Superman Returns One Thing That's Been Nagging at Me

[Sun_Down]

Why did people complain so much about Superman fathering a child outside of marriage when Jason was conceived in Superman II? People complain about this like it was something Singer did. I just don't get it.

And I know people will cite him leaving Earth as some sort of horrible, immoral act. So what, is it OK to fornicate and make no plans of marrying a woman, but it's not OK to fornicate and then leave sometime later (the timetable was never established, some people would have you believe that Clark literally snuck out of the Fortress the next morning and disappeared for a few years) when you find out that you might not be the only one of your race left in existence? Seriously, no one seems to be judging the man for the actual act, but everyone wants to crucify the man for not having psychic abilities.

 

[mego joe]

Why did people complain so much about Superman fathering a child outside of marriage when Jason was conceived in Superman II? People complain about this like it was something Singer did. I just don't get it.

Jason was not conceived in Superman II. Singer ignored that part of the Donner continuity. Here is his quote about it: "Well, I didn't really stick to that. Y'know, the mylar bed. And the cocktails in the Fortress of Solitude. I wouldn't want to bring that up. All I wanted to reference is they had had a previous, there was some sort of previous relations between them."

link: http://www.superherohype.com/news/featuresnews.php?id=4972



Secondly, in SUperman II, he intended to give up being Superman and forge a life with Lois as a normal human, remember when he gives up his powers and all that? Contextually, it's a different situation. There's no indication that Superman in SR intended to be in a committed relationship with her. ACtually, SR gives NO CONTEXT for their relationship whatsoever.

Thirdly, you're assuming that these same people liked the idea of them having sex in Superman II and just dislike it in SR. I for one have always cringed at that part of SII, but at least the resolution was complete and more palatable.

And I know people will cite him leaving Earth as some sort of horrible, immoral act. So what, is it OK to fornicate and make no plans of marrying a woman, but it's not OK to fornicate and then leave sometime later (the timetable was never established, some people would have you believe that Clark literally snuck out of the Fortress the next morning and disappeared for a few years) when you find out that you might not be the only one of your race left in existence?

Leaving Earth is not a horrible or immoral act. In fact for the right reasons it may be selfless and heroic. However, if you are in a sexual relationship with someone, you are MORALLY obligated to be honest with that person that you are leaving for an extended period of time. Otherwise, you are emotionally abandonning your partner and any children that may be re****ant of that union. I would say that when you are involved sexually with another person you are required by an absolute morality to be honest with your partner about your actions if they will affect your partner. With sex pregnancy is always a possibility, it is your responsibility to communicate leaving town, so that your partner is not abandonned emotionally. It is wrong, it is always wrong, and there is no way it can be seen as right.

No, it's certainly not OK to fornicate and make no plans to stay with that woman, and that was his intention in SII. SR gives no context to the relationship, but the fact that he left w/o telling Lois anything seems to imply that it was not his intention to be in a committed relationship with her.

As far as sneaking out on her, I don't think the film implies that. I think as an adult he would know the consequences of being in a sexual relationship. He knew he should have told her he was leaving, the fact that he said "It was too difficult" shows he knew it was wrong to leave w/o saying good bye. He had to have condsidered it to have come to the realization that "It was too difficult." If he could not tell her b/c it "was too difficult" it adds a selfish motivation for not telling her. Selfishness is not one of Superman's character traits. It is also irresponsible. It's not simply that he left because "There was a job for Superman," it's that he wasn't responsible or thoughtful in his action towards the woman he supposedly loves and who loves him.

As far as sneaking away the next morning, he couldn't have left too long b/c 1. Lois did not have time to find out she was pregnant and tell him 2. She slept with Richard soon enough that she didn't realize the baby was SUperman's 3. She wouldn't have slept with Richard if Superman as still around and Clark would have know who he was when he returned. So, while there's not a whole lot of specific context given, some things can be infered from what is known.

