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Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994): “Barbarians at the Planet”
by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine, James Bagdonas

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21

Title: “Barbarians at the Planet”

Medium: television series episode

Original airdate: 1 May 1994

Publisher: ABC
Written by: Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine
Directed by: James Bagdonas


8 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 Superman (Clark Kent) hero
CBR Scale: S Methodist / Kryptonian religion
Kryptonians; Super Friends...  DC 13,409
Lois Lane Lois Lane supporting character
CBR Scale: I Catholic
Raleigh College
[Superman's girlfriend, then wife]
DC 3,859
Jimmy Olsen Jimmy Olsen supporting character hero
CBR Scale: I Lutheran
The Legion of Super-Heroes
[Superman's pal]
DC 1,896
Perry White Perry White supporting character clergy/religious leader
CBR Scale: S Baptist; Elvis worship (ordained)
[Superman's (Clark Kent's) boss; Daily Planet editor] DC 1,574
Jonathan Kent Jonathan Kent supporting character
CBR Scale: S Methodist
[Superman's adoptive father] DC 816
Martha Kent Martha Kent supporting character
CBR Scale: S Methodist
[Superman's adoptive mother] DC 827
Lex Luthor Lex Luthor villain scientist
CBR Scale: S Episcopalian (lapsed); Nietzschean atheist
Injustice League; Secret Six...  DC 1,508
Cat Grant Cat Grant supporting character
CBR Scale: M Catholic (lapsed); promiscuous hedonist
[Daily Planet gossip columnist; co-worker of Clark Kent] DC 140

Timecode: 0 minutes, 35 seconds:

[A private plane is seen flying across a sunset sky. Cut to the elegant interior of the plane. Lex Luthor, wearing an expensive and handsome suit pours a glass of wine for an elegantly attired Lois Lane. The both seem to be enjoying themselves immensely. Just a few feet away from the couple, a violinst plays classical music for them.]

BELOW: Lex Luthor woos Lois Lane on his private jet:

Lex Luthor woos Lois Lane on his private jet larger larger larger larger larger larger larger

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

Lois Lane: When you said Italian, I had no idea we were actually going.

Lex Luthor: It's my favorite restaurant in Milano. [Clinks his wine glass to hers.] Magnifico

Lois Lane: Ohhh, Lex. What am I gonna do with you?

Lex Luthor: Spend the rest of your life with me, I hope.

Lois Lane: [Laughs, as if his statement was a good-natured joke.] Oh, Lex!

Lex Luthor: I'm serious.

[Lois Lane looks at Lex, saying nothing, but the look on her face is serious. Lex Luthor gets down on one knee, pulling a ring case out of his jacket pocket.]

BELOW: Lex Luthor proposes to Lois Lane:

Lex Luthor proposes to Lois Lane larger larger larger larger larger larger larger larger larger

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

Lex Luthor: Lois Lane.

[Lois Lane sees what she Lex is doing. She has a somewhat stunned look on her face. Lex opens the ring case to reveal a diamond ring.]

Lex Luthor: Will you marry me?

[Lois says nothing for long seconds before finally speaking.]

Lois Lane: I don't know what to say.

Lex Luthor: Only three possible choices. Yes, no, maybe.

Lois Lane: It's not that simple. What about my life at the Daily Planet? Clark and Perry and Jimmy, they're like family, I--

Lex Luthor: Well, I believe in families, large ones.

BELOW: Lois Lane considers Lex Luthor's marriage proposal:

Lois Lane considers Lex Luthor's marriage proposal larger larger larger larger larger larger larger larger larger larger

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

Lois Lane: Lex, the last few weeks with you have been wonderful. I . . . I hardly know you.

Lex Luthor: The only thing that you have to know abou me is that I love you.

[Lois Lane looks away slightly.]

Lex Luthor: What? What is it? Is there something wrong? Would it have anything to do with Superman?

Lois Lane: It's . . . Uh . . . I . . . It's just a lot to take in.

Lex Luthor: But you'll give it some thought.

Lois Lane: Yes.

Lex Luthor: So it's maybe, for now.

Lois Lane: Oh, well, yes, maybe.

BELOW: Lex Luthor: a diamond is just a rock, but on Lois Lane's hand it is priceless to him:

Lex Luthor: a diamond is just a rock, but on Lois Lane's hand it is priceless to him larger larger larger larger larger

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

Lois Lane: [Looking at the ring.] It is beautiful.

Lex Luthor: Without you, it's a piece of rock. On your hand, it's priceless to me.

[Lois Lane is visibly moved by his words. The ring of a phone can be heard. A male assistant approaches to tell Lex Luthor there is a call for him.]

Assistant: Phone for you, Mr. Luthor.

Lex Luthor: Excuse me.

