- Previously on "Superman & Lois"... - She can drain and absorb people's superpowers now? - She's become some kind of a parasite. - So now you're a superhero? - I just want to be able to help you when the time comes. - Start by tearing this thing apart. - I am qualified to do more than sit on the sidelines! - You merged. - And soon, you will too. - You want me to kill Superman. What will you do in the meantime? - We merge both planets. - His cells look normal. - Isn't that a good thing? - It would be, if he were human. (dramatic music) (heart beating) (monitor beeping) (sombre music) ## ## - Lois. ## ## - You're back. ## ## (soft music) ## ## (soft tense music) (whirring) - What? - It's Mom and Dad. ## ## (static, warbling) ## ## - Hey, guys. - Hey. ## ## - I just need to sit down for a sec. ## ## (sighs) - Your dad's gonna be okay. ## ## - Oh, Dad. - No. (sighing) I'm not getting better. - Hey, go easy on yourself. According to the DOD, Ally completely drained your cells of all solar energy. It's gonna take some time. - No. No, something's wrong. The sun's not recharging me. I need to-- I need to see my mom and find out why. - Guess you'll have to fly him this time. - W--wait, t-t-to the fortress? What if I lose control or I crash or something? I don't even know how to land, and with Dad like this, I-- I don't know if I can do it. ## ## - Honey, it's okay, all right? You do not have to. We can ask John Henry. ## ## - So Ally is some kind of energy parasite. She can absorb power from anything she physically comes in contact with. - Well, think about it. Your suit had no loose wires, no effective diode, shields were up and running. She still absorbed your power. - Did the same thing to the hammer. Explains how she defeated Superman. - We need to figure out how her power works so we can defend against it. (knocking at door) - Maybe, or maybe the best defense is to come up with a better offense. - Hey, John. - Clark. Come in. Come on. Sit down. Really good to see you on your feet. - Yeah, well, if it wasn't for you two, I wouldn't be, so thanks. And thank you. You saved my life. - The world needs Superman. ## ## We were just trying to learn how Ally steals powers. - That's actually why I stopped by. I'd like to know the same thing, and, uh, if you're up for a little trip, I know someone who might be able to help us find out. ## ## - Girls, we gotta get going! Wait, you're not dressed yet? What have you been doing? - I'm tired, Mom. - You wanna talk about tired? This is what tired looks like. Running around town like a crazy person, taking care of you two while trying to learn this job. Now go throw on some clothes. - God, you're so cranky in the morning. - Okay, phone. Um, glasses. Hey, have either one of you seen the keys? - Mommy! - Sweets, what's wrong? - We are now home. - There's a scary lady on TV. - There is just one thing left for us to do-- merge both Earths into one. - Who is that? (dramatic music) - I don't know. ## ## - The last thing we need right now-- a new computer we can't afford. How's Superman? - Looks like he's gonna be okay. - What does that mean? Is he still hurt? - I don't have all the details. - Fine, we'll just publish what we have. - Wait-- - No, we both saw what Ally did. Okay? If she could do that to Superman, what chance do the rest of us have? She's not gonna stop until she completes everyone by combining them with their counterparts from that Bizarro World. It's like some kind of a death cult, except the leader happens to be an all-powerful psychopath. It's our job to warn people. - It's not our job to create panic. - We don't get to curate the news. And we can't determine how people will react. All we can do is report what we know, and we have to do it now. (keys clacking) Come on. It's doing it again. It's been doing it all morning. (static, warbling) - Chrissy. ## ## - So you've been powerless since last night? - Yes. - And you've been exposed to the sun since then? - For a short time this morning, but nothing's changed. (soft music) Do you know why? ## ## - I do. ## ## Your cells have been severely damaged, altered by whatever power Ally Allston's inherited from the pendant. - What does that mean? Altered? - It means until they heal, so they can absorb energy at the rate you are accustomed, you will remain as you are now. ## ## - How long will that take? - It's hard to be certain. But much like when you arrived here as an infant, your cells need time to adjust. ## ## - I didn't develop powers until I was four. - Four? ## ## - There has to be a way to speed this up. ## ## - Perhaps there's one. But it requires-- - Mother? - (distorted speech) - Mother. - You could die, Kal. - Clark... (suspenseful music) ## ## - Mom! Look, look! ## ## (line ringing) ## ## - Hey, this is Clark Kent. Sorry I can't get to the phone right now. But if you leave a message... ## ## I'll get back to you as soon as I can. ## ## (dramatic music) ## ## - Dad. Any word? - Satellite data is inconclusive. - Have you