WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for Superman & Lois Season 1, Episode 8, "Holding the Wrench," which aired Tuesday on The CW.
In Superman & Lois' last episode, "Man of Steel," the real identity of the Stranger, aka Captain Luthor, was revealed. In truth, the character wasn't a Luthor at all -- he was a parallel version of John Henry Irons, hellbent on killing Superman before he could turn evil and destroy the planet. The reveal came as a total surprise, not just because this marks an important television debut for the character, but also because, in the comic books, John Henry Irons is usually depicted as a superhero.
The CW series positioned Irons as an enemy of Superman, but that may be set to change. In fact, in the series' latest episode, "Holding the Wrench," Superman & Lois teases a possible team-up between the Man of Steel and Irons.
In "Man of Steel," part of Irons' origin story is revealed: on his Earth, he lived happily with his wife Lois Lane and their daughter, Natalie, but their peace was shattered when an evil Superman accompanied by more Kryptonians attacked Metropolis. The superpowered aliens pulverized the city, and the Dark Superman killed Lois Lane, leaving Irons on a rage-filled quest for revenge. Unfortunately, circumstances took him to another universe, where he is far away from his daughter. Now, with nothing left, Irons has made it his mission to use his genius to kill the Superman of Earth-Prime before he turns on humanity.
In this quest, Irons has also been following the exploits of Morgan Edge, who has slowly started giving Kryptonian superpowers to a select few candidates from his company. Irons believes these are the same Kryptonians who will make Kal-El turn on humanity, just like what happened on his home world. Since the Kryptonians are already here, according to him, then he needs to take out Superman before it's too late.
However, Irons' mission takes a turn in "Holding the Wrench." Since he was introduced, the character has been dead set on killing Superman, and he treats him like an sworn enemy during his interrogation. Superman insists he is different from the Man of Steel of his home world, but Irons isn't willing to take that chance. The Kryptonians are slowly appearing, and Irons thinks Kal-El will betray humanity to side with his own people. Irons even goes as far as trying to kill Superman again, this time with a spear made of Kryptonite, but only after Superman protects him from one of Edge's Kryptonians. However, Irons is stopped by Lois Lane, who talks him down by mentioning his daughter.
The entire ordeal breaks Irons out of his blind hate for Superman. After the superhero protects him, and he has his brief reunion with Lois Lane, Irons finally realizes this Superman and Lois are different than the ones on his own Earth. Once Irons is let go from the Department of Defense, Superman gives him his RV back -- a show of trust that he hopes mend the fences between them. Irons isn't ready to fully trust Superman yet, but he understands that he may be a valuable ally against the Kryptonians.
Both men then talk about the coming war against Edge, and they understand that they may have to fight it side-by-side. So, while Irons started out as a villain in Superman & Lois, it looks like he may truly turn into a superhero and friend of Superman. He may drive off as the episode comes to a close but, when he returns, Superman and an armored Steel may finally share the small screen.
Superman & Lois stars Tyler Hoechlin, Elizabeth Tulloch, Dylan Walsh, Alex Garfin, Jordan Elsass, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Inde Navarrette and Wolé Parks. The series returns May 18 and will air Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.