[Lex Luthor stands up and walks a few feet away from Lois. She can see him, but can not hear what the person on the other end of the line is saying. When we hear the voice of the person who has called Lex Luthor, we recognize it as the voice of the man we saw in the first scene in this episode: Devane (played by actor Patrick Kilpatrick). This is the man who broke into a warehouse and found a wooden crate labelled "Smallville." Inside the box was a glowing green rock: Kryptonite. This man has stolen the only known remaining fragment of Kryptonite and is offering to sell it to Lex Luthor.]

Devane: Your information was accurate, Luthor. I have the Kryptonite.

Lex Luthor: When can I expect delivery?

Devane: I'll call you when I get back to Metropolis. The price is $5 million.

Lex Luthor: Done.

[Lex Luthor looks at Lois Lane, the woman he sincerely wants to marry. He repeats a word he said a few minutes ago to her.]

Lex Luthor: Priceless.

What does Luthor mean by this? Does he mean, once again, that having Lois Lane's hand in marriage would be "priceless"? Or does he mean that Kryptonite, the substance he knows can destroy Superman, is "priceless"? In this context, it seems that he means both. Perhaps he is planning to use the Kryptonite against Superman in order to guarantee that he will be able to marry Lois Lane without interference.

[Cut to opening credits.]

Timecode: 4 minutes, 37 seconds: Clark Kent and Lois Lane are entering the Daily Planet building together. As they wait for the elevator to take them to their floor, Clark Kent sees a man lighting up a cigarette.

Clark Kent is strongly against smoking. He is also against people breaking the rules or people showing incivility to others. This man is trying to light up a cigarette while standing right in front of a "No Smoking" sign. Clark can not abide this man's flagrant disregard for rules and his disregard for the comfort of people who do not want to be around second-hand smoke.

BELOW: Clark Kent and Lois Lane refuse to let a man smoke a cigarette:

Clark Kent and Lois Lane refuse to let a man smoke a cigarette

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

He uses super breath power to blow out the flame of the cigarette lighter the man holds. The man repeatedly tries to light his cigarette, and Clark Kent repeatedly uses his super-breath to surreptitiously blow out the flame of the cigarette lighter, to prevent the man from smoking. Neither Lois nor the smoker ever wonder what Clark is doing. Neither of them were looking at Clark's face. The smoker shakes his head each time his cigarette lighter goes out. He turns his cigarette lighter over and over, trying to figure out what might be wrong with it. He taps the lighter.

Finally the elevator arrives. The smoker has been unable to light his cigarette. He enters the same elevator that Lois and Clark board. The smoker has the unlit cigarette hanging from his mouth. Lois notices the man with his cigarette. She angrily yanks the cigarette out of his mouth and chastises him.

Lois Lane: Can't you read?!

Lois Lane tosses the cigarette on the floor of the lobby as the door of the elevator closes on them.

When Lois Lane and Clark Kent arrive in the offices of the Daily Planet, Perry White is explaining the newspaper's financial difficulties to his employees. Their recent paychecks bounced. Neither Perry nor any of his employees realize that Lex Luthor has been secretly working behind the scenes to undermine the financial stability of the newspaper. This is all part of Lex Luthor's plan to win Lois Lane's hand in marriage.

Timecode: 6 minutes, 53 seconds: Lex Luthor has breakfast with his personal assistant, a tall black female named Mrs. Cox. She is well aware of Lex Luthor's nefarious plan to undermine the Daily Planet. Mrs. Cox wheels a cart to Lex Luthor's table (in his penthouse office apartment). A pitcher of orange juice and glasses are on the cart.

Mrs. Cox: Shall I pour?

Lex Luthor: Let me.

Mrs. Cox: Should we begin to switch the LexCorp advertising accounts into the other papers?

BELOW: Lex Luthor cites strategies of Sun Tzu's book the Art of War in his quest to win Lois Lane's hand in marriage:

Lex Luthor cites strategies of Sun Tzu's book the Art of War in his quest to win Lois Lane's hand in marriage larger larger larger larger larger larger larger larger

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

Lex Luthor: Not yet. We must preserve the illusion of loyalty. Metropolis won't be Metropolis without the Daily Planet.

Mrs. Cox: How will this affect your proposal to Lois Lane?

Lex Luthor: Well, it's designed to help. If you wish to utterly defeat a battlefield opponent, you must destroy their support systems, their allies, and any avenue of retreat.

Lex Luthor here is quoting one of his idols, Sun Tzu, author of the ancient Chinese manual on warfare, The Art of War. Luthor has quoted and referred to Sun Tzu previously in this series. The tactics Lex Luthor uses in this episode are indeed right out of Sun Tzu's manual, although, of course, Lex Luthor has interpreted the book's battle tactics to a non-military "battlefield": winning Lois Lane's hand in marriage.

Mrs. Cox: Lois Lane, a battlefield opponent.

Lex Luthor: Figuratively speaking.