heard from Lucy? - She's with a team of analysts, fully cooperating. Truth is she only knows what Ally told us. - That's what I'm worried about. Ally did this with intention. She ripped Clark's solar reserves right out of his body, and now she's somehow using his energy to do exactly what she said she would do-- merge the worlds. - And we have no clue how to stop her. ## ## - There's nothing my mother can do. She said my powers should come back, but it could be weeks, months, maybe even longer. - So what does that mean? Ally wins? Game over? - Not yet. First step, we figure out what's goin' on with that red sun. Nat and I can get up to the stratosphere... (cell phone dings) Take some readings, learn everything we can. - You'll have the full support of the DOD. Whatever you need, name it. - Wait, wait, wait. We might have a problem. Chrissy just set a meeting with Lana. She wants to go public with everything she knows. - Damn it. I knew we shouldn't have brought her with us when we tracked Lucy down. - Actually, I think she's right. - Lois, she'll start a panic, and the DOD is putting out an official cover story any minute anyway. - We can't just lie to everyone this time, Sam. - Yes, we can, and until we find a solution, we damn well better. Shut Chrissy down. ## ## - Hey. It's gonna be okay. But I want you two to stick together, and I need your ears on high alert. If you hear anything, you tell me or your dad, got it? ## ## - The world needs my help. They're supposed to be able to depend on me, and I'm, what? Just taking a sick day? - It's like you say, Clark. There is always another way. We just need to find it really fast. - While this phenomenon is extremely rare, representatives from the Department of Defense have been clear that this double sun, also known as a parhelion, is caused by sunlight refracting off atmospheric ice particles. - Hogwash. - Come on. Say what you want about the DOD, why would they lie? - You come on, Chuck. Look at the sky. That sun is red and square. - And none of what they're saying explains all the backwards stuff that's been showing up on our screens. - Hey. - People are starting to get a little riled up. What's going on? - I don't know. I need you to be with the girls so I can make some calls. - Okay. - Mayor Lane. You know anything about this? - No. I'm headed to the office right now. If I learn anything, I will let you all know. Hey, I want you to stay with your dad, okay? - Kay. - Hey, listen. Anytime something hairy happened to our family, you know, it was always you that got us through it, right? This is the same thing. - (sighs) I'm gonna set a town hall at the high school. It would be great if you and your team could be there just to help keep everyone calm. - Yeah, yeah, sure. Whatever you need. I mean, I got you. - Thank you. (cell phone ringing) Oh, I gotta take this. Hey, Chrissy. What--yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm on my way to the office right now. ## ## - Got anything, Irons? - I'm not entirely sure yet. (device beeps) Sensors indicate that red sun is putting out less than 3% of the total solar radiance of our normal sun. - So what we're looking at is some kind of mirage? - No, it's real, and the energy output's growing fast. - What does that mean? - That sun's from another universe, one that's now phase-shifting into our own. - If it keeps up at this pace, we don't have much time. ## ## - (sighs) How is this happening? There has to be some clue as to what's causing this. We need to identify an energy source and track the point of origin. - We're workin' on that now, Sam. - I'll give this info to the DOD. Let me know if you find anything else. - Got you. ## ## - Clark. Clark. Hey. You gotta stop beatin' yourself up. This isn't on you. - Look, Sam-- - And the only reason Ally can do this right now is because you stopped her from killing me. If you did anything wrong, it was saving me. (solemn music) - Saving a life is never a mistake, Sam. ## ## Especially yours. ## ## I'll be outside. ## ## - So you're saying none of that is true? - Not a word. - And you can prove that? - Yeah. But it's not exactly light reading. - (sighs) This is actually happening? Our world is combining with another? - And the people on that world are zealots who think they're on a sacred mission to merge and be made whole, and they do not take no for an answer. - Have you talked to Superman about this? Is there anything he can do? - No, no there isn't. - Why? - Because Ally attacked him, and she stole his powers. (tense music) - Is he okay? - He will be in time. But we can't count on him to save us. - Then why are you telling me all this? So I can play along with that cover story, lie to everybody to help keep them calm? ## ## - There have been moments in my life and in my career where I have withheld facts from people because I thought it would protect them more than it would hurt them. Sometimes that was the right thing to do, and sometimes it wasn't. I am telling you all