WARNING: Spoilers for the fourth episode of Superman & Lois
Superman Returns
The latest episode of Superman & Lois features Clark returning to the mortal plane. After a risky move played by Sam Lane in the last episode, Clark Kent finally reunites with his family, albeit at the cost of General Lane’s life. The opening moments of this episode offer a tender moment between Clark, Lois, and the twins. While the rest of the episode could easily fall under the “filler” category, the fourth episode of the final season was more about character development than story progression. Taking a break from the ploy of Luthor and his machinations for the Kent family, this episode largely focuses on the wedding between one Kyle Cushing and his fiancé, Chrissy Beppo. However, Jonathan does make a name for himself as he gains more control over his powers.
Super Training
While still in recovery after the heart transplant and discovering Jonathan now has powers, Clark takes Jonathan on a training exercise. Jonathan displays immense control and aptitude for flight, something that Jordan had trouble with back in the first season. During this, Clark makes some lovely pop culture references to both Star Wars & Mad Max, and then the two fly around the Arctic north at Mach speeds. During this, Clark begins to have heart issues, and crashes and falls into the ice. This in a way, mirrors the return of Superman from the comics after the events of The Death of Superman. Upon his return, Superman utilizes a black suit to help with the regeneration process. Whether or not the black suit is utilized in Superman & Lois remains to be seen, but it is still nice to see the source material be homaged in its way here.
Super Mom
Lois Lane has been the central character throughout the season thus far, and Elizabeth Tulloch has done an incredible job displaying a wide range. Between the chemotherapy in a post-cancer operation, losing and regaining Clark, the loss of Sam Lane, and Luthor’s continued machinations, Lois has been through the wringer this season. That said, Lois continues to be a force of nature, a loving mother, and a wonderful friend through this season and the performance this season solidifies Elizabeth Tulloch as one of the best live-action Lois Lane’s to date.
Wedding Bells
The large focus of this episode was predominantly the wedding between Kyle and Chrissy. After the courthouse is unable to accommodate the wedding, Lois offers to have it at the Kent farm in the barnhouse. Between Chrissy’s mom coming to town for the wedding, Kyle taking the reigns on planning everything, and the pregnancy, Chrissy contemplates whether or not marrying Kyle so soon is a great idea. This does come to a head by the end of the episode when she leaves abruptly after a conversation with Sarah. By the end of the episode, Kyle and Chrissy decide to hold off on the wedding until the time feels appropriate. If the show was getting more seasons, I can imagine this plot point being fleshed out throughout more episodes but given this is the final season, it makes sense to see this all packed into a single episode.
A New Superboy
Earlier in the episode, Jordan is listening for any of Luthor’s previous pawns. Lois is hoping to flip any of them to put away Luthor and stop his current plans. Jordan ends up hearing the woman known as “Gretchen” who is later named Cheryl Kimble, which leads Lois to confront her with Jonathan. Later on in the episode, a fire in Metropolis breaks out. Jordan tells Jonathan he has to be the one to save everyone and stop it. In the fire, he finds Cheryl and attempts to save her before one of Luthor’s henchmen comes in and attempts to kill Cheryl. Superman ends up rescuing everyone in the end, and Jordan gifts Jonathan the suit and goggles. This was a heartfelt moment between two brothers in which one is stepping away to figure things out while the other can finally embrace his heroic roots and nature as a character.
Superman Lives
The episode closes with Clark and Lois getting ready to breathe after an eventful return and wedding that didn’t happen. While in a moment of intimacy, Lois ignores her phone and we’re shown notifications showing headlines showcasing Superman’s return to the world. How will Luthor react? With only six episodes left in the season, Superman’s resurrection is sure to have some consequences for the Kent family. Time will tell how weighty those consequences will be.
New episodes of Superman & Lois air on Mondays on the CW.