"Superman & Lois" Finale: A Thoughtful Tribute To The Arrowverse's Legacy

The CW’s “Superman & Lois” is reaching its conclusion, marking a significant end to not only the series itself but also DC's presence on the network. The fourth and final season kicked off with a double-episode premiere, paving the way for the remaining eight episodes to be released weekly. Fans can expect the series finale to air in early December 2024, closing a chapter that spans across multiple DC properties.

While "Superman & Lois" was not technically part of the Arrowverse, its connections to that beloved shared universe are undeniable. Stars Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch initially stepped into their iconic roles of Superman and Lois Lane during "Supergirl" Season 2 and a major Arrowverse crossover event, respectively. Moreover, the show was spearheaded by Greg Berlanti, the visionary behind the entire Arrowverse, and Todd Helbing, who cut his teeth as a showrunner on "The Flash" before taking the helm of this Superman-centered drama.

A Farewell That Honors the Arrowverse

As the series comes to a close, Helbing spoke with Entertainment Weekly about how the show’s finale will nod to the legacy of the Arrowverse. According to Helbing, the ending won’t be a bombastic, high-budget event full of cameos and flashy moments. Instead, the team chose a more grounded and subtle approach to pay tribute to the universe they’ve built over the last decade.

Helbing acknowledged that it was difficult not to be overwhelmed by the weight of closing out the Arrowverse. “With the Arrowverse, I’ve had 10 years of working in these shows and these worlds, and you want to do it justice,” Helbing explained. “But you have to separate yourself from those feelings, or you are not going to leave your house because it’ll be overwhelming.”

He also touched on the challenge of meeting fans' expectations for crossover appearances and Easter eggs. While it would have been ideal to include characters like Grant Gustin’s Flash, real-world limitations such as actor schedules and budget constraints made it impossible to deliver on every fan’s wish list. Instead, the team focused on crafting a finale that serves the story of "Superman & Lois" itself, rather than trying to outdo previous Arrowverse farewells.

The Arrowverse: A Supercharged Era for Vancouver’s Film Industry

The Arrowverse was more than just a collection of superhero shows; it was a cornerstone of Vancouver’s film industry. Starting with Arrow in 2012, the franchise expanded to include The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, and several crossover events, creating consistent work for thousands of local professionals. These shows brought significant investment to the city, employing a wide range of talent—from actors and directors to set designers and VFX artists. Vancouver’s landscape often doubled for fictional cities like Star City and Central City, showcasing the city’s flexibility as a filming location.

During its peak, the Arrowverse contributed hundreds of millions of dollars annually to Vancouver’s economy, cementing the city’s reputation as a major production center. However, all good things come to an end. As ratings declined and The CW restructured its programming strategy, the network gradually phased out the Arrowverse. The final blow came in 2024 with the cancellation of Superman And Lois, the last show of the Arrowverse lineup which ends this year on its fourth season. This marked the end of an era and left a gaping hole in Vancouver’s production calendar.

The Superman Legacy: Tyler Hoechlin’s Final Bow

For Tyler Hoechlin, this season marks the end of an eight-year journey as Superman. He first donned the cape in 2016, appearing on and off across several Arrowverse shows, making his portrayal a significant part of modern Superman history. As the final episodes of “Superman & Lois” unfold, fans will be watching to see how Hoechlin’s portrayal evolves one last time and how the series will leave its mark on the Superman mythos.

Though the ending may not deliver the massive Arrowverse spectacle some fans might expect, the creators’ focus on telling a story that feels authentic to "Superman & Lois" suggests a fitting conclusion to this chapter of DC TV. After a decade of interwoven storylines, larger-than-life heroes, and a universe full of crossover events, the quieter, more reflective approach seems designed to give fans a sense of closure that honors the spirit of the Arrowverse while allowing “Superman & Lois” to stand on its own.

What's Next for DC on TV?

With "Superman & Lois" marking the end of DC's run on The CW, fans are left to wonder what the future holds for DC’s television universe. Shows like "Gotham Knights" and "Titans" have carried on the superhero tradition on other platforms, but the era of Arrowverse-style interconnectivity appears to be coming to a close. Yet, as with any superhero franchise, it's never truly the end — just a new beginning.

As the DC chapter on The CW comes to a close with "Superman & Lois," the series leaves behind a legacy of storytelling that, much like the Arrowverse itself, aimed to capture the essence of its heroes in a way that resonates with fans. Whether you followed the interconnected world from "Arrow" to "The Flash," or found your way through "Superman & Lois," the Arrowverse’s impact on superhero television is undeniable.

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Source: Dark Horizons

Photo Credit: DC/CW