Ricky Church looks at the best scenes from Superman & Lois…
We are months away from the next iteration of Superman on film with James Gunn’s Superman starring David Corenswet, marking the first time in several years the Man of Steel will be back on the big screen much less in a solo film. However, though fans had been lacking in big blockbuster adventures for Superman in theatres he excelled on the small screen in Superman & Lois.
Superman & Lois followed on an older Superman and Lois Lane as they navigated their careers and raising two teenaged sons while Superman had to balance his duties to the world and as Clark Kent the father. Over the course of its four seasons the show proved to be a great interpretation of the Superman mythos as it was inspired by various storylines from the comics, but still strove to put its own mark on the characters.
With the series’ having completed its run last month and its recent arrival on Max, now is as good a time as any to dive into Superman & Lois and fill the void of live-action Superman until the summer. Here are the ten best scenes from the series that best displays how character-driven and emotional it could be. Spoilers will obviously be discussed for the final season for anyone who is just getting into the series now…
Superman Prevents Universes Merging (Season 2 Episode 15, ‘Waiting For Superman’)
The plot of the second season followed a cultish group that was steadily gaining a stronger movement throughout the world. They believed an alternate universe existed and that they had to merge their world and the alternate one in order to “become whole” and reach their potential. Ally Allston, the group’s leader, managed to combine both of her selves and became a near omnipotent being and sought to fulfill the merger so she could essentially become a god. She was so powerful she even was able to take Superman’s power for herself to become even stronger.
Weakened and powerless, the only way for Superman to gain his powers back was to directly absorb the sun’s radiation. The following sequence was quite epic as a super(er)-powered Superman raced to the rescue, saving John Henry Irons and his daughter Natalie, overloading Ally’s powers with solar energy and zooming around the merging worlds so fast to deliver a punch strong enough that broke the Earth and its Bizarro-counterpart away from each other. It really demonstrated Superman’s unstoppable willpower and how strong he could be while delivering imagery seemingly pulled straight from the comics.
The Pull (Season 3 Episode 5, ‘Head On’)
The third season of Superman & Lois had a very heavy storyline where Lois was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo treatment. The news deeply affected Clark and their sons, leaving them uncertain what would come next and Clark again feeling powerless to help someone he loves against a common human disease.
When Clark took Lois to the hospital for her first round of chemotherapy, they met other cancer patients going through the same fight. While Lois was getting treated before she was hooked up to the chemo, Clark got talking to the patients and met a woman named Peia, who unknown to both him and Lois was the wife of their new enemy Bruno Mannheim. As they spoke, Peia began telling Clark of this feeling she refers to as ‘the pull’, where the cancer and chemo just gets too much and the patient just wants to give up, feeling a pull to let it all go and allow the cancer to take them. It’s likely a feeling many families have felt as they or their loved ones struggle through a cancer battle, making this story very relatable, and it had a profound effect on Clark as he helped Lois through her treatment.
General Lane’s Farewell (Season 4 Episode 3, ‘Always My Hero’)
Throughout most of Superman’s mythology, General Sam Lane, Lois’ father, has been a constant source of aggression for Superman. He’s a loyal soldier to the United States, often putting his duty to country above the needs of his family and being very mistrustful of Superman’s intentions no matter how many times he saved the world. Though Superman and Sam Lane still had their differences, Superman & Lois drifted from common continuity by showing them not only working together but with Sam very involved in the Kent family while still being career-minded. That change makes Sam’s final scene all the memorable and bittersweet.
After Doomsday killed Superman in the fourth season premiere – ripping out his heart no less – the Kent family and their friends scrambled to find a way to revive Superman after Lex Luthor destroyed his heart. That’s when Sam comes up with a desperate plan on his own by taking an experimental serum and sacrificing himself at Doomsday’s hands in order to both protect his family and provide a new heart for Superman’s body in the hopes it will be enough to revive him. To that end, Sam recorded a message for Lois just prior to his death explaining his plan, using his last moments to tell her how much he loved her and the boys and his confidence that Superman would come back. For a man who was such a no-nonsense character with a deep duty to his country as well as love for his family, this was a bittersweet and moving way for General Sam Lane to exit the series complimented by the fantastic performances of Dylan Walsh and Bitsie Tulloch.
Clark Confronts Emmitt (Season 3 Episode 4, ‘Too Close to Home)
When Jonathan confronted Emmitt Pergande, his girlfriend Candace’s father who dealt drugs, and got a black eye for his trouble, Lois confronted him herself only to be threatened to be shot. When Clark heard of this, he angrily stormed out of the house to Lois telling him they didn’t need Superman to escalate the situation to which Clark delivered one of the series’ coldest lines, “Oh, he’s not going.”