[Lex Luthor receives a call from Mr. Devane, the seller of the Kryptonite rock. Mr. Devane and Lex Luthor make further arrangements for delivery of the stone.]

Timecode: 8 minutes, 18 seconds: Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and newsroom assistant Jack (introduced as a thief and juvenile delinquent a few episodes earlier) are discussing the recent layoffs at the Daily Planet. Jack and Jimmy Olsen have received "pink slips," terminating their employement at the Daily Planet.

BELOW: Former juvenile delinquent jokes that he will return to crime:

Former juvenile delinquent jokes that he will return to crime larger larger

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

Jack: Well, I guess it's back to a life of crime for me.

[Lois Lane looks at Jack, a look of shock or dismay passing over her face at hearing what Jack said. Jack chuckles]

Jack: It's always good to have something to fall back on.

[Jack is joking - probably. But Lois shakes her head and Clark lightly punches Jack's chest to show his disapproval. Jack just smiles and laughs.]

Timecode: 9 minutes, 23 seconds: Lois Lane and Clark Kent take a coffee break.

Lois Lane: Clark, do you think about the future much?

Clark Kent: All the time. You?

Lois Lane: A lot lately. I mean, if the Planet ever went under, I'd be lost.

Clark Kent: No, not you. You'd be back on your fet in no time.

Lois Lane: Maybe. [Pauses.] Something happened recently.

Clark Kent: Something bad?

Lois Lane: No. No. Just something that made me think. I-- I wanted to talk to you about it, but . . .

Clark Kent: Talk to me now.

Lois Lane: Well . . . It's not the kind of thing that you just blurt out. It-- It takes delicacy.

Clark Kent: Ah, well, then you're in a lot of trouble there. [Chuckles, he was joking good-naturedly about Lois Lane's reputation for being outspoken, blunt-speaking and headstrong.]

BELOW: Lois Lane has never had anybody propose to her before:

Lois Lane has never had anybody propose to her before larger larger larger

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

Lois Lane: Well. I know I don't seem like the type of woman this would happen to . . . but I've never had anyone in my life actually ask me to be his--

[Lois Lane's sentence is interrupted by Perry White, just before she could tell Clark that Lex Luthor asked her to be his wife. Perry White tells the employees that they are about to hear an announcement. Lex Luthor enters the office and announces that he doesn't know why they are having such financial troubles and their advertisers have abandoned them, but he himself is buying the newspaper. Lex promises there will be no layoffs, and all the employees cheer him. Timecode: 11 minutes, 44 seconds.]

BELOW: Lois Lane and Lex Luthor argue about the virtue of Lex Luthor:

Lois Lane and Lex Luthor argue about the virtue of Lex Luthor larger larger larger larger larger larger larger larger

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

Lois Lane: Isn't this wonderful?

Clark Kent: It's a disaster.

Lois Lane: Clark, can't you give up this idea that Lex Luthor is the root of all evil in Metropolis?

Clark Kent: Why should I give it up, Lois? It's true.

Lois Lane: No, it's not true. Give him some credit. Lex just saved our jobs, not to mention . . .

[Lois Lane pauses now, uncertain whether she wants to finish her sentence.]

Clark Kent: Not to mention what?

Lois Lane: Not to mention he asked me to marry him.

[Lois Lane walks away. Clark Kent looks at her in stunned silence.]

Timecode: 13 minutes, 38 seconds: In a scene that takes place in Perry White's office, note how Perry White's framed photo of Elvis Presley (whom Perry worships) and other Elvis memorabilia are displayed prominently on the wall by the door. Also note how a framed blow-up picture of a U.S. Postal Service Elvis Presley stamp is on the wall behind Perry White's desk.

In this scene, Perry White is very upset when he finds that Lex Luthor (who is sitting at Perry's desk) has hired a new Ivy League graduate to be Perry's boss as "supervising editor" of the Daily Planet. Perry White tells Lex he won't put up with it, and he storms out of the office, possibly intending to quit. But he returns to the office, looks at his framed Elvis Presley photo, grabs it off the wall, and takes the cherished photo with him.

BELOW: Elvis Presley worshipper Perry White retrieves his cherished framed Elvis photo:

Elvis Presley worshipper Perry White retrieves his cherished framed Elvis photo larger larger larger larger larger larger

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

Lois Lane talks to Lex Luthor about how things have been going at the Daily Planet since he bought the newspaper. Lex Luthor has moved Lois Lane's friends Jimmy Olsen and Jack to jobs in the printing press, away from the main office floor where they have been accustomed to working with Lois. Lex has hired a new supervising editor in a move calculated to upset Perry White, possibly prompting Perry to quit. Lex has upset Clark Kent by refusing to publish Clark's latest story, which Lex deems too controversial (it really isn't). Lois doesn't realize that Lex is doing all this in an attempt to isolate her from her friends. Lois doesn't know the full story about all these events, and Lex Luthor has plausible-sounding explanations for everything - explanations which make it sound like he is trying to help Lois Lane's friends. Lex tells Lois Lane to trust him and that he'll make sure everything will be all right. Lex caresses Lois Lane's shoulders and kisses her gently on the side of her head. Timecode: 17 minutes, 34 seconds:

BELOW: Lex Luthor tells Lois Lane to trust him. He kisses her tenderly:

Lex Luthor tells Lois Lane to trust him. He kisses her tenderly larger larger larger larger

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

Lex Luthor: All right? So give me a chance. Trust me. Everything will be fine.

