Superman on Television

Lois & Clark: Episode Reviews

Season 4 - Episode 12: "Lethal Weapon"

Reviewed by: Nathan MacKenzie

Originally Aired: January 5, 1997
Directed by Jim Charleston
Written by Grant Rosenberg

Guest Cast:
Thomas F. Wilson as Carter Landry
Nancy Dussault as The Mayor
Andre Nemec as Jerry White
Kenneth Kimmins as Dr Klein
John Spencer as Mr Gadget
Stephen Pocock as Thug

Synopsis:

Another episode featuring red kryptonite. This time when we see it however, it doesn’t make Superman apathetic, it doesn’t exchange his powers to someone else, this time it enhances his powers to out of control. The episode also brings a new villain to the series plus we are also introduced to Perry White’s son for the first time.

Review Rating - 3 (out of 5): One thing I enjoy about any tv show is continuity and Lois and Clark I feel for the most part does that quite well, especially in this episode. Very early on in the episode we see the hint of red kryptonite and straight away I think back to episode twenty in season two titled: 'Individual Responsibility' where Superman becomes apathetic from red kryptonite and again thinking back to episode seven in season three titled: 'Ultra Woman' where this time when red kryptonite is used, Superman's powers are transferred to Lois. But, as we learn how the red kryptonite in this episode came to be, we learn that the Newtrich family was again somehow involved. When red kryptonite is used on Superman, his powers are amped up to 700% which as you can imagine, takes its toll on the city and the Man of Steel. It takes Superman and Dr Klein a long time in this episode (well 17 mins to be exact) to figure out what has happened to him, but Superman finally figures out that red kryptonite is again the cause of his problems.

Something else I enjoy about tv shows, especially shows that are based off comic books is new villains being introduced to the series, and this episode introduces Mr Gadget. Mr Gadget is played by John Spencer (who I remember from the movie 'The Rock' starring Nicholas Cage and Sean Connery) and his son, Carter Landry played by 'Back to the Future' star, Thomas F. Wilson (aka Biff Tannen). Now when a new villain is brought into the series like Lois and Clark, you would think you would have heard of them before. Believe it or not, Mr Gadget is based, now I am saying less than 1% based off of a comic book character. The only information I could find on Mr Gadget is that in one storyline he was known as Tommy Tucker and was a villain of the Star-Spangled Kid and lived on Earth-Two. Another storyline involving Mr Gadget was also on Earth-Two and was a villain of the Green Arrow. For this episode, he was created by Grant Rosenberg. I like his backstory of being a once known kid's popular entertainer turn criminal master mind. It is definitely a different origin story then we are used to. Mr Gadget has just been released from prison and wants to bring his son into the family business as it were. You can see that Mr Gadget uses his son to get what he wants but as the episode goes on they do share a special bond together, well in their own way.

Jerry White is a character that we get to see for the first time. Jerry has been mentioned in the comics before but on New Earth, known as Perry Jerome 'Jerry' White Jnr but was not the son of Perry White, but none other than Lex Luthor. That is a story for another day. Jerry White in this episode was played by Andre Nemec and nowadays is more known for his producing and writing talents. Jerry has just been released from prison (you can see a theme here) for cheque fraud. Now, as he tries to win his father's trust back, his story is showing more holes than a gold course and who sees this but Jimmy Olsen who immediately see's Jerry as suspicious. I like how you see how far Jimmy has come over the years (and I am not talking about the fact that they changed the actors after season one) and how quick of a judge of character he is. You can see the jealousy that Jerry has towards Jimmy when they first meet. Jerry has heard a lot about Jimmy and knows that his father and Jimmy hold a bond that he wants with his father. Jimmy wants to get to the bottom of what is going on with Jerry, even if he is Perry's son. Jimmy is so good in this episode that once he seeks out the truth, he confides in Lois what he knows; she ends up following up on it to find out that everything Jimmy has told her is true.

Jerry has come into possession of the red kryptonite where he learned from Gene Newtrich where to find it and how to use it, on 'Superman'. Now with his new source of income, Mr Gadget learns what Jerry has in his possession and after a small demonstration learns what it can do to Superman and wants to use Jerry's services. Mr Gadget like most villains wants to hold the city for ransom for $1 billion or he will destroy the city to rubble with his Amped-Up, Souped-Up, Turbo-Charged, Low-Frequency Generator, starting with the Hall of Justice. Mr Gadget tells Jerry of his plan and what he tends to do if he doesn't come through with the red kryptonite, which includes the killing of his father.

In the end, Superman saves the day but with some help. Prior to Superman arriving however, a marksman is there with green kryptonite bullets should Superman get out of control. As we see the Hall of Justice start to shake after Mr Gadget's demands were not met, Superman arrives to stop the device by using his heat vision which now stops working. Now hold the phone, all episode his powers when introduced with red kryptonite goes up 700% (or so Superman says) but now his powers stop working, I'm confused, moving on. Jerry comes to his senses when he sees a gun pointed at his father (because Perry had to be at the Hall of Justice for some reason, as editor and chief of the Daily Planet felt the need to be there) lowers the lead lined case housing the red kryptonite. Superman destroys the generator and at the same time is hit by the marksman, but luckily the bullet only grazed him turning him back to his normal self. Unfortunately, I felt that the ending was rushed, we didn't even see Mr Gadget get captured even though we get to see the front page of the Daily Planet stating as such.

There was emotion in this episode, firstly with Lois and Clark then with Perry and his son. Lois and Clark have been through a lot together and this episode is no different. There was a scene in the episode where Clark hugs Lois and bruises her arm but Lois doesn't show any pain or lets on what has occurred. It takes until they are in bed together when Clark realises what he has done, you can see the love for each other in that scene, especially as Clark leaves as he is afraid of hurting her any further. I really feel for Perry in this episode but I also have a soft spot for Jerry. As we learn throughout the episode, Perry doesn't have a great relationship with his son and that is mostly due to his work commitments and there are a lot of parents out there going through the same thing. Perry ends up seeing his son again go to prison, this breaks Perry's heart however Jerry only ever wanted his father to be in his life and not just buries himself in his work. I think there can be a lesson learned there.

Next week, have your camera at the ready for 'Sex, Lies and Videtape'.

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