Original air date: June 22, 2021
Superman experiences flashbacks of his life before and after meeting Lois, including discovering his Kryptonian heritage, starting his career at The Daily Planet, fighting Atom-Man, and first meeting Lois, their marriage, and the birth of the twin sons. Throughout these flashbacks, he sees images of a ghostly-figure in black, which he eventually deduces to be Tal-Rho. Superman awakes from his dream to discover Tal-Rho had followed him to the Fortress of Solitude and explored his memories using Kryptonian technology invented by Ter-Loc, revealing Superman’s human family. Tal-Rho demands Superman’s allegiance, but is refused. A weakened Superman is unable to prevent Tal-Rho from destroying the crystal housing the copy of Jor-El’s consciousness and leaving for the Kent farm and threatening his family. At the Kent farm, Superman arrives just in time to save his family, swearing allegiance to Tal-Rho in exchange for their safety. Tal-Rho takes Superman to his desert fortress and places him in the Eradicator under the guidance of Zeta-Rho’s holographic representation, while Lois calls John and expresses concern that Superman has been turned by Tal-Rho.
* * *
[♪]
What is all this?
This… this is a place where you can learn away from the prying eyes of the world lessons about who you really are and why you were sent here.
Sent here from where?
You were born on the planet Krypton.
Your true name is Kal,
the last son from the house of El.
[♪]
Why am I so different?
The Earth’s sun.
Your cells absorb its radiation in ways humans cannot creating nearly endless energy.
Your skin, bones, muscles all capable of unimaginable power.
Over time, I will teach you how to use that power, that speed, that strength.
You will learn to do things you never thought possible on this Earth.
[♪]
Whoo! [chuckles]
I’m ready, Father. I can feel it.
In body and spirit, yes, but there is something else you need to learn, something which I cannot teach you here.
What is it?
Why you wish to help them.
Go.
Reconnect with the world.
Open your heart to them.
Find out why you wish to be their champion.
[tender orchestral music]
[♪]
[whooshes]
[tender music]
[♪]
Did you find what you were looking for?
Yeah. Yeah, I think so.
[♪]
I found out who I really am.
I met my Kryptonian father.
Kryptonian?
Krypton is my home planet, Where I’m really from.
I know why I can do the things I can do, Mom.
I know why I was sent to Earth…
To be its champion.
Is that why you came back home?
To be a hero?
Yeah, but not yet.
There’s someone I need to see first.
[indistinct chatter]
Kyle’s supposed to be here any moment.
[♪]
Lana!
Hi.
Hey, I got some good news.
What?
There’s an opening at the fire station.
[gasps]
Yeah.
Oh, that’s amazing.
[laughs]
Oh, I’m so happy.
Oh, that’s awesome.
It’s gonna be huge.
Yeah.
[chuckles]
Let’s go in.
Okay.
I’m sorry, Clark.
But you were gone a long time.
People move on with their lives.
Yeah.
Yeah, I guess so.
Come with me.
There’s something I want to show you.
[♪]
What is this?
After you left, I had a dream of you flying, only it wasn’t the boy that I knew.
It was you now, so I made this.
Mom… leaving you after dad died…
Oh, honey, it’s what you needed to do then, and this is what you need to do now.
It’s time for you to go save the world, Clark.
Still needs something on the chest, I think.
Uh, pardon me, ma’am? Ma’am?
Do you know where Milledge Avenue is?
Milledge Avenue. Milledge Avenue.
Oh, excuse me, sir. Excuse me.
Do you know where Milledge Avenue is?
[tires squealing]
The brakes are out! I can’t stop!
It’s a red light. Swerve around!
There are people!
Watch out!
[dramatic music]
[♪]
[metal and glass crunch]
[♪]
Whoa!
Did you see that?
[excited chatter]
There you go, friend.
Thanks.
Cool costume.
Thanks. My mom made it for me.
Oh, my God.
Whoa!
Did you see that?
Yeah, right here. You’ll see.
[excited chatter]
Did you see that?
See what?
Some guy just saved a kid from getting killed by a car, and then he flew up into the sky.
He flew?
Flew, you know?
Like a bird or a plane or whatever.
It was crazy.
Did you see what he looked like?
He looked like a guy in a cape that was flying.
Someone at the “Planet” has gotta hear about this.
[♪]
This isn’t a résumé. It’s a cry for help.
Oh, well… oh, oh. Sorry.
See, actually I did some pretty top-notch reporting for my school paper.
Look, this is Metropolis.
I need cub reporters, not lost puppies.
You come find me when you got some real world experience.