Clark proceeded to confront Emmitt at the local diner, which is also where his daughter worked, over how he hurt Jonathan and threatened Lois. As angry as he is, Clark again tries to appeal to Emmitt that they deal with this privately instead of in front of Candace and the other patrons. Emmitt was used to getting his way and threatened Clark only for his shove to do absolutely nothing to Clark before getting pinned to the counter while Clark threatened him back. It’s an example of the saying “beware the fury of a calm man” as Clark came off incredibly menacing, enough so that even Kyle Cushing was taken aback. The fact the sound of Clark’s heartbeat as he tried to remain as calm as possible remained in the background throughout the scene just added to the tension. And in true Superman humility, Clark apologized to the diner and Candace for tarnishing their night out and confronting her father in such a public way.
“Stand Down” (Season 1 Episode 6, ‘Broken Trust’)
The fact Superman is willing to see the best in anyone and appeal to their good nature before throwing a punch is one of his most endearing qualities. Even if they are a villain like Lex Luthor or General Zod, he always gives them the chance to back down and settle things peacefully. That characteristic was on full display when Superman confronted Tag, a teenager who suddenly gained superpowers he had little to no control over and kidnapped Sara Cushing, Lana Lang’s daughter, in an attempt to get answers.
Both Superman and General Lane’s team were searching for Tag, but Lane gave his soldiers permission to use whatever method necessary to bring Tag in. When Superman found Tag and Sara, he told him he has to surrender and promises to do what he can to make sure Tag is treated fairly. However, when the team arrived and Tag’s powers start acting up again they open fire on him, forcing Superman to speed his way in front of Tag and take the hail of bullets, some of which turn out to be special Kryptonite bullets Lane authorized to be made. It’s a rare moment of Superman being incredibly pissed off as he growls at the soldiers to stand down, but it has nothing to do with being shot by Kryptonite. It is because, as he tells Lane, he never considered Lane would use lethal means against a confused and scared teen. It’s a moment where you have to ask yourself what’s worse: having Superman pissed off at you or disappointed in you.
Superman Reveals His Identity (Season 4 Episode 7, ‘A Regular Guy’)
The duality of Clark Kent and Superman is one of the constants of Superman mythology, especially with his quick and sometimes lame excuses for Clark’s disappearances when Superman comes onto the scene as well as the subtle changes he makes to his personality or how he carries himself to keep his identity secret. His identity was lowkey exposed after his death when several of Smallville’s residents witnessed Lois, Jonathan and Jordan’s reaction to Superman’s dead body, putting two and two together but kept silent out of respect for everything Superman – much less Clark and the Kents – have done for them.
After Superman’s revival and his subsequent attempts to convince Smallville he is not and has never been Superman, Emmitt Pergande, the same drug dealer Clark ran out of town from the example above, returned to irreversibly reveal the truth at Lex Luthor’s encouragement. Cornered in the local diner, which was full of civilians who could suffer from a ricochet or further gunfire, Clark wasn’t left with many choices that would still keep his identity secret. What happened was a beautiful moment as Clark, using his super speed, contemplated what to do and looked at Lois, who was already looking at him with a sense of calm that said she already knew and approved of what he was about to do.
After decades of having dual identities and doing everything possible to keep it secret from even those closest to him, Clark Kent did the iconic shirt rip, revealing to everyone in the diner he was in fact Superman. It’s a great moment not only because it further changed the status quo for Superman, but for the silent understanding between Clark and Lois as they were both prepared to open their lives and reveal the biggest secret they’ve ever kept to the world, showcasing their connection in such a powerful and meaningful way.
Superman and the Kents vs Doomsday and Lex Luthor (Season 4 Episode 10, ‘It Went By So Fast’)
For a show airing on The CW, Superman & Lois had some impressive fights between the Man of Steel and the many foes he fought, battles good enough to rival his big screen blockbuster movies. The series went all out in its finale as Superman faced Doomsday and Lex Luthor for the final time, capping off an intense rivalry that threatened the safety of the Kent family and the rest of Smallville.
One of the most notable aspects to this fight was the visuals as Doomsday looked absolutely fantastic for something made on a TV budget and was mostly comic accurate in his appearance unlike previous versions of the monster in other Superman media. The choreography was great and didn’t pull any punches, but what was also a nicely added element was how the show utilized Jonathan and Jordan in the fight as they both stepped in to help their father distract Doomsday and save more of Smallville’s residents.
This Doomsday fight also had a unique end compared to many of the other fights fans have seen as this version of Doomsday was made from Bizarro, the alternate universe Superman who also died and came back to life before being experimented on by Luthor to be turned into Doomsday. As Superman was about to deliver the final punch to Doomsday to knock him into the sun and destroy him, Bizarro’s mind briefly came back to him and signaled to Superman that it was okay and he wanted death. It marked another compassionate moment for Superman as he gently pushed Bizarro/Doomsday into the sun, watching him accept his fate and die peacefully.
The fight with Luthor, however, was far different as Luthor was not ready to call it quits and did everything he could to kill Jonathan, Jordan and Superman after they stopped his plan to destroy Smallville and achieve his revenge. In another no holds barred fight, the mortal enemies took to the skies where Superman really let loose his frustrations and anger over Luthor’s inability to change, the grudges he held and the danger he kept putting Lois and his family in. It proved very satisfying when Superman won against Luthor and successfully put him behind bars, ending his rampage once and for all.
