‘Superman & Lois’ Showrunners Break Down Epic Series Finale

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As a long-time fan of Superman, I must say that the finale of Superman & Lois was nothing short of exceptional. After decades of watching various adaptations come and go, it was finally refreshing to see the Man of Steel given a proper ending. The showrunners’ decision to give Clark Kent a human heart and allow him to grow old with Lois Lane was not only poignant but also incredibly moving.

Following four triumphant seasons, the show titled “Superman & Lois” has concluded its run. The series premiered on The CW in February 2021 and chronicled the life of Clark Kent/Superman (Tyler Hoechlin) and his wife, Lois Lane (Elizabeth Tulloch). Together they were raising their twin sons, Jonathan (initially played by Jordan Elsass and then Michael Bishop from Season 3 to 4) and Jordan (Alex Garfin), in Smallville. An intriguing twist was that the boys were discovering their father’s secret identity as Superman, while also grappling with the possibility of possessing powers themselves. Before Season 4 even began, it was announced that this would be the final season, which allowed “Superman & Lois” to offer a fitting conclusion to the hero’s tale – something no other Superman adaptation had achieved before.

After the final episode, creators Todd Helbing and Brent Fletcher explained their thoughtful approach to wrapping up the storyline for Deadline , choosing to provide a genuine goodbye to the character. As Superman is essentially immortal in most stories, he’ll live forever, outliving Lois and his sons. However, in this particular tale, due to what transpired with him, that wouldn’t be the case anymore. Instead of leaving viewers wondering about his later years, they decided to show it, offering a unique and moving ending. Helbing remarked, “It’s always exciting when endings surprise us.

Further along, he discussed the burden of crafting a satisfying conclusion, ensuring justice for the characters and pleasing the audience.

“It’s Superman and Lois Lane and Lex Luthor. They’re these iconic characters, and so that inherently has some pressure. You don’t want to be the version of the property that messed it up. To have the opportunity to be one of the only shows to actually conclude in the way that we want to, there was the pressure to stick the landing and do something different. But there’s that pressure, and then you just sort of have to acknowledge it and then just do your job. So we always just approach it like, let’s just tell the most human, hopeful, realistic version of the story and let the chips fall where they may.”

How ‘Superman & Lois’ Gave the Hero a Proper Ending

Fletcher shared that there was a moment when we were informed that our series was the only live-action show to fully explore Superman’s story. This led us to view it as a unique chance. We had many questions about what it would be like to lead such a life, and so we decided to use this opportunity to delve into those questions, he said. They started with the well-known “Death of Superman” as a launching pad, but then chose to alter the narrative. Instead of a violent clash with Doomsday, Superman’s ‘death’ became a peaceful goodbye.

Per Fletcher:

Originally, we intended to market “Death of Superman” to our audience. However, this title is misleading because the actual death of Superman occurs in episode 10. We wanted to convey that Superman had lived a meaningful life, filled with hope, joy, family, and all the good things he embodied. It was challenging to encapsulate such depth, but we believed a montage could offer a glimpse into this and serve as an inspiration. After all, we’re all mortal, and perhaps there’s a beauty in our mortality that even Superman wasn’t immune to. We found it intriguing, something that sparked our enthusiasm, so we decided to pursue this idea.

In the final episode of Superman & Lois, we see Clark Kent, no longer donning the Superman cape, instead choosing to age gracefully alongside his wife, Lois Lane. Earlier in the season, he had received a human heart, leading to this decision. Tragically, Lois succumbs to her cancer after several years, leaving Clark alone on their farm in Smallville with a faithful canine companion named Krypto. As time passes, Clark too eventually succumbs to old age, but finds solace in reuniting with Lois in the hereafter. In their absence, their sons, Jonathan and Jordan, step up to protect Earth, taking over from their father after his retirement and eventual demise.

In contrast to comic book portrayals of Superman, such as those in “All-Star Superman” or “The Death of Superman,” where he either lives for centuries after Lois Lane or dies at a young age, the series “Superman & Lois” offers a more optimistic narrative. This show presents the iconic couple with a contented ending, allowing them to grow old together. Even in the face of death, their love remains unbroken.

For the first time in live-action adaptations, Superman & Lois offers a fitting conclusion to Superman’s heroic journey. Unlike Smallville, which wrapped up its storyline but left room for more Superman adventures, shows like The Adventures of Superman, Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, and Superman: The Animated Series ended prematurely without a proper resolution.

Neither a live-action Superman film nor series featuring Christopher Reeve, Brandon Routh, or Henry Cavill managed to provide a satisfying conclusion for their Man of Steel. In contrast, the TV show Superman & Lois is exceptional in this regard and is one of the finest portrayals of Superman ever shown on screen. Now, James Gunn’s upcoming Superman project has a challenging task ahead in matching up to it.

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2024-12-04 01:03