Superman on Television
Lois & Clark: Episode Reviews
Reviewed by: Adam Dechanel
Season 1
- Pilot
- Strange Visitor (from Another Planet)
- Neverending Battle
- I'm Looking Through You
- Requiem for a Superhero
- I've Got a Crush on You
- Smart Kids
- The Green, Green Glow of Home
- The Man of Steel Bars
- Pheromone, My Lovely
- Honeymoon in Metropolis
- All Shook Up
- Witness
- Illusions of Grandeur
- The Ides of Metropolis
- Foundling
- The Rival
- Vatman
- Fly Hard
- Barbarians at the Planet
- The House of Luthor
Season 1 - Episode 1: "Pilot"
Original Air Date: September 12, 1993Written by Deborah Joy LeVine - Directed by Robert Butler
Notable Guest Stars: Elizabeth Barondes, Kim Johnston Ulrich, Mel Winkler, Kenneth Tigar
Trivia!
Elizabeth Barondes who played Lucy Lane also co-starred with Teri Hatcher in the thriller Cool Surface which became famous amongst Teri's fans for two very special reasons.
Rating - 5 (out of 5): When the trailers for this movie began airing I was very curious. Who were these people dancing around in black and white inviting us to visit Metropolis in the nineties?
Naturally I had to watch. In fact I had not picked up a Superman comic on a regular basis until this aired and it actually got me to where I am today. Lois Lane is depicted as a beautiful, strong and confident woman hiding her insecurities behind her tough exterior and strong portfolio of work.
First off no the effects aren't amazing. They were never meant to be. The point of the show was never ever to be effects driven. This was all about the two lovers Clark Kent and Lois Lane. It's fairly obvious that it is derivative of Man of Steel but with its own tweaks to make it fresh.
It's just the right amount of comedy, drama and romance. The only thing I felt it did suffer from is the Kenneth Johnson's Hulk curse (i.e. limiting Superman to minimal screen time.) Would have loved to see Clark do more super things but then that would have killed the ethos of the show from the start...
Season 1 - Episode 2: "Strange Visitor"
Original Air Date: September 26, 1993Written by Bryce Zabel - Directed by Randall Zisk
Notable Guest Stars: Elizabeth Barondes (Lucy Lane), George Murdock, Joseph Campanella, and Terrence Knox as "Jason Trask"
Trivia!
Neverending Battle is actually the direct follow up to the movie but Strange visitor aired first...
Rating - 4 (out of 5): Bureau 39 arrives with a bang and though the episode is a REALLY good one and left me hoping for the return of Trask and company it hurt that the episode was aired in the wrong order.
Clark only just became Superman and now everything about his past falls into place... Lois after a five-minute meeting has her hard drive chock full of Superman information and the polygraph test, after such a limited meeting with the man of steel how could they take one?
Luthor having a distinct grudge against Superman waits a fortnight to start up a plan to measure up an opponent? Not if we believe the pilot.
Like I said this is a brilliant episode but it suffers from schedule mess up.
Season 1 - Episode 3: "Neverending Battle"
Original Air Date: October 3, 1993Written by Dan Levine - Directed by Gene Reynolds
Notable Guest Stars: Elizabeth Barondes (Lucy Lane), Larry Linville, Roy Brocksmith, Miguel A. Nunez, Jr., Tony Jay, Brent Jennings
Blooper!
Clarks shirt changes back and forth from red to blue in the pilot.
Rating - 3 (out of 5): This episode is far better as an episode following the pilot. Superman is tested as a hero on a moral level and on a super powered basis too. His struggle was genuinely a heartfelt one and his strength as a man overcoming his fears gave us a hero worthy of his name. It's a shame we had to wait till the third episode to see what Superman could really do.
Season 1 - Episode 4: "I'm Looking Through You"
Original Air Date: October 10, 1993Written by Deborah Joy LeVine - Directed by Mark Sobel
Notable Guest Stars: Leslie Jordan, Patrika Darbo, Jim Beaver, Thomas Ryan, Jack Carter
Blooper!
