Ep 22. The Late Mr. Kent

The Late Mr. Kent is the twenty-second episode of the second season of Superman: The Animated Series. It originally aired on February 14, 1998. The episode begins with Lois Lane and Clark Kent working on a story about a corrupt businessman named Bill Church. While investigating, Clark gets abducted by one of Church's henchmen and is presumed dead.

As a result, his funeral is held, and Lois is devastated. However, Superman suspects that there is more to Clark's disappearance and starts investigating. He discovers that someone has been trying to frame Clark for embezzlement and murder. Superman starts to investigate Clark's personal life to find out who could be behind it.

Through his investigation, Superman discovers that the real target was not Clark but Edward Lytener, a scientist who had created a new form of rocket fuel that could revolutionize the space industry. Bill Church wanted the fuel for himself and had hired a hitman to kill Lytener. Clark had stumbled upon this information and was investigating the matter when he was abducted.

Superman manages to apprehend Bill Church and his accomplices while also clearing Clark's name. Clark decides to stay dead to prevent any further attempts on his life and to allow Superman to focus on protecting the city. Lois is heartbroken to learn the truth but agrees to keep his secret.

The Late Mr. Kent is a thrilling episode that delves deeper into the relationship between Superman and Clark Kent. It explores the theme of sacrifice and the lengths that Superman is willing to go to protect his loved ones and the city he has sworn to protect. The episode also highlights the importance of investigative journalism and the danger that reporters face while pursuing a story.

The Late Mr. Kent is also an emotionally charged episode that plays on the viewer's emotions. The scene where Clark's funeral is held is particularly heartbreaking, and Lois's reaction to his supposed death is genuinely gut-wrenching. The episode also features some great action sequences, particularly the scene where Superman takes on Church's henchmen.

Overall, The Late Mr. Kent is a must-watch episode of Superman: The Animated Series. It features great writing, high stakes, and emotional moments that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats. The episode serves as a reminder that even heroes have limitations and must make tough decisions to protect their loved ones. It's a testament to the show's ability to tell engaging stories while also exploring deeper themes.