Superman & Lois just confirmed the superpower theory I always hoped would be reality

Superman & Lois has provided one of the best iterations of the DC Universe hero, and the new season has confirmed some incredible details about superpowers in the universe. After Superman’s death at the start of season 4, there were some interesting and compelling changes to the shape and structure of the series. While Superman is likely to return at the end of the show, It was rewarding to explore other characters’ details in the meantime.

The new season introduced a truly brutal Lex Luthor, and did a great job of following some key developments from the rest of the Kent family. The effectiveness of the supporting cast in the series has made me wish for continuity beyond the season’s end, or a spinoff, although that is not likely. With the new DC Universe starting next year, it seems that Superman & Lois will be the final entry to the overarching Arrowverse, and will likely provide a satisfying end to an incredible series of television.

Jonathan Kent’s Superman & Lois story perfectly explains why he got powers so late

Jonathan was under incredible emotional distress when his powers materialized

In the final episodes of Superman, Jonathan was under incredible emotional distress. After the death of his father, and the death of Lex Luthor, Jonathan experienced terrible tragedy and loss.Put Jonathan in a complex emotional place. Superman & Lois Season 4 Episode 3 saw his powers finally come to him during his breakdown about all this loss, and all the hardships he’s been under helps explain how this could happen.

Although there were hints and teases that suggested Jonathan Kent’s powers might emerge throughout the series, seeing him come into his own after experiencing such emotional turmoil was effective. Giving Jonathan powers this way also justifies why he got his abilities so much later than Jordan, by showing that there was a direct way for the powers to activate, which simply hadn’t occurred to Jonathan up to that point. Ultimately, this makes the final episodes of the series more exciting, with Jonathan now able to use his own powers as events unfold.

Superman and Lois’ power twist explains a lot about Jordan’s story

Jordan’s Season 1 experiences make even more sense with this added context

Jordan developed his powers early in the series, with some of them first showing up when the family was visiting Smallville. While moments like his bloop in the firepit in season 1 are terrifying, when Jonathan experiences his own powers surfacing through emotion, it is clear that Jonathan’s own repeatedly activated his powers in the same sense. As a youth, Jordan felt incredible turmoil and disconnection from his peers in a way that Jonathan never did. This is likely what causes his powers to surface sooner.

Jordan and Jonathan are both half-Cryptonian and, Although Kal-El’s own powers don’t seem to have evolved from emotion, it makes sense that being half-human would affect how Jordan and Jonathan gain their abilities.. After all, it helps to explain much of Jordan Kent’s own journey, and to understand the deep, emotional distress he was under, living in his brother’s shadow.

Jordan & Jonathan’s powers are linked to their emotions linking with Superman mythos

Other Superman stories have explored the effects of emotion on abilities

Powers that are linked to emotional states is common in superhero stories. Spider-Man especially examines these in films like Spider-Man 2Although it is a more common theme in Superman stories.

The third season of Superman & Lois Seeing Clark’s concern about the state of his powers due to his emotions, And this was also explored in several episodes of My Adventures with Supermanwho saw the hero declare that: “When I had to protect someone I care about, I became stronger. I always thought it was a Kryptonian thing.“I believe exploring that link helps make the powers seem more real to audiences.

Emotions and the power of will are important when examining outsized ideas like superpowers. Superpowers are beyond human abilities and can be as powerful as the imagination will allow. A link to emotion is a way to make the powers more understandable. Jordan and Jonathan’s journey in Superman & Lois are a natural extension of this, where self-understanding can lead to better access to their own powers. Through strong feelings and experiences, the humanity of each character and their emotions is effectively linked to their incredible abilities, giving them a sense of tangible.

Superman & Lois It’s already telling incredible stories with the first few episodes of its final season, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to end anytime soon. With major heroes and villains of the Superman mythos coming together, It’s hard to even guess what might be ahead, but I can’t wait to see where the series goes. However Superman & Lois In the end, it’s comforting to know that the Kent family, the focal point of the entire show, will actually come into its own by its end.

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