The Arrowverse set the stage for Superman & Lois to begin. Tyler Hoechlin debuted as Superman in Supergirl Season 2 after the showrunners were finally granted permission to use Superman. Hoechlin appeared in multiple episodes throughout the season and would later return for big crossovers, including Elseworlds and Crisis on Earth-X. Bitsie Tulloch first appeared as Lois Lane in Elseworlds, with the Arrowverse quickly establishing the dynamic between Clark and Lois before getting into the threat at hand.

Although Superman & Lois was confirmed to not be part of the greater Arrowverse after Crisis on Infinite Earths, the groundwork was already laid for the new show to begin. With a few retcons, including aging up the Kent twins, Superman & Lois began and quickly became a fan-favorite show on The CW. The final season of Superman & Lois will begin with a two-hour premiere on October 17, 2024. It will continue where it left off with Season 3's shocking cliffhanger as Superman fought Doomsday on the moon.

10 Superman & Lois Has the Most Emotional Episode in the Arrowverse

Superman & Lois Season 3, Episode 2, "Uncontrollable Forces."

Superman & Lois is known for being grounded, emotional and impactful. But no one was prepared for the devastating reveal that Lois Lane has cancer. Fans were left astonished by the news, as no one expected the show's co-lead to be put in such a life-altering predicament. This episode is far more hard-hitting than anything before, including the whole Arrowverse.

This episode demonstrates the maturity and sensitivity that Superman & Lois is written with. It's a harsh storyline that hits home for a lot of viewers who've been affected by such terrible news. The reveal scene between Clark and Lois is pitch-perfect as Lois breaks down while trying to persuade Judge Reagan to save herself. Superman listens in as Lois Lane reveals her heartbreaking cancer diagnosis. It's an extremely emotional watch as the music kicks in to emphasize the emotions.

9 Superman's First Significant Fight Was With Supergirl

Supergirl Season 2, Episode 22, "Nevertheless, She Persisted."

Tyler Hoechlin's Superman has changed a lot over the years. Depending on which show he's in, Superman has different power levels. Superman proved to be a formidable hero in his many Arrowverse appearances. The Supergirl Season 2 episode "Nevertheless, She Persisted" is an important episode as it showcased the first significant fight scene with the Arrowverse's Superman.

But Hoechlin's Man of Steel was slightly weakened when fighting Supergirl in this episode, as he wasn't in control of his actions. Seeing visions of General Zod, Superman unknowingly attempts to take down Supergirl. The two cousins battle it out on the streets of National City, with Supergirl eventually getting the better of Superman with a swift uppercut.

8 Lois Lane Made Her Arrowverse Debut in a Major Crossover

The Flash Season 5, Episode 9, "Elseworlds, Part 1."

The Arrowverse wasn't just important for Hoechlin's Superman; it was also fundamental for Lois Lane, as Bitsie Tulloch appeared as the character in Elseworlds and Crisis on Infinite Earths. Lois' Arrowverse crossover appearances pre-date Superman & Lois, meaning the casting of the show's leads was already done, and all the focus could be put on building the show around the two of them.

To the sound of Smallville's iconic "Save Me" theme song, Clark Kent and Lois Lane are seen with Kara Danvers at the Kent farm in "Elseworlds, Part 1." This moment marks Bitsie Tulloch's debut as Lois Lane. She's upbeat and cheerful, but her resilience as a reporter is mentioned by Supergirl. Shortly after, Superman and Lois meet Barry Allen and Oliver Queen, which is another significant moment as Flash freaks out over meeting Superman.

7 Superman's Son Shows His Power in Epic Clash

Superman & Lois Season 1, Episode 15, "Last Sons of Krypton."

With Superman & Lois' final season fast approaching, it seems likely that Jordan Kent will don the Superboy costume soon. Over the past three seasons, Jordan has learned to control his powers and use them for good. Having been finally exposed to the public and with Superman most likely out of the picture at the start of Season 4 now is the time for Jordan to shine.

The Season 1 finale, "Last Sons of Krypton," sees an epic clash between Jordan and Superman as Jordan is controlled by Tal-Rho's biological father. It's probably the strongest that viewers have seen Jordan at; he holds nothing back as he takes on Superman. Although Superman and John Henry Irons get the better of him, Jordan shows the sheer power that he possesses, which will be very important come Season 4.

6 Black Suited Superman in Elseworlds Is a Great Precursor to Bizarro

Supergirl Season 4, Episode 9, "Elseworlds, Part 3."

In Superman & Lois, Hoechlin played Bizarro, a backward Superman from another reality, but he previously played another alternate Man of Steel in the Arrowverse. After seeing Superman fight Amazo, Elseworlds villain John Deegan used the Book of Destiny to rewrite reality and become Superman. However, his costume is black and white, representing the inverse of what Superman stands for.

During "Elseworlds, Part 3," Superman is forced to fight Black-suited Superman to try to put an end to Deegan's reign of terror. The action scene between the two is extensive as they're equally matched, but Supergirl lends a hand as they steal the Book of Destiny to fix reality. It's a great precursor and learning lesson for Superman & Lois. They've taken similar concepts and improved them, as seen in the many fight scenes with Bizarro in Season 2. A bystander even shouts "Bizarro" when seeing the duo fighting in Elseworlds.

