The following contains spoilers from Superman & Lois Season 4, Episode 6, “When the Lights Come On,” now streaming on the CW app.
The last season of Superman and Lois continues to examine the fallout of the Man of Steel’s death in the most interesting way since that famous story first appeared in the comics. The struggles Superman, his family, and Smallville face are unlike any fans have known in nine decades of storytelling. But in the sixth episode of Superman and Lois last season, it results in the most visceral fight Clark Kent and Lex Luthor have ever had, and it’s truly glorious..
When Superman and Lois Season 3 introduced Doomsday, with some fans likely feeling a mix of skepticism and weariness. This is especially the case since the iconic 1993 comic event “The Death of Superman” was adapted into two animated films and, more loosely, into Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Additionally, it is one of the most referenced and imitated comic events in all of comic book history, whether the comic was published by DC Comics or not. The idea of Superman dying at the bony hands of Doomsday and coming back to life on the budget of a series on The CW seemed risky at best. However, the storytellers breathed new life into Kal-El’s death in a truly unique way. Superman was transformed by this experience, both physically and mentally. It’s bad for him, but fantastic for the audience.
Superman & Lois Season 4, Episode 6 Turned Lex Luthor’s Biggest Weakness Into an Asset
The episode finally put the supervillain on the classic track
The arrival of DC Comics’ greatest criminal mastermind was inevitable. Superman and Loiseven though the series began with him in prison. His introduction made him seem like the scariest version of Lex yet. Yet halfway through Season 4, Lex’s singular obsession with Lois Lane and her family left him underdeveloped.. Sure, he was a jagoff, but he never seemed as dangerous as everyone on the show said he was. Despite the talents of actor Michael Cudlitz, Lex was written in such a way that he seemed more like a pesky nuisance who wouldn’t leave the Lanes alone than a real threat. Turns out all it took was one on-screen defeat to make him a legitimate threat.
Lex’s ultimate humiliation took a long time to take shape, and it began when he finally reconnected with his daughter, Elizabeth, who went into hiding after his release from prison. Through the present day conversation and flashbacks, viewers were able to see Lex better as a father. Yet when Elizabeth offered him a place in her life if he would abandon his vendetta, he rejected her offer. This highlighted that, despite sympathetic framing, Lex wasn’t just the villain fans knew and hatedbut the kind of reprehensible parent who considered his “beloved” daughter as another of his possessions. Whatever he was before, Lex is now consumed by hatred.
“Wanting to come back into my daughter’s life was one of the things that got me out of prison. Your loyalty was another…I have a plan. I know exactly how this is going to end.” -Lex Luthor to Amanda McCoy.
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The next step toward Lex’s downfall involved his few allies, particularly Amanda McCoy, the woman who ran his business while he was in prison. When the next part of his plan was to move the company’s headquarters to Smallville, in part by overpaying for the land, even she lost faith in him. Only now has Lex truly lost everything, after his daughter disowned him and after he was humiliated by Clark’s bare hands. What seemed like a one-note performance from Lex only now pays off when he finally turns to Amanda for help. he is no longer able to weigh on her now that he is at his lowest. His first suggestion? Ask Lexcorp scientist Milton (a Brainiac reference) to get him “a killer suit.”
Superman & Lois Season 4, Episode 6 Showed the Personal Toll of Superman’s Resurrection
The episode showed a more human and vulnerable version of Superman
Unlike other adaptations of “The Death of Superman”, Superman needed a heart transplant to return to life. With the help of a sci-fi serum, his stepfather, Sam Lane, was the donor after Lex sent Doomsday to kill him.. Since then, Superman has become weaker and has difficulty accepting it. He now has difficulty flying. His super hearing isn’t what it used to be. And just recently, Lois noticed that Superman finally had gray hair. Although he couldn’t solve these other problems, Clark bought some hair dye.
While Superman had lost his powers before, this time it’s different. He cheated death and spent more time with Lois, her sons, and his friends in Smallville. However, Clark has difficulty adjusting to becoming more human. While still a purely good rendition of Man of Steel, Superman and Lois Clark’s version struggles with his own sense of vanity. Dying his hair wasn’t about how the world saw Superman, but rather how Clark saw himself. For the first time in his life, he feels “less than”, but that’s not how Smallville sees him. Tyler Hoechlin has always been good in his role as Superman, both as a superhero and as a regular person, but this is the most vulnerable he’s ever been. Needless to say, Hoechlin delivers some of his best work in Superman and Lois closing moments.
“I don’t think it’s time for Superman to go gray. People are worried…I just didn’t think I was going to age, at least not anytime soon.” – Clark to Lois about her “salt and pepper” hair.
