The following contains spoilers for Superman & Lois Season 3, Episode 10, "Collison Course," which debuted May 30 on The CW.
As Season 3 of Superman & Lois continues, the Kents have many problems on their hands. While it seems like they're coping with Lois' cancer, Steel has turned into a killer, disrupting the moral stance of the crew. Not to mention, Bruno Mannheim is readying the hounds of war in retaliation.
Bruno wants his wife, Peia, back from the Department of Defense, so Clark has to be wary of his next move. Unfortunately, the latest episode heaps more headache on Clark thanks to Jordan's insubordination. In the process, Superman & Lois carves out more than just one callback to Smallville, with a warm nostalgic cut added in to make the show even better.
Superman & Lois Dubs Jordan 'The Blur'
"The Blur" is quite a title in the Superman mythos on TV. It's what Tom Welling's Clark was called for most of Smallville. Even when he went to Metropolis, the press dubbed him The Blur due to him using his speed to avoid cameras and prying eyes as he evolved from a boy in Kansas to the Man of Steel in the concrete jungle.
This distinguished moniker is thrown Jordan's way when he rescues Sarah and George Jr. from a car crash. The way Jordan speeds in as the car careens off the road is very visually reminiscent of Smallville, especially with the slow-motion aesthetic. It adds style to the show, with the CGI advancements making it smoother and more of a spectacle. Notably, when George Jr. reports the incident to the cops, he mentions how he saw a Blur, thinking a metahuman saved them.
This once more plays up how Smallville's Clark was a vigilante who had to lie and stay in the shadows. Coincidentally, Jordan's trying to hide, but Kyle (Sarah's dad) is hunting him. This gives Jordan a big arc of power and responsibility, informing how he has to manage his powers. Sadly, unlike a more responsible Smallville hero, Jordan's younger and more immature, drinking at a party and then enacting this feat. Thus, the new Blur is more flawed and human, leaving fans wondering how long he can stay out of the limelight. And if he can maintain composure after growing jealous in the wake of Sarah ending their romance.
Superman & Lois Inverts Smallville's Granny Goodness
Another deep Smallville cut comes with Christine Willes portraying Governor Wexler. She comes to town to meet with Lana about her mayoral role. In the process, she inspires Lana to keep kicking butt and to remain a strong woman. Like Lana, she kicked a cheating husband to the curb and is all about woman power. It motivates Lana because she does want to be valued for her work. And the seasoned Wexler does just that -- appreciating her as a person and professional.
This will buoy Lana and remove doubt as she tries to keep improving the dusty farm town. But notably, it flips Willes' past with the Superman lore on its head. That's because she played Granny Goodness on Smallville, helping Darkseid invade Earth. It honored the comics where she led the Furies and acts as a force of oppression against women. But in this case, her role is more about liberation and feminists taking charge, doing the opposite of what Granny would do. Here, she's imploring and empowering Lana to break the patriarchy, which ultimately has fans wondering what other Smallville Easter eggs will bleed over to Superman & Lois.
Superman & Lois airs Tuesdays at 8 pm ET/PT on The CW.