We are now eight episodes into Superman and Lois season 2. In the latest episode, “Into Oblivion,” we see Mitch Anderson (Ian Bohen) caught up in the dangerous world of Ally Alston (Ryan Kihlstedt), John Henry (Wolé Parks) struggling with memory issues after his fight with Bizarro, Natalie (Tayler Buck) conflicted about trusting Clark (Tyler Hoechlin), Jordan (Alex Garfin) trying to handle Sarah’s friendship with Aubrey, Kyle and Lana joining together in spite of a marital rift, and Jon (Jordan Elsass) facing the consequences of his mistakes. We also see a brainwashed character go so far off the deep end that we’re not sure if she’ll come back. Does this all sound wild? Here is our recap of Superman and Lois season 2, episode 8: “Into Oblivion.”
Superman and Lois Season 2 “Into Oblivion” Summary
We then find ourselves in the Kent home, where everyone is still angry with Jon for his use and possession of XK. Jon still refuses to say he got the drugs from his girlfriend Candice (Samantha Di Francesco), much to Clark and Lois’ (Elizabeth Tulloch) disappointment and Jordan’s confusion. Lois tells him that he is now going to do school online, and he will also be working in a convenience store. While Jordan is at school, he and Sarah (Inde Navarrette) discuss her budding friendship with Aubrey, a girl she kissed during summer camp who she has become friends with to help her through her parents’ separation. Jordan has forgiven her, and he agrees to hang out with them that night. He then super-hears a dealer yelling at Candice about the XK inhalers. He goes and helps her out, but she runs off, and he knows the truth. He meets Jon at his new job and finally forgives him once he realizes that Candice was only selling to protect her dad and that Jon is trying to protect her. That night, Jon is walking Candice home when they are confronted by the dealer. Jordan hears them with his powers and comes to the rescue but misses his meeting with Sarah and Aubrey due to getting some scrapes.
Kyle (Erik Valdez) meets with Lana (Emmanuelle Chriqui) to help prepare her for her mayoral debate. While it’s incredibly awkward given Kyle’s affair, she feels he’s the only one who can help. The situation allows Lana an opportunity to blow off some steam, but he ends up helping her brace herself for the questions about her ability to run the town when “she can’t run her family.” She’s grateful, and he reveals to her that he’s gotten his own place. The future is very unclear for this fractured couple.
John Henry is recovering from his encounter with Bizarro, but his memory seems fuzzy. At one point, he seems to forget that this version of Lois isn’t his wife. His daughter Natalie is still apprehensive and angry that Clark couldn’t rescue him. Natalie knows that Clark isn’t the Superman from her world that killed her mom, but she still sees that version when she sees his face. Clark gives them keys to a place they can rent so Natalie feels less overwhelmed, still hoping that they can get to know each other so she can get past these feelings. She and her dad visit the place, and they both seem hopeful about starting fresh in their own home.
The Inverse Society cult is in the mines and opening a portal into the inverted world. But things go awry when people start disintegrating in the portal. Anderson appears to make it through, stealing Ally’s pendant along the way. Superman shows up in time to save some, but he’s wracked with guilt that he couldn’t save all. Ally is arrested, and Sam Lane (Dylan Walsh) interrogates her for names wanting to know if Lucy (Jenna Dewan) was one of the ones killed. She taunts him, and Lois makes him leave the room. Convinced Lucy is dead; Sam is wracked with guilt. That is until Lucy shows up at their door saying she’s abandoned the Inverse Society. Sam takes her home and talks with her about living arrangements, but the happy reunion is short-lived; he falls over and realizes Lucy drugged his tea. She steals his badge and tells him that she’s going to help Ally get to the other side.
Superman and Lois Season 2 “Into Oblivion” Review
This episode has a lot of tense moments. To see John Henry struggling with his memory is hard to watch. At one point, when Natalie has to remind him that Lois isn’t his wife in this universe, it seems for a moment like he’s lost her again. And Natalie’s confusion and struggle as she sees the face of the man who killed her mom while knowing it isn’t really him are very emotional to watch. Tayler Buck does some terrific acting here.
It’s good to see Jon coming back to himself and recognizing he made a mistake. While it’s frustrating that he’s not telling his parents the truth that they deserve to know, you gotta love Jon for not wanting to ruin someone else’s life. I will be honest; I am waiting for Candice to do the right thing and tell Clark and Lois the truth herself. If she really loves Jon, she won’t let him keep throwing his life down the drain for her. This is my one beef with this episode, as I find this blossoming romance difficult to accept when I find Candice a bit unlikable.
On the subject of Jon, it’s great to see him and Jordan bonding again. Jordan’s been reasonably angry with him since he found out about the X-K, but now that he knows Jon was trying to protect Candice, he’s cutting his brother slack. He maintains the superhero team name he gave them, “The Fraternals,” indicating that he’ll always have his brother’s back. And on a side note, it’s still unclear if Jon will get powers and become Superboy, but when Jordan rescued Candice and Jon from the dealer, I felt we got a glimpse of Jordan’s more heroic fighter side coming out. There are some things to look forward to with Jordan this season.
The interaction between Lana and Kyle was moving and tense to watch. Lana is clearly still hurt, but it’s obvious that she still loves and needs Kyle in her life. Kyle has been a tough character to like since the first season, but it’s clear he feels the weight of his actions. Time will if their marriage can survive his infidelity.
Lucy’s twist at the end actually comes as quite a shock even though it’s delivered in a way that would have been predictable in almost any other show. One watches this play out, and they don’t know whether to pity or be angry with Lucy for being so deceived she would turn on her own family this deeply. This season has really touched on the dangers of cults, including how far they can mess with a person’s mind. I predict that Lucy will wake up to reality at some point, but this is quite a leap into the deep end.
Superman and Lois Season 2 “Into Oblivion” Verdict
“Into Oblivion” may have been the most moving, tense, and shocking episode of Superman and Lois season 2 so far. The performances are excellent, the pacing is intense, and the character interactions are moving to watch. Superman and Lois season 2 is delivering beautifully, and it’s no surprise that it’s been renewed for a third season.
Superman & Lois: Season 2, Episode 8 Review
Great performances, especially from Tayler Buck
Emotionally intense interactions
Didn’t see the twist at the end coming
Candice is unlikable which hurts her and Jon’s romantic storyline
