The following contains spoilers for Superman & Lois Season 3, Episode 9, "The Dress," which debuted May 23 on The CW.
It's hard to deny Superman & Lois' renewal delay has fans on edge. The series has been set up so well to elaborate on the friends and family the Man of Steel has. From Lois Lane's cancer arc to Natalie and John Henry Irons Steel armors to Lex Luthor's arrival, there are many threads for a couple more seasons.
Interestingly, The Flash showrunner Eric Wallace has admitted he's willing to pitch ideas to add to the series. He wants to bring other Arrowverse characters into play to continue the vision DCTV had early on. However, while fans hope the Kents get more time to tell their story, the series doesn't need the baggage of the Arrowverse to succeed.
Superman & Lois' Strength is Freedom From the Arrowverse
Superman & Lois has some connections to the Arrowverse. Tyler Hoechlin has done a remarkable job as a human Clark Kent, while John Diggle showed up to kickstart the Intergang war with Bruno Mannheim. Other than that, however, Superman & Lois' strength is how fresh it feels.
Of course, nostalgics wouldn't mind fan-service if characters cameo, such as Oliver Queen as the Spectre, or a familiar Flash arriving. But this regresses the evolution of the series. It would just raise questions like where's Melissa Benoist's Supergirl when Jordan as Superboy and Nat as Steel 2.0 already take up space in terms of the mentorship and extended family arc respectively. It's also a problem the DC films have suffered from, namely by convoluting continuity and leaving the main narrative unstable.
The last thing fans want as well is for Diggle to become a Green Lantern, only for the show to under-deliver. His arc already feels forced as he's not been seen since. Thus, by pulling in more of the Arrowverse, Superman & Lois will be sacrificing integrity for cheap cameos that may not pay off down the line. It would be frustrating for a show that's always worked in a self-confined space, and which doesn't need an Arrowverse that has run its course.
Superman & Lois Can Create a Super-Family Universe
It's safe to say the human approach has worked best for Superman & Lois, with Lois and Clark's family thriving on the Kent farm in Smallville. Sam Lane is also a better character with more nuance as the leader of the Department of Defense. Even Lana Lang's family feels fleshed out. Notably, everyone is synchronized when threats come to town, creating a Super-Family Universe that really feels like a natural progression of the House of El on Earth. Thus, there's no need to disrupt or reinvent that wheel with old faces.
At best, Superman & Lois can actually focus on new faces, effectively reinforcing this is a different Earth in the Multiverse. This even keeps it separate from Titans and Doom Patrol, which have their own tones, ensuring nothing can bleed over to affect Superman & Lois' creative synergy. It can even introduce more obscure DC heroes who are not associated with either the Arrowverse's version of the Justice League or the Snyderverse iteration. While old faces may be ready for new arcs, Superman & Lois should offer work opportunities to new actors, complete with new spins to build the canvas out more.
By shifting away from the past, Superman & Lois can continue to use the formula that makes it succeed. It's already done so by avoiding Star Labs and other Arrowverse staples, which can now open the door for new DCU locations and characters to appear. These characters can even get spinoffs in a world fans and critics adore. Ultimately, Superman & Lois is all about growth and the new generation. Superman & Lois should continue on this trajectory looking at originality to chart a unique, wholesome future.
Superman & Lois airs Tuesdays at 8 pm ET/PT on The CW.