"My Adventures with Superman": Episode Ten and Series Wrap Up - Strong finale to a strong show

 

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Episode ten starts on a purposeful anti-climax, compared to the hardships our central trio have just endured. No supernatural forces or power mad scientists this time. The greatest peril Jimmy, Lois and Clark initially deal with includes a promotion, and joining the Kents for a nice Thanksgiving dinner. What could go wrong? Well, as a matter of fact, there’s one small hiccup - Lois invites her dad to the celebration AKA General Lane. And I will fully admit to not expecting this twist, despite it being a bit obvious by the shared surname. The series wanted it to be shocking, and at least in my case, it was. More importantly, this revelation further adds to the potential General Lane now has as a character. The awkward conversation he has with Lois takes on a new layer. He conveys a certain distance, and perhaps some insecurity, though at the same time little moments of pride do shine through. They’re exchanges are well conceived here, but for how uncomfortable they are, our heroes soon discover an even bigger problem waiting underground.

The meat of this episode begins halfway through, and as a proper season finale, the show runners deliver on every front. There’s humour in pa Kent’s role as turkey chef, or Jimmy’s last minute reveal that he’s a millionaire. There’s dramatic tension in Lane’s appearance, particularly for Clark who turns from suspect to target in the man’s eyes. There’s an impressive action set piece when the trio trigger the defences on Clark’s ship, as each person reacts to the scenario in their own way. The last ten minutes of the episode are genuinely riveting, with the stakes reaching an all time high. Superman’s selflessness blend inspiration and distress, after he willingly exposes himself to kryptonite in order to disable his people’s weapons. I'll frankly say Quaid’s vocal performance peaks in this sequence, as he brings the needed physical anguish and primal determination to Clark's heroics. And for his part, even though Lane’s actions are extreme and alienating, you can understand where he’s coming from. The final standoff between him and Lois, desperate to protect her lover, reveals a surprising desperation in how strong Lane’s fatherly instincts secretly are. I also can’t forget the last minute tease of the upcoming supervillains. Both are fairly recognizable, with one being a robotic nemesis of old, and the other bent on making others “kneel”.

So with that, we now come to the end of my analysis for “My Adventures with Superman”. Is it a perfect show? No. Is it a very entertaining and worthwhile animated series? Absolutely. My biggest nitpicks involve a few standard villains, some rushed developments, and one controversial scene that could serve as a psychology lesson. That was the sequence I gave the most thought to, and I think the words I dedicated to it speak for themselves. Aside from those problems, however, there’s simply a lot to enjoy here. It delivered what I’ve been missing from Superman media for a long time - levity and fun. I’ve been missing Clark in goofy, day-to-day situations, and him being an awkward, naive yet pure hearted guy. “My Adventures with Superman” finds that approach with the character, and without sacrificing or impeding all the serious elements it wishes to explore. It’s a fine representation of this fictional universe, and the aspects that are updated are largely changed for the better. For anyone that’s curious or seeking out contemporary DC media, I’d more than recommend it. The final result is the product of earnest work by invested individuals. Their formula is simple but tested: rich source material + spirited animation + solid performances + good structure = an enjoyable series.