One of the invisible men seems to loose his arm in the gold repository and not because of the suit.
Rating - 4 (out of 5): It's an episode that really mixes up the chalk and cheese characteristics of Lois and Clark. The comedic element of the invisible man and the campness it usually involves is played in a slick fashion. The twist that it its not about being scientifically invisible is a good one that shows the writers really know how to put a twist on things without resorting to the mundane. The convicts don't seem too deadly but it was nice to see how Clark devised a way to stop them and a feasible one that wasn't too 'Star Trek' it shows he can actually use his brain despite his reliance on Batman in the comics.
Season 1 - Episode 5: "Requiem for a Superhero"
Original Air Date: October 17, 1993Written by Robert Killebrew - Directed by Randall Zisk
Notable Guest Stars: Denis Arndt (Sam Lane), Matt Roe, Joe Sabatino
Trivia!
Dr. Sam Lane, like Lucy switches actors as seasons progress and he also loses his hard edge. Sam Lane is a seasoned army vet in the comics rather than the bionic specialist he is here.
Rating - 3 (out of 5): We get to see more of Lois' family and what made her the woman she is. Her frosty relationship with her father, though nice for perspective it seemed a little forced to throw him into the ring as such. Luthor's involvement is a surprise but further cements his 'Man Of Steel' adaptation. How he steals the glory still irks me now. What a creep.
Season 1 - Episode 6: "I've Got A Crush On You"
Original Air Date: October 24, 1993Written by Thania St. John - Directed by Gene Reynolds
Notable Guest Stars: Jessica Tuck, Michael Milhoan, Johnny Williams
Rating - 3 (out of 5): It's an episode where Lois not only shows us more undercover work, but her sexual side too. The high points have to be comedicÊiteration of Lola Dane and Charlie involving a dumpster, a chicken suit and a show stopping solo.
It's a stock episode with themes that appear in almost every science fiction show and though they work extremely hard to write in the twists its still evident that the theme is one we've seen before. This is a fault many shows have and two or three episodes this season are stock episodes.
Trivia!
The Toastmasters which John Henry Irons AKA Steel designed in the comics make an appearance this episode though Lex Luthor is behind them this time round.
Season 1 - Episode 7: "Smart Kids"
Original Air Date: October 31, 1993Written by Dan Levine - Directed by Robert Singer
Notable Guest Stars: Courtney Peldon, Scott McAfee, Jonathan Hernandez, Michael Cavanaugh.
Trivia!
This episode was the first directed by Robert Singer who later became the show's executive producer.
Rating - 5 (out of 5): Super smart kids able to get the better of Superman, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor and teach Cat Grant a few things make this episode a fun one. It's always fun to see kids take over. To see them get the better of Luthor not once, twice but three times shows they have great promise.
I really hoped they'd make a return in later episodes to spread more pranks and plots as they had possibly maybe also deduced Clark's secret. Alas 'twas not to be...
Season 1 - Episode 8: "The Green, Green Glow of Home"
Original Air Date: November 14, 1993Written by Bryce Zabel - Directed by Les Landau
Trivia!
Sharon Thomas, Dean Cain's mother, makes her first cameo appearance. Lana Lang & Pete Ross were originally supposed to be in this episode, but for reasons dealing with Superboy, Wayne Irig was written in to replace them.
Clark only appears in costume in the pre-credit teaser this episode.
Rating - 4 (out of 5): Bureau 39 return and take no prisoners in hunting the Man of Steel. Their ruthless hunt is expertly complimented by Lois' misconceptions of country residents and Clark experiencing life as a mortal.
My only two downers after watching this episode are the facts Lana is never mentioned and that Bureau 39 is written out. They were easily the best villains of the season, on par with Lex himself.
Season 1 - Episode 9: "Man of Steel Bars"
Original Air Date: November 21, 1993Written by Paris Qualles - Directed by Robert Butler
Notable Guest Stars: Richard Fancy, Rosalind Cash, Haunani Minn, Elaine Kagan, Tony Jay, Tom LaGrua, Sonny Bono
Trivia!
Sonny Bono is one half of the once famous duo Sonny and Cher.
