On this week’s Superman & Lois, the thing that fans never thought was going to happen, finally happened. Spoilers past this point, but in Season 4, Episode 3 “Always My Hero,” Jonathan Kent (Michael Bishop) finally gets superpowers. Yep, Jordan Kent (Alex Garfin) isn’t the only super-son in town anymore. And in an even wilder emotional twist, everybody can’t wait to make Jonathan the next Superman instead of Jordan.
The event happens early in the episode when Jordan is trying to apologize to Jonathan for what happened last episode. Specifically that he literally flew off half-cocked trying to get Superman’s (Tyler Hoechlin) back from Lex Luthor (Michael Cudlitz). Instead, it was a trap, and Jordan was forced to watch as Lex stamped on his father’s heart in front of him. Literally.
But Jonathan isn’t having any of it. He’s losing it, and livid that he always has to make concessions for Jordan. Not only that, he all but blames Jordan for killing their father. And then he punches Superman’s baby spaceship, hurting his hand… Which is when his powers activate. All of them.
It isn’t a slow burn like Jordan, over the course of several episodes. He gets flight, superspeed, superstrength, heat vision, cold breath… The works. Not only that, he has basic instant control over all of them, at full strength. And as soon as Sam Lane (Dylan Walsh) finds out about what happened, he cannot wait to turn him into the next Superman. Granted, he’s very considerate about Lois’s (Elizabeth Tulloch) feelings, particularly since he went behind her back to train Jordan. But she’s all for it, as well.
They love Jonathan! He’s the awesomest! He’s going to do a great job replacing his father, and being the world’s next great superhero.
Jordan, naturally, is so bummed out about it he retreats back to his bedroom to play video games, just like he did when we first met him in Season 1. And while Jonathan goes to apologize, Jordan gives his brother a sick burn brush-off, telling him to have fun at the DOD (Department of Defense). After all, they both have super-hearing, so Jordan already knows what everyone has been saying about him.
The absolutely bonkers part is… Jonathan leaves, with Lois, and they go to the DOD to get him suited up. That’s when Doomsday attacks and everything goes horribly wrong, with Sam dying. But it’s kind of wild there was no heartfelt “we can do this together, as brothers” type speech… Because everyone knows that Jonathan is going to be better at this!!
What’s Next Now That There Are Two Supersons?
There are a few different ways things can go from here, particularly now that Superman is back alive at the end of the episode, thanks to a transplant of Sam Lane’s juiced-up heart. Jonathan and Jordan could both be Supersons together, teaming up and saving the day with their dad.
Alternately, and perhaps the more predictable way things can go are with Jordan going full dark, no stars as everyone continues to rely on Jonathan (it’s likely Superman won’t be at full power when he returns). I’ve speculated before that since they’re doing a loose version of the Death and Return of Superman storyline from the comics, we need to have a Cyborg Superman, alongside Doomsday, Superboy, The Eradicator, and Steel. With Jonathan potentially taking the Superboy slot from Jordan, will the latter somehow turn into the villain of this piece?
And if so, how does that fit in with the plot Lex Luthor has cooking, trying to track down his daughter Elizabeth? Or the potential arrival of Brainiac? With just seven episodes left to go, we’ll find out soon enough.
Where To Watch Superman & Lois:
Superman & Lois Season 4 Premiere Dates And Episode Guide:
The final season of Superman & Lois premieres with two episodes on The CW on Monday, October 17, 2024 at 8 pm ET / PT. Episodes then stream the next day on The CW website and app. After the premiere, it will air once a week for 10 episodes total in Season 4, with exact air dates TBA.
Here’s the full list of episodes in Superman & Lois Season 4, with premiere dates:
- Monday, October 7, 2024: Superman & Lois, Season 4, Episode 1: “The End & The Beginning”
- Monday, October 7, 2024: Superman & Lois, Season 4, Episode 2: “A World Without”
- Monday, October 14, 2024: Superman & Lois, Season 4, Episode 3: “Always My Hero”
- TBA: Superman & Lois, Season 4, Episode 4
- TBA: Superman & Lois, Season 4, Episode 5
- TBA: Superman & Lois, Season 4, Episode 6
- TBA: Superman & Lois, Season 4, Episode 7
- TBA: Superman & Lois, Season 4, Episode 8
- TBA: Superman & Lois, Season 4, Episode 9
- TBA: Superman & Lois, Season 4, Episode 10 *SERIES FINALE*
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