Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Season 2, Episode 18 (26 Mar. 1995): “Tempus Fugitive”
by Jack Weinstein, Lee Hudson, James Bagdonas

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 2, Episode 18

Title: “Tempus Fugitive”

Medium: television series episode

Original airdate: 26 Mar. 1995

Publisher:
Written by: Jack Weinstein, Lee Hudson
Directed by: James Bagdonas

5 characters in this story:

Character (Click links for info about character and his/her religious practice, affiliation, etc.)	Religious Affiliation	Team(s) [Notes]	Pub.	# app.
Superman (Clark Kent)	Methodist / Kryptonian religion	Kryptonians; Super Friends...  The Justice League		13,409
Lois Lane	Catholic	Raleigh College [Superman's girlfriend, then wife]		3,859
Jimmy Olsen	Lutheran	The Legion of Super-Heroes [Superman's pal]		1,896
Jonathan Kent	Methodist	[Superman's adoptive father]		816
Martha Kent	Methodist	[Superman's adoptive mother]		827

Near the beginning of this episode, an anachronistically-dressed English gentleman introduces himself to Lois Lane and Clark Kent at their workplace at the Daily Planet. The main claims to be science fiction writer H.G. Wells.

Timecode: 1 minute, 40 seconds:

Lois Lane: And if you really have a man from the future with you, why did you leave him in the park?

H.G. Wells: Oh yes, well. I didn't want him to see the city. You see, the 22nd century is a peaceful, harmonious utopia. No violence, no crime. Without preparation, poor Tempus would be horrified by the savagery of the 1990s.

Timecode: 5 minutes, 5 seconds:

H.G. Wells: Miss Lane, there's something you might find interesting. Utopia was founded by Superman's descendants.

Lois Lane: Superman's descendants? He got married?

H.G. Wells: Oh, yes. Yes, yes, yes. Quite. And they base their whole society on the values and principles that he lived by.

Lois Lane: So who did he marry?

H.G. Wells: Oh, no, no, no, Miss Lane. That might be giving a bit too much away.

Timecode: 7 minutes, 4 seconds: Tempus, the man from the 22nd Century who H. G. Wells brought back to the 1990s, leaves the park where H. G. Wells left him. Wells does not realize it, but Tempus has plans of his own beyond merely being brought back to Wells' own time as proof that his time machine works. Tempus seems eager to try out various forms of crime in the 1990s. He goes to a gun store and grabs a semiautomatic gun and ammunition from the gun dealer. He forces the gun dealer to hand over the gold chains he wears, and then asks for ammunition and other things.

Tempus: You are, you know, incredibly stupid. Bless you.

Gun dealer: No!

[Tempus aims the gun at the gun dealer, but does not shoot the man. Instead, he starts shooting up the gun store.]

[It is not entirely clear why Tempus told the gun dealer "bless you" before he started shooting up the place.]

Timecode: 8 minutes, 55 seconds: Tempus returns to the time machine in the park. H. G. Wells is there, showing Lois Lane his time machine. Tempus tells H. G. Wells that he is going on a time trip, and he will force Wells to do the driving, at gun point. Tempus recognizes Lois Lane from his era's historical records.

Tempus: Don't I know you?

Lois Lane: I don't think so. Most of my friend are pro-gun control.

Tempus: No, wait. Lois Lane. Yes. I've seen the holograms. Well, this is a special pleasure, Miss Lane. I'm Tempus. I'm from the future that you and Superman created.

Lois Lane: Me and Superman?

Tempus: A world of peace. A world with no greed or crime. A world so boring you'd blow your brains out, but there are no guns. You wanna know the future, Miss Lane? No one works. No one argues. There are 9000 channels, and nothing on! Well, I intend to do something about that. Herb, set the time machine for Smallville, 1966.

Lois Lane: Smallville?

H.G. Wells: Uh, no. We have no fuel.

[Tempus hands Wells the 24 karat gold chains that he stole. The time machine, as Wells explained to Lois earlier, uses gold for fuel, and they were all out.]

H.G. Wells: [looking at the gold in his hand] We have fuel.

Tempus: One of the many disadvantages of being from Utopia is a complete lack of technological understanding. I can't run this machine. But I can run this one. [Holding up the gun.] Now, go.

