HOME / ENTERTAINMENT / TV

'Crisis on Infinite Earths' Part 2: 'Smallville' moment fans waited for 18 years didn't happen, but they got a better one instead

Tom Welling's appearance as Clark Kent on 'Crisis on Infinite Earths' was not quite what fans expected, but one that was loved nonetheless.

Spoiler alert for ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’

Tom Welling has come home, reprising his much-beloved role as the Clark Kent of ‘Smallville.’ It’s a moment that many fans have been eagerly waiting to see, but a happy ending for the character comes at the cost of a moment that fans have been waiting even longer for 18 years, to be precise. 

The first episode ‘Smallville’ aired way back in 2001, introducing a young Clark Kent (Tom Welling), chronicling his life in Smallville, before his days in Metropolis as Superman. At the time, Warner Bros. had strict rules that did not allow Clark to ever actually appear as Superman in any shape or form, in what’s come to be known as the “no flights, no tights” rule. Despite an impressive 10 season run of the series, Clark Kent never once suited up as the Man of Steel. The closest we got was a shot of Clark ripping open his shirt to reveal the ‘S’ symbol underneath, a classic reference to Christopher Reeves’ Superman. 

Free from the “no flights, no tights” rule, many fans were hoping to finally see the culmination of 18 years of waiting for Clark Kent to step up as Superman — only for the much-awaited moment to never happen at all. When Lex Luthor (John Cryer) goes on a Superman killing spree across the Multiverse, one of his stops takes him to Earth-167 — the home of Tom Welling’s Clark Kent. Lex attempts to subdue Clark with a piece of Kryptonite, but to Lex’s shock, Clark picks it right out of Lex’s hand and tosses it away.

It turns out that on this Earth, Clark Kent has given up his powers, permanently, to live a life with his family. Clark Kent punches Lex Luthor out, saying, “I’m still stronger” — even as a human, Clark’s still pretty buff. It’s a hilarious moment that’s followed by a touching reunion, as Clark gave up a life of superheroism to spend the rest of his days with the love of his life, Lois Lane (Erica Durance). The moment has won over the hearts of the fans, despite never getting the Superman moment they’d hoped for. 

“Not gonna lie. Seeing Tom welling on the crisis crossover was amazing, and his resolution in the episode feels like a natural evolution of his character from the show,” said one user on Twitter.

Another tweeted, “Keeping the number one Smallville rule of “No tights, no flights” for Tom Welling was absolutely friggin brilliant. Seeing Tom and @ED_DURANCE as my Clark and Lois again is all I needed.” 

This is likely the last we’ll ever see of Tom Welling as Clark Kent again, and while that means we’ll never get to see him wear the Superman suit, it is good to know that he’s gotten the happy ending that Clark & Lois deserve.

The next episode of ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’ airs on ‘The Flash’ on December 10 on The CW.