Superman & Lois Season 4 Episode 6: "When the Lights Come On" – Lex Luthor Escalates, The Kents Confront New Threats
Superman & Lois continues to build momentum toward its conclusion in Season 4, Episode 6, as the stakes rise for Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and their family. With only four episodes left in the series, the episode intensifies the conflict between Superman and his iconic foe, Lex Luthor, while diving into the challenges faced by the Kent family as they navigate their changing lives and powers.
The episode opens with Lex Luthor (played by Michael Cudlitz) in a violent rage, highlighting how his obsession with destroying Superman and Lois is beginning to take precedence over his personal life, even at the expense of his relationship with his daughter. This sets the tone for a man who is willing to burn bridges—literally and figuratively—in his pursuit of revenge.
The tension between Lex and Superman reaches a fever pitch when Lex attempts to buy the land of Smallville resident Adie Manning, offering her a price well beyond what it’s worth in order to build his new headquarters. When Clark and Lana Lang intervene, trying to convince Adie not to sell, Adie’s remark that “this is nothing compared to what you sacrificed” strongly implies that she knows Clark is Superman. This revelation further confirms how deeply the residents of Smallville have come to support the Kent family—Clark’s secret is no longer just his burden to bear, as the people around him are more aware of the stakes.
The town’s collective defiance against Luthor when he tries to pressure Adie into accepting his offer—despite offering $10 million to each person present—reinforces the idea that Smallville stands united against the villainous billionaire. This marks a pivotal moment in the series, as it becomes clear that the town isn't just protecting itself, but standing up for Superman, acknowledging the sacrifices he's made for them all.
On a more personal note, the episode also delves into Clark’s internal struggle with the physical changes he’s experiencing, particularly his newfound gray hair. While this may seem like a lighter subplot, it is deeply tied to his transformation following the heart transplant, which replaced his Kryptonian organ with a human heart. Clark’s aging process is symbolic of his changing nature—his Kryptonian powers may be affected, and his body may no longer function as it once did. This shift becomes a physical manifestation of the emotional and moral conflicts he's facing in his battles with Lex and the toll that the ongoing conflict is taking on him.
Clark’s attempt to conceal his gray hair by buying hair dye becomes an emotional pivot point, as he worries that his appearance may worry the public, especially during such a critical time. This subplot serves to remind viewers that Superman, despite his godlike abilities, is still human—and perhaps more vulnerable than he has ever been.
As the episode moves into its action sequence, Lex’s plan to assassinate Lana Lang for her role in stopping the land sale from going through takes a dangerous turn. After Clark confronts Luthor, Lex reveals that he has rigged the streetlights outside his base to emit red sun radiation—rendering Superman powerless. This leads to a brutal, no-holds-barred street fight between Superman and Luthor, set to the intense backdrop of IDLES’ “When the Lights Come On,” which serves as a perfect soundtrack for the chaotic confrontation.
The fight, though physical, also becomes emotionally charged when Clark—fueled by anger over Lex’s attempts to kill Lana—begins choking Luthor. The scene is intense, showcasing Clark’s loss of control, as he sees in Luthor the embodiment of everything that has pushed him to his limits. However, Clark ultimately releases his grip when he sees Lois and his sons arrive, reminding him of the family he’s fighting to protect.
This scene is pivotal, as it shows how Lex's plan isn’t just to physically defeat Superman, but to make him lose his moral compass. By pushing Superman to the brink, Lex is trying to force him to become the very thing he fights against—something that will likely play into the final confrontation between the two.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Kent begins to take on the role of a superhero with more intensity than ever before. His newfound powers are still exhilarating, but his overzealousness leads to concern from his parents. Clark and Lois intervene, reminding Jonathan that he needs to take care of himself, especially as he tries to compensate for his father’s recovery and Jordan’s temporary withdrawal from superhero duties.
Jonathan’s intense work ethic and dedication to helping others reflect his deep sense of responsibility, but it also highlights the challenges of balancing superhero duties with personal health and family. This struggle is mirrored in Jordan’s own journey, as he steps back into action after realizing that his brother’s commitment to being a hero inspired him to reconnect with his powers. The Kent brothers’ dynamic continues to evolve, with the possibility that they may one day take over the mantle of Superman, especially as the series nears its end.
The final moments of the episode set the stage for the next chapter in the conflict between Superman and Lex Luthor. After Lex’s plans to kill Lana and defeat Clark fail, he has an important conversation with his ally, Amanda McCoy. She suggests that Lex’s current methods are flawed and proposes a more dramatic approach: getting him a "killer suit." This could very well be the setup for the appearance of Lex’s Warsuit—a mechanical suit designed to give Luthor a fighting chance against Superman, especially in physical confrontations.
Fans of the comics will recognize the Warsuit as a classic piece of Lex Luthor’s arsenal, used in various adaptations to level the playing field between the human villain and his Kryptonian nemesis. The episode's closing moments tease that this suit will play a crucial role in the impending showdown between the two. With only a few episodes left in the series, this tease promises an epic final battle, with high stakes for the Kent family and Smallville as a whole.
Superman & Lois Season 4, Episode 6, delivers on both emotional and action-packed fronts, setting the stage for the final showdown between Superman and Lex Luthor. With Clark’s personal challenges, the Kent brothers stepping into their roles as heroes, and Lex escalating his plans for revenge, the episode leaves fans with a sense of impending danger and excitement. The tease of Lex’s Warsuit only heightens the anticipation for the final episodes, setting up what is sure to be a thrilling conclusion to the series.
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