[H. G. Wells puts the gold in the fuel slot and fires up the time machine.]

Tempus: Miss Lane, you seem like an attractive, interesting woman. I'm almost sorry I'll be ruining your life.

Lois Lane: What are you talking about?

Tempus: I'm going to kill Superman, of course.

Lois Lane: Nobody can kill Superman.

Tempus: Unless you could get hold of him when he was a helpless little baby. Gee, if only I had a time machine. [laughs] You ready, Herb? You see, Miss Lane, in a world with no Superman, there'll be no Utopia in the future. Just a lot of sex and violence and me.

[Unseen by Tempus, H. G. Wells changes the setting on the time machine from 1966 to 1866. The time machine rises above the ground momentarily and then vanishes, with Tempus and Wells aboard. Superman lands just in time to see it disappear.]

[Lois Lane sees that H. G. Well's detailed plans for his time machine had dropped to the ground before he and Tempus left in their time machine. Superman uses the plans to build a new time machine. (It takes just a few hours to do so.) Then he leaves, and Clark arrives on the scene. Clark sets the newly built time machine for 1966, and then he and Lois disappear in their time machine.]

Timecode: 12 minutes, 35 seconds: We see Smallville as it was in 1866. The opening shot in this scene focuses on a church identifiable by its sign as the Free Will Missionary Church.

Timecode: 15 minutes, 48 seconds: In a saloon in 1866 Smallville, Tempus recognizes Jesse James.

Tempus: Wait. I know you. Well, you're not . . . Yes. Jesse James.

Jesse James: You better back that face right up, mister.

Tempus: I'm right, aren't I? That's your brother Frank. [Points to a surly man sitting across the room.] Well, you two are my inspiration. I've read everything about you. You must be hear to rob a bank. I don't recall you ever robbing a bank in Smallville. Are you as good with a gun as they say you are?

[Jesse James answers by quickly drawing his gun and shooting four lamps.]

Tempus: Wasn't that something!? ...Well, you're good. You're really good. You got a future. Not a very long one, unfortunately, and here's why. No matter how good you are, there's always somebody better.

[Tempus uses the semiautomatic machine gun he stole to shoot up the bannister. He appears to be a very good shot, but more than that, the sheer destructive force of the weapon does impressive damage.]

Tempus: Now, uh, much as I like you both, if you and your brother Frank have any ideas about that bank full of gold, get in line.

[Lois Lane and Clark Kent did not spend much time in 1966 Smallville when they first went there. They soon realized that Wells and Tempus had gone to 1866, so then went back to 1866 to try to catch them. Clark was separated from Lois when he had to go back to stop Jesse James from killing his ancestors. Lois Lane sneaks up on Wells and Tempus, who catches her and holds her at gunpoint. Timecode: 22 minutes, 47 seconds:

Lois Lane: If you wanna kill Superman, I don't know why you're going to Smallville, or why 1966?

[Tempus, at first, is puzzled. Why would Lois not know the meaning of Smallville and 1966. Then he realizes...]

Tempus: She doesn't know yet. Oh, this is good. This is really good. Um, Lois, did you know that in the future you're revered at the same level as Superman? Why, there are books about you, statues, an interactive game. You're even a breakfast cereal.

Lois Lane: Really?

Tempus: Yes. But as much as everybody loves you, there is one question that keeps coming up: "How dumb was she?" Here, I"ll show you what I mean.

[Tempus grabs the glasses off of H. G. Wells' face. He puts them on his face, and then takes them off.]

Tempus: Look. I'm Clark Kent.

[Tempus takes the glasses off his face and changes his voice slightly.]

Tempus: No, I'm Superman.

[Tempus puts the glasses back on.]

Tempus: Mild-mannered reporter.

[Tempus takes the glasses off.]

Tempus: Superhero.

[Lois Lane's face shows that she realize what Tempus is telling her: Clark Kent is actually Superman!]

Tempus: Hello? Duh. Clark Kent IS Superman.

[Tempus laughs. Lois looks shocked.]

Tempus: Well, that was worth the whole trip. To actually meet the most galactically stupid woman who ever lived. Come on, Herb. Clark and Superman are dead. The future belongs to me.

[Lois Lane can only watch as H. G. Wells and Tempus disappear in their time machine. Immediately after they leave, Clark rushes into the barn.]

