Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman

We have seen many Superhero shows over the years. These shows include both live-action adaptations and animated versions as well. But one show that all the ’80s children might remember is Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. This is one show that our team recommends is a must-watch. It might not have the best graphics as compared to modern TV shows. But it makes up for that with amazing character performances and an exceptional storyline.

The show ran for four seasons on ABC and was a huge success except for the first season. The first season was a moderate success at that time. But that notion has changed over time. And the face-off between Lex Luthor and Superman in this first season has made it into a cult classic over time. The show was the first time that we got to see John Byrne’s version of Superman in action.

John Byrne’s Superman Adaptation

John Byrne was the person responsible for re-imagining Superman after Crisis on Infinite Earths as we know it. Byrne developed Superman with Clark Kent as the real identity and Superman as the disguise. Byrne powered down Superman and made him look like a human. He was still the most powerful character of the DC comics.

What John Byrne did was that by making Clark Kent the real identity he gave Superman the same problems we humans face in addition to the regular villains he faces. And we saw Superman struggling with the questions and problems of humans for the first time in his character’s adaptation. We saw Superman seeking advice from his parents on right and wrong. A thing, never seen in previous iterations of the superhero.

Not only did he reboot Superman but also developed his villains to a greater degree. It was John Byrne who introduced Lex Luthor as a highly successful businessman in addition to being a genius. It was this new profession and wealth that enables Lex Luthor to develop any technology he wanted and use it against Superman. And we get to see both characters based on John Byrne’s writings in Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (TV Show).

Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman

The show ran on ABC from September 12, 1993, to June 14, 1997. The role of Superman was played by Dean Cain while Lois Lane was portrayed by Teri Hatcher. Lane Smith became Perry White in the series while John Shea became the primary antagonist of the first season in the role of Lex Luthor.

This cast delivered memorable performances and because of these exceptional actors, the show became a success. Another reason for the success of the show was a very balanced storyline.

In which we get to see not only the adventures of Superman but also the life of Clark Kent, an aspect usually not explored deeply in Superman adaptations. We got to see the love life of Clark as well as his exceptional reporting skills as a reporter. He uses his skills to collect enough evidence against Lex Luthor together with Jimmy and Perry so that the Police can arrest the man.

Season Wise History

This section will feature a brief summary of every season of the show.

Season 1

Season 1 introduces all the main characters to the audience. The season opens with Jonathan and Martha Kent discovering baby Kal-El and adopt him as their son. The story then focuses on 27 years later when Clark moves to Metropolis for an interview with Perry White at the Daily Planet and secures a job. He meets Jimmy Olsen and is paired up with star reporter Lois Lane. Clark falls for Lois the minute he lays eyes on her. Superman saves Lois and she becomes fascinated with him naming him Superman in her articles.

As the season progresses we see Superman take on criminals with Lex Luthor being introduced as the primary antagonist. Superman confronts him and tells him that he has his eyes on him. Lex accepts Superman as his adversary and discovers that his weakness is Kryptonite. Meanwhile, Lex proposes to Lois and she agrees.

To stop her Clark professes his love for her. Which she rejects stating that they are just friends. As the wedding approaches, Lois realizes she loves Clark and says no to Lex at the altar. While cops come to arrest Luthor using the evidence given to them by Clark, Perry, and Jimmy. Lex evades the police and jumps out of his penthouse to his apparent death.

Clark fearing that his feelings might hurt their relationship tells Lois that he only said those things to stop her from getting married to Lex. Hearing this Lois also does not reveal her feelings.

Season 2

The second season focuses on how Lois and Clark decide to date. But because Clark has to leave their meetings suddenly and has to save other people as his alter-ego, Superman. And the excuses he offers are just downright lame prompting Lois to date Dan. But she soon discovers that her feelings for Clark are stronger, the two then decide to date seriously.

Clark nearly reveals his secret identity to Lois at the end of the season but stops because of his uncertainty about her reaction. But he proposes to Lois at the end of the second season with her answer not being revealed. And the season ends on a cliff-hanger.

Season 3

The season’s premiere starts with Lois claiming to know that Clark is Superman but is angry at the fact he kept it a secret for so long. And asks Clark how can she trust him? The season focuses on their relationship with Lois finally agreeing in the seventh episode of the season.

Their marriage is stopped in the season when Lois gets amnesia. And at the end of this season, Clark is summoned to New Krypton to help save the planet from domination by an evil tyrant named Lord Nor. And Clark leaves Lois and takes her wedding ring away as a token of remembrance at the end of the season.

Season 4

Season 4 starts with Lord Nor attacking Earth instead of New Krypton. And Clark returns to defeat him. Lord Nor has taken over Smallville. Clark defeats Lord Nor with the help of Lois. And after another failed attempt at getting married.

They finally succeed in getting married. But their honeymoon gets delayed several times due to evil forces at work. This season focuses on how both of them strengthen their bond while taking on villains at the same time.

It is revealed that Clark can not become a father but at the season’s ending a child mysteriously appears in the bassinet in their room. The season ends on a cliff-hanger but before we can discover who the baby actually is?

The fifth season of Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman got canceled. The cast and creative team were both caught by surprise at the studio’s decision. And because of this sudden cancellation, the team did not get the time to finish the storylines they started.

Conclusion

All in all, Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman is a must-watch TV Show in our opinion. If you liked this article then you should definitely visit our website www.batmanfactor.com for other articles as well.