The Kent brothers of Superman & Lois could be another pair of CW brothers at odds, the latest entry in the network’s familiar warring brothers trope. Although two brothers in conflict is an easy way to build tension and drama, the Arrowverse’s latest family-centric show has a prime opportunity to break that trope. Superman & Lois could go in a brand-new direction by having both Superman’s sons inherit his powers, but in a way that requires the brothers’ collaboration for the powers to work.
At first glance, Jonathan and Jordan Kent seem destined to clash. The outgoing, athletic Jonathan and the sensitive, introspective Jordan were already having trouble communicating with each other and their father. Now their world is fractured by learning their father is Superman and that one of them has apparently inherited his powers; division after division has been highlighted to set up a road map for conflict between the brothers.
Warring brothers on CW dramas go as far back as the Winchesters of The Vampire Diaries regularly featured near-catastrophic brotherly rifts. For Superman & Lois, though, giving the Kent brothers over to this aging trope would be a mistake, and their story may go in another direction. This has already been hinted by the initial red herring that Jonathan may have powers — only for the premiere to reveal it is actually Jordan with the abilities. Although the series so far hasn't confirmed Jordan's abilities, it's possible the reason Jor-el couldn't detect the Kryptonian abilities had to do with Jordan needing to be in proximity with Jonathan for their abilities to work.
The Clark Kent in Superman & Lois.
The Kent brothers’ relationship to their powers will shape their development in relation to each other. It would be interesting to explore the outcome if full use of their powers required with each other. Individualized powers for the brothers is another possibility. Given their distinct personalities, Jordan, the more sensitive twin would be strongest with the emotion-driven powers. His powers may have already been emerging without him realizing it, his instinct to cover his brother when the pipes fell in the barn or him saying he was hearing voices, what if that were the beginnings of super-hearing? Then, his powers were kick-started when he touched the Kryptonian crystal from his father’s ship. And again, in an emotionally charged moment to protect Jonathan, he unleashed heat vision. Jonathan, with his protective nature and seemingly enhanced athletic abilities and courage could have inherited his father’s strength and super speed.
Even if Superman & Lois chooses to remain on the path they are taking, there is still the opportunity to break the CW warring brother trope. They could follow the example of two other CW siblings, one with powers and one without abilities that enhance each other’s skills, Superman & Lois let the brothers share powers and team up, the Arrowverse might even get its own version of DC’s Hawk and Dove.