this so that you are armed with the truth. As mayor of this town and all the people in it who you love, it's up to you to decide what to do with it. ## ## (heart beating) - Hear anything? - He's just trying to recharge. - Still not working then? - His heart's just weak. He's got nothing. Hey, listen. Dad. Dad. - Can't even hear you. (warbling) - Get inside. (suspenseful music) ## ## - Stay away from my dad. (tense music) (gasping) - No, Jordan! Stop! Stop! Take me. ## ## - (gasps) (dramatic music) ## ## - Everyone okay? - We came as soon as we got the signal. - Yeah, I'm fine. - Hey, okay. - Not too late to catch that nutjob. - I'm afraid we have bigger problems than her. - So we have less than 12 hours until the worlds merge? - If our calculations are correct, yeah, that's about right. - What does something like that even look like? - Big picture? Everything in our world transforms as it's melded with its analogue from the other place. - Land masses, building structures, objects, people. - How the hell do you merge people? - Best guess is it's complete subatomic recombination. From a subjective standpoint, if you merge, you die. ## ## - So how do we stop that? - You asked about a point of origin. From the data we gathered, there's a distinctive energy flow. Seems to be coming from the Shuster Mines. - Fine, then let's just drop a few megatons of American muscle in there. - Well, the energy trail leads to the mines, but we scanned the area. There's no sign of anything with Ally's level of power in the tunnels. - So where the hell is she? - On the other side of the portal in the space between worlds. She's using the powers she stole from me to pull the two dimensions together. - Okay, we know what's needs to be done. I'm gonna go in there. I'm gonna take her out. - No, we're gonna go in there and stop her together. - What can I do to help? - Stay here. Keep everyone calm. Hey, you did everything you could, all right? We got this. ## ## - Godspeed, you two. ## ## - Oh, you look like you've seen a ghost. Everything okay? - Where are the girls? - They're in the lobby. I thought I should-- I thought that maybe we should just talk first. - Yeah. - Wow. That bad, huh? - What do you think is better, knowing something terrible is gonna happen or not knowing and being able to live without all that worry weighing you down? - Wow, um, jeez. - I know. I just-- I don't have anyone else to talk to about this. - Oh, no, no, no. No, look. I'm happy that you called me. I am. I wouldn't want you to have to deal with this alone. - I just don't know what to do. - Well, look, I guess I would ask who it is that you're trying to protect by not telling the truth, 'cause, you know, most people, they can handle that. But it is difficult being the one telling the truth when the truth isn't good. - Mm-hmm. Is that why you didn't tell me about Tonya, 'cause it's easier? - (sighs) Partly, yeah, and also because I was ashamed of myself. ## ## You know, I know what I was doing was wrong. But it's like you have this secret, and you keep it there long enough, it starts to feel like it never happened, like this lie that you created for yourself is somehow actually the truth. ## ## - But you had to know I was gonna find out eventually. - Yeah. Everyone always finds out eventually. - Yeah. - But you gotta be brave enough to tell 'em when it actually matters. I didn't. ## ## But I suspect you are. ## ## I'm--I'm sorry. I don't even know if that helped. - No, it did. ## ## It did. ## ## Look, can you get the girls? I wanna talk to them first before the town hall. ## ## - Yeah. ## ## (door opens, slams) - I came as soon as I heard. Are you okay? - Yeah, I'm fine, except for almost letting Dad get killed. - That is not your fault. - Yeah, at least you have powers to help. - Yeah, well, that almost makes it worse. You were out there. She totally kicked my ass. - Jordan, it is not your job to protect your dad from people with powers. - Yeah, well, it's a good thing, 'cause I can't. - None of us can. (tense music) - What if she comes back? What are we gonna do? ## ## - Everyone in town is terrified. You can see it in their faces, that fear of the unknown. - How'd Lana react when you told her? - Overwhelmed. I think she's just trying to figure out what to tell people at the town hall. - She shouldn't have to be dealing with this. - She's mayor now. She's gonna have to make some tough choices. - Yeah, and I'm Superman. I'm supposed to keep people safe. - Okay. Then do that. - How? What am I supposed to do? I've never been like this. (soft music) - You are more than just your powers. - (sighs) People look to me to save them. - No, people look to you for hope. That's what Superman does. He inspires. You inspire me and the boys every day, and it's not because you can fly or because you're strong. It's because of your heart. - I don't want to give people false hope. - That's not what I'm saying. The world needs you. You're Superman. Be Superman. ## ## - Everyone, what I