5 Bizarro's Origin Story Is Shown in This Action-Packed Opening

Superman & Lois Season 2, Episode 6, "Tried and True."

At the start of Superman & Lois Season 2, fans were sure that the mystery figure in Smallville's mines was Doomsday. But it turned out to be Bizarro, Superman's doppelgänger from another world. Bizarro is one of the most significant villains in Superman & Lois, as he would later return in Season 3 and become Superman's greatest threat.

"Tried and True" begins by showcasing Bizarro's origins as he fights his way through a corridor, facing a group of soldiers and Bizarro Lana Lang before reaching Ally Allston. The scene is sleekly shot and perfectly edited to Ween's "Tried and True" song, making for a somber yet action-packed opening. It gives the viewer a much-needed glimpse into Bizarro's origin. Photo frames of Lois and the twins are seen in his house before he flies off into the ruby-red sky. The episode cuts to Superman interrogating Bizarro about his purpose and why he is so desperate to kill Ally Allston.

4 Superman Wears His Classic Costume in Superman & Lois' Heartfelt Opening

Superman & Lois Season 1, Episode 1, "Pilot."

If there is one thing Superman & Lois does best, it's monologs, and the opening of Season 1 is the perfect example. Hoechlin begins the show by briefly explaining how he got to Earth, his childhood, and the first steps to becoming Superman. Ripped straight out of the comics, Superman wears a homemade costume reminiscent of Superman's original suit by Joe Shuster.

The scene sees Superman saving a young boy from a falling car. The brief interaction between the two is a beautiful ode to the kind-hearted nature of Superman. Tulloch's Lois Lane appears next as Clark recalls his most fond memory of their meeting, which then cuts to a montage of Lois and Clark falling in love, getting married and having Jonathan and Jordan. It's the most heartfelt opening scene of any Arrowverse show that is paired with Dan Romer's tender rendition of the Superman & Lois theme.

3 Tyler Hoechlin's First Appearance as Superman Was Long-Awaited

Supergirl Season 2, Episode 1, "The Adventures of Supergirl."

The Arrowverse shows did a good job with the resources that Warner Bros. Television and The CW provided. For the longest time, DC limited the use of certain major characters, including Superman. Throughout Supergirl Season 1, Superman was only shown as a silhouette, as that was as far as they could go.

But suddenly, everything changed as Supergirl moved to The CW for Season 2. Superman was allowed to be used and he first appeared in the season premiere, played by Tyler Hoechlin. His Superman costume was criticized by fans for looking on a budget, but then again, Hoechlin wasn't cast to be a regular. Superman's long-awaited arrival to the Arrowverse was worth the wait as he would team up with Supergirl for multiple episodes throughout Season 2. "The Adventures of Supergirl" is an essential watch for those wanting to recap Superman's history before the start of Superman & Lois Season 4.

2 The Greatest Episode of Superman & Lois Yet

Superman & Lois Season 1, Episode 11, "A Brief Reminiscence In-Between Cataclysmic Events."

There is something special about this oddly placed flashback episode in Superman & Lois Season 1. It acts as a short break from the Tal-Rho story and an excuse to reminisce. It's a faultless episode that beautifully looks back at the high points in Clark's life. It retreads some of the best scenes from the pilot, including Superman saving the young boy and meeting Lois Lane.

But it showcases everything from Clark's perspective as a burgeoning superhero. Notably, the moment when a bystander excitedly explains to Clark that "some guy" just saved a kid and then flew away "like a bird or a plane." The inclusion of such an iconic line was exhilarating to fans at the time. The episode then expands on Lois and Clark's early relationship as their love blossoms. It then cuts to Superman's proposal at the Fortress of Solitude, where the couple embrace before returning to reality. It's a tremendous flashback episode that paints a greater picture of Superman's past, which makes fans become further intertwined in the emotional stakes of Season 1.

1 Superman & Lois' Most Critical Episode to Watch Before Season 4

Superman & Lois Season 3, Episode 13, "What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger."

With Bruno Mannheim and Onomatopoeia defeated, a villain from Superman and Lois' past comes back to haunt them. That villain is, of course, Lex Luthor, who wants revenge for all the years he was locked away. Lex realizes that to get to Lois, he must remove Superman from the equation. The iconic Superman villain gets to work in Mannheim's old lair, where he finds Bizarro.

The end of the episode sees Superman facing off against a mutated Bizarro in the form of Doomsday. Lex unleashes Doomsday on Superman, and a brutal battle ensues. The Superman & Lois Season 3 finale ends as Superman and Doomsday fight on the moon. The stage is set for a potential "Death of Superman" story arc to begin Season 4. The cliffhanger was a brave move at the time, given the uncertainty of Season 4, but the bold move paid off as The CW renewed the show for one final season. October can't come any sooner as fans await Superman's fate. Will Superman survive, or will he be killed?