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After Lois, Jordan, and Jonathan publicly mourned Superman on the main street of Smallville, people began to discover the big secret. “When the Lights Come On” shows that Coach Gaines also discovered the secret, approaching the boys from the restaurant to play football while they were still “super”. Denise Olowe and Chuck Arden, two recurring tertiary characters, also discovered the secret. Yet not only do the people of Smallville keep the secret, but they also have empathy and concern for the world’s greatest superhero.. So much so that Smallville landowner Aidy rejected a $10 million offer from Luthor for her farm, simply because Clark asked her to.
Superman & Lois Season 4, Episode 6 delved deeper into Jonathan and Jordan Kent’s dynamic
The episode set up the brothers’ potential endgame
With Clark unable to handle the strain of being Superman, it’s up to his sons to step in and fill that void. While Jordan developed powers early on, Jonathan gained abilities a bit later, not getting them until season 4. Unlike Jordan, Jonathan’s powers come quickly. It’s also worth noting that Jon is a natural. After Jordan let Lex destroy his father’s heart and almost kill him, he was reluctant to use his powers. Meanwhile, since Jordan gave Jonathan his Superboy costume, he has been active all over the world saving lives.
In Superman and Lois Season 3, Jordan loved being Superboy. He revealed himself to the public and argued with his parents when they tried to restrain him. However, after Lex almost killed him and discovered Superman’s secret, Jordan instead pursued a more normal life. He tried to apply at the Smallville restaurant for a summer job with Sarah, his friendly ex-girlfriend. After one of Lex’s henchmen almost killed Lana Lang and Sarah in their house, Jordan finally got over most of his insecurity.
“Are you going to give me superhero advice now? You know I wouldn’t have to do much if you helped me, but you’re the one choosing to work in a restaurant instead of saving lives .” – Jonathan in Jordan.
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When Jonathan used XK to give himself temporary powers, Jordan thought his new abilities were natural. He was excited about being part of a superhero team with his brother, which they called “The Fraternals.” In Superman and Lois In season 4, when Jonathan’s true powers finally emerged, Jordan (like his father) felt “less than”. He was content to no longer be a hero, allowing his brother to fill the void. Together, the two Superboys will constitute a formidable force and perhaps even a suitable replacement for Superman. The clash and reconciliation between the Kent brothers has been a solid source of drama in the series, and they continue to excel here. Seeing how their arc ends and whether they will indeed step into their father’s shoes will be something worth watching as the series draws to a close.
Superman & Lois Season 4, Episode 6 Features the Series’ Most Brutal and Intense Fight Yet
The episode’s climatic fight is a dramatic and physical knockout
The fight between Lex and Clark was even more brutal and intense than the fight against Doomsday across the solar system.. In fact, Clark was largely the loser. Worse still, the boys didn’t hear Lana Lang’s cries for help when she was attacked because they “didn’t listen.” Clark, however, couldn’t hear his best friend almost get murdered. This failure, on top of his new weaknesses and his own insecurities, caused him to recklessly confront Lex on the streets of Smallville. Lex was ready, having installed red solar lights in the street lights of Smallville. In his weakened state, Clark was effectively no more powerful than any other mortal.
That said, Lex only has his selfish anger and hatred, while Clark had something and someone to truly fight for. The attack on Lana, the murder of Sam Lane, and his own death infuriated Clark more than any live-action version of Superman before (and perhaps after) Hoechlin’s tenure. He beat Lex, but he couldn’t kill him. No matter who it originally belonged to, Clark’s heart (literally and figuratively) remains his greatest strength. The fight itself was grueling, but what made it truly memorable was the emotional stakes at stake. Clark winning not only by overpowering Lex, but also proving that his morals were greater than the villain’s hatred, sealed their fistfight as one of the best on the show.
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However, just because Lex lost a street fight to Clark doesn’t mean he lost their war. Believe it or not, rejecting his daughter’s overture brought some clarity to Lex. Moreover, Lex being humiliated by a helpless Clark ironically raised him. This Lex is damaged, engulfed in denial and out of control, but now he knows it. Even if Superman and Lois cast a formidable Lex, his defeat ironically making him the series’ deadliest threat to date. It may have taken Lex a while for his true villainy to take shape, but it was worth the wait. Now he really has nothing and no one to lose or hold him back. He will not hesitate to cross all limits just to kill those he accuses of his misery. The next time he goes after Superman, Lois, and/or the kids, the audience will immediately see and understand why. Superman and Lois Lex’s version is so dangerous, rather than just being told the reasons for his evil.
Superman & Lois debuts new episodes Mondays at 8:00 p.m. Eastern on The CW and streams on the channel’s app.