The House of El: Superman, Smallville & The DCU

Superman and Lois | 3x01 and 3x02 - "Closer" and "Uncontrollable Forces" Part II

·1 hr 32 min·5 clips

Clark rebuilds the Fortress in the Pacific Ocean, with Lara replacing Jor-El as keeper, while a new actor plays Jonathan Kent.

The episode is a review and analysis of the first two episodes of Superman & Lois season three. Hosts Derek and Tucker, veterans of the long-running Superman podcast Starkville's House of El, reunite for this discussion. They note the show's time jump of 27 days after the world-altering events of season two, with a deliberate lack of recap to signal a fresh start. The new Fortress of Solitude, located in the ocean and now overseen by Lara (Clark's Kryptonian mother), is a key change. Actor Michael Bishop has replaced Jordan Elsass as Jonathan Kent, a recast the hosts attribute to late pre-production timing. Lois Lane's storyline involves investigating Bruno Mannheim and Intergang, but she discovers she has stage three inflammatory breast cancer, not a pregnancy. This personal villain becomes a central emotional arc, with Clark powerless to fight it. Jordan Kent grapples with his flying abilities and the moral weight of hearing cries for help he cannot always answer. The episodes introduce villains like Onomatopoeia, a character from Green Arrow comics, and Adamman, a returning foe with new powers. Subplots include Lana Lang as Smallville's mayor dealing with political corruption, Kyle Cushing's divorce and new relationship with Chrissy Beppo, and Natalie Irons adjusting to life on this Earth. The hosts analyze narrative choices, comparing this season's more measured, character-driven start to season two's faster pace. They also discuss the impending introduction of Lex Luthor, played by Michael Cudlitz, and the show's place in the post-CW Arrowverse. The review blends plot summary, character analysis, and speculation on future arcs.

As heard by us

A Smallville-era reunion gives this Superman and Lois recap warmth, continuity, and a note of AI unease.

This Superman and Lois TV Talk works best as a reunion as much as a recap. Derek and Tucker settle back into their Smallville rhythm while working through "Closer" and "Uncontrollable Forces," from Mayor George Dean's odd party appearance to the childhood-photo montage, Clark…

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Why you'd press play

You want Superman and Lois talk with Derek and Tucker's Smallville-era podcast history in the room.

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