Francis Bacon was quoted as saying that “He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune.” Yes, I’m still reviewing Superman and Lois here. There’s a lot along those lines in this episode, as the show focuses more on relationships and family than on superhero action, but, as with just about everything else they do, does it well. There are some interesting developments and revelations in “In Cold Blood.”

Clark starts things off with a pretty ugly nightmare. After all, it doesn’t matter if you’re the most powerful hero on the planet when a loved one gets sick and your powers are purely physical. As he tries to get a handle on his very unsubtle subconscious, we go through a few scenes of Lois telling her nearest and dearest about her diagnosis. There are a lot of tearful scenes, which at least shows she’s a well-loved woman. Sam Lane, understandably, has both one of the strongest emotional reactions and some of the most immediate practical questions.

Moring comes, and Clark is a bit concerned that on this, what’s supposed to be her first day of treatment, Lois is focusing so much on her ongoing investigation of Bruno Manheim. As an aside, I kind of think the “We know he’s a bad guy but most people see him as a generous businessman and philanthropist” bit has been done enough in the Super-stories. That was Lex Luthor’s deal for years, and now they seem to be recycling it for a lesser-known character. The boys do something remarkably sweet for Lois, and it’s a nice scene of a loving family coming together.

At the Lang home, John Henry Irons is helping Lana and Sarah by installing a new security system. Sarah is being her usual smartass self, Lana is exasperated mother, and Sophie. the little sister is once again an entirely off-screen presence. That seems to be the fate of younger children throughout the Arrowverse. Sarah isn’t thrilled with one of Lana’s choices about the system, and John eventually packs up and heads out. Before he makes it out the door, Lana, knowing his history, talks about how difficult it must be for him seeing Lois getting sick, but John seems to have things under control. Back on his native world, he and Lois were married, and Nat is their daughter. In the comics, she’s John’s niece. Chrissy and Lois go over details on the investigation so Lois can focus on her treatment.

At the clinic, Clark waits for Lois, and then figures out she’s not coming and they give her slot to someone else. He’s worried and not pleased, and I don’t blame him for either. Chrissy and Lois go check out a lab that might have links to Manheim, and then Chrissy gets some puzzling texts. Lois admits something, and Chrissy is shocked and angry, and I don’t blame her, either. Lois provokes that response a lot this episode. Out at the farm, Sam arrives with some presents, and also isn’t happy to hear Lois has changed her schedule. While Lois’ father and husband start plotting for her own good, the Kent sons, Natalie, and Sarah are in town, at the diner, trying to figure out what to do for Lois. Candace stops by as part of her job, and they talk about the party from earlier in the season. After she goes, everyone else gets on Jonathan’s case for something he hasn’t done that he really should have by now.

Lois and Clark have a discussion bordering on an argument about her treatment, and while it’s a good policy to stay out of domestic disputes in general, I agree with Clark on this one. Visiting her father, Sarah complains about being grounded, and gets no sympathy. Kyle, for all his past mistakes, is doing his best to be a good father. Things take a turn when Sarah mentions something that might have been better left unsaid, and Kyle gets curious, among other things. John Henry is putting in some time trying to figure out the meta that attacked him and Lana last episode, when Natalie comes in with an idea. John doesn’t like it, but at least doesn’t forbid it. It’s another heavy emotional scene.

Jon gives Candace a ride home, and does try and do what he should have a while back. They get interrupted when Candace’s father Emmit comes out, and does a great job of conveying he’s a slimeball and a bully. The next morning, Clark has another nightmare and then gets Lois to treatment. There’s an amusing bit about chairs, and Clark hears, but ignores for once, a disaster somewhere. Lois knows her husband well and urges him to go take care of it. Natalie works on her new project, explaining a few things about it to the Kent boys, and John Henry drifts through in the background, clearly not happy about this.

