REVIEW: ‘My Adventures With Superman’ Episode 10 — “Hearts Of The Fathers”

My Adventures with Superman Episode 10 strikes a superb balance of humor and drama. The season finale, “Hearts of the Father,” deploys every strength showcased in the first season as the group readies for a Thanksgiving celebration at Ma and Pa Kent’s, as a lingering threat looms overhead. By reinforcing the lingering doubts Clark (Jack Quaid) feels following his standoff with the General, the show demonstrates its commitment to showing Clark’s continued fears of what he’s capable of despite his compassionate and kind demeanor. All of this tees up the extraordinary finale, which delivers on his fear while maintaining the heart and optimism that’s made the series such a refreshing take on the character. 

The episode begins with Clark enduring a nightmare caused by footage shown to him by the General, which serves as a pseudo-premonition. The dream is more fatal, as Clark watches as Jimmy (Ishmel Sahid) and Lois (Alice Lee)  are killed by the Kryptonian robots, his home left ablaze as he watches in horror as the invasion continues. He awakens to small triumphs. From the trio being promoted to official reporters to the comfort of celebrating a holiday together, Clark, for all of his worries, is having a good start to his day. Lois is more worried than he is, considering it will be the first time she’s introduced her father to Clark. 

But of course, as has been telegraphed throughout the season, her father is the General, which Clark tries to keep to himself at first, especially as the former doesn’t recognize him outside his Superman suit. And there’s genuine hilarity in seeing this militaristic figure so out of place in the warmth of the Kent home, as well as the righteous anger of Ma Kent over someone not adoring her son as much as she does. Even with this humor, there’s melancholy laced in as Clark’s mom tells Lois about his adolescent loneliness and that she being there for him has been a tremendous change. 

But the awkward family shenanigans can only last so long until things are thrown into chaos, forcing Lois to realize her father isn’t who she thinks he is, and for the General to realize his daughter has been dating the being he’s been trying to put an end to. In an episode about fathers that dabbles in themes of nature vs. nurture and the ability to see and be beyond both, Lois’s realization is a demonstration of her willpower as she sees beyond her father’s limited view, understanding immediately that there’s no justification for his actions.  

My Adventures with Superman Episode 10 addresses the fallout of Zero Day.

Jimmy and Lois begin the episode hoping that Clark never sees the footage of Superman from other worlds who are evil, but they can’t keep that secret for long. It’s a smart move for the series, as secrets such as these often kill momentum and make for convoluted conflicts.

Greater still is the fallout, as Clark continues to see his nightmares unfold before his eyes, rendered speechless by the footage even as those closest to him try to convince him that he doesn’t have anything to worry about. This waking nightmare grows additional fangs, too, first as Clark is hit by the effects of kryptonite and then as its use awakens the dormant Kryptonian ship, instantly going into attack mode due to the sensed threat. 

It unravels further until it becomes a manifestation of the personal apocalyptic dream that started My Adventures with Superman Episode 10; the portal opens once again, casting the world in that red, ominous glow as Clark proves his self-sacrificial nature once more. His ascent into the ship that brought him to earth, to his family, is beautifully animated, the score bombastic as it swells to capture the life and death situation Clark has seemingly found himself in once again. The animation, too, is phenomenal. The direction following Superman’s movements depicts the sheer display of strength in his efforts to end a possible invasion. 

The animation and design of the ship are equally strong, cast in shadow as Superman fights through long, triangular corridors to reach the ship’s heart, where the kryptonite he wields will disarm it. Even as Clark learns more about his people, his naivety remains, not yet even knowing the name of the green crystal he’s carrying. He, Jimmy, and Lois refer to it as “the rock”.

The finale strikes a perfect, emotional balance. 

And that naivety is expanded on by depicting his suffering from the sacrifice he believes he’s making. Not just through the kryptonite that infects him, but just the battle on the ship, his fatigue is evident after fighting off those who possess powers just like his. It’s what makes Jor-El’s stepping in all the more emotionally poignant. The two still can’t communicate, but there’s clarity to his actions as he creates a safe passage for his son to return home. His parting message to Clark is to “live.” 

It creates a striking contrast to Lois needing to step in between her father and Clark as the General looks to “neutralize the threat.” Neither Lois nor Clark understands who their fathers are, and both will need to process much more in the upcoming season as more threats (including Brainiac in the tag) arrive. That said, the closure is effective, as the two and Jimmy make it to the end of the day intact. There are plenty of answers left, with questions bound to arise, and it promises even more exciting developments as the characters continue to learn more about who they are and who they want to be. 

My Adventures with Superman Episode 10 is an emotionally stirring finale that gives the characters momentary closure while setting up greater developments and threats for Season 2. Delivering a tremendous balance of heart, comedy, and action, “Hearts of the Fathers” has some of the strongest animation of the series thus far. Clark, Lois, and Jimmy are only at the start of their journey, and the Season 1 finale makes sure that we’ll eagerly be awaiting to see just where their paths lead next. 

My Adventures With Superman Season 1 is available to stream on Max.

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