WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for Superman & Lois Season 1, Episode 10, "O Mother, Where Art Thou?," which aired Tuesday on The CW.
In Superman & Lois, fans were shocked by the bombshell that Morgan Edge is really Tar-Ro, a Kryptonian who landed on Earth before the Man of Steel. More so, he's actually Kal-El's brother and the son of Zeta-Ro and Lara Lor-Van before she got with Jor-El, and thanks to his sinister dad, he wants to replace humanity with his people. However, while this genocide does seem awfully familiar to Zod's plans in Man of Steel, it improves the villain Michael Shannon portrayed in a massive away.
Zack Snyder's Zod was decent, but he felt a bit one-dimensional. Ultimately, it toed the line between Terence Stamp's to-the-point Zod and a maniacal warlord who wants to reform Earth into New Krypton. With Edge as Kal's brother, though, there's a lot more sentiment and emotional value.
When Zod asked Henry Cavill's Superman to use the rebirth chamber to bring their people back, audiences understood why Clark said no. After all, he'd known humanity all his life and was going to be loyal toward them after the Kents raised him. With Tar-Ro, while it's improbable Kal would partner with him, there's more unpredictability, volatility and warmth to it.
He reminds Kal that by using humans as vessels, he could bring back their mother. This is a powerful, complex moment without hostility, and an offer that digs at Clark's heart. It's no longer about an enemy; it's about a misguided brother appealing to that sense of family, leaving Clark wondering about the ark mission. To double down, this resurrection of their people was Lara's life's work, so it's understandable Tar-Ro wants to carry it out.
He's not a soldier; this is his birthright and one Kal was destined to share. In other words, Kal has a new purpose as he was meant to be a savior of his people, rather than a random alien Tar-Ro would run into and force into the role. As much as Clark rebuffs it, the thought of a motherly reunion is appealing, especially since Martha died at the start of Superman & Lois.
What also leaves a sliver of doubt is he's accustomed to Kryptonian culture, learning from Jor-El at the Fortress of Solitude, so it'd make sense if he wanted to come to some middle ground with his brother rather than throw hands. The fact Tar-Ro was abused by mankind also gives him valid reason to want this purge, so he could inhabit the planet with a better species.
This adds nuance to their bond, creating a deeper sense of lineage, heritage and responsibility. Coupling this with the vision where Elseworlds' Superman razed the planet, even Jon admits a heel turn would be tempting. Not that he's fully convinced, but Lois has to remind Ta-Ro that her husband can't be corrupted like this. Still, the fact there's a chance adds more drama than Snyder's film had regarding this deal with the devil.
Superman & Lois stars Tyler Hoechlin, Elizabeth Tulloch, Dylan Walsh, Alex Garfin, Jordan Elsass, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Inde Navarrette and Wolé Parks. The series airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.
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