Warning: Spoilers for Superman & Lois season 2, episode 7
Superman & Lois would ruin Jonathan’s story in the Arrowverse if it gave him permanent powers. Thanks to the X-Kryptonite drug provided by his girlfriend, Jonathan finally got a taste of his father’s Kryptonian abilities. In Superman & Lois season 2, episode 7, titled “Anti-Hero”, Jonathan was caught with Candice’s supply by the police, which means that his days of using X-Kryptonite have most likely ended.
Now that Jonathan’s X-Kryptonite use has been revealed to both of his parents and his future at the school has been put in jeopardy, the next few months are sure to be tough for the character. However, there are theories going around that things are about to take a positive turn for Clark’s non-powered son. There’s been building speculation that since Jonathan is half-Kryptonian, X-Kryptonite may have had a secret effect on his body. Specifically, it may have kickstarted his latent abilities, meaning that Jonathan may soon develop the powers he’s always wanted. This ties to the idea that Jonathan may one day become a version of Superboy, his counterpart in DC Comics.
Theoretically, it’s not impossible that Jonathan will naturally develop super powers, but going in this direction wouldn’t be a good move for the series to take. While there are plenty of fans rooting for Jonathan to finally get powers of his own, that would be contrary to the entire point of his Superman & Lois story. As Jonathan himself admitted in “Anti-Hero”, he took the drug because of his desire to be special. He feels that he’s the only member of the Kent family who isn’t great at something. Letting Jonathan achieve that goal through taking illegal drugs would be the wrong way for Superman & Lois to give him happiness.
Furthermore, Jonathan’s story has never been about his quest to get powers. What’s it’s really about is being the one ordinary person in a family that includes Superman, a teenager with budding powers, and a celebrated journalist. The challenges that come with being in that situation are what makes his story so interesting. Taking X-Kryptonite shouldn’t be a shortcut to Jonathan becoming Superboy, but a teaching moment for his character and a major stepping stone in his journey toward living happily without powers.
Having Superman’s abilities may be what Jonathan truly wants right now, but that’s not the story Superman & Lois is crafting for him in the Arrowverse (nor should it be). Instead, it’s more likely that the show will continue to explore Jonathan’s life as a normal kid in Superman’s family. A proper resolution to his story would be for Jonathan to eventually find a way to be happy with who he is and perhaps discover a special talent of his own. One day, Jonathan may realize that he doesn’t need Superman’s powers.
Superman & Lois returns with new episodes on March 22 on The CW.
