When entering a new relationship, one of the most thrilling aspects is imagining what it would be like to live with that person – waking up next to them, cooking dinner together, and simply being around them. Conversely, the nightmare version of that scenario is what Clark is experiencing as this episode kicks off: General Lane – a fleeing member of Task Force X, an overly protective father, and a vocal critic of Superman – is crashing on Clark and Jimmy’s couch. Spoilers ahead for My Adventures with Superman Season 2, Episode 3.
“Fullmetal Scientist”
Almost every episode of My Adventures with Superman has felt significantly impactful to the series, introducing new concepts that change the world around Superman and his friends. In contrast, this episode feels inconsequential.
General Lane is residing with Clark and Jimmy. Meanwhile, Amertek is revealing its new Metallo defense robots. Superman saves scientist Silas Stone from a burning apartment and watches a commercial for Amertek featuring John Henry Irons. Jimmy faces the reality of being a boss, and Lois receives an enticing offer from her greatest rival/idol.
Lois’ Adventures With Superman
This show primarily focuses on the relationship between Lois and Clark. As the title suggests, we’ve had Superman: The Animated Series, and now My Adventures with Superman. This approach has its pros and cons. By constantly highlighting their relationship, the show alleviates the pressure of always giving Superman something to do each week. Both Clark and Superman are vital aspects of this character, representing the ego and superego of the same person. This framework allows for a more natural portrayal of the character, where both personas coexist without one overshadowing the other. They simply feel like the same individual.
However, the actual events in this episode seem to set the stage for future storylines rather than being exciting on their own.
The core of the drama lies in the relationship between Lois and Clark. While there are no arguments, they also fail to communicate effectively. This realistic aspect is often overshadowed by the show’s fast-paced nature. Every time Clark attempts to talk, he is interrupted by Lois’ busy schedule, leading to a sense of wasted time.
Villainous Anticipation
Similarly, the villains are gradually building up to something, but the anticipation doesn’t feel ominous, just tedious. There are various threads involving Amanda Waller and Task Force X, the potential emergence of Cyborg Superman Hank Henshaw, and Lex Luthor’s acquisition of AmerTek and its new Metallo robots. While these elements hold promise, the current narrative leaves me waiting for a significant development.
Even Superman’s advancements in this episode lack the impact seen in previous instances. The character’s evolution usually occurs under great stress, but this time, it feels underplayed. The introduction of his bioaura extension power is not thoroughly explored, making it seem less impactful. While the anime-inspired elements add a unique touch, I prefer Superman to remain more grounded and less magical. The lack of discussion around this new ability diminishes its significance.
Overall, I hope My Adventures with Superman returns to its focused storytelling, where every event holds weight for at least one character, rather than serving as mere setup episodes.
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