After the events of Superman & Lois thus far – and with the final episode on the horizon – I think I’m finally ready to see the Man of Steel’s sons take over from him in the DC show. Jordan and Jonathan Kent have had very different superhero journeys in the show, with Jordan gaining his powers in the first episode, and Jonathan’s seeming non-existent until Superman & Lois season 4, episode 3 brought them on in the late-game. Following this, the live-action Superman show seems to have set things up for the twins to replace Superman in the final episode.
Prior to season 4, I wouldn’t have ever thought the show would close out with Tyler Hoechlin’s stellar iteration of Superman being succeeded in the series’ story, since any potential chance of it seemed still so far away. However, recent episodes have almost entirely changed this, leading to a narrative set up that seems tailor-made for the superpowered sons to take the pressure off their beloved dad. Given everything I’ve seen so far, I’m actually happy to think about this being the case, despite previously thinking it was basically impossible.
Superman & Lois Season 4 Has Really Changed What Jordan & Jonathan Taking Over From Clark Means
Before Superman & Lois season 4, only Jordan had definitely inherited his father’s Kryptonian powers, and while he showed clear signs of having the compassion and skillset that would make him a great hero, it was also made repeatedly evident that he wasn’t emotionally ready. It seemed Jordan wanted the praise of the public more than he wanted to be a hero to do the right thing, and was shown throughout the early seasons with a tentative grasp on actually controlling his powers that could make them volatile at points in the story.
While Jonathan’s powers hadn’t manifested prior to season 4, the storyline he did have involving gaining superhuman abilities showed he also wouldn’t have been ready to be a full hero in his own right either. Taking the X-Kryptonite drug to give himself temporary powers in order to keep his place on the school’s football team showed both Jonathan’s impulsiveness and his lack of foresight, as it seemed as though he hadn’t fully thought through what taking the substance would actually mean in the bigger picture, but rather wanted to keep up with his classmate who was also taking it.
Now, however, things are very different. The strife shown in the prior seasons has given way to real growth, and the fact the brothers can be heroes together means they’re able to balance one another out – something that Clark mentions being a unique strength they have that he didn’t growing up. With season 4 also revealing that Clark’s body is steadily weakening, taking over from Superman now makes more sense in terms of ensuring the hope that he inspired lives on through his sons’ superhero careers at a time when Superman himself may not be able to keep being one.
Jordan & Jonathan’s DC Shows Arcs Show They’re Both Ready To Be Heroes
Jordan’s arc regarding his powers has been one of the longest ongoing stories in all of Superman & Lois. Initially scared of his powers and resentful of his father from keeping his superhero double life secret from him and Jonathan, Jordan’s struggles with his abilities are in many ways reflective of his struggle finding his way in life, and feeling like he belongs. While this has made the road trickier for Jordan, it also has given him a perspective that is now being shown to make him a uniquely positioned hero who can help people in a way others can’t.
This is exemplified in Superman & Lois season 4, episode 9, when Jordan notices one of the Smallville diner staff members has been unable to evacuate during the Doomsday attack because she’s frozen with fear. Jordan frosts a mug with his ice breath, and hands it to her, explaining that he uses a similar approach to calm himself down from panic attacks – using his powers and personal experience to be a hero in a distinctive and endearing way.
While Jonathan’s journey with his powers has been more straightforward, his personal arc has also set him up to be in a prime place to take over from Superman should this be a part of the finale’s plot. Jonathan’s growth over the course of the series culminated in him joining Smallville’s fire brigade, and undergoing their extensive training, ostensibly to prove to himself he could be a hero despite not having powers. Though this was followed up by the character gaining powers in season 4, the lessons learned here are sure to pay dividends for his hero career.
I’m Glad Superman & Lois Proved Me Wrong About What I Wanted From The Show
When I first started watching Superman & Lois, I expected that the show would end with perhaps a tease of Jordan fully and officially taking on the mantle of Superboy, if only to justify the story starting with the family moving to Smallville in response to Jordan getting powers. Three years and 52 episodes later, this prediction has been well and truly blown out of the water in a way I’m thoroughly happy about, since it comes about through the character development both brothers have received, and by the series showing Clark’s hopes they will follow in his footsteps.
Superman & Lois
season 4, episode 10 will release on December 2, 2024.
Balancing the stories of the two titular characters and their kids hasn’t always seemed easy. However, these efforts do appear to have paid off now that the pair are fledgling superheroes who can look out for one another in this field much in the way they’ve tried to anyway the entire show. After the road they’ve traveled in the story, I think both deserve to be Superman’s successors, whether they actively become his replacements in the finale of Superman & Lois or not.
