The following contains spoilers for Superman & Lois Season 3, Episode 2, "Uncontrollable Forces," which debuted March 21 on The CW. This article also discusses suicide.
As Superman & Lois Season 3 continues, Tyler Hoechlin's Clark Kent and Elizabeth Tulloch's Lois have a lot on their plate. Clark's dealing with Onomatopoeia, while Lois has secret medical check-ups after it turns out that she's not pregnant. Admittedly, her expressions do paint an ominous sign, although she keeps it all mysterious.
It leads to a disconnect in Episode 2, "Uncontrollable Forces," although Lois has to put aside her issues when she unearths a conspiracy involving Bruno Mannheim. This results in the show subverting All-Star Superman's most emotional moment. However, it makes it better by pivoting on Lois and the heartbreaking journey to come for the intrepid reporter.
Superman & Lois Retools All-Star Superman's Regan Angle
Superman & Lois has the Kents tracking down Judge Reagan to find out why Atom-Man was released from jail and how he got powers. Sadly, he died battling Superman, so Lois presses Reagan for her paperwork. However, after Bruno Mannheim's goons intimidated the judge, she tries to jump off her roof, which leads to Lois saving her.
Lois reassures her that "she's stronger than she thinks," nodding to All-Star Superman's arc where Kal-El stopped a young girl, Regan, from jumping. He told Regan the same thing, continuing the show's use of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely's 2005 miniseries as an influence. That story made Superman more human after he was diagnosed with cancer, leaving fans wondering how life would be without the superhero.
As Superman flies back after confronting Bruno, he hears Lois telling Reagan she has a fight of her own. Lois has breast cancer -- a secret she's been keeping from Clark. As Reagan comes down and seeks treatment, Clark flies over to Lois, stunned as he knows they now have to break it to their boys: Jon, who's getting over his drug use, and Jordan, who's evolving as Superboy, linking to the series' theme of love, family and unity.
Superman & Lois' Big Moment Is Better on Two Fronts
Lois saving Reagan is much better than Clark saving a human because it speaks to the power of Lois' spirit. While she's a dogged journalist, she has compassion and empathy, so this is a brilliant way of turning what she sees as a weakness into a strength, convincing Reagan they can both overcome their hurdles. It resonates more than Superman, a godlike being, telling a person struggling with mental health that things will get better, which can feel a tad patronizing, even if it's not intended.
Additionally, Lois as the hero inverts All-Star Superman's cancer arc, leaving the twins, Clark and viewers wondering (and worrying) about a world without Lois. She's been the bedrock of the series, leading the charge against villains like Tal-Rho and Parasite, with Superman as the muscle backing her up. Now, she's worried about the gap she'll leave as a mother and wife, making it much more relatable to the average viewer. Ultimately, it's all about vulnerability and mortality, which All-Star Superman leaned into, though it focused on a superpowered person. In this case, it feels like the consequences are real, and that Superman & Lois Season 3 is taking a brave turn for an iconic DC character whose loss will be felt in a much more believable, tragic arc.
Superman & Lois airs Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. on The CW.