WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Superman & Lois Season 1, Episode 12, "Through the Valley of Death," which aired Tuesday on The CW.
In Superman & Lois, one of the most important advantages in Clark's life is he has help. Lois is there to keep him composed, with the twins, Jordan and Jon also acting as his true north. But he also has General Sam Lane and Section 7734 as allies (well, once they're not trying to kill the Man of Steel). However, with Tal-Rho corrupting his fellow Kryptonian, bigger guns are needed to Kal back and ensure the hero doesn't destroy Earth. And thankfully, the latest episode provides Kal with a new ally and someone he can trust to take care of the Kents when he's not there.
This is none other than Wolé Parks' John Henry Irons, who's known as Steel in the comics. In this show, though, he's the Stranger, who arrived from an Earth that Superman and rogue Kryptonians destroyed. He lost his family, including his wife, Lois, and their daughter, Natalie, which is why he's monitoring Kal on this world and making it clear if he turns evil, he'll hunt him down.
Sadly, this reality's Lois has to bring him in when Clark leaves with his brother. But while she only wants John to use his super-suit and tech to bring Superman back, he's adamant he'll have to kill him. It's the only way to save the planet, causing Lois to confess Superman's really her husband, the Kent patriarch.
Still, John flies off when Jordan listens in and gets his dad's location, and does battle with Kal, who's now possessed by Zod. It's a brutal fight, leaving Lois petrified as John has used General Lane's team to build a red flare solar rocket that could depower and kill her husband. But when he gets the chance to use it, John cuts comms so the army can't see or hear.
He calls the possessed alien "Clark" and appeals to his humanity, reminding him of his family. This, luckily, causes Clark to regain control and purge Zod from his mind. As a result, both Clark and John team up and battle Tal, who takes them to outer space. John's adaptable, though, and uses the rocket on Tal, and after he falls to Earth, Kal knocks his brother out.
With Tal now imprisoned, John is greeted by the Kents, who are grateful for his heroics. They invite him for dinner but he declines as he knows they need family time. It paints an interesting future as he used his hammer here, so he's one step closer to becoming Steel.
He's getting along well with General Lane, so the military could be what he needs to perfect his suit. John finally feels like he has purpose again and is now searching for Natalie to see if he can get some semblance of family back for himself.
Superman & Lois airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.