Intro (Season 1 Episode 1, ‘Pilot’)
Superman’s origin is so well known even most non-fans know the basics of Krypton’s destruction and little Kal-El’s arrival in Smallville. While the very beginning of the series does provide a recap of his origins for anyone who might be unfamiliar, it wisely sped through those basics and showed longtime fans just how different it would be as Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman narrated how he and Lois met, got married and had children, setting up a status quo distinct from the majority of Superman interpretations.
Though Hoechlin had already played Superman a handful of times through his appearances in Supergirl and the Arrowverse crossovers, this marked the first time he got to really flesh out his take on the iconic hero, especially in this setting as an older man trying to balance his superhero duties to being a father. The fact the pilot sets up the possibility one of their sons may have inherited Superman’s Kryptonian abilities while the other – who has already been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder – may not and has existing conflict with Clark over his failure to provide the comfort he needs was intriguing and opened the door for many roads his relationship with Jonathan and Jordan could take.
That’s not all, however, as the intro extends to Superman stopping a nuclear meltdown. Anyone unfamiliar with Superman would again be treated to the basics of Superman’s vast set of powers as he uses his x-ray and heat visions, super-hearing, ice breath and of course his flight and strength to prevent the meltdown. This also shows Superman’s intelligence and quick thinking in what to do, showing he doesn’t just rely on his strength and speed to save lives. It’s a very good opening 10 minutes for both the uninitiated and fans into how Superman & Lois would adapt the source material.
Martha Kent’s Death (Season 1 Episode 1, ‘Pilot’)
The death of Jonathan Kent is nothing new as it has often been a common trope of Clark’s youth in most adaptations ever since Superman: The Movie popularized it. In fact, Superman & Lois may have set a record for how quickly Jonathan is killed off as he makes it barely a minute in the pilot episode’s opening montage before his heart attack kicks in. What was new and surprising was the death of Martha Kent in an incredibly emotional scene.
As Clark and Lois spoke about Clark’s sudden firing from the Daily Planet under its new management, he is called by Martha but quickly learns it is actually Smallville’s doctor calling him from Martha’s phone. Without any hesitation and fearing the worst, Clark sped out of the Planet, flew to his childhood home and ran into the house. As the doctor gets over her surprise of Clark’s sudden and suspicious arrival, she quietly mentions something about a stroke and Clark slowly enters his mother’s bedroom. Remember now, this is the strongest man in the world who has accomplished incredible achievements and faced countless dangers, yet in that moment Clark Kent is nothing more than a mourning son as it takes everything in him just to look at Martha’s body and hold her hand before succumbing to his tears. Hoechlin had already at this point shown fans how he would approach Superman, but he cemented his take on Clark Kent in this sad and moving scene that anyone who has lost a parent would relate to.
The Ending (Season 4 Episode 10, ‘It Went By So Fast’)
Where the series opened with a recap of Superman’s life up to that point, the series finale went full circle with a montage of Superman’s final years once again narrated by Hoechlin. However, whereas most imagined ends for Superman have seen him live decades or even centuries after everyone he has loved has died or going into a self-imposed exile for one reason or another, Superman & Lois gave both titles characters a bittersweet but beautiful send-off.
Due to Superman getting Sam Lane’s heart after his first death from Doomsday, he discovered some of his powers were slowly weakening and he would eventually succumb to a mortal death. Despite that, he got to live for over 30 more years, witnessing Jonathan and Jordan raise large families of their own, having many playdates with his grandchildren and spending every single day with Lois. It was not without loss though as eventually Lois’ cancer came back and she passed away in the same bed Martha did, surrounded by Clark, Jonathan and Jordan.
It wasn’t long before Clark himself passed after suffering a heart attack, the same type that killed his own father. The final minutes showed Clark’s spirit walking through the house he grew up in, saying goodbye to his various family and friends and even forgiving Lex Luthor for all his evil deeds before he joined Lois in the afterlife. It is an emotional and well-earned conclusion beautifully acted by Hoechlin, Tulloch and the rest of the cast, but what makes this ending so much more memorable is it had Superman pass as a man. No epic death like his first against Doomsday, no big sacrifice to protect the world while he was still in costume. He was just a normal man in normal clothes surrounded by the love of his children in the moment he passed to reuniting with his loving wife. It really emphasized how Superman & Lois was a character driven show and delivered one of the best interpretations to Superman and Lois Lane that has ever been put to screen, big or small, live-action or animated.
SEE ALSO: A Better Tomorrow: Why Superman & Lois is among the best representations of the Man of Steel
What were your favourite scenes from Superman & Lois? Let us know on our social channels at @FlickeringMyth…
Ricky Church – Follow me on Bluesky for more movie news and nerd talk.
