Superman & Lois Review: Last Sons of Krypton (Season 1 Episode 15)
Superman & Lois sticks its landing in perfect superhero fashion with a season finale worthy of its titular heroes.
By finally letting go of its intense hold on Edge as the season’s villain, Superman & Lois Season 1 Episode 15, “Last Sons of Krypton,” returns to what makes it such a refreshing take on its infamous characters.
Unfortunately, the show doesn’t let go of Edge easily or quietly. Tyler Hoechlin delivers Clark’s awkward line about Edge ruining his chance at a family since they were brothers as best he can.
It doesn’t land well despite his best efforts because of the way the season fumbled with Edge. There is never a time when it feels possible that Clark and Edge could have a lasting bond as brothers, even if it was a love-hate relationship.
The opportunity is even more fleeting now that Edge, though the Eradicator at the time, kidnapped Clark’s son. Edge made the active decision to become the Eradicator so that Zeta-Rho could take a human body — Jordan’s body.
That won’t be forgiven by Clark and Lois. Family is the beating heart of Superman & Lois, but that doesn’t mean that Morgan Edge deserves to be a part of it.
The show could have reserved more time to make Edge likable or planted the seeds for a redemption arc down the line had it changed course earlier in the season. Leslie Larr could have been the real mastermind, and, instead, she still has no active role in things.
Alternatively, “Last Sons of Kryptons” finally makes Kyle Kushing useful. He earns his spot back at the firehouse and in the Smallville residents’ hearts by doing what he always did — save lives.
Kyle’s heroic exit from a burning building isn’t entirely earned considering his trajectory for the season, but it’s a quick and easy way to wrap up his story.
That is more believable than Clark insulating there was a way that he and Edge would act like brothers.
As for the true last sons of Krypton, how epic is Jordan coming to mid-air only to hug Jonathan mid-air? Flight is just a superpower Jordan has now. It’s pretty wonderful that Superman & Lois doesn’t make a big deal about it, at least not yet.
There is no time in this season finale to take even a beat to acknowledge Jordan’s new ability. Plus, it bodes well for Season 2 that the show won’t spend an obscene amount of time each week chronicling Jordan’s powers.
Superman & Lois does this most pointedly at the beginning of the season so it doesn’t necessarily need to happen again. The visual of the two brothers hugging in mid-air is one that will stick with them and us for quite some time.
That scene is such a memorable one because it hones in on the magic of Superman & Lois — the family at its center. The show stays true to its earlier message while also letting Lois and Jonathan go above and beyond simply “holding the wrench.”
They have active roles in saving Jordan, ergo Smallville, and then the rest of the world.
Lois’ plea to her son to keep fighting is a tear-jerking moment expertly performed by Bitsie Tulloch and Alex Garfin. It’s just as moving to watch as Clark clinging to Jordan after he finds him.
It’s those emotional stakes that hit far more than whether Edge and Clark will be brothers after all of this. It’s those emotional beats that make a funeral for a Kryptonian AI an impactful and somber occasion.
Though it’s silly to watch Clark bury something that’ll likely come back to haunt him under a small patch of grass, that service pinpoints what makes Hoechlin’s Clark Kent/Superman so enjoyable and different.
Like Jor-El, the best thing Clark ever did was be a dad first.
The rest, all of the Superman-ing, falls into place after being a husband and a father. Of course, Superman amazes and inspires people daily, but it’s far more interesting to watch the ways that Clark Kent amazes and inspires people.
There is a human element that comes from telling a grounded story about a father and husband in Smallville that can’t be reached if Superman & Lois solely prioritized Superman. He’s unreachable yet Tyler Hoechlin makes him accessible.
The same can be said of the intrepid journalist Lois Lane, too. She is on a whole other level, even Chrissy points this out at the beginning of the season. However, as the episodes progress, Lois Lane becomes less of a title and more of a human.
Of course, she is a badass journalist who fights for truth and justice in whatever ways she can, but she’s also a woman, a wife, and a mother.
She is as complex and flawed as the rest of us, and Bitsie Tulloch explores those intricacies with such bravery and delicacy.
Together, Hoechlin and Tulloch lean into the vulnerability of absolute legends to make them fresh yet familiar. Their chemistry is some of the best on TV, and it never falters. It only intensifies by adding Alex Garfin and Jordan Elsass to their dynamic.
Superman & Lois‘ not-so-secret weapon is that it successfully tells domestic stories about two of the world’s greatest heroes, confirming that action and fireworks can stem from that.
The cliffhanger on “Last Sons of Krypton” is further proof of that narrative choice. It’s not about Edge making another comeback. It’s not about a new Big Bad coming to Smallville.
The cliffhanger is about the real emotional effects of John Henry Irons reuniting with his daughter Natalie. Her crashlanding raises plenty of questions about the Multiverse and the Arrowverse’s place in it.
Furthermore, it introduces a much larger question if the familial unit that Clark, Lois, Jonathan, and Jordan worked so hard to save is now at risk of changing forever. But, change isn’t a bad thing. Plus, Clark does say that he and John Henry are “better together.”
Stray Thoughts
- Lana is totally going to run against the Mayor when he’s up for reelection, isn’t she? I’ll start making my VOTE LANA signs now.
- I like how Jordan and Sarah’s relationship is paralleling Clark and Lana’s relationship. I wish them more luck than their parents had.
- How is Sam that okay after that car accident? I feel like everyone should be more hurt than they are.
- Chrissy and Lois owning the Gazette is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
- Sophie is always with Lana’s mom at the most convenient times.
- Superman telling everyone, “I’m not the one who saved Smallville. Its people did” makes me emotional.
- If Kyle’s great at anything, it’s making those ribs.
- Jon telling Lois, “Mom, I’ve got you,” is too much for my fragile heart to take.
What did you think of the season finale of Superman & Lois? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Superman & Lois airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on The CW.
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Shelby Elpers
Shelby is a TV enthusiast and pop culture writer. She's an avid podcast listener, green tea drinker, and soccer fan. Her brand can be summarized in rom-coms, superheroes, teen dramas, and workplace comedies.