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Sometimes I write things, but mostly I watch movies.
It is the beginning of the end of My Adventures with Superman with Season 2’s penultimate episode, titled “Pierce the Heavens, Superman!”. Following the dramatic events of the previous episode, all the pieces move into place for a pulse-pounding and heartfelt penultimate episode. Lois Lane (voiced by Alice Lee) tries to rescue Clark Kent (voiced by Jack Quaid) from the clutches of the Black Mercy. Meanwhile, Jimmy Olsen (voiced by Ishmel Sahid) and Kara Zor-El (voiced by Kiana Madeira) contend with Task Force X and the arrival of Brainiac (voiced by Michael Emerson) on Earth. Writer Jake Wyatt (also series co-creator) and director Jen Bennett have crafted one of the episodes of the season and the show as a whole.
Mind Games
“Piece the Heavens, Superman!” picks up right where it off last week with Lois taking the Black Mercy to save Clark. Here, we see the Black Mercy take on a more comic-accurate form with Clark/Kal-El living in a simulated recreation of Krypton with his family. This “perfect” simulation is quickly interrupted by Lois, who unfortunately does not remember who she is. This whole sequence of Lois and Clark remembering each other and themselves is equally funny and heartfelt. It got a good chuckle out of me every time the simulation reset when they got too close to remembering the truth. Eventually, though, they successfully reunite.
Their reunion is without a doubt one of the best moments of the show. From Alice Lee and Jack Quaid’s pitch-perfect voice performances, respectively, the fantastically cheesy dialogue, and the anime of it all, you cannot ask for a better Superman moment. It is here that Clark and Lois overcome the issues that have plagued them all season, and it is immensely satisfying, especially when Lois brings back “Love is not for cowards”. Sure, they have some matters to work out, but it does not matter at the moment.
Actionable Love
Of course, all this is wrapped up in a great action sequence of Clark—now back as Superman—and Lois fighting their way out of the simulation. Both of them physically working together is a great way to highlight their emotional resolution. Per usual, all the action is extremely anime-inspired in the best way possible. The over-the-topness of it all truly captures the comic book spirit of the show as well.
Welcome to Earth
Meanwhile, back on Earth, Kara and Jimmy have to contend with dual threats. Lex Luthor (voiced by Max Mittelman) and Amanda Waller’s (voiced by Debra Wilson) Task Force X plans have come to fruition. At the same time, Brainiac begins his invasion of Earth. The spotlight is really on Kara here. She is the main focal point of the action fighting off both Kryptonite-powered Metallos and Brainiac’s forces leading to some exhilarating sequences. Both the Metallos and Brainiacs are a tough challenge for Kara, but despite the overwhelming odds she presses on. It is a great demonstration of how similar Clark and Kara are despite their radically different upbringings.
Although they are only briefly in this episode, seeing the Daily Planet crew—Steve Lombard (voiced by Vincent Tong) and Perry White (voiced by Darrell Brown), amongst others—return to help Jimmy escape from Task Force X is great. It goes to show the power of a government is nothing compared to successful community organizing.
The only real detriment to this episode is how underdeveloped Lex and most of Task Force X have been this season. They are perfectly serviceable as villains, but there is no feeling of excitement or dread when they show up. Still, they work well enough, and in conjunction with Brainiac, there is more than enough villainy to go around in this episode.
Final thoughts on “Pierce the Heavens, Superman!”
By the end of the episode, I was so happy with what I had just watched that I was desperate to see the finale next weekend. While somewhat cheesy at times, “Pierce the Heavens, Superman!” truly does encapsulate what “Superman” means as a character. Superman is representative of hope despite impossible odds, loving others fully and thoroughly even if it is terrifying, and just doing the right thing, plain and simple.
Score: 5/5 stars
My Adventures with Superman Season 2 airs on Sundays at midnight via Adult Swim and the next day on Max!
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Sometimes I write things, but mostly I watch movies.
This article was edited by John Tangalin.