Watched the 90 minute pilot twice now. It was very impressive.
Stylistically, tonally and narratively Superman & Lois is very different from the other Arrowverse shows. It's fantastical elements are tamed by a heavy dose of real world relevancy -- the struggles of parenthood, the age of youth anxiety, job loss and the changing landscape of small town America. While this may sound very dour and depressing, the story is uplifted by the strength of the Kent Family and their commitment to each other. This is a Superman story after, and no matter how dark it becomes, the light of Hope can never be fully extinguished.
The cast is very good. Tyler Hoechlin is.. well.. Super! He nails both sides of the character perfectly. Bitsie Tulloch has grown on me. I was not sure of her when she first appeared in past crossovers, but here she is much more developed and confident. The Kent Twins won me over by the pilot's end. While they tease, argue and fight with each other as siblings do, it is clear they love and are devoted to each other.
The pilot has a very expensive cinematic look. Whether the series can maintain this level of quality is debatable. Batwoman equally began its first season with similar big screen Nolan stylings but has now settled into a more normal CW Vancouver shot look. Though to be fair, Covid has deeply impacted how most shows are being filmed this year.
There are two minor supervillain subplots planted in the pilot and I imagine they will grow over the course of the season. Will they overshadow the Kent Family dynamics?
While I appreciate the more serious, mature tone of the series, I hope as it evolves, it occasionally captures some of the lighter, primary colour fun of Supergirl and The Flash.
Perhaps my only real nitpick is Hoechlin's new suit. There is just too much muscular padding. It sort makes his head look too small for his body LOL. Plus the suit muscles look unnatural and awkward. It becomes very obvious every time he has to fly and raise his arms upward. His previous suit was much sleeker and form fitting. Not sure why the producers felt they had to bulk him up?
But that is minor. A very solid and dramatic opening episode. I eagerly look forward to more stories about the House of El.