Rating - 4 (out of 5): Innovative in plot, but leading to Clark again doubting whether he should be Superman at all. He seems to doubt himself more thanÊSpider-man in the show sometimes. A fault of the DC revamp I suppose but Lois being the one who saves the day is nice, she doesn't really do that in the books so it's a nice touch.
It was a little weird to see Clark not being able to be super despite his being able to suppress it for years before donning the cape. For that and his lack of belief in himself I dock it a point.
Season 1 - Episode 10: "Pheromone, My Lovely"
Original Air Date: November 28, 1993Written by Deborah Joy LeVine, Directed by Bill D'Elia
Notable Guest Stars: Tony Jay, Morgan Fairchild
Blooper!
The pilot is clearly a man. Watch Miranda's hands during the episode!
Rating - 4 (out of 5): Another stock episode with the whole love potion making the cast act stupidly schtick. However this is a four simply for Cat Grant. Her photocopier scenes make the episode a joy As was theÊrealization she was the only one not to be sprayed! Lex Luthor'sÊwomanizing ways are reinforced again with another woman used and discarded by the billionaire no wonder he has so many offspring hidden away.
Lois also reveals she deep down knows there is more to Clark and Superman then she'd been led to believe. Its clear both the writers and actors are having a ball being allowed to play outside of their characters usual constraints. Silly theme but a absolute hoot. To watch.
Season 1 - Episode 11: "Honeymoon in Metropolis"
Original Air Date: December 12, 1993Written by Dan LeVine - Directed by James A. Contner
Notable Guest Stars: Charles R. Frank, Charles Cyphers, and Richard Libertini as "Sore Throat"
Trivia!
This was actually #12 in the order of production. For some reason the episode that ended up being #13, "Witness," was pushed back a month. If you watch "Witness" closely you'll notice some Christmas decorations.
Rating - 3 (out of 5): I thought the premise was good but the undertaking was a bit weak. My friend Ali asked me to rate it high because it taught her Japanese like Cat.
High points are Cat in the Suite and Lois proving she sort of, kind of can take a night off - well ok, showing she can't!
Lois and Clark prove living alone as singletons comes easier to them than coupledom. Was Chumpy ever proven to be a real word? LOL
Lex seemed forced into the episode and Sore Throat seemed like a lost joke on me and for that two points are lost.
Season 1 - Episode 12: "All Shook Up"
Original Air Date: January 2, 1994Teleplay by Bryce Zabel - Story by Jackson Gillis - Directed by Felix Enriquez Alcala
Trivia!
This episode was based on the 1950's Adventures of Superman episode "Panic in the Sky." This episode was also done with similar themes in an episode of Superboy the previous year.
Rating - 4 (out of 5): Another stock episode, with the only two redeeming features being Cat trying to con Clark she's his boyfriend and Martha Kent pushing her son off a rooftop. If not for these scenes I would have switched off.
Comedy in the sci fi element seems to be the first seasons strength. It excels making us feel good where the special effects try very hard to keep up. Good writing is how to make a truly memorable show. I remember more episodes of Lois & Clark than practically any from Smallville's run!
Season 1 - Episode 13: "Witness"
Original Air Date: January 9, 1994Written by Bradley Moore - Directed by Mel Damski
Notable Guest Stars: Charlie Dell, Richard Belzer Claudette Nevins, Brian George, William Mesnik, Phil Mickelson, Elliot Gould as "Vincent Winninger"
Trivia!
This was originally scheduled to be episode #11.
Queer As Folk star Hal Sparks makes his television debut as a reckless skateboarder this episode.
Rating - 2 (out of 5): A pretty dull episode. No matter how you disguise it all the red herrings and twists scream of lack or storylining - a shame considering the strengths of the series. Nice to try to mix the formula up a little but still comes off as a little... lackluster.
They try to up the ante of suspense and suspicion and after a great start, after Winninger's death the episode spirals into doldrums.
Mr Make Up is less fun than his reappearance later on but the concept of a master make up artist is a decent one. Just not brilliantly executed.