Oh, no, no, Mr. White, Mr. White, please, look.
I’m a really quick learner, and I’ll do whatever you ask.
I just… I just need a chance.
Okay, there’s no health insurance or overtime.
Not a problem.
And you have to pick up my dry cleaning every Thursday.
Yeah, absolutely. Yes, sir.
Okay, kid, you’re hired. Now, try to keep up.
Oh, okay. Do you want… should I… okay.
Yeah, it’s…
Everyone in here, we’re the most dependable friends the people of Metropolis have.
You remember that.
Yes, sir.
Stick with Lane. She’ll show you the ropes.
Lane, sir?
Who told you to wear a tie?
[tender music]
[♪]
Let me guess, Lombard? Ignore him.
Though he can get box seats to the Meteors.
You like baseball?
Uh, of course.
I mean, who doesn’t like America’s pastime, Ms. Lane?
It’s Lois.
What’d you say your name was again?
Kent. Clark. Clark Kent.
Oh, oh, sorry.
Hm, never met a Clark before.
Oh, I’ve never met a Lois before.
Actually, there was my first-grade teacher, Lois Hannigan, so I guess technically…
Oh, technically you’d be the second.
You know, Miss Hannigan was actually my favorite teacher.
She… she taught me about fractions and cursive.
Mystery man strikes again. Third time this month.
Where was he?
Saved a boat sinking off Hob’s River.
Jimmy even got a photo.
This is my Pulitzer, Lane. I can feel it.
Seems like a pretty big story.
Yeah, which every reporter here is tripping over themselves to cover.
Boys and their heroes.
[chuckles] Aren’t heroes a good thing?
Yeah, of course, and I know that we need this guy.
It’s just that ever since he showed up, he’s been dominating the conversation.
Metropolis has so many problems that aren’t just rescue operations.
They’re systemic. Here, look at this.
These lightning bolts.
Nazi symbols.
They’ve been popping up all over lower Metropolis along with a rash of arson attacks against minority-owned businesses.
Do you have any idea who’s responsible?
By all accounts, some psycho in a metal mask and a trench coat.
[soft dramatic music]
I didn’t know about this.
That’s my point exactly.
I have been covering this for months, only my reporting keeps getting drowned out by everyone’s favorite miracle man.
How can I help?
[dramatic music]
[♪]
Psycho in a metal mask and a trench coat?
That sounds… Sir, I’m listening to you.
[indistinct radio chatter]
[♪]
Whoo!
Yes!
[applause]
Clark, Clark, I gotta show you something.
Well, I gotta get these to Perry before he goes home.
Guess who was just arrested?
Oh.
[♪]
You don’t need that.
Wait… oh, no, I gotta…
Okay.
One of these dirt bags is our guy.
I can feel it.
You’re really good at this.
Thanks.
I, um… I should get going.
What’s the hurry.
You got a big date?
[chuckles]
No, no, nothing like that.
Just, you know, some “Seinfeld” reruns.
Heat up some frozen chicken nuggets.
You’ve been a really big help, Clark.
If you want, I can probably talk to Perry about you getting a beat of your own, local politics or something.
Oh. Um… no.
That’s… it’s okay. I’d rather be here.
For the story or the company?
Uh… [laughs]
I feel like that’s a trick question.
Good night, Clark.
Good night, Lois.
[soft dramatic music]
[♪]
You seen Lois?
Her contact at the library called back
about some guy who works at a hardware store.
Henry Miller?
Hmm.
[indistinct radio chatter]
You can’t do this, Henry. They’ve done nothing wrong.
They don’t belong here.
[explosion] [people screaming]
[dramatic music]
This isn’t track and field, Kent!
[♪]
These people have stolen my neighborhood, and you’re spinning it like I’m the bad guy?
I’m the damn hero!
[♪]
[soft dramatic music]
[♪]
[dramatic music]
[♪]
Even you can’t save all of them.
[♪]
[groans]
Who’s the hero now?
[applause]
[soft triumphant music]
[♪]
How’d you know about this?
[sirens wailing]
I’ve been reading your reports in the “Planet,” but also my hearing.
Your hearing?
Oh. [chuckles]
My super-hearing.
We haven’t formally met. I’m Lois Lane.
It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Lane.
And you are who exactly?
Mister Metropolis? Red and Blue Man?
[chuckles]
I’m sure you’ll come up with something.
[♪]
[crowd gasping]
Who was that?
Superman.
[bright music]
Welcome to the “Daily Planet Today.”
I’m Lois Lane, and with me for his first on-camera interview is Superman.
I appreciate you agreeing to be here.