[Cut to shortly afterward, Lois Lane approaches Clark Kent's desk.]

Lois Lane: It's gonna work out fine, Clark. Give it time. Lex will turn things around.

Clark Kent: Incredible.

Lois Lane: What?

Clark Kent: You, a prize-winning investigative reporter.

Lois Lane: Is there a point?

Clark Kent: How can you be so blind, Lois? I mean, you look right at the guy, and still you don't have a clue who he really is.

Lois Lane: Who?

Clark Kent: Luthor.

BELOW: Lois Lane cites all the humanitarian good Lex Luthor has done, but Clark Kent calls Luthor a monster:

Lois Lane cites all the humanitarian good Lex Luthor has done, but Clark Kent calls Luthor a monster larger larger larger larger larger larger larger

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

Lois Lane: Look, Clark, I am not naive. I know that Lex did not reach his station in life by being a nice guy. But look at all the good he's done. Luthor Hospital. Luthor Home for Children. Luthor Foundation for the Arts. Not to mention employing hundreds of thousands of people in Metropolis. And most recently, saving our jobs.

Clark Kent: A cover, it's all a cover.

Lois Lane: Why? If he's such a rotten human being, why bother?

Clark Kent: Because that's what he enjoys most. Getting away with it. I mean, the man is more than just evil, Lois. he's a monster.

Lois Lane: I'm not going to listen to this. Especially not now.

Clark Kent: Wha--? You aren't actually considering his proposal, are you?

Lois Lane: I don't know, Clark. I-- I'm thinking about it. That's all. I'm just thinking about it.

[End of scene.]

Timecode: 19 minutes, 2 seconds: Scene, the Kent Farm in Smallville, where Clark has come to talk things over with his parents.

Clark Kent: I don't believe she'll actually do it, but the fact that she's even considering it . . .

Martha Kent: You have to prevent it, Clark, knowing what you do about Luthor.

Clark Kent: I think it's time that I do more than that.

Jonathan Kent: What is it, Son?

BELOW: Clark talks to his parents about how he wants to get married and raise a family:

Clark talks to his parents about how he wants to get married and raise a family larger larger larger larger larger

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

Clark Kent: Remember when you asked me what I wanted when I first moved to Metropolis?

Jonathan Kent: Yeah, sure I do.

Clark Kent: I said that I wanted to meet someone, settle down, raise a family. . . Well, I know now that Lois is the woman that I want to spend the rest of my life with.

[Clark's parents both smile.

Martha Kent: Are you just now figuring that out? Your father and I have known that from the first moment you started talking about her.

Clark Kent: Maybe I did, too . . . But I couldn't-- I just couldn't let myself . . .

Jonathan Kent: Do you love her, Son?

Clark Kent: Yeah, I do, Dad.

Jonathan Kent: Good. Then tell her.

Clark Kent: Tell her what? That I'm Superman?

Jonathan Kent: Ah, well, that's got to be up to you.

Martha Kent: At least tell her how you feel. If she feels the same way, well . . . It shouldn't take her too long to figure out you're no ordinary guy.

At Lex Luthor's secret instructions, a bomb is planted in the press room of the Daily Planet. The incendiary device causes a terrible fire which destroys the interior of the Daily Planet building. Lex Luthor had evidence planted in Jack's apartment to make it look like Jack built the bomb and set it off. Lex Luthor says, "We're all familiar with his criminal past!" Lex Luthor feigns outrage that one of the newspaper's own employees set the bomb that destroyed the newspaper's offices.

Timecode: 24 minutes, 13 seconds: As a result of the massive damage, the newspaper must be shut down. Perry White bemoans the fact the newspaper will no publish for the first time in over 200 years.

Clark Kent: Luthor, this is a mistake.

Lois Lane: Lex.

Lex Luthor: No mistake. The incendiary device tht did this was in his lunch pail. The police found the explosives that he used to make it, hidden in his room. We're all familiar with his criminal past. Get him out of my sight!

Jack: You're wrong. You're wrong!

[Police officers lead Jack away to be arrested and arraigned.]

Lex Luthor: [sighs] I'm sorry. It's a sad day for all of us.

Perry White: No, it's an historic day. Tomorrow, for the first time 219 years, there will be no edition of the Daily Planet.

