Superman takes out the kryptonite screws

Superman & Lois Series Finale “It Went By So Fast” – Review

WARNING: Spoilers for the series finale of Superman & Lois.

The End of an Era.

Clark and Lois in a battered Smallville in Superman & Lois

The Battle for Smallville

The finale opens withDoomsday causing mayhem. This leads John Henry Irons and Lana to his garage to look for anything to assist against the monstrosity. The twins assist in saving civilians and attempting to help Superman, but Clark tells them to continue helping people. Doomsday’s reign continues, as he pummels Superman into the asphalt. Lois wakes Clark up after Doomsday gets distracted by the twins, and tells Clark a hard truth. He can no longer do this alone, and it’s time to let his sons help save the world. Superman getting humbled is something not often touched upon, but in this context, it worked and worked well.

Superman Evades Doomsday

Your Doomsday

In a lovely homage to Zack Snyder’s Justice League, Superman evades a punch from Doomsday and the monster gets bludgeoned by John’s hammer. This scene drives home the notion that the show was inspired by what Snyder did rather than copy it. After knocking the beast out, Superman takes it up to the sun to end once and for all. In an interesting twist, the monster remembers who it once was, and willingly goes into the sun. Doomsday is no more. Superman mourns the once bizarro being before absorbing solar energy and heading back to Earth to fight Lex.

Lana, Lois, and John Henry Irons

The Truth about Lex Luthor

Amanda McCoy flees Smallville in the wake of Luthor’s rampage, but not before he gives her a call. Luthor disparages her for her lack of loyalty before sending a missile against her. However, the chagrin of Luthor, the twins save Amanda. Lois plans to have Amanda reveal the truth about Lex to the world. Unfortunately, Milton Fine tears down the network, and they cannot livestream Amanda’s confession. Luthor is always one step ahead in his machinations, but this time there is not enough money or power to end his inevitable reign over Smallville.

Luthor chokes out Jordan

The Final Round

Luthor mounts his final assault on the Kent family. He knocks Jonathan into a building and grasps Jordan by his throat. Lois Lane calls out Luthor for going after her family but is too much of a coward actually to lay a hand on her. Calling for her death, he attempts to attack her, only to be thrown into the sky by Superman. Jordan finds Jonathan, and resuscitates him back to life, telling him to never leave him. Superman then has one final fight against his arch-nemesis. John Henry Irons subdues Milton Fine, and the suit is rendered useless. After smashing the kryptonite-laced screws, Superman punches Luthor out of the suit, ending his reign once and for all. He takes Luthor down to Smallville, and the family is reunited, unafraid, and more hopeful than ever. The nightmare is finally over.

The Super family

One Year Later

After a flash forward to a year later, we see the marriage of John Henry Irons to Lana Lang. Officiating the wedding is Lois Lane, held at the Kent Farm. Chrissy and Kyle are tending to a newborn boy, with another on the way. Jordan and Sara reconcile, with hopes of making senior year the best year they could have. Natalie and John Henry reflect and believe that her mom would think they’re happy where they are. Clark and Lois then contemplate their next chapter of life – Clark posing the question to Lois what people will remember Superman and Lois for – to which Lois replies “Truth and Justice.” with Clark adding “A better tomorrow.” This is a perfect encapsulation of the evolution of Superman as an iconic character, by finally moving past an outdated mantra and positioning him as the world’s hero as opposed to an American propaganda caricature.

Life After Death

Following the One Year Later flash forward, an epilogue detailing Clark and Lois’s life shows us the next chapter in snippets and moments. We see a fully fledged Superfamily, with Jonathan and Jordan receiving their super suits, as well as upgraded suits for Nat and John Henry featuring the iconic “S” on his suit. Clark lived for 32 years following the heart transplant from Samuel Lane, and lived long enough to watch Jordan and Jonathan grow into men, get married and have their children. Providing Lois and Clark with a huge family as grandparents of their own. Sadly, we also witness the passing of Lois after her cancer returns at a much later stage in life, and in her final moments, she tells Clark she loves him before whispering “Daddy” and then passing. 

Man’s Best Friend

Clark then gets a dog, Krypto. Clark spends his last days with Krypto, while also being visited by family and friends. Despite longing for Lois, Clark remains humble and kind. The day Clark’s heart finally gives out is on a walk with Kyle Cushing and happens in the same spot where his father, Jonathan Kent died. In his final moments, Clark is surrounded by Jonathan and Jordan as he enters the afterlife. We see Clark embrace all the people in his life, with honest words of wisdom of what life is about. Finally, we see him enter a door, with Lois behind it. Together, they share a kiss, and the Superman & Lois logo cuts into a frame with a gold rebrand. 

Superman & Lois final frame

Goodbye, Superman & Lois

An era has come to an end, and the Arrowverse has officially concluded with Superman & Lois. This show has touched many hearts. It inspired plenty to be better and do better and is arguably the best DC show the CW put effort into. There is not one bad season of this show, and has consistently remained entertaining and insightful for audiences. Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch embody the greatest aspects of these characters but have given new layers to them as we see them become the best parents they can be. They have cemented their status as some of the best versions of these characters, and many generations will never forget their incredible portrayals for years to come.