Thanks for having me.
Now, as you know, the world has been captivated by you ever since your first appearance in Metropolis over a year ago, and one of the big questions that always gets asked regarding Superman is how long you were on Earth before that.
Well, essentially my whole life.
After my planet was destroyed… Krypton.
Right, when Krypton was destroyed, the pod that allowed me to escape crashed here on Earth.
Where exactly on Earth?
That’s not something I’m ready to reveal yet.
The assumption is that it was somewhere in the U.S.
Well, don’t assume that just because I’m speaking English.
You speak multiple languages. Is that also a superpower?
[laughs] No.
Just curiosity about the world.
I wanted to know more about different people, different regions, so I studied their languages.
How many languages?
All of them.
What would you say to the people of the world when asked what you stand for?
I’d like to think everything good and decent.
Truth, justice.
The American way?
[chuckles] I think someone’s just trying to get me to admit I was raised here.
[microphone feedback squeaks]
Cut!
Can someone please take a look at Lois’ mic?
All right, everybody, let’s stand by
for sound check. Stand by please.
I feel like we’re not getting anywhere.
I can’t believe it.
No, I know, he’s, like, giving me the runaround.
No, not that. I think Superman is into you.
Don’t be ridiculous.
The way he keeps smiling at you?
I dream of having someone look at me like that.
It’s basically how all my favorite movies end.
Janet, he’s Superman. It’s part of his whole shtick.
He looks at people in a nice way.
Okay, listen, I’m not talking to you as your producer.
I’m talking to you as one of your best friends.
And I am telling you…
Janet.
There is some serious chemistry happening…
Listen to me.
And you need to bring your A game
if you wanna go out with the world’s most eligible bachelor.
I am not interested, okay?
I’m in love with someone else.
Clark from the paper.
We’ve been dating for a couple months.
I know he’s dorky, but I love him.
Right, the guy with the glasses.
Yeah.
He’s so sweet.
Yeah.
Well, that’s great, Lois.
I… I had no idea you were in love.
That’s because I haven’t told anyone yet, not even him.
[tender music]
Hey, random Superman question.
He wouldn’t happen to have super-hearing?
[♪]
[whispers] Can we just go?
[whispers] Yeah, yeah.
[clears throat] I apologize.
That was unprofessional.
That’s okay. He’s a… he’s a lucky man.
Don’t think this means I’m gonna take it easy on you.
I’d be offended if you did.
Okay.
Ready?
I’m nervous.
I didn’t think you got nervous.
Well, it’s your mom, Clark. What if she doesn’t like me?
[laughs] That’s not possible.
Maybe you haven’t seen the reader mail section of the newspaper, but trust me, it’s very possible.
Hi.
Oh, I’m so glad you could make it.
Oh, look at you. [laughs]
Ever since Clark told me about the two of you, I couldn’t wait to have you out to the farm.
Told you.
Well, I’m happy to finally make it.
Oh, thank you.
Lots of folks in Smallville are dying to meet you too.
Mom, Mom, Mom, you promised.
Oh, Clark.
It’s just the neighbors and Edelsteins and, you know, girls from bridge club, so…
Well, I’m very excited to meet everyone.
Well, come on inside. I’ve got lunch waiting.
[♪]
She’s wonderful.
Yeah, I know.
So what took you so long to bring her here?
Because I needed to be ready.
To meet me?
That’s not what I meant.
I brought her here to tell her who I really am.
Oh, are you sure?
Once you tell her, there’s no going back.
Yeah, well…
there was no going back after the first time I saw her.
I’m so happy for you, honey.
Everything okay?
Everything’s perfect, dear. Just perfect.
You follow me. I wanna show you something.
[tender orchestral music]
[♪]
[♪]
[crowd cheering]
Love you, Lois!
Love you, Clark!
I can’t believe I married Lois Lane.
I’m all yours, babe. For better or for worse.
You know, I… I kept my secret from everyone for so long, and now I know why.
It’s for you.
So we could have this life together.
There’s no one I’d rather share it with.
This might be a weird time to say it, but I can’t wait to tell my dad about the wedding.
He’s gonna be so excited.
I mean, as excited as a hologram can get, I guess.
Well, he’s gonna have to wait till after the honeymoon.
[tender music]
[♪]
How was your marriage ceremony, son?
It was the perfect day.
Lois looked beautiful.
I wish you could have been there.
I need you to get out of here now, Son.
[eerie music]
Father, what’s happening?
Go!
[♪]
Get out of here now!
[dramatic music]
[♪]
[soft dramatic music]
Hey, babe, there’s something I need to tell you.
