The cast of Superman and Lois has gone through a number of changes over the years, with the DC Universe only featuring Clark’s comic best friend in its latest episode. The live-action Superman show did an excellent job in its final season, putting the finishing touches on a bold and satisfying DC world. Before ending in just a few more episodes, I’m relieved that the series finally introduced one of DC comics’ most iconic supporting characters.with a unique touch.
I believe it was essential to the success of the series that Superman and Lois focused on an excellent supporting cast. With complex versions of the Man of Steel’s children, a fully realized town of Smallville, and an exceptionally brutal version of Lex Luthor, the series created a compelling ensemble. Yet, one of the most important characters in Superman comics so far is absent from the seriesand I’m waiting to hear about his place in this universe. This changed with Superman and Lois season 4, episode 7.
DC’s Live-Action History Suggests Superman & Lois May Never Get Their Own Jimmy Olsen
Jimmy Olsen had a unique path in the Superman media
Jimmy Olsen’s trajectory in the Superman media over the last few decades has left the character aside and dismissed his importance. Although Jimmy is one of the main reasons to watch My Adventures with Superman due to his healthy enthusiasm for the wonders of the world, the character has had a unique path in recent live-action iterations. Smallvillefor example, killed the character before the end of the series, and Supergirl did everything he could to redefine his James Olsen, even making him a vigilante in his own right.
The DCEU timeline has perhaps had the strangest path to realization for Jimmy Olsen. A character named Jenny, listed in many places as Jenny Olsen, appeared to be a gender-flipped version of the character in Man of Steel. This was later disqualified when Jimmy Olsen appeared in a single scene in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justicewhere the fundamentally reimagined character, a CIA agent, was quickly killed off. Neither of these iterations seemed to see the real Jimmy as essential to the Superman mythos, which I found extremely disappointing.
Superman & Lois Season 4 introduces Jimmy Olsen and repairs his friendship with Clark
Jimmy Olsen plays a major role in the last episode
Jimmy Olsen finally entered the world of Superman and Lois in a satisfying sequel that rewrites DC lore. Instead of the friendly camaraderie the two usually share, This Jimmy Olsen initially harbors significant bitterness toward Clark Kent. This refers to a disagreement that occurred between the two, where Clark was forced to be dishonest with Jimmy, and essentially end their friendship, in order to protect his identity. This dark twist was unexpected, but I found it extremely effective.
This relationship is also crucial to understanding Clark’s decision to Superman and Lois season 4, episode 7 to share your secret identity with the world. Understanding the difficulty in hiding Superman’s identity is an important part of the hero’s stories, but seeing the deep sadness and isolation that results from this through Jimmy Olsen’s character was a unique change that I didn’t expect. This version of Clark Kent proved to be among his most human, and seeing it through the lens of his fractured relationship with Jimmy was moving.
Clark Kent’s History From Superman & Lois Means He Really Deserves A Live-Action Jimmy Olsen
Clark from Superman and Lois deserves all the good things in life
Superman and Lois created one of the most human iterations of the Man of Steel ever put on screen. After that, the character went through a lot, which has been exhausting for both him and the audience. With Superman dying, coming back, and facing a wide variety of villains, It’s so gratifying to finally see Clark unite with the people who care about him most. Jimmy’s reintroduction, even though it comes after a broken relationship, contributes significantly to this.
This version of Clark will be wrapping up his story soon, and it’s a relief to see so much support behind him, especially after all he’s given to others. The hero has an incredible family, with two children and a wife who loves him, and the entire town of Smallville seems to support him. Bringing in other characters from Superman’s storied past, including Jimmy Olsen, helps build a larger community of support around the hero. I believe everyone needs that kind of support, and seeing Clark humanized in this way made for fascinating television.
Superman embodies kindness and gentleness in this DC world, and it’s exciting to see friends from his past returning to his story. While Superman and Lois is coming to an end, Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman story will live on in our collective imagination. Populating his off-screen future with the figures who love and care for him most – especially with links to the hero’s canon – is an effective way to end this excellent Superman story.
Superman and Loisthe Arrowverse’s seventh spinoff series, will take the titular characters from Metropolis to Smallville. The CW series is set after the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover, which saw the collapse of the multiverse and the merging of worlds on what is now Earth Prime. Superman and Lois sees Lois Lane (Elizabeth Tulloch) and Clark Kent (Tyler Hoechlin) dealing with all the pressures of their jobs, as well as being parents to two teenage children. Lois and Clark are no strangers to the Arrowverse, with Hoechlin’s Superman having been introduced way back when. Supergirl season 2. Meanwhile, Tulloch’s Lois made her debut in 2018’s “Elseworlds” crossover. The pair are joined by a growing cast of characters that includes a new iteration of Lana Lang.
- Release date
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February 23, 2021
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