One of the important plots in Superman & Lois deals with Jonathan Kent’s powers. Despite being the son of the most powerful man in the world, Jonathan does not demonstrate superpowers, unlike his twin brother, Jordan.
While Jordan realized his powers early in his life, Jonathan had to wait a long time. Though he shares some personality traits with his father, he could not immediately imbibe his strength and abilities.
After struggling to be an ordinary child for three seasons, Jonathan finally gets his superpowers in Superman & Lois, season 4, episode 3. Like Clark Kent, Jonathan is also blessed with flight and superspeed abilities.
However, as soon as he fulfills his lifelong dream, new troubles follow as Jonathan realizes that with great power comes a responsibility.
Jonathan faces new challenges after getting powers in Superman & Lois season 4
Jonathan gets his powers just at the right time in Superman & Lois season 4 as his family goes through a tough phase. Superman has just been killed, Lex Luthor is still causing trouble, and the Kent family struggles with his grief and frustration.
Though Jonathan is an ordinary kid, he always shows a heroic spirit and a sense of justice like his father, especially when he volunteers as a firefighter. But when his powers finally become active, his life changes completely, and he faces new challenges about who he is and who he wants to become.
During an intense argument with Jordan, Jonathan’s powers appear in season 4, episode 3, Always My Hero. Jordan is sorry he could not save their father from Lex Luthor’s trap, but Jonathan blames him for Superman’s death.
He feels he is always forced to make room for Jordan’s emotions and powers, and his frustration finally explodes when he angrily hits Superman’s spaceship. Surprisingly, that is when Jonathan’s powers activate.
Unlike Jordan, who had to learn his abilities gradually, Jonathan gets everything at once, from strength and speed to flight and heat vision. He quickly gains control over these new powers, showing he is a natural, which surprises everyone around him.
Even Sam Lane, their grandfather, is excited and sees Jonathan as the next Superman. Jonathan’s sudden transformation creates tension in the Kent family, especially between him and Jordan. Lois and Sam are thrilled about Jonathan’s potential to be a hero, but this leaves Jordan feeling pushed aside.
In previous seasons, Sam secretly trained Jordan, but now he is all in for Jonathan, which hurts Jordan deeply. He is frustrated and retreats from everyone, even brushing off Jonathan when he tries to apologize. Jordan starts to wonder where he fits in if Jonathan will take his place as the main hero.
Meanwhile, Jonathan is quickly thrust into a challenging role as Smallville tries to cope with Superman’s death. Sam takes him to the DOD (Department of Defense) to train him, and Jonathan feels the weight of people’s expectations on him to fill Superman’s shoes.
Things get harder when Doomsday attacks and kills Sam. This leaves Jonathan with a stronger desire to protect his family and prove his capability. Soon after, Superman is revived, but he returns weaker than before.
Jonathan may need to step further to protect Smallville from powerful threats like Doomsday and Lex Luthor. Meanwhile, Jonathan’s relationship with his girlfriend, Candice, also suffers a bit because of his newfound powers.
As Jonathan is caught up in the DOD’s training and other hero duties, Candice senses he is hiding something from her, leading to tension between them. Ultimately, Jordan reveals the truth to Candice, which helps them reconcile.
However, Jonathan understands how he must balance duties and personal life. Now that Jonathan and Jordan have powers, they will likely team up with their father in future battles against villains in Superman and Lois.
Superman & Lois season 4 airs on The CW on Mondays at 8 PM ET/PT.