Season 1 - Episode 14: "Illusions of Grandeur"
Original Air Date: January 23, 1994Written by Thania St. John - Directed by Michael Watkins
Notable Guest Stars: Ben Vereen, Marietta Deprima, Eve Plumb, Jarrett Lennon, Stephen Burleigh, and Penn Jillette
Blooper!
Where is Metropolis? In Honeymoon in Metropolis its on the sea front. But in the Pilot its near Buffalo...
Rating - 4 (out of 5): Great episode hey Chief? That's brilliant Jimmy!
Watching Lois and Clark at work is fantastic. The comics seem to forget about Clarks real identity all too often or the fact Lois isn't a stay at home wife. The twists in the episode make for interesting viewing and the fact Clark's eyes are proven to be as much a weakness as they are a strength is something the show introduced that was an original theme they explore in future episodes.
The plot of the Magic Channel and the the kidnappings don't really gel together well but the fact they introduce magic in aÊrealistic way it welcome.
Season 1 - Episode 15: "The Ides of Metropolis"
Original Air Date: February 6, 1994Written by Deborah Joy LeVine - Directed by Philip J. Sgriccia
Notable Guest Stars: Melanie Mayron, Paul Gleason, Jennifer Savidge, Tony Jay, Richard Gant, and Todd Susman as "Eugene"
Rating - 2 (out of 5): It's a weird precursor to the internet and broadband connection as the virus is very very fast! Nice idea but it seemed a little silly, fun to see Lex and Nigel, having fun rather than just playing ruthless the detective was a nice addition and it was a shame her character didn't stick around past this episode.
It was Wargames-esque but just not strong enough an episode.
How they finally fought off the virus was so completely cheesy it was worthy of Smallville... shame.
Season 1 - Episode 16: "The Foundling"
Original Air Date: February 20, 1994Written by Dan Levine - Directed by Bill D'Elia
Notable Guest Stars: Chris Demetral (Jack), Richard Belzer (Henderson), Robert Costanza, Tony Jay (Nigel), and David Warner as "Jor-El"
Blooper!
Clark has the empty box. How did Lex get it?
Rating - 4 (out of 5): Clark finally receives messages from the globe he got from Bureau 39 before they fled Metropolis and it reveals to us what happened to his parents. It also introduces Jack who in my opinion is a character that definitely should have stayed beyond the first season.
Some development is always nice, and to finally give Clark some answers and mix up his growing relationship with Lois is great to see. Lois clearly knows Clark is lying to her and as best friends, you can truly feel the hurt she does.
Love the treehouse Fortress of Solitude! Just wish the globe had more to say...
Season 1 - Episode 17: "The Rival"
Original Air Date: February 27, 1994Written by Tony Blake and Paul Jackson - Directed by Michael Watkins
Notable Guest Stars: Nancy Everhard, Dean Stockwell and Bo Jackson
Trivia!
The pre-episode teaser features a basketball game between Clark and Bo Jackson, somewhat spoofing Jackson's "Bo Knows..." commercials from the time.
Rating - 4 (out of 5): It's another episode where comedy wins out. You can clearly see that the show was all about Lois originally as a lot of the first season explore her. The episode introduces us to Linda King one of the best bitchy characters the show has seen and sadly only for this episode. Lois' jealous attitude and aggression towards Linda is compelling viewing and her leaping on the bed is hilarious.
Clark throwing in the towel again was a little much and Quantum Leaps beloved Al saw fit to throw in his campest performance. A shame really as his character could have been such a spine chilling one if he wasn't hammed up so much.
Season 1 - Episode 18: "Vatman"
Original Air Date: March 13, 1994Teleplay by H.B. Cobb & Deborah Joy LeVine - Story by H.B. Cobb - Directed by Randall Zisk
Notable Guest Stars: Cynthia Ettinger, Michael McKean
Trivia!
The tour guide in that scene was played by Cynthia Ettinger, who played Martha Kent in the original Smallville pilot. This episode is an adaption of the Man Of Steel issue introducing Bizarro.
