Reactions: Wow. Wowowowowowow
Where to watch: HBO Max

I started watching this series years ago and loved Tyler Hoechlin as Superman (I may like him more as Supes than even David Corenswet, but it’s probably a tie). Years ago I finished the first two seasons and was totally vibing with the premise: Superman and Lois are married and have moved back to Smallville where they’re raising their two teenage twin sons Jonathan and Jordan. But then I hit the third season and stalled out. I’m so glad I picked it back up recently.

Now, let me be clear. Season 1 lays a great foundation for the series. Season 2 is badass – We get Bizarro Superman, and John Henry Irons as Steel and humans taking “XK” (a drug from kryptonite) to get powers. Great TV! Then the colossal turd that is Season 3 plops itself down and nearly ruins the series. It’s so fucking boring. Season 3 is the reason I gave up originally and almost gave up again. It’s largely about Lois having cancer. If you like two-minute long pondering shots of Lois sitting in a chair getting chemo, this this season is for you. Even the villain arc isn’t very compelling. And there’s not much superpower action.

Here’s the deal about Season 3, though… Listen to me carefully: SLOG THROUGH IT. Because what awaits you on the other side is one of the best seasons of superhero tv ever filmed. Season 4 is fucking awesome. Lex Luthor is the season’s villain. He creates the monster Doomsday and Superman has to face him repeatedly. Superman dies in his battle with Doomsday in the first episode (no spoilers since this is how Superman died in the comics). But he comes back, albeit weakened. Which leads to fascinating dynamics around him learning to lean on other powered folks like Steel and others, something that Superman has never had to do before. We also witness Superman revealing his identity to the world and the consequences of doing so.

In the final episode Superman battles Doomsday again, and the way the writers ended this second battle had me in tears. Then he has to battle Lex who has stolen Steel’s suit and improved it to be stronger than Superman. After everyone has saved the day, the viewers are then treated to 15 minutes of the most perfect storytelling in a series finale ever written. I did not stop crying the entire time. Superman narrates how he lived out his life. We watch as Lois passes away. Then we see Superman start to fade. And we’re treated to a poetic and beautiful ending to the man who saved the world so many times over. The ending is reminiscent of the Six Feet Under series finale closing scene – another truly perfect ending to a series.

Every minute of slog in Season 3 is worth it for those last fifteen minutes of the series. But the entire final season is absolute perfection. I loved it so so so much. Go watch Superman & Lois.