Honestly, if you spent the first three seasons of Superman & Lois waiting for Jon Kent to finally hover an inch off the ground, you weren't alone. It became a running joke. Every time a tire swing moved or a football spiraled a little too fast, the fandom collectively held its breath.
And for years? Nothing.
While his brother Jordan was busy accidental-heating-visioning everything in sight, Jonathan was the "human" one. He was the athlete. The firefighter trainee. The kid who had to figure out who he was in a house where his dad and brother were literal gods. But then Season 4 happened, and the writers decided to pull the trigger in a way that left a lot of people's heads spinning.
The Moment Jon Kent Finally Leveled Up
It wasn't a slow burn. In Season 4, Episode 3, "Always My Hero," the dam finally broke. Jon didn't just get a little super-strength or a case of the sniffles that turned into freeze breath. He got the whole package. Flight, speed, heat vision—the works.
What's wild is why it happened.
Jordan had just messed up. Badly. He’d fallen into a trap set by Lex Luthor that resulted in Lex literally stomping on Clark’s heart. Jon, who usually bottles everything up to be the "stable" brother, finally snapped. He punched his dad’s old baby spaceship in a fit of pure, unadulterated rage and grief.
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That was the trigger.
The interesting thing here is the contrast. Jordan’s powers came from his anxiety and social struggles. Jon’s powers were locked behind a wall of emotional suppression. Because he’s a natural athlete with better coordination, he mastered his abilities almost instantly. It felt a bit rushed to some fans, sure, but it fit his character. Jon has always been the one who watches, learns, and executes.
Michael Bishop vs. Jordan Elsass: The Recast Reality
You can't talk about Jon Kent without mentioning the face change. When Jordan Elsass left after Season 2 to prioritize his mental health, Michael Bishop stepped in. It was jarring. One week he looks one way, the next he’s a totally different guy.
But Bishop actually brought something different to the table.
Elsass played Jon with a certain "golden boy" swagger that slowly crumbled. Bishop’s Jon feels a bit more grounded and, frankly, more like Tyler Hoechlin’s son. He has that same "aw shucks" sincerity that makes the Kent family work.
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A lot of fans argue about who did it better. Truly, they both served the eras they were in. Elsass was great for the "downward spiral" of Season 2 where Jon was taking X-Kryptonite just to feel special. Bishop was the right choice for the more mature, hero-in-waiting version we saw in the series finale.
How the Show Flipped the Script on the Comics
In the DC Comics, Jon Kent is a massive deal. He’s the one who came out as bisexual, he’s the one who aged up in a black hole, and he’s the one who eventually took over the mantle of Superman full-time.
The show? It went its own way.
The TV version of Jon remained straight, and for the longest time, he didn't even have powers. The series creator, Todd Helbing, was pretty vocal about the show being its own beast. They wanted to explore the "human" son of an alien. By the time the series finale rolled around, however, the show finally leaned into the "Super Sons" legacy.
The Ending Nobody Expected
If you haven't seen the finale, buckle up. We get a massive 32-year time jump. Clark, now living with a human heart donated by Sam Lane, is aging like a normal person. Jon and Jordan have become the world’s protectors.
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We see an older Jon Kent, played in a cameo by David Giuntoli (who is actually Bitsie Tulloch's husband in real life). He’s a veteran hero. He’s got the suit. He’s got the legacy. It’s a poetic ending because it proves that while Jon didn't need powers to be a hero, he was always destined to carry the weight of that "S" on his chest.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into Jon’s journey or just want to make sense of the lore, keep these points in mind:
- Watch the transition: Pay close attention to the "Always My Hero" episode (4x03). It’s the definitive turning point where the show stops being about one super-son and starts being about a legacy.
- Contrast the brothers: Notice how Jon’s athleticism makes him a "natural" hero, whereas Jordan’s journey is always about the struggle for control. This explains why Jon is able to jump into the fray so much faster.
- Ignore the "Power Scale" debates: Fans love to argue if Jon is stronger than Jordan. The show eventually suggests they are essentially equals, but Jon’s background as a quarterback gives him the edge in tactical combat.
- Revisit Season 2: To really appreciate Jon’s Season 4 arc, you have to remember his "X-K" drug phase. It makes his eventual natural power manifestation feel earned rather than just a plot device.
Jon Kent’s story in Superman & Lois ended up being about more than just flight or strength. It was about a kid who finally stopped trying to be "normal" and accepted that he was always meant to be extraordinary.
Next Step: You should go back and re-watch the Season 2 finale and compare it directly to the Season 4 finale; the parallel of how Jon views his own worth is the most rewarding character growth in the entire series.