Superman and Lois is nearing the finish line, with only a handful of episodes left until the series finale! Last week’s episode highlighted the effects of vengeance on individuals, creating major rifts in familial bonds, particularly between Lex and his daughter, Elizabeth. Lois appears to have tamed the monstrous Doomsday to the extent that it turns against its master. However, Lex Luthor is still lurking in the shadows, and Smallville will have a lot on its plate with the rise of such a devious megalomaniac. Let’s take a look at what’s to come in “When the Lights Come On!”
The episode opens with an enraged Lex wreaking havoc in his hotel room in Smallville, violently smashing objects while reflecting on what he could have had with Elizabeth. In a fit of fury, he burns all remnants of his journey to find her. Lex’s loyal assistant, Amanda, enters to inform him that LexCorp employees are hesitant about relocating, but the former businessman is indifferent as he reiterates his desire for vengeance against those who have wronged him.
At the Kent Farm, Clark and Lois gather materials containing incriminating evidence against Lex, while Jonathan continues his global rescue efforts as Superboy. Lois suggests that Jordan should talk to Jonathan about his increasingly reckless behavior. Concurrently, at the Lang-Cushing household, Lana and Sarah discuss their increasingly hectic personal lives until Lana receives an urgent call to come into the office.
Meanwhile, at the Smallville Gazette, the Man of Tomorrow focuses on tracing individuals linked to Lex, while Lois decides to investigate further by observing Amanda. In the Smallville municipal building, Lex waits for Lana in her office and suggests that she reconsider her zoning plans for his new headquarters. When she firmly refuses, he departs, leaving behind a veiled threat.
Amanda and her associate discuss their relocation plans when Lois confronts them. Amanda is resolute in her belief that she is justified in supporting a criminal mastermind, while Lois warns her about the dangerous path she is taking. At a local convenience store, Clark is purchasing some items when Lana shares her recent encounter with Lex at her office. She reveals the location of his new headquarters to Clark and persuades him to join her, arguing that his presence as a Kent will ease the negotiations with the property seller.
Later, at the go-to Smallville diner, Coach Gaines approaches Jonathan and Jordan, attempting to convince them to rejoin the football team. However, Jonathan quickly excuses himself to continue helping others around the world. Meanwhile, the local proprietor initially hesitates to assist Clark and Lana, but ultimately relents after dropping hints about her awareness of Clark’s true identity.
Back at the Smallville Gazette, Clark and Lois engage in a discussion about the potential risks of people discovering Clark's true identity, just as Jonathan enters after another heroic save, much to their frustration. Meanwhile, Jordan seeks employment at the diner where Sarah works, which upsets her. Sarah shares her aspirations of traveling and experiencing the world, even without any powers.
As Lana and the proprietor attempt to withdraw from their agreement, Lex arrives and pressures them to honor his deal. Tensions escalate as Clark enters the scene, but Lex counters by offering the proprietor ten million dollars in exchange for her compliance and the support of everyone else in the bar. Ultimately, she declines his offer, prompting Lex to storm out in frustration.
Amanda confronts Lex in his hotel room, voicing her frustration about being kept in the dark regarding his plans. She confesses her uncertainty about trusting someone she cares for so deeply, as Lex pressures her to choose between loyalty to him or allegiance to those she stands with. At the Lang-Cushing household, Sarah shares her aspirations of studying abroad, expressing a desire to broaden her horizons and pursue a transformative experience. Although Lana is initially hesitant, she recognizes the importance of supporting her daughter's happiness and dreams.
At the Kent Farm, Jordan and Jonathan engage in a conversation about Jonathan's superhero endeavors while their parents discuss Clark’s physical aging and the challenges he faces in maintaining his superhero persona. Later that evening, Lana finds herself physically assaulted by Otis, but in a dramatic turn, Sarah manages to intervene just in time to save her mother from a potentially fatal encounter.
The Kent family hurriedly makes their way over there where Lana confides in them about the traumatic incident she experienced. Clearly shaken and horrified, she finds solace in Lois's comforting presence. Meanwhile, an absolutely furious Clark heads to Lex’s hotel room, seeking confrontation. Attempting to intimidate Lex, he discovers that Lex has strategically positioned red sun lighting in the street lamps, leveling the playing field for their encounter. The two engage in a fierce and brutal fight, culminating in a moment where Clark stands on the brink of taking his greatest enemy’s life, with his family helplessly witnessing the struggle unfold.
The Kent brothers attempt to commend their father for his decision to confront his enemy, but Clark firmly asserts that there were no victors this evening. The Last Son of Krypton cautions that their entire family must prepare for whatever challenges lie ahead. Meanwhile, Sarah emphasizes to her mother the importance of standing up against cruelty, and Lana ultimately agrees to allow her daughter to study abroad. The episode concludes with Lex tending to his wounds while Amanda vows her unwavering loyalty to him, hinting at the impending arrival of the exo-suit.
Overall, this episode delivers a tense exploration of Lex's destructive rage as he grapples with his thirst for revenge, leaving his assistant Amanda caught in a web of loyalty and moral conflict. Meanwhile, the Kent family faces their own challenges, culminating in a heart-pounding moment when Sarah intervenes to save Lana from an attack. The episode builds to a brutal confrontation between Clark and Lex, pushing Clark to confront his darker impulses. As the dust settles, the Kents brace themselves for what’s to come, with Lex’s ambitions setting the stage for more intense conflict ahead. To conclude, “When the Lights Comes On” is a hair-raising episode that makes us very nervous about what’s to come in the final four episodes, especially in regards to how the Man of Steel and his allies will stop such a nefarious foe.