I've just started watching the second season of Lois & Clark for the first time, and don't know what to expect, considering the first season seemed hit-or-miss to me. But I'd say it's started out strong.
Here we have a storyline involving Lex Luthor's ex-wife who's still in love with him and seeking vengeance using a woman who, through the work of an amazing plastic surgeon (whom she kills, of course), is transformed into Lois Lane's exact double. It had me flashing back to the (really great) episode "The Face and the Voice" from the 1950s series, in which a criminal creates a double of Superman the same way.
One thing I massively appreciate about this episode is that it didn't take overly long for Clark and Lois to begin to find out what was going on. There was only a relatively brief period where it was earnestly thought Lois was going crazy - then they just went to work and began figuring things out. No need to prolong it for drama or to make the villain look overly invincible. Plus, it helps the main characters seem competent.
There was one very, very, VERY lame plot element in this episode involving acrostics, but it was actually rather "So Bad It's Good", so I'm not going to complain.
At first, I didn't like the fact that the woman who was acting as Lois' double never really got much development or characterization of her own, but in retrospect, I think it actually really works thematically. She was just someone in the wrong place at the wrong time, and she ended up used by someone else. She's actually kind of thought- provoking to think about. I guess less really is more sometimes. Not only does it not distract from the main villain, but in its own way the minimalist personality is intriguing in a way it simply wouldn't have been if they'd done "more". Instead of getting answers, you're just left wondering. While that might not be the best for a major plot point, here it's perfect.
Something else I loved was the fact that they depicted the Lois- double was left-handed, and yet it had nothing to do with them finding out that she was fake. Somehow, the fact that they threw that detail in and had it play a very minor role but didn't have it effect anything in the end just fills me with glee. Extraneous details can add a level of texture to a story, and if you dodge a very predictable and clichéd plot point in the process, it's all the better!
Overall, the episode wasn't perfect or anything, but in the end, it felt just about right. The good guys won despite the obstacles. It was satisfying enough for me to overlook any little hiccups, and I'm eager to keep watching.
Here we have a storyline involving Lex Luthor's ex-wife who's still in love with him and seeking vengeance using a woman who, through the work of an amazing plastic surgeon (whom she kills, of course), is transformed into Lois Lane's exact double. It had me flashing back to the (really great) episode "The Face and the Voice" from the 1950s series, in which a criminal creates a double of Superman the same way.
One thing I massively appreciate about this episode is that it didn't take overly long for Clark and Lois to begin to find out what was going on. There was only a relatively brief period where it was earnestly thought Lois was going crazy - then they just went to work and began figuring things out. No need to prolong it for drama or to make the villain look overly invincible. Plus, it helps the main characters seem competent.
There was one very, very, VERY lame plot element in this episode involving acrostics, but it was actually rather "So Bad It's Good", so I'm not going to complain.
At first, I didn't like the fact that the woman who was acting as Lois' double never really got much development or characterization of her own, but in retrospect, I think it actually really works thematically. She was just someone in the wrong place at the wrong time, and she ended up used by someone else. She's actually kind of thought- provoking to think about. I guess less really is more sometimes. Not only does it not distract from the main villain, but in its own way the minimalist personality is intriguing in a way it simply wouldn't have been if they'd done "more". Instead of getting answers, you're just left wondering. While that might not be the best for a major plot point, here it's perfect.
Something else I loved was the fact that they depicted the Lois- double was left-handed, and yet it had nothing to do with them finding out that she was fake. Somehow, the fact that they threw that detail in and had it play a very minor role but didn't have it effect anything in the end just fills me with glee. Extraneous details can add a level of texture to a story, and if you dodge a very predictable and clichéd plot point in the process, it's all the better!
Overall, the episode wasn't perfect or anything, but in the end, it felt just about right. The good guys won despite the obstacles. It was satisfying enough for me to overlook any little hiccups, and I'm eager to keep watching.
