Superman & Lois

- Previously on "Superman & Lois."

- Let's just focus on what we came here for: family.

- We need to stop Kal-El before he does to this world

what he did to mine.

- His name is not Luthor. It's John Henry Irons.

You're The Stranger.

Nobody talks to him. I'm going in first.

- Lois, what a nice surprise. Thanks for waiting.

- Thanks for seeing me on such short notice.

I know it's been a while.

- You know, when they were cadets,

your dad kept my husband

from getting kicked out of the academy twice.

My door is always open for you.

So what brings you in today?

- We have been having some life changes,

pretty major life changes.

Don't get me wrong.

Life has always been complicated.

I'm good at complicated, but today

I kind of got blindsided and...

just somehow felt like everything was slipping

through my fingers.

I lost my temper...

and I am worried that if I can't pull it together,

I'm at risk of hurting someone I really love

more than I already have.

I know the last few weeks have been hard on us all.

Bottom line, there's a lot going on.

Morgan Edge, people suddenly getting powers,

mystery guy trying to kill your dad.

So we just wanted to check in

and see how you were doing with all of it.

- I talked to Coach Gaines. He's not happy, but he knows

the three of us are taking a break from football.

He just needs your uniforms back.

- I'll go do it today. It's my last time

in a high school locker room probably ever.

- Dad? - No.

I'm good. Can you just hold this?

Yeah.

- Can I be excused, or-- - We're not done talking.

Listen, the stuff that we're dealing with

would be a lot for anyone,

so if you're stressed or worried,

you need to tell us, okay?

That's your dad.

I've got to get to the DOD and question John Irons.

- I'll let you know what I find in the RV.

- Okay. - Good luck.

Boys.

- I'll be in the barn. You two stay out of trouble.

- Mom, you think maybe I could come with you?

I don't know, I feel like

I wasn't much help fixing the truck,

but I think I could help you.

- Yeah, sure. - Okay.

Any idea what might be in here?

- Not really, but your dad said it was lined with lead,

so someone is hiding something.

- Classic creepermobile. - Exactly, so be careful.

- Identification required. Identify yourself.

Lois Lane.

- Voice authentication confirmed.

Good morning, Lois.

How do you know my name?

- You are one of my authorized users.

How can I help you, Ms. Lane?

- Um, what can you tell me about John Henry Irons?

- Careful. - What is that?

Whoa. That was easy.

What you working on there?

- Just a list of small businesses in need.

Edge has a new assistance program.

I think it's going to help a lot of people.

- I thought you were just finding people

for his, like, leadership thing.

- I was, and now that Mr. Edge has all the people

he needs for that program, he put me onto this project.

I guess he's just trying to help as many people

as possible achieve their best selves, whatever that means.

- Look, if he ever decides to expand that program,

I mean, I'm right here.

- I know. Sorry, babe.

The program is full. I wish I could've helped you.

- Mom, did you help out Mr. Kirker?

Because Jess wants me to audition

for this musical revue,

and we haven't spoken since, like, the third grade.

What? - You used to love to perform.

- You should definitely try out.

You'd be so good.

And it would give you something to do.

- It's tonight, and I don't have time to prepare anything.

- Well, look. Hey, I got the day off, right?

And you know I got a guitar.

You and me practice together, right?

No, I get--no.

Look, at the end of the day,

if you're not feeling it, then there's no pressure.

But just a little pressure because it would be fun.

- You're a theater kid? - No. Not--

- I was thinking about trying out, but--

- You should go for it. Why not?

- I get really bad stage fright,

and if you laugh about this, I will kill you.

- No, no, no, no. I, um...

used to play piano.

I did the whole little kid recital thing.

As I got older and my anxiety got worse,

it got to be a little too much.

- I didn't know you played piano.

- Well, if you ask me to prove it,

I'll hyperventilate. - Noted.

If you try out, let me know,

and I'll come to cheer you on.

Yeah, yeah. I know.

I have to return these. See you around.

Bye.

I'm going to be right back.

Have a seat, John.

That is your real name, isn't it?

John Henry Irons...

Ranger...

two tours in Afghanistan.

Got into the private sector and made a name for yourself

as a mechanical engineer.

The problem is,

John Irons died six years ago under mysterious circumstances.

At least that's what happened

to the John Irons of this Earth.

How did you get here?

Ballistic shields failing.

Hold on!

Almost there, almost there.

Hang on, hang on!

All you need to know is I'm the one who's going to end you.

- Because you think I'll turn on humanity.

- Because you're a traitor, Kal-El,

a soulless monster who feels nothing

for the billions of people who believe in you.

- You have no idea how much I care about these people.

I do know.

What happened on my world is already happening on this one.

The Kryptonians are here, and you joining them

is the last domino to fall before it all goes down.

I'm not saying another word until you bring me Lois Lane.

- So John Henry is from another Earth?

Yeah, it's kind of confusing.

Multiverse and parallel universes,

each with its own Earth, et cetera, et cetera.

- So on his Earth are there, like,

are there other versions of people from here?

- Yeah. Sometimes.

Like you?

- Why do you want to see Lois Lane?

Answer the question. - Not until I talk to her.

- She doesn't want to talk to you.

- Let her tell me that. - You lied to her.

- It was for her own good. - She doesn't trust you.

- You're the one she shouldn't trust!

You're the one who killed them.

- What are you talking about? - She was everything to me.

She was the love of my life,

my wife, the mother of my daughter...

Until you murdered her.

And I won't let you do it again.

- I don't really look back with regret.

I reflect, or--

but I don't usually regret, but this?

- Is it possible you're being too hard on yourself?

No. I was enraged.

You have no idea the things that I said.

- I read your articles, your critiques.

Let's just say I know what your words are capable of.

- I can go full scorched Earth, and if that is my intention,

you deserve it.