Clark Kent: Lois? Lois, you're all right. I thought that--

[Lois Lane slaps Clark across the face. Lois looks like she is furious at Clark.]

Lois Lane: And don't pretend that hurt, Superman.

Timecode: 24 minutes, 49 seconds: Cut to Smallville, 1966. Clark is trying to explain things to Lois.

Clark Kent: It all started because I wanted to lead a normal life. Friends, a job. A girl. Lois, I knew that I couldn't do that if everybody knew. People would be mobbing me all the time. Lois, come on. You haven't said a word since we left 1866.

Lois Lane: You are the lowest form of life imaginable.

Clark Kent: Not what I was hoping for, but I guess it's a start.

Lois Lane: You're a liar. There's nothing worse.

Clark Kent: Lois, I did not lie to you. I just told you certain facts to keep you from finding out about certain other facts.

Lois Lane: You know, you ought to run for president. Oh, but you can't, you weren't born here. Then again, you could just lie. Look at you right now, renting a car. What do you need a car for, you're Superman.

Clark Kent: Lois, I think we should keep as low a profile as we can. Anything we change in our past could really affect our future.

Lois Lane: Well, you always have an answer for everything. You're good, Clark. You're really good.

Clark Kent: No, actually, I'm not. Lois, I have hated not being able to tell you this. I mean, you think it was easy for me, sitting there watch you swoon over Superman, at the same time ignoring me?

Lois Lane: That's ridiculous. You are Superman.

Clark Kent: No. Lois, Superman is what I can do. Clark is who I am. And the closer we've gotten, the more I wanted to explain this to you, but . . . it just getting so complicated.

Lois Lane: Well, you've obviously had more time to think about this than I have, so why don't you answer one question for me: How can I ever trust you again?

[Clark has no answer for her. He walks around the back of the car to get into the driver's seat.]

Clark Kent: [speaking to himself] Glasses, secret identity. Seemed like a good idea at the time.

Timecode: 27 minutes, 22 seconds: Clark Kent and Lois Lane are driving a car in Smallville, presumably to go to the place where Clark was found as a baby in the spaceship that brought him from Krypton. They must assume that is where Tempus is going, and they want to stop him.

Clark Kent: And it was partly for your protection.

Lois Lane: Don't patronize me.

Clark Kent: I'm not patronizing you. If you knew and somebody found out that you knew, you'd have been a target.

Lois Lane: What do you think I am, galactically stupid?

Clark Kent: You are the smartest woman that I know. And I never wanted to hurt you in any way. Now, if what I did was wrong, then I apologize. But I can't change what I've done. [Clark looks around.] Wait a minute. We're here?

Lois Lane: Where?

Clark Kent: This is Shuster's Field. Where the ship landed. Come on.

[They have arrived too late.]

Timecode: 35 minuts, 30 seconds: Tempus has retrieved the baby Clark Kent before Jonathan and Martha Kent can find the child. Tempus also gathered Kryptonite rocks from Shuster's field, which he has now placed all around the baby. He is trying to kill the baby in order to prevent the future he is familiar with from coming to pass. Tempus has H. G. Wells tied up in the time machine.

H.G. Wells: You really think you can destroy Utopia by killing a child?

Tempus: Well, as you can see, Herb, I'm giving it my best.

H.G. Wells: Well, you're a fool. A world of peace will always be man's ultimate goal.

Tempus: Herb, did your books actually sell? Because you're kind of a bore. Which brings me to my next question: What am I gonna do with you, huh? I could just leave you here to starve, but no, you might get away and build another time machine. Obviously I've gotta kill you, buy how? Something suitable. Something ironic like what I did to Lois, that was good. I know, a Utopian execution. I'll bore you to death. [laughs]

Timecode: 37 minutes, 10 seconds: Lois Lane found Tempus and was watching him silently. But she stepped on a twig, prompting him to see her and chase after her. She tried ambushing him and now is fighting with him.

Lois Lane: You like violence so much, come on, let's see what you've got.

[Lois Lane is a far better hand-to-hand combatant than Tempus. She knocks him out and rushes back to the time machine. She thows the Kryptonite stones away from the baby and unties H. G. Wells. Clark Kent regains his strength, now that he is no longer disappearing from existence. Clark apprehends Tempus. In front of Lois, Clark changes into Superman and then flies the baby back to the rocket ship, so that the baby is there in time ot be found by Jonathan and Martha Kent.]