BELOW: Perry White: for the first time 219 years, there will be no edition of the Daily Planet:

Perry White: for the first time 219 years, there will be no edition of the Daily Planet

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

The explosion and fires planned by Lex Luthor cause the Daily Planet to cease to exist as a company and ongoing newspaper. Perry White, Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, Clark Kent and Jack eat at an outside cafe near the building. They talk about how much the Planet meant to them. They talk about their plans for for the future. Lois Lane is distressed to see them giving up so easily.

Timecode: 26 minutes, 6 seconds: Lois Lane visits Lex Luthor in his penthouse office apartment.

Lex Luthor: Lois. What a lovely surprise.

[Lex Luthor stands up and greets Lois. He kisses her tenderly on the cheek. Lex notices that Lois is looking at Mrs. Cox, his personal assistant. Lois has never seen this intimidating and beautiful woman before. Why is she here in Lex Luthor's apartment?]

Lex Luthor: Oh. I believe that you too aren't acquainted. Mrs. Cox, Lois Lane.

Mrs. Cox: So pleased to meet you.

Lex Luthor: Mrs. Cox is my personal assistant.

Lois Lane: What exactly does a personal assistant do?

Mrs. Cox: Whatever is necessary.

[Mrs. Cox walks out of the room. Now alone with Lex,Lois gets right to the reason she came.]

Lois Lane: Lex, I need your help.

Lex Luthor: With what?

Lois Lane: Rebuilding the Daily Planet.

Lex Luthor: [sighs] Lois . . . There isn't an advertiser in this city that I can count on for revenue. The Planet was pitifully under-insured. I mean, rebuilding makes no economic sense. I wish I could, but I can't. I have the stockholders to think of.

BELOW: Lois Lane explains that for her and Perry White, the Daily Planet is a major part of their life:

Lois Lane explains that for her and Perry White, the Daily Planet is a major part of their life larger larger larger larger larger larger

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

Lois Lane: But everyone is so lost. Nobody knows where or if they'll find another job. Perry is threatening early retirement.

Lex Luthor: What's wrong with that? I mean, Perry deserves retirement. He's worked too hard for too long. Let him enjoy life for a change.

Lois Lane: His life was the Planet. Mine, too.

Lex Luthor: Lois, I know that the Planet was your home, but I can make another home for you. A new home.

Lois Lane: Lex, I can't just sit around here organizing dinner parties. I need to to work.

Lex Luthor: I know that, my darling, but that is why I have a job for you.

[Lex Luthor stands up and retrieves a manilla folder from his desk. He hands it to her.]

Lex Luthor: Luthor News Network.

Lois Lane: Television?

Lex Luthor: It's the on-ramp to the information super highway. The future lies in 500 interactive channels of television viewing. Now, let me show you around htis afternoon. If you don't like it enough to start right away I'll never bring it up again.

[Lois Lane looks at the papers Lex gave her and listens to his words. She really is intrigued.]

Lois Lane: Well . . . I guess there's no harm in taking a look.

Lex Luthor: That's my girl . . . Speaking of which . . .

[Lex Luthor once again takes the ring case from his jacket pocket, and shows Lois Lane the diamond engagement ring he has purchased for her. This is the same ring he showed her on the airplane earlier in the episode.]

Lex Luthor: Have you reached your decision yet?

Lois Lane: No. Not quite yet. I have something I need to settle first. I'll give you my answer tomorrow.

In the next scene, Clark arrives at the busy, modern offices of Lex News Network. Lois tells Clark she has been there all afternoon. She wants to work there, and she wants Clark to come work there, too. She tells him they can still be partners at work. Timecode: 29 minutes, 0 seconds:

BELOW: Clark Kent says Lois Lane's new workplace is soulless:

Clark Kent says Lois Lane's new workplace is soulless larger larger larger

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

Lois Lane: ...you could be a correspondent. Look around, it's so modern.

Clark Kent: It's sterile.

Lois Lane: It's efficient.

Clark Kent: It's soulless.

Lois Lane: It's fast-paced.

Clark Kent: It's superficial.

Lois Lane: Oh, Clark, where's your open mind?

Clark Kent: I can't believe you've given up so easily on the Planet. Did it really mean that little to you?

Lois Lane: The Planet meant as much to me, if not more, than it did to you. But it's gone. Even Lex can't put it back together, and this is good, exciting work.

Clark Kent: I will never work for Lex Luthor.

Lois Lane: Well, what about us? What about partners?

Clark Kent: Lois, is there some place we could talk? Alone?

[Cut to new scene: Lois Lane and Clark Kent are walking in a nearby city park.]

Clark Kent: When I thought about losing my job at the Daily Planet, saying good-bye to Perry and Jimmy and everyone, I realized something. I realized that I could lose all of that and still go on. I realized that there was really only one thing that I didn't wanna live without. And that was you. Seeing you every day, working with you, just being with you--

Lois Lane: Well, that's why you should come and by my partner.

