Directed by Steven De Paul
Written by Anthony E. Zuiker, Ann Donahue, Carol Mendelsohn, Peter M. Lenkov & Pam Veasey
"Super Men" is the 19th episode of Season 2, and the 42nd overall. It originally aired April 12, 2006.
Synopsis:
One young man is found dead in an alley, dressed in a homemade superhero costume. Another, a first round draft pick for the NFL, is found dead in his hotel room with just a small puncture wound in his neck.Tropes for the episode:
- Childhood Brain Damage: The first victim's mental growth was stunted after he tried to fly out of a window as a child. He lives in a group home and still thinks of himself as a superhero so he goes out at night trying to right every wrong he can.
- Foreshadowing:
- When Lindsay starts spouting the second victim's stats, the following exchange occurs:Danny: Don't tell me you know a little something about football. Please.Lindsay: Why? Is that so hard to believe?Danny: No, it's just dangerous. [pause] I might have to ask you to marry me.
- There's a character named Dox, which is the surname of Superman's villain Vril Dox, a.k.a. Brainiac. He's the one who kills the "Superman" guy.
- When Lindsay starts spouting the second victim's stats, the following exchange occurs:
- Neck Snap: The first victim is killed by having his neck broken.
- Newscaster Cameo: Sportscaster Dick Enberg appears as himself, interviewing the football player the evening before he is killed.
- One-Hit Kill: The first victim's cause of death is single martial arts blow to the back of the neck.
- Phone Booth Changing Room: The victim in the alley is found dressed in his costume, complete with cape. His street clothes and Clark Kent-style glasses are discovered in a phone booth a few blocks away.
- Self-Surgery: The first victim is shown in flashback using a sewing needle and black thread to stitch up a wound he'd received while saving someone from a mugging.
- Shout-Out: There are numerous references to Superman, including the first victim's clothes & glasses found in a phone booth and kryptonite found on a glass fragment; and a few to the Marvel Comics universe in general. Also, when Stella asks Mac if he ever wanted to be a super hero, he replies, "Sgt. Rock. You couldn't get me out of fatigues when I was a kid."
- Superhero Episode: Clark is a homemade Superman expy; his three best friends call themselves Thor, The Flash and Aquaman.
