Superman and Lois 4x10 : It Went By So Fast review

 

              Be warned there will be SPOILERS* involved in this review. With that being said let's get into it

So here we go. The last ever episode of Superman and Lois and boy what a journey it has been to get here. From the arrival of John Henry Irons in season 1, to Bizarro and the parellel world all the way threw Bruno Mannheim and Onoaopoeia before finally Doomsday and Lex Luthor. This show has arguably been the most impressive and faithful adaptation of the Superman lore. I'll have more on my overall thoughts of everything at the end of this review but for now let's get into the episode as it begins pretty much where last weeks ended. With the arrival of Doomsday upon Smallville once again as Round 2 of Superman vs Doomsday takes place. It's not looking good for Superman who is very heavily getting beaten up really bad. Johnathan and Jordan arrive but Superman tells them to back basically not allowing them to help him. As this is going on John Henry and Lana who were on a date when Doomsday arrived head back to John's lab to find something to use against the monster. John finds a piece of tech that when attached to something will explode on impact. He uses it on his hammer and as Superman leads Doomsday back to Smallville John Henry lands a direct hit with his hammer which technically kills Doomsday for the time being. So what now?? well Superman has a plan, bring Doomsday to the sun as given it is actually the Bizarro version of himself the sun will act the opposite it does to him. Instead of powering him it works in reverse order and we see this when Superman brings Doomsday to the Sun. He stops right in front of the Sun with Doomsday in front of him it looks like he is about to punch him directly into the ball of pure heat and energy but Clark stops in his tracks instead he pushes Doomsday towards the sun as various memories and flashbacks run throughout the mind of it. As Doomsday gets closer to the Sun he begins to evaporate until finally there is nothing of it left as it becomes one with the Sun. This was absolutely brilliant and so well done. Was a very fitting end for this version of Doomsday which was a lot more smypathetic than any other version of the character and it's all down to the character work and development of the Bizarro side of it. 

So Doomsday is down now Superman has to deal with Lex Luthor and after he arrives seeking blood Superman takes him to the skies in his warsuit in a series of action scenes that are as good as I could've imagined and more. Not only does Superman shake off and crush Kryptonite spears in his hands but he also lambasts and berates Lex about all he has done to his famiy and Smallville. The two ultimately come to blows with Superman literally punching Lex Luthor out of his war suit shattering it into tiny pieces. The two are on the ground with Luthor being sent back to Strykers with his appeal denied meaning not only is he defeated but he'll likely spend the rest of his days behind bars. 

The episode and series ends as we're shown one year later and someone is getting married. It's none other than Lana and John Henry Irons who get married at the Kent family barn. It's a really wholesome moment for sure as they tie the knot with Lois marrying them. Lois has a wonderful speech as the entire family celebrate such a great occasion, Clark even walks Lana down the aisle in what was a sweet moment. We also see Chrissy and Kyle at the ceremony and baby no 2 is already on the way for them which was great. The wedding goes down a treat and once again we're in a time jump this time to years in the future as we see Clark and Lois grow old together. Surrounded by the boys, their wives and children it's a beautiful moment that really does feel deserved. Both Lois and Clark set up a foundation to help those in need and given the celebrities they have become the foundation is very successful indeed. But like everything in life things must come to an end as Clark who is narrating over everything in the final 10 minutes or so tells us that Lois's cancer returns and this time she is not strong enough to fight it. It's a far more aggressive version and she ultimately passes away with all her family by her side with Clark next to her. Before she passes away she calls out to her dad hinting at an afterlife that maybe one day they'll all see one another again. So with Lois now gone and the boys living their own lives Clark spends most of his time alone at home but as he says it just isn't the same without Lois around. He decides to get a dog and it's none other than a Golden Retriever whom he calls Krypto which was yet another beautiful moment woven into this incredible finale. Both Krypto and Clark spent their days together going for walks, taking naps and just living life. That too has to end and it does as after 32 years with Sam Lane's heart it finally gives out on Clark as while out walking Krypto with Kyle he falls to the ground clutching his chest. Clark Kent / Superman the mightiest hero of all time passes away and it's as emotional as you could get. The emotional moments don't stop there oh no as Clark awakens in what is seemingly the afterlife that Lois had hinted at earlier. Clark sees everyone, from his boys, Kyle and Chrissy to even Lex Luthor who is seen at table crying almost uncontrollably. Clark talks about forgiveness as he places his hand on his arch nemesis seemingly forgiving him for everything as a light warms up the screen. But it's not over yet as the final thing both we the audience and Clark sees is Lois Lane awaiting her husband at the front door. She is dressed in her famous red dress which was an amazing call back to an episode from season 3. The two embrace and talk about just how it all went by so fast and no truer words have been spoken as that's a wrap on this episode and show. Man what a series finale and season overall not only was this pure emotion it was so heartfelt, touching and absolutely mesmarizing to watch unfold. You really couldn't ask for better than this as a Superman fan. A fitting way to end the show and a very well earned goodbye. 

So there you have it Superman and Lois has come to an end. 50+ episodes of arguably the best portrayal of the character put to screen. Tyler Hoechilin and Bitsie Tulloch as Clark Kent / Superman and Lois Lane was genius and pretty much perfect casting. Right from when we met them way back in 2016/2017 it was evident that they were going to be special together and boy were they. From the highs of their early life together to the birth of their two sons to the lows of Lois's cancer storyline which was just handeled with such care and effort together they were a joy to watch and my favorite pairing of the characters after Tom Welling and Erica Durance from Smallville. But of course it wasn't just them who made the show what it was also amazing were the two boys Jordan and Johnathan, Lana, Kyle, Sarah, Chrissy, John Henry Irons and his daughter and Sam Lane who all were the glue that held it all together. This was a sublime cast full of so much talent and care for what they were doing. As for the villains they were also very well done ranging from Superman's long lost brother Tal-Rho to Bruno Mannheim all the way to the big bad himself Lex Luthor and boy was this version something else entirely. I can't really put into words just how impressive this show was from beginning to end I was hooked and couldn't wait to see what would happen next. It's sad to see it come to an end of course but at least it got to tell it's final story in it's most complete way as other shows didn't get to do that like Legends of Tomorrow. Speaking of Legends of Tomorrow with Superman and Lois now finished it's the end of an era for the DC TV on the CW Network. Beginning with Arrow in 2012 and spanning shows like Supergirl, The Flash, Black Lightning, Batwoman and Legends of Tomorrow it has been a wonderous journey to watch it all unfold and while I didn't quite agree with a lot of things it was all still brought to life with such enthusiasm and effort it was hard to truly hate it for long. It's a farewell to Superman and Lois and to this era of DC TV, who knows what comes next but I look forward to covering that also. For Truth, Justice and a better Tomorrow.

Episode ★★★★★

Season overall ★★★★★