Superman and Lois has returned for its final season, and the first two episodes certainly packed a punch! The Last Son of Krypton has tragically succumbed to his injuries after battling the monstrous Doomsday, leaving his family to mourn the loss of a husband and father. Meanwhile, Lex Luthor is scheming once again, more than ready to exact vengeance on those who wronged him, especially Lois Lane. Will he succeed in destroying everything the esteemed journalist holds dear? Let's find out below!

The episode opens with the Kent family attending a funeral, where Lois delivers a heartbreaking eulogy. Meanwhile, General Sam Lane seeks the serum responsible for the creation of Doomsday, despite the hesitation of his work associates. A flashback shows Lois and Clark revealing Clark's superhero identity as the Man of Steel. Though initially skeptical, the seasoned general comes to realize that his daughter’s romantic partner is indeed the Big Blue Boy Scout.

In the present day, John Henry Irons mourns the loss of his friend, wishing he could have done more to save Clark. However, the Irons family faces more pressing matters, as General Lane asks John Henry and his daughter, Natalie, to work full-time with him at the DOD. The duo feels conflicted, but in a world without the Man of Tomorrow, they know its defenders must rise to the challenge. At the Kent farm, Lois publishes an article announcing Superman's death, much to the dismay of her sons. Jonathan, still blaming Jordan for their father's death, storms off in frustration.

Storming off to the barn, Jonathan unleashes a hateful tirade against Jordan, blaming him for their father's death, and breaks his hand after punching a post. However, strange things begin to happen as Jonathan experiences enhanced senses, and his broken hand heals almost instantly. Kal-El’s pod from Krypton responds to these changes by opening, revealing that Jonathan now has superhuman abilities. After flying around and learning to control his super strength, ice breath and heat vision, Jonathan is thrilled by this revelation, while Jordan starts to feel a twinge of jealousy.

Elsewhere, John Henry and Natalie enjoy a picnic while discussing the future and whether to accept General Lane's offer. Despite their hesitations, the two decide it’s time to throw away any semblance of a normal life and become proper heroes. At the DOD, Lois confides in her father about Jonathan's newfound powers, and General Lane offers to have him trained under the tutelage of the organization he works for. Another flashback reveals that, despite Superman's insistence on proposing to his daughter, General Lane wasn't originally on board with Clark marrying Lois. He believes the lives they choose to live aren't suited for domestic matrimony, and Clark storms off, fully intending to tie the knot with Lois.

In Metropolis, the diabolical Lex Luthor and his accomplice, Amanda, watch as Doomsday viciously devours an animal carcass. They’re determined to make General Lane talk about his daughter's whereabouts and are fully prepared to take any necessary measures. At the Kent Farm, Jonathan plays around with his enhanced senses as Lois proposes that he join the DOD, which he accepts heartily. Despite the exciting news, tension still lingers between Jonathan and Jordan, culminating in the latter giving his brother the cold shoulder.

At the DOD, General Lane discusses plans with John Henry and Natalie, who are now known as “Steel” and “Starlight”, as they meet their new teammates. Heading back to Smallville, Jordan reminisces about discovering his powers in the barn when Lex Luthor makes an unexpected visit. The megalomaniacal businessman reveals the phone call Lois made to save her sons in the previous episode. Shockingly, it is revealed that she chose Jonathan over Jordan. Jordan initially denies its legitimacy, but Lex gradually seeps into his mind as the insecurities he faces consume him.

A flashback to Lois and Clark's wedding day reveals that General Lane still had his doubts about the marriage, even on the wedding day. However, overhearing Martha Kent comforting her son about what’s about to happen helps persuade him to accept it. Lois and her father share a heartfelt exchange that seals the deal, and General Lane is now completely on board with the union of Clark and Lois. Returning to the present, Jordan confronts his mother about her choice, and despite her reassurances, the young hero is crestfallen and speeds off, frustration and disappointment etched on his face.

General Lane is confronted by one of his co-workers with a gun, whose family is being threatened by Lex, demanding he reveal the whereabouts of his daughter. During the struggle, Lane is shot and injects himself with the serum. John Henry and Natalie arrive to aid the wounded soldier. He insists that the newly recruited agents stop Doomsday, as it’s being sent to eliminate the threat once and for all. Despite putting up a good fight against the brobdingnagian monster, they prove to be no match for the creature that defeated the world's most powerful superhero.

Doomsday and Lois arrive at the DOD. As General Lane valiantly approaches Doomsday, Lois watches in horror. Despite Lex ordering him to reveal where his daughter is, Sam made a promise to keep her safe and does not give in to his demands. He bravely turns to his daughter and reassures her that all will be well as Doomsday snaps his neck like a twig. The behemoth flies away, leaving Lois to mourn the untimely death of her father. However, Steel and Starlight arrive, with Steel flying General Lane's corpse to the Fortress of Solitude.

With Lara's assistance, General Lane’s heart may be the key to resurrecting Superman as he injected himself with a serum containing the Man of Tomorrow's blood moments before his death. While Lara hesitates at the idea of a makeshift blood transfusion, Steel is determined to proceed in order to revive their ally. The new heart is prepped for transfer, but reviving the Son of Jor-El may take several days and could lead to unforeseen consequences. It’s revealed that General Lane had been searching for a donor prior to injecting himself after being shot, fully aware that he was facing death at the hands of Doomsday. Before his passing, the ill-fated general records a video message for his family, reassuring them that everything will be alright, and expressing how his daughter, along with her children and son-in-law, made him a better man. 

The funeral at the beginning of the episode is revealed to be for Lois's father, as she tearfully bids him farewell. However, amidst their somber goodbyes, a shocking revelation unfolds at the Fortress of Solitude. The lifeless body of Kal-El suddenly stirs to life with a tremendous force, finally resurrected after his supposed defeat at the hands of Doomsday. However, the question remains; will this be the same charming and kind-hearted protector we've cherished for so many years, or has the transfusion altered him in ways we cannot yet comprehend?

“Always My Hero” wonderfully intertwines the concepts of familial loss and legacies as it delivers a saddening tale that resonates deeply with all viewers watching. The episode establishes a somber atmosphere that reverberates throughout the storyline. This grief is juxtaposed with the dramatic resurrection of Superman, igniting a sense of hope while raising questions about the ramifications of his return. The tension between Jonathan and Jordan adds a compelling layer, and the narrative deftly balances heart-wrenching moments with gripping action. To conclude, as our favorite characters navigate their intertwined destinies, audiences are left eagerly pondering the transformative impact of Clark’s revival and the unforeseen consequences that may follow.

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