have to tell you is hard to believe. That red sun in our sky, I'm afraid it's real. - So they did lie to us? - Yeah, and I don't wanna do that. I want you all to be prepared for the crisis that we are all facing. As I understand it, there is another world like ours, an inverse world. (crowd murmuring) And that red sun in our sky is their sun. I know. I know. Just let me finish. And there is something that wants to combine our world with theirs. (crowd murmuring) And soon-- soon, you are gonna see people from that other world-- doppelgangers, kay? And I need you to understand that you must avoid them at all costs. - Doppelganger? The hell are you talking about? - It's a lot, but you have to trust me. - Trust you? - She's telling the truth. - Then why haven't you published any of this in your paper? all: Yeah! - Because I asked Chrissy not to. I wanted you all to hear it from me first. - Sounds like you two are in cahoots. - We're trying to save lives, George. - Seems to me that job's best left to Superman, Ms. Mayor. (crowd cheering) Unless--unless you're planning on flying in and saving the day. (laughter) - If the world is ending, Superman will save us! - Superman's not coming. (crowd murmuring) - What's that now? - Superman has lost his powers, and he will not be coming to save us today. (tense music) - Well, that's convenient. I suppose that means we have to rely on you to save us. (indistinct yelling) - That is not what I'm saying. Everyone, just let me finish! - Where do you get your information from? - Hey, hey, hey! Can we all just give her a chance to speak? - The problem here is obvious. Our mayor doesn't have any real answers-- just the frightened talk of someone who's in way over her head. - You better stop right there, George! - Why, so I can listen to more garbage about worlds melding and scary doppelgangers knockin' at my door? No, I think we've heard enough. We need answers from someone we can trust. (crowd cheering) - Maybe I can help with that. (soft music) ## ## - Hey. Sarah. ## ## Are you okay? - I don't know. It's all kind of crazy. I mean, that's Superman. - Our mom's been investigating this for weeks. - Wait, so you knew about this? ## ## - Mayor Lang. ## ## I hope by now you all know me as a friend. It's as a friend that I've come here to assure you that your mayor is telling you the truth about everything, and that does not mean that all is lost. I saw what this town was capable of last year, the way you all protected each other. And I know you can do it again. That's starts by listening to your leader. Because I know she's here for you, not to serve her own interest. Mayor? - Everyone, the best thing you can do is get home. Surround yourself with your families. Beware of anyone who doesn't seem like themselves. The people from this other world may look just like us, but they have a very different agenda. Stay by the people you love, and we will get through this together. ## ## Thank you. - You're welcome. (spray hissing) - All right. X-K reinforced. We're good to go. - Sir, shall I power up the suits? - (sighs) No. Just mine. Initiate protocol vapour lock. (whirring) - You safeguarded my suit? - Sorry, Bug. You're not comin'. - Dad, don't do this. - Listen to me. I'm gonna go through that portal. I'm gonna stop Ally, fix this, and I will be right back. - Last time you said that, I lost you for six months. - This time, it is different. I'm not leaving you alone. You got a family here-- you know, the boys, Lois, Clark. They need you. Ally isn't gonna stop until Superman is dead. So you have to be there to protect them while I'm gone. - Sir, your suit is at maximum power, though kinetic hammer charge will require more time. - Leave the hammer. Arm missiles and prepare for launch. ## ## - Dad, please. - Your suit's on a timer. Ten minutes, then you'll be mobile. By then, I should be through the portal. ## ## Help me by staying on comms and guiding me back. ## ## We're still a team, Bug. We always will be. ## ## I love you. ## ## - (sighs) Well, you did it, Lana. I mean, that entire room was set to go off, and you played it exactly right. - Well, I did have a little help. - You looked like a mayor to me. - Um, I'm gonna go track Sarah down, and then let's meet at home, okay? - Yeah, I'll see you there. ## ## - Bye, sweets! - Bye, Mom! - I'll see you very soon. (blows kiss) - See you! (engine starts) ## ## (dramatic music) ## ## - We should get going-- check in on John Henry and Natalie. - (speaks backwards) ## ## (inhaler hisses) ## ## - Defense systems are at full power, John. - Nat's X-K idea worked. Let's hope it holds up when we find Ally. - Prepare for impact in three, two-- - Impact? (whooshing) (rapid beeping) - Dad! Dad, do you read me? - Roger that. (panting) I made it, I'm... ## ## I'm in the void between the portals. Same space you and Clark described. - She should be there. Do you see Ally? ## ## - I do. ## ## And we don't have much time. ## ## - All this stuff about two worlds and what