Rating - 3 (out of 5): Bizarro isn't bizarre here. And I had a sharp intake of breath when IÊrealized this was the precursor to the clone saga in a later season. The whole chat in space thing can't work and neither breathing. In All shook up Clark had to wear breathing apparatus to survive in space here he's casually chatting to Bizarro near a stationary satellite.
If this Bizarro had begun to speak in reverse and his skinÊcrystallize I probably wouldn't have had too much of a problem - especially as it had worked in episodes of Superboy. I know it was a new take on the old but perhaps a little too different...
Season 1 - Episode 19: "Fly Hard"
Original Air Date: March 27, 1994Written by Thania St. John - Directed by Philip J. Sgriccia
Notable Guest Stars: Chris Demetral, Macon McCalman, and Robert Beltran
Trivia!
Does Jack know?
This is the last episode to feature Tracy Scoggins as Cat Grant.
Rating - 4 (out of 5): It's another stock episode. The cast play themselves and their 1930's counterparts as they race to solve the mystery of what's buried in the Planet. It's a rare chance to see the cast interacting as people and not as reporters, it further cements them in my mind as a family. And for the next three episodes at least they are that.
Lex is taken down a peg or two when he is saved from death by Clark and his knowledge of healing. Its also referenced again that he travelled a great deal before settling in Metropolis. Its always a good episode to see the smile wiped of Lex's face. Who would have thought Willy could mastermind such a plot!
I for one was sad that Cat vanished after this episode, her scene with the underwear and Lois's murderous glances made we laugh, one can only assume she finally got it together with Arthur Chow.
Season 1 - Episode 20: "Barbarians at the Planet"
Original Air Date: May 1, 1994Written by Dan Levine and Deborah Joy LeVine - Directed by James R. Bagdonas
Notable Guest Stars: Chris Demetral, Patrick Kilpatrick, Castulo Guerra, Beverly Johnson
Trivia!
Tracy Scoggins was not in this episode as Cat Grant; however, she was written in to the original script. The original script had the twist subplot of Cat, her ex-husband and son Adam surprisingly reunite and head off into the sunset.
Rating - 4 (out of 5): The series has been building up to the natural crescendo that begins here. Lex plans to bring his house into order. Seize Lois, destroy the Daily Planet and her family and take what he wants. At the time of watching I felt Lois ragged on Clark so many times for jumping ship or trying to tat when she did especially for someone she knew Clark and Superman had a distaste for was deeply out of character. Of course I knew she did it only to force Superman's hand but it didn't feel like it was believable from her.
The dismantling of the Daily Planet, Perry, Jimmy and Jack was truly heart wrenching and you really felt as though you were part of their family.
I found myself no matter how many times I've seen is - utter an audible plea for Lois to NOT accept Lex's proposal.
Bring on part two!
Season 1 - Episode 21: "The House of Luthor"
Original Air Date: May 8, 1994Written by Deborah Joy LeVine and Dan Levine - Directed by Alan J. Levi
Notable Guest Stars: Chris Demetral, Richard Belzer, Beverly Johnson, Phyllis Coates, and James Earl Jones
Trivia!
This episode was one of the first times Lois admitted to herself that she loved Clark. Perry's best friend Franklin Stern makes an appearance from the comics to save the Planet from destruction. This episode is also the final episodes for several cast and crew when the network and studio demanded changes to the show that took a dramatic turn...
Rating - 4 (out of 5): A bittersweet episode.
Yes it delivered all we'd hoped and asked for - the end of Luthor, but what now... They'd spent so many of the episodes building Lex up as the ultimate evil and to be rid of him left... nothing...
Perry is editor in chief again, Jack is fostered away and Jimmy reinstated as a photo journalist, the Daily Planet is back and better than ever and Clark is crushed Lois rejected his proposal perhaps with a relationship beyond repair.
Though it wrote an end to the show it left so much to be explained and a desperation in the characters and worse inside our hearts for Lois and Clark to be together...
Say what you will about Lois & Clark but it will always be remembered.
Back to the "Lois & Clark - Episode Reviews" Contents page.
Back to the main TELEVISION page.