More Superman

Watched the last two episodes of Season One of LOIS & CLARK last night. Having not looked at this series in years, I’m amazed at how good these were. With the coldest of calculation, Lex buys the Daily Planet, demotes or fires those closest to Lois, then blows up the Planet, framing a young employee for the crime. Having trapped Superman in a Kryptonite cage, he proceeds to take Lois to the altar (Phyllis Coates, who played Lois in Season One of the George Reeves series, plays her mother), all the while plotting to kill her after the nuptials. The story was easy to follow, the pace fast, the characters believable. Then there were those little touches that underscored the humanity of the players without wallowing in their sorrows (ala a certain misnamed and misguided series on CW): Here’s Perry telling another story about his beloved Elvis. Here’s Superman, in the wake of Lois’ engagement to Lex, flying to the frozen north where he can be alone to shout, “NOOOO!” Here’s Lex in blue tights and red cape taking a virtual reality flight over the city–his city now–observing with glee the deteriorating lives of his adversaries.

Don’t worry, though. It comes out all right!