might happen, it's just all so crazy. - You don't know the half of it. - So this is why you're all so distracted? - Some of the reason, yeah. - Jordan, why didn't you just tell me? - I wanted to, but it's not always my decision. - Well, I can handle it. Whatever it is, I can handle it. - Sarah. (soft music) ## ## Come on. We gotta get home. - Okay, uh-- (whooshing) (dramatic music) - Oh, my God. ## ## - Run. - What are you doing? You can't-- - Run! ## ## (crashing in distance) - That didn't sound good. - It's not. ## ## - You're not gonna hurt my family. - (laughs) What are you gonna do about it? You don't have powers. - Son, you don't have to do this. - You are better than this. - No, not yet, but I will be. You know, all of us will. Except you. That's the irony, isn't it? If my dad were alive, you two could've merged. You could've fixed him. You could've made him whole. But I guess since he's dead, you might as well be too. ## ## - (coughs) - Talk to me. You have eyes on her? - Affirmative. I'm about to get a lot more than just eyes on her. - Reading's clean. Targets locked. - Try absorbing this. ## ## - You got her. - (laughs) - (screams) - Dad? Dad, talk to me! (rapid beeping) ## ## - Come on, at least put up a fight. - (coughing) - Leave him alone! ## ## - What are you gonna do, cry about it? - (grunts) - (scoffs) Too slow in both worlds, Gramps. - (grunting) - All right, come here. Okay. - Call the DOD. - They'll never get here in time. - You people really don't get it, do you? It's already over. You've lost. ## ## - (speaks backwards) ## ## - Please, don't hurt him! ## ## (crashing) - (grunting) ## ## - (grunts) ## ## - You okay? - Behind you. ## ## - Please, Dad. I know you can hear me. Dad! - Natalie, the time lock on your suit has now expired. But my sensors have identified an active superhuman attack in our vicinity. ## ## (both panting) - Jordan! - (grunting) - Jordan. - (yells) (grunts) ## ## (gasping) (heroic music) ## ## (soft music) (panting) (soft music) - Dad, you okay? - They took down Ally's two best acolytes, but we still have no idea how to stop her from merging the worlds, and we've lost contact with John Henry. I'd feel a lot better if we got you to a secure location. - (sighs) With all due respect, Sam, I think we're gonna take Lana's advice. Go home and be with the people we love. - Come with us. - DOD's got a few more cards to play, and I can do a better job of calling shots if I'm in headquarters. Be safe, pumpkin. Keep those boys close. They're not so bad in a fight. ## ## - You guys okay? - Relative to what? - You did real good. - It's Nat that saved us. - Where is Nat? (warbling) - Found her. ## ## - (sobs) (sombre music) ## ## - That's twice you've saved my life now. ## ## - (sniffles) You know, when you guys invited my dad and me to stay with you, I thought it was a mistake. (sniffles) And when we moved out, I was so stoked to have our own place, and now here we are. It's the end of the world, and I'm sitting here because I don't know where else to go. - It's not the end of the world. - You can always stay with us, sweetie, as long as you want. - (sobs) I can't locate my dad. His signal's lost, and I just have this feeling like I'm never gonna see him again. (sobbing) - Nat... your dad is a hero. I know it's scary right now. But I know that he is out there fighting for us. I promise you. So you gotta believe that he's gonna come back. I do. ## ## - (sobbing) ## ## - Come on. We need to get inside. - You knew, didn't you? You knew that Jordan had powers. You didn't even flinch when you saw him. His eyes, the way that he... You've known for a while. - Sarah-- - And when you disappeared for six hours, you didn't go for a walk. You were covering for something, because the next day, it felt like you were gonna tell me something, but you just pulled away. That's when you found out, isn't it? ## ## - Yeah. - Why didn't you just tell me? - Because I wanted you to have a normal life. - That's bull, Mom. Jordan said some of the decisions aren't his to make. I know him. I know he's been wanting to tell me something, and this is it, isn't it? Mom, I broke up with him! I wouldn't if I-- you should've just told me! - Sarah! - Tamera, we gotta be the face of calm, okay? - It would've made a difference! - Sarah! - Mija, hey, what's goin' on? - Just let me handle this. Sarah. - What? - We are not finished. - (sighs) - We need to talk. - No! I don't want to talk to you! - Then you better listen. - (sighs) - Because that secret you learned is important in ways you don't understand, and I need you to promise you will not say anything to anyone. - What are you talking about? I-- (static, warbling) Mom? Mom, what's--what's happening? (dramatic music) ## ## - Soph, where's your dad? - I don't know. - Mom. ## ## (static, warbling) ## ## - What happened to our home? - This isn't our home. It's their house from the other Earth. ## ## Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Able 2022 (dramatic music)