Timecode: 39 minutes, 34 seconds: Jonathan and Martha Kent are driving their pickup. They see what looks like a meteor. (It is actually Superman himself recreating the appearance of a meteor, to properly attract the attention of his parents, so that time can be set right again.]

Jonathan Kent: What was that?

Martha Kent: Looked like a meteor. Over in Shuster's field.

[Martha and Jonathan Kent rush over to where they saw the "meteor" go down. They find the space ship with the baby in it. Martha picks up the baby, loving it instantly.]

Jonathan Kent: My Lord.

Martha Kent: Oh, Jonathan. [to the baby] Hi.

Timecode: 40 minutes, 20 seconds: Back at Rocky Cove, where the Wells' time machine is hidden, Wells has tied up Tempus. Wells sees that Lois Lane is pensive.

H.G. Wells: Well, well. What's the matter, dear.

Lois Lane: Oh. You've been to the future, Mr. Wells. Is it true what Tempus said about me?

H.G. Wells: Oh, yes. You're as highly revered as any woman in history.

Lois Lane: Oh. No. I meant about . . . being galactically stupid.

H.G. Wells: No. No, no, Miss Lane. Not stupid. Blind. It is one of the many things that makes your story so timeless. Why children never tire of hearing it at bedtime, why parents never outgrow it. Generation after generation. We are all blinded by love, Miss Lane. Especially that one great love that changes us forever.

Tempus: Er, excuse me, but I'm in danger of choking on my own vomit.

[Superman arrives, telling everybody that the Kents now have the baby. H. G. Wells says now they can put everything back the way it should be. He says he will take Tempus to some place where he will cause no more trouble, and then he'll meet Lois and Clark at the second time machine. Before Wells and Tempus leave in their time machine, Tempus wants to ask one question.]

Tempus: Superman, as long as I have you here, just answer one thing for me. Why tights? Why a cape? You're a grown man. Don't you feel ridiculous?

Superman: My mother made it for me.

[Wells and Tempus disappear in their time machine.]

Lois Lane: Well, Clark . . .

[Lois and Clark (dressed as Superman) smile at each other. Lois nervously notices something on his S.]

Lois Lane: You've got a little schmutz here on your S.

[Superman/Clark kisses Lois Lane. They both seem very, very happy.]

[Cut to an unknown amount of time later: Clark, having changed back to his civilian "Clark Kent" attire, and Lois walk into the barn where they hid their time machine.]

Lois Lane: Is this gonna feel as weird to you as it does to me, knowing that you're Superman for now on?

H.G. Wells: Oh, I'm afraid that can't be, Miss Lane. Not just yet, anyway. We've tampered with history enough.

Clark Kent: It's a little bit late.

H.G. Wells: [laughs] No, no. Not at all. I'll simply drop each of you back before I ever showed up. That way you'll both remember nothing, and none of this will have ever happened.

Clark Kent: Is that what you did with Tempus?

H.G. Wells: Oh, no. Mr. Tempus was such a lover of irony, I decided to give him a lifetime of it.

Clark Kent: How so?

H.G. Wells: By granting him his wish: To live in a violent, hellish dystopia.

[While Wells and Clark talk, Lois writes herself a note: "Clark Kent is Superman." Then Wells takes Lois Lane and Clark Kent home in the time machine. We cut to 1866 again. Tempus is in the Kansas State Asylum, in a violent time and place. He protests, claiming to be from the future, but nobody believes him.]

Tempus: You stupid, hayseed, corn-sucking cow lovers! I don't belong here! I'm from the future! I have to get out of here so I can build another time machine! Hey! Anybody listening to me? Hey!

[Cut to the first scene of the episode, repeated almost exactly. But Lois has a feeling of deja vu. Clark sees the note that Lois wrote to herself and grabs it away from her before she can read it. H. G. Wells looks on at the scene and smiles, seeing he as put time aright.]

The process of listing characters who appeared in this source is not yet complete. Webpage for Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 2, Episode 18 (26 Mar. 1995) created 29 January 2008. Last modified 11 June 2014.

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