW, DC Studios, and the arrival of David Corenswet's Superman in theaters next year, it was decided that Superman & Lois season 4 would be the series' swan song. The show's final season picks up where Superman & Lois season 3's ending left off, with Superman and Doomsday going head-to-head." Continuing, "I had the chance to watch the first three episodes of Superman & Lois season 4, and I was impressed by how high the stakes were in every episode. There is no way to talk about Superman & Lois season 4 without speaking about Michael Cudlitz's Lex Luthor. The actor had already shown that he was the real deal when Lex appeared in the final two episodes of season 3. Cudlitz is back and better than ever in the role, making Lex Luthor the most terrifying villain the DC series has ever seen." 

       Michael Thomas of Collider notes, "The Death of Superman” is one of the Man of Steel’s most famous comic book storylines, as it sees him battle against the vicious monster Doomsday. While the comic book might be one of Superman’s more popular titles, it’s not known for its depth. Its narrative is pretty hollow, leaning into the shock value of Superman’s demise. Thankfully, when adapting this arc, the showrunners remembered that character-driven stories are where Superman & Lois always shines brightest." Continuing, "Hoechlin and Tulloch’s performances as DC's premiere power couple have always felt genuine, but one could argue Hoechlin’s Clark Kent is easily the best live-action take on the character since Christopher Reeve donned the cape. Superman & Lois's version of Clark is invincible, but he's also a flawed being who only wants to do what is right for his family and those close to him. This season asks the question: "What happens if Superman is gone?" After all, he’s not just the symbol of hope in his family; the entire world looks to him as their guiding light. Once we reach that moment, the series takes a turn, as Jon (Michael Bishop) and Jordan (Alex Garfin) grieve their father’s death while Lois (who still has cancer) tries to hold the family together. Writing a character as big as Superman out of the story can be quite the challenge, especially with Hoechlin’s incredibly dynamic take on the Man of Steel being such an essential part of the show. However, the cast is more than capable of carrying on without him as Tulloch’s Lane takes center stage. As the show's title suggests, the series is just as much about Lois as it is about Superman, and Tulloch's performance elevates the character from the damsel-in-distress love interest we're often used to seeing and gives her much more to work with. She's a mother, a journalist, and the only one who is capable of helping this family move forward, even though she herself is struggling. Tulloch's nuanced take on Lois instantly makes this ordeal more compelling because we are entirely bought into her and Clark's romance." 

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'Joan' Reviews: Series is "great fun"

         On October 2, 2024, The CW premiered 'Joan', which has earned predominantly positive reviews from critics, currently holding at 60% on Rotten Tomatoes. In the series, "Joan Hannington, a fiery and uncompromising woman in her 20s, is a devoted mother to her 6-year-old daughter, Kelly, but is trapped in a disastrous marriage with a violent criminal named Gary. When Gary goes on the run, Joan seizes the opportunity to create a new life for herself and her daughter. Adopting new identities and making new acquaintances along the way, Joan becomes a masterful jewel thief. She embarks on a thrilling, high-stakes journey that challenges her every limit, driven by her desire to create a secure home." The ensemble cast includes Sophie Turner, Frank Dillane, Kirsty J. Curtis, and Gershwyn Eustache Jnr. But what did they say? 

       Caroline Siede of AV Club notes, "Sophie Turner has spent the first part of her career coming of age—initially in her phenomenal work as Sansa Stark on Game Of Thrones, then in her far more uneven turn as Jean Grey in the X-Men film series. Even her highly public pop-star marriage and divorce felt like it had the beats of a coming-of-age story, with eternal teen-girl icon Taylor Swift swooping in to save the day. Now, however, Turner is firmly entering her grown-up era with Joan, a British-American co-production loosely inspired by a real-life 1980s jewel thief named Joan Hannington. The story of a young mother stepping into her power, Joan is rooted more in crime-thriller tropes than young-adult ones. And while the series as a whole lacks a certain spark, it provides a strong platform to launch the next phase of Turner’s career."

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       Lacy Baugher of Paste Magazine says, "While Turner does her best, Joan is a drama that can’t quite decide what it wants to be, often choosing the safest and least interesting path by which to tell the story of its notorious central figure." Adding, "As a result, Joan often feels more like a domestic thriller than it does a true crime drama, and while its focus on its titular character’s struggle to reunite with her daughter is emotionally fraught, there’s not much here that feels new or exciting. The show pokes at some interesting ideas about female ambition and the challenges of being taken seriously in a man’s world—even when that world is full of criminals—but it never really takes any of them far enough, choosing instead to default back to Joan’s relationship drama with Boisie and the question of how she’ll ever manage to reclaim Kelly from foster care."

       Lucy Mangan of Guardian praises the series, stating, "It’s great fun, holding the genuine grief and fears behind Joan’s courage nicely in tension with the glorious adrenaline rushes and addictive glamour of the heists and Spanish smuggling jaunts. Turner – at least in the two episodes available for review – never lets us lose sight of the anxious mother in the criminal, nor the core of desperation that drives her."