Tonight’s episode of Superman & Lois served up an intense look at Lex Luthor’s escalating revenge plan against the Kents and Smallville, combined with Clark’s struggles between his human vulnerabilities and superhero responsibilities. From the very first scene, where Lex furiously punched a wall and burned memories of his daughter, it was clear he is as determined—and as ruthless—as ever. The stakes rose quickly as he moved to establish his own empire in Smallville, bulldozing past anyone who tried to stand in his way, including Lana, who faced Lex’s intimidation and veiled threats with impressive resolve.
The episode opened with Lex in a fit of anger, symbolically burning memories of his daughter, Elizabeth, and vowing to carry out a carefully laid plan that centers around Smallville. Amanda, his unwaveringly loyal assistant, began to show her more sinister side, when Lex made her choose between him and a more moral path. Her loyalty set the tone for the manipulative, dangerous partnership these two are building—a threat that clearly won’t be easy for Clark and Lois to dismantle.
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| “When the Lights Come On” - SUPERMAN & LOIS. Pictured: Tyler Hoechlin as Clark Kent and Emmanuelle Chriqui as Lana Lang. Photo: Colin Bentley/The CW © 2024 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved. |
The Kent family is at a crossroads. Clark’s graying hair symbolized his increasing doubts and vulnerabilities. Moments like these are rare and raw for Superman. Clark is learning what it is like to be human. Lois reassured him, suggesting they will face aging together, a moving scene that reminded viewers of Clark’s unique struggle to balance his superhuman duty with very human fears. But his confrontation with Lex, and the chilling moment when Lex disabled Clark’s powers by using the streetlights, showed that even Superman isn’t invincible. Clark’s restraint in the face of Lex’s provocation was a powerful moment, highlighting his struggle to maintain integrity in front of his sons, who watched on with admiration and worry.
Meanwhile, Lana and Sarah’s mother-daughter relationship was another highlight of the episode. Lana’s decision to support Sarah’s study abroad reflected a powerful, protective love—she wants Sarah far from Lex’s grasp. This subplot was a thoughtful counterbalance to the show’s heavier themes. Their bond was even more touching when Sarah, wielding a steel bat, saved her mother from Lex’s henchman in a suspenseful scene. Lana’s realization that Lex’s vengeance had reached her own home solidified her resolve to keep fighting alongside the Kents.
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| “When the Lights Come On” - SUPERMAN & LOIS. Pictured: Elizabeth Tulloch as Lois Lane. Photo: Colin Bentley/The CW © 2024 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved. |
The episode built to a climactic street fight between Clark and Lex. This confrontation was the culmination of their intense rivalry, with Lex unmasking Superman’s vulnerabilities by rendering him powerless, even as Clark managed to hold his own. When he refrained from finishing Lex in front of his sons, he reinforced the core of who he is—not a vigilante, but a hero bound by a strong moral code.
By the end of the episode, the Kents realized they’re facing an enemy who will stop at nothing. Lex’s assistant, Amanda, darkly hinted that she knows how to truly devastate the Kents, suggesting the ominous potential of what’s to come. The stakes are sky-high, as Clark solemnly promised to stop Lex, though he has no clear plan in sight.
Overall, this episode was packed with emotional weight, thrilling action, and a few shocking twists. It’s a powerful reminder of the cost of heroism and the lengths people go to for family and loyalty, for better or worse. With the threat of Lex hanging over them, the Kents and their allies are on high alert, making the next episode a must-watch as these tensions continue to rise. What did you think of the episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Drop them in the comment box below.
