Superman & Loishas come to an end, and I will admit that theDC Universeseries did several things that I was not expecting, especially in the Man of Steel’s rematch with Doomsday. In a series thatbroke many DC Superman rules, the Arrowverse spinoff provided one of the bestlive-action versions of Superman. Culminating in a finale that was tense, exciting, and emotional, I will remember the series fondly,especially with how they creatively used comic villains like Lex Luthor and Doomsday.
Featuringa shortened version of the “Death of Superman” comic arc, the series created a truly unique version of Doomsday for its universe.Transforming Bizarro into Doomsday was an unusual choice for the show, but much of this change was actually quite effective.Some of the wildest ending theories forSuperman & Loiscoming true in its ending, and this was true for hero and villain alike, as Doomsday’s emotional turn in the finale added even more weight to the series' last chapter, as the climactic fight between him and Superman ended in an unexpected but wonderful way.
Doomsday Killed Superman In Their First Superman & Lois Fight
After Killing The Man Of Steel, Doomsday Removed His Heart
Inthe first two episodes ofSuperman & Loisseason 4, the titular hero fought against a transformed Doomsday and was killed.This led into an excellent version of the “Death of Superman” story, that saw how the loss of Clark affected his family, and gave focus to his sons and the development of their powers.The show’s version of Lex Luthor helped this along, especially with the disturbing ideas that came from the character, like Doomsday removing Superman’s heart to present to him on Lex’s orders.
The Doomsday transformation at the end of season 3 was surprising, but it led to a truly devastating story in the beginning of season 4. During their first enormous super-powered battle, it seemed that Clark would be able to fight back and save himself from Doomsday.Instead, the villain killed Superman, leaving the world to move on without him.WhileSuperman has died onscreenmany times, this was one of the best iterations of that story yet, and contributed to the emotional conclusion of the show.
Doomsday Vs Superman’s Rematch Goes Quite Differently To How You Might Have Expected
The Finale Saw Doomsday Redeem Himself
I was not expecting anything more than a standard brawl between Superman and Doomsday in the finale of thislive-action Superman show, even if I assumed Superman would win this time. Instead, the show made a much better decision with the finale, allowing Doomsday’s past as Bizarro to play a more prominent role.As Superman brought Doomsday toward the sun with the intent of killing him, he found that his own powers were struggling to keep up with the conflict. It seemed for a time that Superman may have had to sacrifice himself to save everyone.
Instead, Doomsday was able to see this, and reflect on who he used to be. As an alternate-universe iteration of the same hero, there was a connection between Clark and this Doomsday that finally was able to be seen in one enormous, emotional moment.Reflecting on his past, Doomsday decided that he could not kill Superman, and that he had to make amends.Rather than continuing to fight, he submitted to his defeat, allowing himself to be ultimately killed off. This led to a finale that saw Superman growing old with his family.
Doomsday’s Superman & Lois Story & Death Makes Him A Genuinely Heartbreaking Figure
Bizarro Did Not Get The Life That He Deserved
Doomsday could have had a better life as Bizarro. Instead, coming from the Inverse World, and looking for ways to hold onto control, he was driven to fight another version of himself.This conflict led to a perversion of who Bizarro, as a shadow-self of Superman, genuinely was. I couldn’t help but hope that some kind of final redemption would await Bizarro and, while it was ultimately found, my heart has broken over the events and execution.
Bizarro reflects everything that Superman might have been at a base level.As another version of the same person, all of the parts that contribute to Bizarro can be found in Clark.Examining this might make it inevitable that the villain would allow himself to be sacrificed in the end for the greater good, but does not make it any less heartbreaking. Although estranged from them, Bizarro had people that he cared about, and seeing him lost in this way made for a genuinely emotional and tragic part of the series' ending.
I Seriously Cannot Believe Superman & Lois Introduced Krypto The Dog In The Last 5 Minutes Of The Show’s Entire Run
Superman & Lois' very final moments introduced Krypto to the DC show’s world, bringing him in just when it seemed impossible for the canine to appear.
Superman & Loisis over, and it has taken the entire Arrowverse with it. While I am looking forward to the launch of the new DCU, beginning withCreature Commandos, I will certainly miss that which came before.The influence and scope of the Arrowverse was something unique and special that helped to change the landscape of superhero television.With that in mind, the future of Superman is bright, and I hope to see other versions of Bizarro in the future that are even half this deep and complex.
Superman & Lois
Cast
Superman & Lois follows the Man of Steel, Clark Kent, and journalist Lois Lane as they navigate the strains of contemporary parenthood while confronting threats from supervillains and alien invaders, blending personal challenges with heroic responsibilities in this 2021 television series.