Lois has what appears to be a low-level panic attack, and ends up fleeing the clinic, eagerly seizing on the excuse and distraction presented when Chrissy calls to update her. The two meet up and have an amusing chat about priorities. Kyle drops in on Lana at work, and handles things really badly. Lana gets annoyed and tells him to leave, which he does. His jealousy is kind of amusing, as the pairing he’s worried about is actually happening in current DC Comics.

While the news covers Superman’s latest heroics, Clark goes to check in at the clinic, and gets more bad news. Chrissy gets in a great question just before she and Lois make a very disturbing discovery. While Lois and Chrissy get a second and very unwelcome surprise, Superman flies up to low orbit to look for his missing wife, and then goes to the DOD to talk with Sam, who is far from pleased with the latest developments. At school, there are unpleasant developments for Jonathan, Jordan, and Natalie, and then a related one for Jonathan and Candace. No one is having a good day at Smallville High, or at least no one we know at this point.

Lois and Chrissy have an argument amidst their big problem, and I give Chrissy points for sticking to her guns. Things take an ugly turn out at the Lang home, as Lana and Sarah have an argument that, to borrow a phrase, escalates quickly and then something shocking happens. Jonathan and Jordan are in the midst of doing something foolish when they get unexpected reinforcements. After a bit of a debate, they modify their plan into a different kind of foolhardy.

With a much better plan, Lois and Chrissy show some creative teamwork as they deal with the gunmen threatening them. Superman speeds to the rescue, reliving some of his recent recurring nightmare on the way. He gets the two ladies free, and then finds out that Intergang has some contingency plans for the Man of Steel. While the kids mount their own operation, which goes better than it really had a right to, Superman shows that even he needs help sometimes, and gets some heavy metal backup.

Back at the farm, there’s no “sort of” about this fight between Clark and Lois. She finally shares what’s concerning her, and it’s a very understandable concern. That discussion gets ended by a phone call from Sam, sharing some surprising news. This news probably ties in to the next scene, of a very displeased test subject in one of Manheim’s very off-the-books labs. The younger group deal with some more complications, someone makes a hard admission, and Jonathan shows that, while he’s a flawed teenaged boy, he can make the right choice.

Lana pleads for forgiveness outside Sarah’s door, but there’s a fairly easy to guess complication there. At the diner, Kyle and Chrissy meet up and things are a bit less awkward between them. Things are possibly developing in an interesting direction when Sarah comes in, clearly upset, and Kyle once again chooses to be a good father. He’s a man who makes mistakes, but he’s really trying.

The next morning, Lois is once again preparing to go for treatment. No, really. She means it this time. She gets outflanked in a very nice and loving way as she gets a really impressive send off. It’s a great final scene, although I do wonder where one of Lois’ only living relatives is during all this. We know she knows what’s going on; you’d think she’d come by. Anyway, it’s a very nice ending to the episode.

What I Liked: Superman having nightmares makes sense, as does the subject matter. Sometimes, even he is in a position where there’s nothing he can do. Chrissy’s reactions to Lois’ antics make a lot of sense and are fun to watch. I’m glad to be seeing more of her. Sam’s anger almost makes sense, and I completely buy that this man with no powers will stand up to Superman when he thinks he needs to. The kids’ side adventure worked, although something they were hinting at a while ago seems to have changed, and everyone has forgotten it. Sarah veering more towards mouthy teen than perfect daughter also makes sense. Let’s face it, even the best teenagers do some dumb things time to time, not that this excuses what Lana did.

What I Didn’t: I get where Lois was coming from, but I don’t at all like how she handled it. I’m disappointed in Lana, even allowing for people having bad days and frustrations. I’m just not interested in Bruno Manheim, especially since not just his position but the current plot seems to be a reskinned Lex story. The missing relative I mentioned above bothers me.

All in all, this was another really well-executed episode. I enjoyed it a lot, and thought they blended some action and emotion really well. I’ll give this a 4 out of 5. I’m very glad the show is getting at least one more season.