Lois, what day is it?
I’m pregnant.
You’re pregnant?
Yes.
I know, we weren’t even trying.
We didn’t even know this was possible, but there are three pregnancy tests in the bathroom, and they all say the same thing.
We’re gonna be parents.
Okay, Lois, something really strange happened right before you came out.
I can’t believe it either.
It’s like you said on our honeymoon.
This is why you kept your secret.
So we can share our life together.
And now we can have a family.
I didn’t even realize I wanted one this badly until now.
Yeah. Yeah, me too.
Okay, be honest, you want a boy or a girl?
I… I just want the baby to be healthy.
Come on, Clark. That’s so predictable.
What? It’s true.
All right, well, I’m just gonna say it.
I want a girl.
Okay.
Okay.
Oh, my.
Is everything okay?
Yes, it’s just more okay.
Looks like you two are going to have twins.
What? Are you sure?
Ooh, is that a… you know?
Very, and I can’t say for certain, but, yes, they do appear to be boys.
This is what I get for wanting a girl.
I can’t believe I’m gonna be a dad twice all at once.
Can you get me some water, please?
Babe.
[♪]
Do you think this is because of Superman?
My father assured me everything’s gonna be fine.
He also didn’t know we were having twins, and that is a pretty big curve ball.
Hey, it’s gonna be okay. I promise.
Yeah, says the guy who doesn’t have to give birth to two babies at the same time.
[chuckles]
[eerie music]
[♪]
Clark, I’m not delivering the babies at the fortress.
[♪]
This isn’t real.
[dramatic music]
[♪]
In a lifetime full of memories, there is none more special than becoming a father.
[♪]
What have you done?
Easy, Kal-El.
I’d hate for you to miss the big moment.
[screams]
You’re doing great.
We’re almost there.
Yeah, 27 hours later.
Edge is here somehow.
I love you too.
[screams]
Just one more push, Lois,
and baby Jonathan can meet Jordan.
He knows everything.
[screams]
[baby crying]
You did it!
We have a family, Clark.
Yes, you do.
[babies crying]
Jordan and Jonathan Kent, the twin sons of Lois and Superman.
No. No, please. Please. They’re just babies.
How little you know me, brother.
I would never harm a newborn.
[♪]
Teenage boys, on the other hand…
That’s a different matter entirely.
[♪]
It’s good you’re awake, Kal-El.
Now you and I can discuss the terms of your surrender.
My sons are not bargaining chips.
[soft dramatic music]
This device was created by Ter-Loc,
one of Krypton’s greatest scientists.
It allows the user to navigate the resting mind of another.
You knew I’d be weak from my solar flare.
So I followed you here where I could sift through your most precious memories.
To extort me?
No, Kal, to understand you.
To understand what possible reason you could have to betray your heritage.
And to think it was all for a human family.
You know nothing about them.
I know enough.
A human wife and twin boys. How woefully pedestrian.
And you, stumbling through your daily life like some village idiot instead of a true son of Krypton.
I’m not the only one who kept my Kryptonian side hidden.
I did so out of strategy, not shame.
To be a man of greatness and choose to be less…
[chuckles]
It speaks to the mediocrity of this world.
Whatever it is you want, threatening my family is not how you’ll get it.
It’s not a threat, Kal.
I will destroy their lives by taking that thing you hold so dear, your secret, and shouting it for all the world to hear.
Superman has a family.
No!
Then tell me another way.
I appealed to you as a brother, and you attacked me, a Kryptonian, and you stole from me, a friend, and you destroyed everything I had built.
He is none of those things. Do not listen to him!
It is this man who has corrupted you, just as he corrupted our mother.
I spoke with her. Lara.
She believes there is still good in you.
Was this as she helped you plot to destroy Kryptonian lives?
The same lives that occupied innocent human beings?
Enough!
I will not debate morality with this whisper.
Here I stand, brother.
Flesh and bone and beating heart.
Your true family.
Join me of your own free will.
[dramatic music]
I can’t let you do this.
Then I will make you suffer.
[♪]
[glass cracking]
I love you, son.
[♪]
You are my life’s greatest disappointment, Kal-El.
All my life, I dreamt of having a brother, a family, only to have you reject me!
[♪]
It didn’t have to be this way.
[♪]
This head is pounding worse than after ten whiskey chasers.
From everything we can tell, it should go away in a day or two.
How’s Emily doing?
Confused. Overwhelmed.
What’s she know, exactly?
Just the broad strokes, same as everyone else.
Edge was giving people powers, messing with their minds to control them.
Nothing about alien consciousness?