Clark Kent: No, Lois, listen to me. I'm not talking about the partnership. I'm talking about us. I have been in love with you for a long time. You had to have known.

BELOW: Clark Kent to Lois Lane: I have been in love with you for a long time.

Clark Kent to Lois Lane: I have been in love with you for a long time.

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

Lois Lane: I-- I mean I-- I knew. I-- I mean, I guess I knew that you liked me or were attracted to me. Oh, Clark, I'm sorry. I just don't feel that way about you, romantically. You're my best friend, and the only partner I could ever stand to work with. I admire you and I respect you and I do love you . . . as a friend.

Clark Kent: And what about Luthor? Do you love him?

Lois Lane: I don't know. I mean, I have feelings for him. I haven't said yes yet. And I won't, until I talk it over with someone else.

Clark Kent: Who?

Lois Lane: I think you know who. If you see him, will you tell him I'm looking for him?

Clark Kent: Yeah.

[End of scene.]

Timecode: 32 minutes, 5 seconds: In the next scene it is night time. A limousine pulls up to a deserted outdoor spot. An exchange takes place between Lex Luthor and Mr. Devane. Luthor picks up the Kryptonite Devane, telling him that if the stone works, he (Luthor) will pay Devane the money. Devane realizes that Luthor isn't planning to pay him right now, which was their deal. Devane calls Luthor a double crosser and instantly pulls out a gun. Two or three other men from Devane's criminal gang emerge from behind buildings and other barriers, shooting at Luthor. Luthor pulls out a handgun and fires back. Luthor is eventually shot down, but Mrs. Cox emerges from the limousine carrying a high-powered machine gun. She easily guns down Devane and his men, apparently killing all of them.

Mrs. Cox then opens the door to the limousine and Lex Luthor calmly gets out of the vehicle. This time, it is the real Lex Luthor. The first "Lex Luthor" that we saw, a man who is apparently now dead at the hands of Devane and his men, was a decoy. Lex Luthor walks over to the fallen decoy, who is dressed exactly like him, and pulls a rubber mask off of the dead man's face.

Lex Luthor: Well, the voice wasn't bad, but I never felt he had the mannerisms down.

Mrs. Cox: It isn't easy playing you.

Lex Luthor: Nonsense. I do it every day.

Devane coughs. He is apparently not completely dead. Lex Luthor walks over to Devane's prone body. Luthor crouches down and pats down Devane's body, looking for the real Kryptonite stone. The stone that Devane originally showed to the decoy Lex Luthor did not glow. It was a fake. Lex Luthor finds the real Kryptonite rock concealed in Devane's clothes.

Lex Luthor: Is that Kryptonite in your pocket, or are you glad to see me?

[Happy to finally have the real Kryptonite, Lex Luthor backs away from the semi-conscious body of Devane and instructs Mrs. Cox to finish killing him.]

Lex Luthor: Pay him his bonus, will you, Mrs. Cox?

Timecode: 33 minutes, 56 seconds: In the next scene, we see Lois Lane wearing a relatively modest negligee, reading a book, about to go to bed in her apartment. A rush of wind is heard. Superman arrives through the open window.

Superman: I heard you wanted to see me.

Lois Lane: Yes. Um, come in, I'll just put on a robe.

Superman: Unless it's lined with lead, Lois, it's a waste of time.

Lois Lane: I guess so . . . Well, I'm just trying to figure out . . . I have a lot of changes going on in my life, and I just want to make the right decision. And I can't do that until I know how you feel. Superman, is there any hope for us? You and me? I'm so completely in love with you. I can't do anything else without knowing.

Superman: [sighing and shaking his head] Lois, I do care for you. But there are things about me that you don't know, that you may never know.

Lois Lane: It doesn't matter. I know you. I don't mean you the celebrity or you the superhero. If you had no powers, if you were just an ordinary man leading an ordinary life, I would love you just the same. Can't you believe that?

Superman: I wish I could, Lois. But under the circumstances, I don't see how I can.

[Lois Lane looks very sad. She turns away for a moment. When she turns back around, Superman has flown away.]

Lois Lane: Superman.

In the next scene we see Lois Lane putting out things in her new office at Lex News Network. She looks through a scrapbook of newspaper articles she wrote about Superman. The following scene shows Lois working hard and competitively in her new job.

In the scene after that Clark Kent visits Jack in jail. Clark wants to know what really happened. Jack swears he had nothing to do with the destruction at the Daily Planet building.

Timecode: 38 minutes, 38 seconds: Interior of a Middle Eastern restaurant. A large banner proclaims: "HAPPY RETIREMENT, MR. WHITE." Perry White (who has apparently been drinking a lot of alcohol and is a little tipsy) sits at a table with Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen and Clark Kent. Perry clinks his glass with a utensile, signifying his intention to offer a toast.

