As a gamer who’s spent countless hours immersed in the world of Superheroes, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of sorrow and admiration for Sam Lane, the character who met his untimely end in “Superman & Lois” episode “Always My Hero”. The way his story unfolded was nothing short of heart-wrenching, from his acceptance of Clark Kent’s secret identity to his selfless sacrifice to resurrect the Man of Steel.
Warning: SPOILERS for the Superman & Lois episode “Always My Hero” are ahead!
In June 2023, it was announced that Superman & Lois would continue for a fourth season. However, due to budget reductions enforced by Nexstar, who took over The CW, the main cast experienced changes. Initially, Sam Walsh was removed from the main cast, followed by six other actors having their roles downgraded from series regulars. This resulted in a smaller core group for Season 4, which included Tyler Hoechlin as Clark Kent/Kal-El, Elizabeth Tulloch as Lois Lane, Alex Garfin as Jordan Kent, Michael Bishop as Jonathan Kent, and Michael Cudlitz as Lex Luthor.
It turned out that the additional actors in the show “Superman & Lois” would continue to appear, but only occasionally instead of being main cast members for Season 4. Regrettably, this implies the conclusion of Tyler Hoechlin’s character Sam Lane, who debuted since the series premiere in 2021. This decision came just two episodes after Sam was buried alive and miraculously rescued from suffocation, not forgetting that Superman himself perished in combat. In a recent episode titled “Always My Hero,” Sam met an untimely death, creating one of the series’ most heart-wrenching scenes. However, the departure of one of the show’s key characters on the 2024 TV calendar had a positive side: it paved the way for new and intriguing storylines.
How Sam Lane Died on Superman & Lois
Given the intense focus on Sam Lane throughout this episode and recalling that we wouldn’t be seeing much of him in the final season, I should have expected something significant to happen to him. After all, “Always My Hero” was the one where Jonathan discovered his superpowers, John Henry and Natalie Irons decided to join the DOD permanently, and Jordan found out that Lois had chosen Jonathan for a less-than-ideal living arrangement thanks to a call from Lex Luthor. However, despite all these events, it was Sam who truly stood out, with his storyline being both vividly depicted in flashbacks and in the current timeline.
Previously, I watched as he uncovered Clark Kent’s true identity as Superman, tried to dissuade him from marrying Lois Lane due to the perilous life he led, and eventually conceded that his daughter was in love with the extraterrestrial at their wedding. Today, however, I find myself squarely in Lex Luthor’s line of sight. The DOD general is the sole individual who knows the whereabouts of my long-lost daughter, Elizabeth, whom we now recognize as Elizabeth Henstridge from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. In his desperate pursuit to locate her, Luthor has even dispatched Doomsday to DOD headquarters, aiming to coerce me into revealing Elizabeth’s whereabouts.
In a tragic turn of events, Sam sustained severe injuries when a soldier, compelled by Lex Luthor, inadvertently shot him. The bullet wound appeared critical, leading to the possibility of fatal bleeding, but it wasn’t that which ultimately claimed his life. Instead, Doomsday carried out his demise when Sam refused to disclose Elizabeth’s whereabouts to Luthor. Consequently, the initial memorial service depicted was in honor of Sam, not Clark. Yet, there was another significant motive behind Sam’s selfless act; beyond protecting Elizabeth and sparing others at the DOD harm.
Why Sam Lane’s Death Was Necessary
In “Always My Hero,” Sam Lane sought a sample of the serum Bruno Mannheim used on the Reverse-Superman’s body during Season 3 of Superman & Lois, as part of his endeavors to heal his wife Peia. Regrettably, these efforts failed, but the serum did manage to revive the Reverse-Superman. However, it was Luthor who later modified the serum, leading to him transforming into Doomsday. This serum contained Superman’s blood and ultimately proved crucial in bringing back the Man of Steel when his original heart was destroyed.
Following the gunshot wound, Sam administered the serum to himself. John Henry and Natasha discovered him mere seconds later. At first, I harbored concerns that Sam was attempting to transform into a being similar to Doomsday, preparing for a direct confrontation. However, what he ultimately did proved far more honorable. As explained by Natalie, Sam had been on a quest to find a donor heart, with the intention of using the serum on it and inserting it into Superman’s body. Utilizing the Fortress of Solitude’s technology could potentially revive him. In the final moments, with time running out, Sam elected to perform the deed himself, recorded a farewell message for Lois, and ultimately surrendered to Doomsday.
In the TV show “Always My Hero,” events unfolded as predicted when John Henry transported Sam’s body to the Fortress, persuading the Lara AI to perform the operation before Superman’s blood left his heart. As the finale approached, Clark stirred within his stasis pod, confirming our suspicions that he was revived. However, Lara expressed reservations about using Sam Lane’s heart for the procedure due to potential side effects on Clark, even if it succeeded.
To put it simply, even though Superman is back, we shouldn’t expect him to be 100% immediately. In fact, I’m worried it might take several episodes for Clark’s powers to fully return, or they may even save them for the series finale when the enigmatic character played by Tom Cavanagh appears. However, with Jonathan now empowered and joining forces with Jordan, John Henry, and Natalie against villains, hopefully they can manage until Superman recovers. This should keep Lex Luthor at bay in the meantime.
As a devoted fan, I can’t wait for the latest installments of “Superman & Lois” every Monday at 8 pm ET on The CW. If you’re a Max subscriber, you’re in luck as you can stream the first three seasons! And don’t forget to browse through the upcoming lineup of DC TV shows to find what piques your interest. Plus, mark your calendars as James Gunn’s “Superman” movie is set to hit theaters on July 11, 2025, and will be the beginning of the new DC Universe film franchise.
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2024-10-15 04:07