DOD felt that would be better kept off the record.
Still a lot to process.
And people in this town are gonna want answers.
Yeah, at which point they’re gonna be looking for someone to blame, and pretty sure I’m gonna be at the top of that list.
Your heart was in the right place, babe.
Heart’s not the problems.
It’s this stubborn head of mine refusing to listen.
I should’ve never gone to see Edge behind your back.
[tender music]
Speaking of Edge, any idea where he went?
Superman and the DOD are looking for him.
I’m sure he’ll turn up soon.
It’s like a war zone downtown with all of the military patrolling.
It’s very end of days.
I think Grandpa said they’re gonna be leaving soon.
They just have to check in on everybody that was mind-swapped or whatever.
My dad has his good side and his not-so-good side, but seeing him become a whole different person is…
Must’ve been strange.
Super weird.
I just instantly assumed the worst about him, even though my mom told me that it wasn’t all his fault.
Well, sometimes it’s hard to tell when parents are telling you the truth.
It’s probably the same for them, you know, with us.
It seems like families are always lying to each other, which is pretty messed up.
So thank you for being honest with me about everything.
Yeah. Yeah, sure.
Just… I’m sorry it was a…
Sorry it was such a traumatic experience.
At least it was the truth.
Is it cool if I have a moment alone with Jordan?
Yeah. Yeah, sure.
Sarah, I… I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you everything that was happening.
John even wanted me to tell you, and I… I said no. I was really scared.
I…
[♪]
I don’t want to be just friends anymore.
Me neither.
[♪]
Uh, Lois, hold… hold up just a… just a second.
Um…
Listen, I just… I wanted to apologize to you, you know, for the way I’ve treated you this whole time.
It’s okay, Kyle.
No. No, it’s not.
Look, I was wrong about… About damn near everything, but… mostly, I was wrong about you.
You’re good people, Lois, and I’m real happy you’re part of this town.
Thank you.
So it’s, like, really official official now or what?
Yeah, I guess so.
Yeah?
Well, I’m happy for you, sweetie, but now that you have a girlfriend, your dad and I are gonna have to have a little chitchat with you about what we expect.
[whooshes]
Guess Dad’s home.
[ominous music]
Your father won’t be returning any time soon, which is why Uncle Morgan decided to come pay a visit.
So this is the life Kal-El chose.
It’s even more disappointing up close.
You’re not welcome here.
That’s no way to speak to family, Lois, especially with young boys around.
Where’s our dad?
When I left him, he was a crumpled heap in his little ice castle.
Peculiar place to build a fortress.
I chose the desert.
Like to feel the sun on my face.
Leave, now.
Jordan, stop.
Oh, I see your son’s inherited your false bravado.
[dramatic music]
Jordan!
Stay away from my sons!
This is all your doing.
It was your influence that made him turn his back on his own people.
Let them go. This is between you and me.
I’m afraid we’ve passed that point, Ms. Lane, but I will let them live long enough to watch you die.
[suspenseful music]
[♪]
Impressive, Kal-El. But this changes nothing.
I’ll do whatever you ask. Just leave my family alone.
[soft dramatic music]
[♪]
Pledge to me that you will submit, and I promise to let them live unharmed.
Clark, please don’t do this.
I submit.
Take a good look at the man you knew, ’cause it will be your last.
I’m sorry.
We needed more time.
[♪]
He was right.
[eerie music]
[♪]
This is… My home.
[♪]
I’m ready, Father.
[♪]
Finally.
My son.
What year is it on this Earth?
By their measurements, 1987.
And the Eradicator, you possess it?
Not yet.
Did I birth a fool for a son?
Your mission was simple!
I’ve spent years searching, but it is still yet to arrive.
I see.
Well, we must prepare in the interim.
I will train you myself.
Thank you, Father.
We must root out all weakness so that you can gain power in this world.
Were there any other Kryptonians sent to join me?
[sighs]
There’s that weakness.
You need no one, son.
Only me. Is that understood?
Yes, sir.
The first lesson is the measure of pain.
Its application being a tool of great strategic value.
Although, in your case,
it is necessary that you be able to withstand it.
[♪]
[screaming]
Here he is, Father.
Son of Jor-El.
The worst of Krypton.
You don’t have to do this.
See how he begs?
His own weakness never stamped out.
He has vowed his submission, Father.
And the Eradicator?
Taken from his possession.
Then let us begin.
[soft dramatic music]
[♪]
[device whirring]
[dial tone trilling]
[groaning in pain]
[♪]
John, it’s happening.
Just like you said it would.
[♪]
I think Superman’s been turned.