Superman & Lois told one of the most original long-running Superman stories that the DC Universe has ever seen on television, providing a plethora of memorable and iconic quotes across its four-season run. After successfully proving the laziest superhero insult wrong, the CW series, starring Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch, made some incredible choices with its long-running story. While the series did not run as long as originally intended, the characters and their sons were given an incredible and satisfying conclusion.
Any superhero story is only as good as its writing, and the team behind Superman & Lois‘ memorable moments crafted some of the best scenes that the Man of Steel has ever had. Dealing with family dynamics while contending with the threat of historic villains like Lex Luthor, Doomsday, and Zod contributed to some of the best television of the past several years. This has left a great deal of thoughtful and intense dialogue that is worth examining as the show is remembered fondly for years to come.
10
“I’m Jon Kent’s Dad. Lois Lane’s Husband. We Need To Have A Talk”
Clark Addresses Conflict As His Alter Ego In Season 3, Episode 4
Not every problem can be overcome by Superman himself. In this powerful scene, Clark is shown standing up for his family. Rather than asserting his abilities as a superhero, Clark here tightens his scope on Emmitt, warning him and letting him know that the Kent family is not to be hurt. He makes it clear in no uncertain terms that Clark is willing to do whatever it takes to keep his family safe, not just as Superman.
This intense quote allows Clark to exist distinctly from Superman. There are types of anger and self-preservation that cannot be seen as part of the Superman character, but they are important to the Kent family. In this short, powerful scene, a brief look is given at Clark as a father, and how he will do anything that he can to look after his family. His status as husband and father is just as important to him as his superhero role.
9
“Everything Good And Decent. Truth, Justice.”
Superman Explains What He Stands For On Television In Season 1, Episode 11
Superman & Lois spends some time examining the hero’s effect on the world, and this is made abundantly clear with a look at an old interview between him and Lois. Wearing his classic garb from his original Action Comics debut, Superman is interviewed by Lois Lane in his first official televised interview, one year into his career, revealing some of his details to the world. The scene allows the two stars to connect, and Superman beams with a shining smile.
Superman here explains the global import of his mission, subverting his old ethos: “Truth, Justice, and the American Way.” With a look at the importance of the world and all of its cultures, this Superman looks to embody global values. Through this scene, a light is shone on Superman’s mission, endearing him to the world in a significant and impactful way.
8
“You Made Me Think I Was Crazy. They Put Me On Pills.”
Jordan Kent Reflects On The Pain Clark’s Secret Has Wrought In Season 1, Episode 1
The secret of Superman’s identity is not an easy one to hold in. This scene, where Clark reveals his powers to his sons in the premiere episode at the beginning of his sons’ power divide, is an emotional one. It begins as an effective unveiling, with Clark lifting a truck to prove his abilities, before descending into familial passion. Rather than being happy about Clark’s secret, Jordan is immediately devastated by how not telling him before has hurt him.
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Much of Superman & Lois reflects on the importance of honesty and family, which is made immediately clear in this first episode. Jordan is shown to struggle, not just with his relationship with his father, and with his own physiology, but even with how the lies and dishonesty have hovered over his head from birth. Examining this side of the hidden powers conversation is an original way to look at Clark and his family with empathy and understanding.
7
“Why Don’t You Stop Going After My Family And Come After Me?”
Lois Asserts Herself Against Lex In Season 4, Episode 10
The strength and importance of the cast and family beyond Superman himself has been so important to this series, and that is made especially clear in this final episode. As Lex does everything he can to destroy Superman’s family, the series gives Lois an opportunity to stand up to the villain, asserting her own power over him. While she does not have superhuman strength, Lois’ power and conviction are an enormous part of the series finale of Superman & Lois, and that is made especially plain here as she stands against him, empowered and furious.
The show is entitled Superman & Lois, and when it brings that to the forefront, recognizing the importance of its other titular character, it shines the brightest. This Lex Luthor iteration is evil and terrifying, and the ability to stand up to him, through Lois’ work with the newspaper and otherwise, is some of the most important. It is shown with great passion in this final episode how far she is willing to go to stand up for what she believes.
6
“You Know Me. Remember? I Am Not Your Enemy”
Lois Tries To Calm Doomsday In Season 4, Episode 9
Superman’s fight against Doomsday is a major part of the final season, with Bizarro’s transformation into the monster that kills Superman onscreen being an enormous part of that final story. Twisted and changed from the person he used to be, Doomsday appears once again in this episode, where he begins to wreak devastation on Smallville. Fortunately, the Kents are there, and each of them begins to fight back in every way that they can.
This line, shouted by Lois to the monster in the street, is especially important because it speaks to the heroic outlook that the entire family holds as important. They are each there and ready to fight for goodness in the world, not wishing to have that twisted into violence. Even the villains themselves are redeemable. Lois will not be an enemy to even Doomsday, because she is on the side of goodness, for everyone and everything, at any cost.
