Spoilers for Superman & Lois Season 4 follow!
After over a year of waiting, it’s bittersweet to return to the world of Superman & Lois for its fourth and final season. The CW’s Arrowverse had many great TV shows throughout its run, from The Flash to Supergirl to Legends of Tomorrow, but Superman & Lois was a level above the rest when it came to everything. Just by looking at the DC show’s thrilling action, imaginative visuals, and CGI budget, it was always clear that Superman & Lois was a cut above the rest of DC TV. That trend continues in Superman & Lois Season 4 but with a darker story than what’s ever come before.
Picking up where Season 3 left off with Clark Kent/Superman (Tyler Hoechlin) and Doomsday fighting on the moon, Superman & Lois Season 4’s opening scenes see that fight continue until it reaches a brutal end. Meanwhile, Lex Luthor (Michael Cudlitz) moves to Smallville after purchasing an old hotel across the street from the Smallville Gazette. Lex is there to watch over and intimidate Lois Lane (Elizabeth Tulloch), who he blames for wrongfully incarcerating him. This, of course, turned Lex’s daughter against him. Lex is a broken man this season, and the fallout with his daughter is a major driving force behind his ruthless actions in these opening three episodes, which are titled “The End & the Beginning,” “A World Without,” and “Always My Hero” in that release order.
While wondering about Superman’s fate, Lois and her sons, Jordan (Alex Garfin) and Jonathan Kent (Michael Bishop), try to find her father, General Lane (Dylan Walsh), who was kidnapped in the Season 3 finale. Jordan tries to use his super hearing to find his grandfather but cannot track him down. With Lex determined to ruin Lois’ life, killing her father is another step towards truly breaking her. The whole world comes crumbling down as Doomsday returns to Earth with a deceased Superman, dropping him in the streets of Smallville. It’s a shocking, gory sight to see as Lois turns over Superman’s body.
Doomsday in ‘Superman & Lois’ Season 4 courtesy of The CW
Superman & Lois Season 4 starts out with more intensity than any previous season, throwing the audience into many high-stakes situations. The show doesn’t hold anything back as it speeds through the three jam-packed episodes with world-shattering consequences that Lois is forced to grapple with. What’s so great is that Lois is at the very center of everything, and Bitsie Tulloch carries the story in Hoechlin’s absence from the present-day scenes with grace. Tulloch is, without a doubt, one of the definitive Lois Lane’s in Superman history, as she acts her heart out once again in these latest episodes. Lois is forced to deal with great tragedy this season, the death of her husband being up first. Tulloch steps up and delivers a heartbreaking array of emotions that will hit longtime fans of the series hard.
Jonathan and Jordan Kent are prominent in the first three episodes of Superman & Lois Season 4. Jordan believes he is capable of stepping up by using his Kryptonian powers to stop Lex and Doomsday. On the other hand, Jonathan stays grounded and offers another perspective on Jordan’s actions. Things reach a boiling point between the two that showcases Michael Bishop’s acting chops as Jonathan loses it with his brother.
The first episode is a direct continuation from the end of Season 3, where Lex moves to Smallville, Superman fights Doomsday, and General Lane tries to escape capture. It’s a thrilling episode that ends on a shocking note as Lois finds Superman’s dead body on the streets of Smallville. Despite the darkness it opens on, Superman & Lois Season 4 eventually finds time to be the beautiful, humane series that it is renowned for as it flashes back to Superman and Lois’ defining moments as a couple, showing the good times and the bad paired with tender music.
Tyler Hoechlin & Elizabeth Tulloch in ‘Superman & Lois’ Season 4 courtesy of The CW
The following two episodes continue to see Lex becoming increasingly involved in the Kent family’s life. However, Lana Lang (Emmanuelle Chriqui) and Sarah Cortez (Inde Navarrette) get involved for their own reasons. Lana unknowingly approved Lex’s purchase of the hotel across from the Gazette, and this decision is instantly troubling when she finds out that he bought it through a shell company. Sara encourages her mom to back the Kents, despite Lois’ warning that if Lana messes with Lex, it could cause deep trouble for her family. Bringing the old series regulars back one by one is a smart move that allows for them to receive greater focus when on-screen, although later in the season, things could change as the story amps up.
Tyler Hoechlin’s presence is still felt in the first three episodes of Superman & Lois Season 4, despite only appearing as Clark/Superman in flashbacks. The flashbacks feel natural and are well-placed to glimpse at key moments in the past that have a knock-on effect in the present. Also, showrunner Todd Helbing has given the “Death of Superman” DC comics arc some breathing room here, allowing the characters to go through their emotions and deal with the devastating loss of the world’s protector. It will be only a matter of time until Hoechlin rejoins things, as Superman always returns from the dead. Ultimately, the adaptation of the arc in Superman & Lois Season 4 can be seen as faithful to a degree — but still leaves enough space for the show to put its own spin on the iconic DC story.
Superman & Lois Season 4 has started strong with three entertaining episodes that are extremely dark at points, especially for this DC series. The story feels very promising and fans have a lot to look forward to, with many twists and turns already being spun into place. As the last remaining DC TV show (before James Gunn’s DCU completely takes over), this final season of Superman & Lois is gearing up to send off an entire generation of television storytelling on a high note.
New episodes of Superman & Lois Season 4 premiere every Monday on The CW at 5 pm PT/8 pm ET!
Premiere Date: October 7, 2024.
Developed by Greg Berlanti & Todd Helbing.
Based on characters appearing in DC Comics.
Showrunner: Todd Helbing.
Executive Producers: Greg Berlanti, Brent Fletcher, Gregory Smith, David Madden, Geoff Johns, Kristi Korzec, Sarah Schechter, Lee Toland Krieger, & Todd Helbing.
Main Cast: Tyler Hoechlin, Elizabeth Tulloch, Michael Bishop, Alex Garfin, Michael Cudlitz, Inde Navarrette, Erik Valdez, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Dylan Walsh, Yvonne Chapman, Douglas Smith, Rebecca Staab, Ryan Jefferson Booth, Paul Lazenby, Mariana Klaveno, & Elizabeth Henstridge.
Composer: Dan Romer.
Production Companies: Berlanti Productions, DC Entertainment, & Warner Bros. Television.
Episode Count: 10 (Season 4).
FAQs
What time does Superman & Lois Season 4 premiere on The CW?
New episodes of Superman & Lois Season 4 premiere every Monday on The CW at 5 pm PT/8 pm ET.
Who are the main cast members of Superman & Lois Season 4?
The main cast of Superman & Lois Season 4 includes Tyler Hoechlin, Elizabeth Tulloch, Michael Bishop, Alex Garfin, Michael Cudlitz, Inde Navarrette, Erik Valdez, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Dylan Walsh, Yvonne Chapman, Douglas Smith, Rebecca Staab, Ryan Jefferson Booth, Paul Lazenby, Mariana Klaveno, and Elizabeth Henstridge.
Credit: discussingfilm.net