BELOW: Perry White toasts Daily Planet and talks about his idol Elvis Presley:

Perry White toasts Daily Planet and talks about his idol Elvis Presley larger larger larger larger larger larger larger

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

Perry White: Let's have a toast to the Daily Planet. God bless her, I don't know how I'm gonna live without her. But you know, at one point Elvis went 13 years between Las Vegas engagements. Well, that was the start of his bloated period. But, gosh, I tell you, time sure will slip up on you.

Clark Kent: Well, now there's time for everything, Chief.

Jimmy Olsen: Yeah, no more deadlines.

Lois Lane: Maybe you can plan that trip to Graceland and actually go.

[Graceland is the home of Elvis Presley and it is the most holy shrine in the religion of Elvis worship. For Perry White, a pilgrimage to Graceland is like going to the Vatican City for Catholics or going to Salt Lake City or Nauvoo for Latter-day Saints.]

BELOW: Perry White talks about Jessy Garon Presley, the stillborn twin of Elvis Presley:

Perry White talks about Jessy Garon Presley, the stillborn twin of Elvis Presley larger larger larger larger larger

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

Perry White: Graceland! Yes! Yes! Did you know that Elvis had a twin brother? Jessy Garon Presley. Delivered thirty-five minuts before the King. Born dead. Sad. It's sad. I've-- Lonely Teardrops...

[Perry breaks into song, drunkenly singing a song.]

Perry White: "Come home, come ho-o-o-ome. Just say you will . . . say you will . . . My heart is crying, crying . . . Lonely teardrops." [End of singing.]

BELOW: Perry White sings 'Lonely Teardrops', a song by Jackie Wilson, a contemporary of Elvis Presley:

Perry White sings 'Lonely Teardrops', a song by Jackie Wilson, a contemporary of Elvis Presley larger larger larger larger larger larger

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

Perry White: Jacky Wilson, 1975! Collapsed on stage singing Lonely Teardrops. Elvis sent his wife $35 thousand dollars to help pay the medical bills. See, that was the King. That was the King.

BELOW: Perry White tells a parable about Elvis Presley helping another singer's family:

Perry White tells a parable about Elvis Presley helping another singer's family: larger larger larger larger larger larger

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

[A belly dancer approaches their table and wraps a lightweight scarf round Perry White's neck. The belly dancer dances seductively and pulls Perry White away (to the dance floor?). Perry White follows the scantily clad woman, singing "Just say you will" as he goes. Clark Kent, Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen smile and chuckle as they see the obviously inebriated Perry White dance away.]

Lois Lane: So much for the chief not having a good time.

Clark Kent and Lois Lane get in an argument about why the Daily Planet failed and about Clark's suspicions about Lex Luthor being involved with the newspaper's downfall. Lois Lane says that it is just "sour grapes," that Clark is bitter after expressing his feelings to her and not having those feelings reciprocated, so he is mad at Lex. Timecode: 41 minutes, 0 seconds:

BELOW: Clark Kent speaking about Lois Lane's engagement to Lex Luthor: Get in bed with the devil:

Clark Kent speaking about Lois Lane's engagement to Lex Luthor: Get in bed with the devil: larger larger larger larger larger

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

Lois Lane: And all you can do is sit around whining in your beer.

[Clark Kent shakes his head no and smiles, as if he has a hard time believing that Lois is being so naive about Lex.]

As an aside, we might mention that this is a rare example of Clark Kent/Superman drinking alcohol. On many occasions he has been portrayed as someone who never drinks alcohol.

Lois Lane: What?

Clark Kent: You're afraid, Lois.

Lois Lane: I am not afraid of anything.

Clark Kent: Yes, you are. You're afraid of the truth. And the truth is that Luthor may be hiding from you what really happened at the Planet. I've been doing some digging--

Lois Lane: I know why you're doing this.

Clark Kent: Oh, you do, do you?

Lois Lane: Yes. You told me your feelings and you're hurt. And I am sorry about that, Clark, but all of this, it's is just sour grapes.

Clark Kent: Lois, what if I find evidence?

Lois Lane: You are talking about a man I trust and admire, who has always been completely truthful with me. Now, if you really cared about me you would let me . . . You would help me to be happy. I have found a good job, and someone who wants to spend the rest of his life with me. What is wrong with that?!

Clark Kent: Okay, that's fine. If that's what you want, Lois, go ahead. Get in bed with the devil.

Lois Lane: Fine!

Clark Kent: Fine, let's get back to the party, then.

Lois Lane: Yes, have a really good time!

[Lois and Clark angrily walk back to their table, passing a drunken Perry White dancing with the belly dancer while he balances a glass on his head and laughs. Cut to the outside of the restaurant where, some time later, Perry White is still singing the "Say you will" lyrics from Lonely Teardrops. Jimmy Olsen helps Perry White get into the waiting chauffer-driven limousine, which was provided for Lois Lane by Lex Luthor.]