5
“Your Words Were What Put Me Away”
Lex Confronts Clark And Lois In Season 3, Episode 12
Lex Luthor is a truly terrifying villain, and seeing Michael Cudlitz’s iteration of the character appear in season 3 of Superman & Lois to set up the final season of the show is powerful. Appearing to see the Kents on their porch, Lex enters the show angry, cursing Lois for all of his lost years in prison. The scene reflects on the absence of its definitive Luthor, locked up for something that he didn’t do. While evil, this Lex is furious about something legitimate, and is looking for retribution.
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Lois, one of Superman & Lois’ best characters, admits that she was wrong about what she did to put Lex away behind bars, even though Luthor was still a monster. In return, Lex looks for his vengeance, wherever he can find it. Lex speaks loudly and vehemently, attempting to force Lois to retire from her work, something that is far too important to her to even consider. Truth is itself a beacon in Superman’s world, and that becomes deeply challenged here in a complex way.
4
“I Told You Kal. No One Can Fight Forever”
Tal-Rho Reflects On Legacy In Season 1, Episode 12
The life and death of Superman are important fixations on the CW series, which saw Clark aging and even struggling with the loss of his powers in the final season. Before this occurs, however, just before Zod appears to control Superman himself, Tal-Rho reflects on the limits to Clark’s own ability to persist. With larger powers in the universe, there will be things that even Superman cannot overcome at some point, to which he will need to submit.
Fortunately, even defeated as he seems in this scene, Clark does not see things this way and continues to fight, both in this episode and throughout the rest of the show. Still, it does become apparent as he ages, with Superman’s impressive displays of power, that things must be passed on. The show does this by contending with legacy, knowing that this fight can be continued across generations so long as that good is instilled within them.
3
“You Deserve Better”
Clark Reflects On His Other Iterations In Season 2, Episode 12
Before Superman & Lois made a colossal villain change with Bizarro’s evolution into Doomsday, the series spent a great deal of time contending with their iteration of the villain and other lives from his world. The tensions between Clark and Jon-El, a multiversal iteration of his son, are enormous, but this line reflects well on Clark’s outlook. Rather than focusing rigidly on only his own world, Clark works to see things beyond himself.
This idea of other worlds, and other versions of characters, no matter what their actions, actually deserving the chance to persist, is beautiful and haunting. Rather than seeing these Bizarro iterations as simple villains, the show creatively examined their world and their motivations. Superman’s own outlook is quickly made clear in this intense scene where the hero does his best to have them see eye-to-eye.
2
“He’s Your Opposite In So Many Ways, Yet Still You”
Clark’s Core Identity Is Exposed In Season 2, Episode 5
Bizarro’s different path in Superman & Lois contributed to some of the show’s best episodes, and much of this is made evident in this scene. During a conversation with Bizarro while restrained, the villain warns Kal-El of the war and destruction that is coming towards him, and the action that he will have to take to resist them. With terrifying effects, Bizarro’s words are chilling, and his staring back at Superman is terrifying.
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These words, however, help to contextualize the character. As Bizarro is beaten down and locked up, he is only fighting for that which he believes is right. This Bizarro is the Superman of his world, meaning that even if the two seem to be fundamentally different, their cores are aligned. The absolute values at the center of either would match, which makes this such a disturbing and upsetting look at the characters themselves.
1
“Enjoy The Time Left. It’s Running Out”
Lex Forces Superman To Contend With His Legacy In Season 4 Episode 5
Superman, now unmasked, must face his ultimate foe as a human, not as a hero, in this chilling scene that sets up the final episodes of the show. As Lex and Clark speak passionately about the things that matter to them, a cold reflection is provided by this dialogue, which speaks to the end of the show and the potential end of Superman for good. This mortal reflection on the fragility of life points toward not just Superman’s future, but the fate of the series itself.
Superman & Lois was given a final season to contend with its biggest questions and ideas, and much of the last season was spent dissecting these. From Superman’s death and rebirth to his aging and passing on the torch, the finale of Superman & Lois gave an incredible and unique ending to one of the best Superman stories yet told. This line signifies all that is to come, wrapping up the satisfying end of an incredible series.
Superman & Lois follows the Man of Steel, Clark Kent, and journalist Lois Lane as they navigate the strains of contemporary parenthood while confronting threats from supervillains and alien invaders, blending personal challenges with heroic responsibilities in this 2021 television series.
- Release Date
-
February 23, 2021
- Cast
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Geoff Johns
, Greg Berlanti
, Marc Guggenheim
, todd helbing
, Tyler Hoechlin
, Elizabeth Tulloch
, Jim Lee
, Jordan Calloway
, Matt Ryan
, Sarah Schechter
, Grant Gustin
, Nicole Maines
, Javicia Leslie
, Alex Garfin
, Jordan Elsass
, Michael Bishop
, Erik Valdez
, Inde Navarrette
, Wolé Parks
, Tayler Buck
, Sofia Hasmik
, Chad L. Coleman
, Dylan Walsh
, Emmanuelle Chriqui
, Michael Cudlitz