WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Superman & Lois Season 2, Episode 7, “Anti-Hero,” which premiered Tuesday, March 8 on The CW.
Once Superman & Lois moved Tyler Hoechlin’s Clark Kent moved back to Smallville, many expected sparks to fly between him and Lana Lang at the first opportunity. However, that didn’t materialize because Clark was happily married to Lois with sons Jordan and the secretive Jon, while Lana had her husband Kyle and her girls. But then Superman & Lois Season 2 shattered Lana’s life by revealing that Kyle cheated on her — and while Lana is indeed leaning on someone, it’s not Clark.
Recent episodes have seen Kyle leave home to give Lana and their heartbroken daughter Sarah space. Though Sarah’s recent story arc has helped her heal, Lana has been in dire need of a friend. The latest installment “Anti-Hero” subverted the expected Clark and Lana bonding by letting Lana rely on Clark’s wife Lois instead, and that change has made the plotline feel much more organic than pushing her toward her old BFF.
Clark did check in on Lana, but Lois was the one really being that shoulder to lean on. She met up with Lana, offering advice on family while allowing her to vent about the incredible challenge her family now faces. Lois listened and related to Lana in a way a man couldn’t, giving a female perspective from one of DC’s most iconic female characters. She also reminded Lana of her resolve, which inspired Lana to confront her mayoral opponent George Dean at a rally. She chided him for putting her family dispute in the press as part of their political rivalry. His actions were toxic and unbecoming of a leader, but Lana vowed to fight on, embarrassing Dean in the public domain.
That moment displayed the kind of bravery that could make voters understand empathy and compassion, swaying votes to Lana as she tries to create meaningful, non-corrupt change in the dusty Kansas town. What Superman & Lois also had Lois do was open Lana’s mind to the idea of forgiveness — something Lois did with her dad Sam and which she’s trying to do with her Lucy (who’s back in Ally Allston’s dark cult). In that way, their chat is also helping Lois recover and fight her own demons.
Lana’s story arc in Superman & Lois has been about Lana becoming the fighter she was always meant to be, which may even involve giving Kyle a second chance. That might not be as a husband, but instead as a friend, so he can be there for their kids. Having Kyle to rely on will help Lana out a lot, because her political campaign is stressful and should she win and be elected Smallville’s next mayor, she won’t have room for any distractions — family-related or otherwise.
The show’s writers have made a very smart move by having Lana and Lois connect, rather than revisiting the cliched arc of Lana going back to Clark for solace. They ended their romantic relationship in their early teen years, so she doesn’t even know he’s the Man of Steel. If they were to go down this road it would be with a certain degree of secrecy, but with Lois, there’s an organic sisterhood working both ways that helps make both characters better and creates the best friend pairing this incarnation of Smallville deserves.
To see how Lois helps Lana cope and heal, watch Superman & Lois, Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.
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