Superman and Lois comes to a close tonight, marking the end of a series that has balanced the immense weight of saving the world with the challenges of raising a family. Over its three-year run, the program has reimagined the story of the Man of Tomorrow, presenting an otherworldly hero who is as vulnerable as he is invincible. In “It Went By So Fast”, Superman will face his most harrowing challenge yet; putting an end to Lex Luthor’s schemes once and for all. How will this final battle reshape his legacy? Let’s dive into the conclusion of this unforgettable journey.
The episode begins with John Henry Irons and Lana Lang sharing an intimate moment at a local bar, reflecting on their evolving relationship amidst the bittersweet milestone of Sarah preparing to study abroad. Their conversation is abruptly interrupted as tremors from Superman's fierce battle with Doomsday rattle the establishment. The chaos intensifies when the monstrous creature shifts its attention toward the bar, leaving John Henry and Lana scrambling to regain their bearings as destruction looms.
Meanwhile, Lois Lane races against time, orchestrating an evacuation to ensure the safety of nearby civilians. Her frustration boils over as she confronts Amanda, condemning her alliance with Lex Luthor and her role in unleashing Doomsday. Elsewhere, Jonathan and Jordan Kent rush to aid their father, but Superman commands them to hold back, determined to face the beast alone in a final showdown.
Doomsday relentlessly beats Superman into submission, leaving the Man of Steel battered and vulnerable. Defying their father’s orders, Jonathan and Jordan Kent step in, determined to confront the monster themselves. Meanwhile, despite his injuries, John Henry Irons retreats to his workshop, where he feverishly works on assembling a new exosuit and crafting advanced weapons to turn the tide of the battle.
Drawing on every ounce of determination, Superman rises once more, resolute in his decision to protect his sons from the deadly creature. However, Lois, understanding the gravity of the situation, convinces him to allow their sons to fight alongside him. Armed with a powerful warhammer designed by John Henry, the Kent family ultimately incapacitates Doomsday. The Big Blue Boy Scout resolves to take the creature into the sun, leveraging his Kryptonian physiology to grow stronger as Doomsday weakens under the intense solar radiation.
The Kent brothers are entrusted with the mission of locating Amanda and rescuing her from certain death as Lex attempts to execute her in a fiery inferno. Meanwhile, at the Smallville Gazette, Lois pressures Amanda into revealing the depths of Lex’s schemes, compelling her to divulge the truth about his plans. As the Last Son of Krypton endeavors to fly Doomsday into the sun, the creature unexpectedly regains consciousness and, in a final act of humanity, willingly surrenders itself to the sun. Lois prepares to report on the unfolding events, but Milton Fine, ever the disruptor, hacks into the system just as Lex, suited in his formidable exosuit, makes his way back to Smallville, primed for confrontation.
Superman absorbs the yellow sun's radiation, allowing it to amplify his powers to their peak. Meanwhile, Lois confronts Lex with a searing verbal assault, attempting to take him down with a small detonator. As Lois struggles, the Man of Tomorrow soars into the fray, ready to face Lex head-on. With Jonathan incapacitated, Jordan steps in to revive him, using his powers to help save his brother’s life. The battle between Lex and Clark intensifies as John Henry locates Milton's lair and captures him. After a powerful declaration to stop the power-hungry entrepreneur, the Man of Steel shatters Lex's war suit, sending him hurtling back to Smallville and securing his defeat once and for all.
One year later, John Henry and Lana are preparing for their wedding, with Lois officiating the ceremony. The scene unfolds with Kyle and Chrissy, proudly holding their newborn, and another child on the way. As Lois delivers a heartfelt speech, the couple exchanges vows and celebrates their union at the Kent family's barn. Later, as the reception winds down, Sarah and Jordan have a candid conversation. Sarah, feeling a tad disillusioned, expresses her reluctance to settle in Smallville and her desire to explore more, while Jordan seems content embracing the duties of a hero.
Meanwhile, Clark and Lois share a quiet moment in their kitchen, contemplating the future. They learn that Lex's appeal has been denied, and he is now facing life in prison. As Lex adjusts to his new reality at Stryker’s Prison, Bruno Mannheim arrives with a chilling message; things are about to change, and the power dynamics will not be the same as when Lex was last behind bars. The other prisoners laugh heartily at Lex's misfortune as he's locked away forever.
Through a poignant internal monologue, it is revealed that Clark, moved by the overwhelming suffering and turmoil in the world, ultimately made the decision to allow the boys to fully embrace their roles as superheroes. With his growing celebrity, he and Lois also established a foundation dedicated to helping those in need. As the years pass, we witness Clark and Lois aging gracefully together, surrounded by the joy of their expanding family, with Jonathan and Jordan raising their own children.
However, despite the warmth of their life, cancer returns to claim Lois, and she succumbs to the disease, leaving Clark heartbroken. Stricken with grief, Clark adopts a dog, finding solace in the companionship as he faces his final years. In his last moments, he reflects on the life he shared with Lois; filled with love, family and forgiveness. The series concludes with Clark, looking back on the legacy of his life, sharing one final, tender kiss with Lois, bringing their story to a close in a tearjerking farewell.
Overall, Superman and Lois wraps up its four-season arc with a powerful finale that delivers both emotional gut punches and tantalizing action sequences. While the defeat of Lex Luthor is satisfying, it’s the evolution of Clark, Lois and their friends and family over the years that truly tugs at the audience’s heartstrings. Though the ending may feel saddening to some, an undertone of hope burns brightly, leaving viewers deeply grateful for the experience of watching these characters grow and evolve, becoming even greater compared to where they started back in 2021. To quote the title of the finale, it really did go by so fast.