Jimmy Olsen: You know, it must be nice to have a free car at your beck and call.

Clark Kent: The word "free" is not in Luthor's vocabulary. With him, you always pay.

Lois Lane: Will you stop. [She motions for him to get in the car with her, Jimmy and Perry.] Are you coming?

Clark Kent: I'd rather walk. [He starts walking away.]

Lois Lane: Suit yourself!

Timecode: 42 minutes, 13 seconds: After dropping Perry White and Jimmy Olsen off at their homes, Lois Lane arrives at Lex Luthor's penthouse apartment. Lois looks somewhat distraught.

Lex Luthor: How was the retirement dinner?

Lois Lane: Painful.

Lex Luthor: I'm sorry. I wish there was something I could do.

[Lex Luthor notices that Lois looks very concerned about something.]

Lex Luthor: What?

Lois Lane: Nothing . . . Do I really know you? Know enough about you?

Lex Luthor: My life is an open book. Should I read it to you?

Lois Lane: Just the parts you wouldn't want anyone else to know.

BELOW: Lex Luthor: Being orphaned at age 13 made him strong.

Lex Luthor: Being orphaned at age 13 made him strong. larger larger larger larger

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

Lex Luthor: All right. Well, I started with nothing. I was orphaned at the age thirteen.

Lois Lane: That must have been terrible.

Lex Luthor: Yes, but it made me strong. But, Lois, look, I'm no saint. I've done questionable things in the pursuit of my success, but unfortunately that's the nature of big business.

BELOW: Lex Luthor tells Lois Lane he is not a saint:

Lex Luthor tells Lois Lane he is not a saint: larger larger larger larger larger larger

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

[While Lex Luthor talks to Lois Lane about his past, we see flashbacks in which he recalls what he really has done. We see him arranging for the downfall of the Daily Planet, although he doesn't tell Lois these details. We see Lex Luthor bribing the board of directors of the Daily Planet so that he can get them to sell the operation to him.]

Lex Luthor: And sometimes out of, uh, jealousy or frustration, I've over-reacted.

[In Lex Luthor's flashback, we see him personally putting a bomb in the lunch box that looks identical to the one Jack took with him to work. This is the bomb that exploded in the Daily Planet building and caused so much fire damage. Lex Luthor gives the rigged lunch box to Mrs. Cox.]

Lex Luthor: I've been ruthless with my enemies.

[In Lex Luthor's flashback, we see him handing a gun to his assistant who is dressed up and masked to look like him. It is this gun that Lex Luthor intends for the assistant to use to kill Mr. Devane when they double-cross him in the Kryptonite purchase.]

BELOW: Lex Luthor: As God as my witness, I swear to you, from this moment on, I'll change.

Lex Luthor: As God as my witness, I swear to you, from this moment on, I'll change. larger larger larger larger

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

Lex Luthor: But, as God as my witness, I swear to you, from this moment on, I'll change. I no longer want to hurt anyone.

We see a shot of the green Kryptonite being locked in a safe. This signifies the fact that Lex Luthor still does want to hurt someone. He wants to hurt and destroy Superman.

BELOW: Lex Luthor proposes again to Lois Lane. She accepts.

Lex Luthor proposes again to Lois Lane. She accepts. larger larger larger larger larger

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

Lex Luthor: I'm willing to devote my life to you. To commit myself to you totally and eternally. Will you marry me?

[Lois Lane thinks. She remembers the scene earlier when she asked Superman: "Is there any hope for us?" But Superman did not answer in the affirmative.]

Lois Lane: Yes, Lex. I will marry you.

[Through the penthouse window we see Superman arriving in the air, hovering outside Lex Luthor's apartment office. Superman sees Lex Luthor put the engagement ring on Lois Lane's finger. Superman is very upset by this. He sees Lex Luthor start to kiss Lois Lane.]

BELOW: Superman watches as Lois Lane accepts Lex Luthor's marriage proposal:

Superman watches as Lois Lane accepts Lex Luthor's marriage proposal larger larger larger larger larger larger

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

[Superman flies away. He flies to the a snow-covered mountain, apparently somewhere int he arctic. He screams "No!" so long and loud that he causes ice glaciers to break off into the ocean.]

While Superman is screaming "No!", Lois Lane pauses in her kissing Lex Luthor. She seems to hear something. It is almost as if, through her spiritual connection to Superman, Lois Lane can hear the anguished cry of his heart.

BELOW: Does Lois Lane's heart sense Superman's anguished screams?

Does Lois Lane's heart sense Superman's anguished screams? larger larger larger larger larger larger larger

Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - Season 1, Episode 21 (1 May 1994). Written by Daniel LeVine, Deborah Joy LeVine. Directed by James Bagdonas.

[The episode ends with the words "To Be Continued."]