"It Went By So Fast" picks up right where the previous episode left off, with Superman and Doomsday in the middle of a brutal, relentless battle. The Kryptonian beast from the Inverse World keeps hammering Superman with devastating blows, and for a moment, it seems like the fight is going to go the same way as their first encounter — with Superman on the losing side. But then, something unexpected happens: Jonathan and Jordan step in. Despite Clark’s wishes for his sons to stay out of the dangerous fight, Lois steps in, urging them to help save their father. The twins create a distraction, drawing Doomsday away so Superman can recover from the beating he’s taken. The family’s love and unity are on full display as Clark, even in his weakened state, is reassured by Lois’s faith in their sons. They may no longer need protection; they’re ready to fight by their father’s side.
As Clark regains his strength, though, he hears that Doomsday has gone after the boys, and his concern immediately grows. Lois, ever the source of wisdom, tells him to trust that the boys can handle themselves, that they aren’t alone. They have each other, and they have their family. It’s a moment of profound growth for Clark, a recognition that his sons are no longer the little boys who needed constant protection, but capable individuals who can stand their ground.
Meanwhile, John Henry Irons and Lana Lang arrive, offering their own form of support. They were sharing a quiet moment at a nearby bar when the battle between Superman and Doomsday broke out. Though John Henry had been injured, he devised a plan to use a prototype hammer against Doomsday. Clark sends the boys to Smallville’s town square, where they lay a trap that seemingly kills Doomsday — but, of course, with Doomsday’s healing abilities, it’s only a temporary victory. Clark, determined to end the creature’s reign once and for all, decides to take him into space, where the yellow sun will weaken him. When Superman almost throws Doomsday into the sun, the beast has a moment of clarity. In silence, Doomsday remembers who he is, silently asking Clark for mercy and drifting into the sun, finding peace as he’s destroyed forever.
Back in Smallville, Amanda McCoy decides to leave town, telling Lex Luthor over the phone that she plans to resign from LuthorCorp. Lex, of course, isn’t pleased and responds by attempting to kill her. He sends a missile toward her car, but Jonathan and Jordan swoop in to rescue her just in time. They bring her back to safety, and the three of them end up at the Smallville Gazette, where Lois, Lana, and John Henry set up a live interview to expose the truth about Lex. But as is typical for Lex, he has Milton Fine shut down all communications. John Henry tracks Fine down and ensures he’s captured by the Department of Defense.
Just as things seem like they might calm down, Lex arrives in Smallville, and chaos ensues once more. He immediately attacks the boys, sending Jonathan crashing into a nearby hotel he had purchased. Lex tries to choke out Jordan, but Lois — never one to back down — challenges him, taunting him about his fear of powerful women. Lex, predictably, takes the bait and charges at her, only to be stunned by an explosive device created by John Henry. It’s a brilliant, calculated move, and it momentarily takes Lex out of the equation.
As the action slows down, Jordan finds Jonathan unconscious in the hotel wreckage, his heart stopped. In a desperate and emotional moment, Jordan taps into his abilities, unleashing a surge of energy that successfully restarts Jonathan’s heart. The moment when Jonathan wakes up and the two brothers embrace is nothing short of beautiful. Jordan’s tearful plea for his brother never to leave him and Jonathan’s promise that he won’t, is one of the most touching scenes of the entire episode. It’s a reminder of the deep bond between the twins, the heart of this family, and the lengths they would go for each other.
Superman, having recharged in the sun, returns to face Lex in the sky. The battle is intense. Lex uses Kryptonite drills created by Milton Fine, and one of them comes dangerously close to Superman’s heart. But Clark, having had enough, pulls the drill out of his chest and delivers a final, decisive blow. He calls out Lex for attacking his family, his friends, and his town before sending him plummeting to the ground — though Clark ensures he lands safely. It’s a moment of victory, but also of justice.
Lois and Clark share a heartfelt embrace, their nightmare finally over. A year later, everything in Smallville has returned to a sense of normalcy. The wedding of Lana Lang and John Henry Irons brings together so many familiar faces — Chrissy Beppo, Kyle Cushing, Sarah Cushing, Natalie Irons, and others. Lois officiates the ceremony, sharing her love for the couple and reflecting on how fitting it is that two of the most wonderful people in Smallville would find each other. This moment is full of emotional weight, as it signifies the culmination of years of character development and deep relationships. Chrissy is pregnant with her and Kyle’s second child, Lana and Kyle share a dance as long-time friends, and Jordan and Sarah have a moment of reflection about where they are in life. Sarah expresses doubts about her place in Smallville, while Jordan has finally found contentment where he is.
Lois and Clark reflect on their legacy as Superman and Lois Lane. They’re hopeful for the future, particularly with Lex Luthor’s appeal denied, ensuring that he will spend the rest of his life behind bars. However, the real beauty of the episode lies in the subtle closing moments. Lex returns to Stryker’s prison, expecting to pick up where he left off, but is met by Bruno Mannheim, who informs him that his new role will be to serve as the “chair” for Mannheim’s operation. It’s a quiet but powerful moment, showing how far Lex has fallen from his ambitions.
The final moments of Superman & Lois are a bittersweet and beautiful reflection on Clark’s journey. After decades of heroism, Clark’s powers fade, and he and Lois transition into a life where they continue to help people in different ways, using their influence to launch charitable causes and help Bruno Mannheim protect his community from within Stryker’s. Jonathan and Jordan grow up, marry, and start families of their own, bringing the Kent family the extended family they always dreamed of. Life is warm, full of love — and yet, as with all things, time continues to move forward.
Eventually, Sam Lane’s heart, which had given him 32 extra years, finally gives out. Lois’s cancer also returns, and she passes away peacefully in bed surrounded by her family. Clark, now older and lonely, finds solace in his dog Krypto. He spends quiet nights on the porch of the Kent farm, reflecting on the love-filled life he shared with Lois.
Then, Clark’s death comes. His heart gives out during a walk with Krypto, but he’s temporarily revived by Kyle. However, Clark eventually passes away in bed, surrounded by Jonathan and Jordan. But this time, the journey isn’t over. Clark’s second death is peaceful, surrounded by the warmth of love, a stark contrast to the darkness that surrounded his first death at the hands of Doomsday. As Clark’s journey continues in the afterlife, he is reunited with his younger self, with Jonathan and Jordan as children, and with Lois, waiting for him.
When Lois steps out in the glowing light, young and radiant in the red dress she wore all those years ago, it’s clear that this reunion is not just a personal one, but symbolic of everything Clark stood for throughout his life. Their kiss is a culmination of the love that defined their journey together, and Clark’s final words to the audience, “It goes by so fast,” are a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of time. It’s a powerful message about love, family, and the importance of cherishing every moment.
The ending of Superman & Lois is a perfect and fitting conclusion to a series that was all about love — familial love, the love between partners, and the love that binds a community together. Clark’s second death, surrounded by those he loves, is a far more peaceful and uplifting end than his first, dark encounter with Doomsday. The show’s finale leaves viewers with a deep sense of gratitude for the love that lasts far beyond death, as Clark and Lois’s eternal bond lives on, reminding us all that the most important thing in life is to hold onto love, because it truly does go by so fast.
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