BTW, as an aside about reproduction in human. Ovulation occurs in the middle of the meunstral cycle. A woman then 'misses her period' when she is pregnant about 2 weeks later, give or take a few days. A woman would at least have an idea that something might be up within a few weeks. Also SPerm only last about 3 days inside a woman's body and then they die, so intercourse has to occur fairly close to ovulation for a woman to get pregnant. In the case of Superman, Lois and Richard, she would have to had sex with Richard in about a 2 week time frame after having sex with Superman, otherwise she would have been able to figure out Richard was the father. Additonally, when you're pregnant you get an ultrasound to establish gestational age so a due date can be fixed. At this point in prenatal care Lois would easily have been able to figure out when Jason was conceived. Now even if Lois had sex with Richard within a 2 week period of having had sex with Superman, there might still be confusion. But Lois would have realized this and hopefully would have been honest with Richard that she had been sexually involved with someone else before she and Richard got involved.

Seriously, no one seems to be judging the man for the actual act, but everyone wants to crucify the man for not having psychic abilities.

Actually, I am judging him on the actual act, the act of emotionally abandonning the woman he loves and any responsibility (children) resultant to their sexual relationship. It's not about 'having psychic abilities' it's about acting maturely and responsibly when you are in a sexual relationship.

The fact that you are accepting Superman II as canon continuity for SR has mislead your understanding of the movie that Singer made. He's not including that. Only he knows what actually happened before the events depicted in SR.

Sidebar #2. If SII and the amnesia kiss was in continuity, then wiping her memory of everything sort of becomes akin to date rape. IMO, an even worse situation than is actually presented in SR.

 

[Justice Bringer]

It's confirmed that he wasnt conceived during Superman II on the DVD.

They show the original opening sequence with the newspaper dates, Jason was conceived 4-5 years after Superman's first appearance.

Superman had an existing relationship with Lois Lane.

 

[VenomsMom]

Its just too bad all of us missed that special moment in the lives of comic's most iconic couple. We dont know where they made love, we dont know anything about their relationship.Its left to our imaginations. All we know is there is now a kid between two people that appear to have no chemistry. Superman is now Familyman.

 

[mego joe]

Its just too bad all of us missed that special moment in the lives of comic's most iconic couple. We dont know where they made love, we dont know anything about their relationship.Its left to our imaginations. All we know is there is now a kid between two people that appear to have no chemistry. Superman is now Familyman.

Or rather, Dysfunctional, absentee father-I can't raise my own son family man.

 

[Kid_Kaos]

...
BTW, as an aside about reproduction in human. Ovulation occurs in the middle of the meunstral cycle. A woman then 'misses her period' when she is pregnant about 2 weeks later, give or take a few days. A woman would at least have an idea that something might be up within a few weeks. Also SPerm only last about 3 days inside a woman's body and then they die, so intercourse has to occur fairly close to ovulation for a woman to get pregnant. In the case of Superman, Lois and Richard, she would have to had sex with Richard in about a 2 week time frame after having sex with Superman, otherwise she would have been able to figure out Richard was the father. Additonally, when you're pregnant you get an ultrasound to establish gestational age so a due date can be fixed. At this point in prenatal care Lois would easily have been able to figure out when Jason was conceived. Now even if Lois had sex with Richard within a 2 week period of having had sex with Superman, there might still be confusion. But Lois would have realized this and hopefully would have been honest with Richard that she had been sexually involved with someone else before she and Richard got involved. ...

You put way too much logic into this. I mean, we have a whole friggin continent ripped off of the earth and thrown into space without ANY consequences. The whole story has countless plotholes and what you describe is just one of the smaller ones. The story starts to drop the ball the second Luthor signes his own testament and then Clark comes back for no reason whatsoever and nothing is explained what the hell is going on untill it's over and then you have to makeup your own story to understand the clusterf##k that that movie is. Even 'Donnie Darko' is easier to understand.

In other words: Singer did a David Lynch movie: "Here, those are some scenes from a movie. Now construct your own story, 'cause I am way to lazy to tell one to you, and then tell me how intelligent (or in Singer's case: "subtle") I am!"

I hate those artsy-fartsy freaks. Just make up your own character then and don't destroy what's working for decades just to make yourself look important!

 

[El Payaso]

... nothing is explained what the hell is going on untill it's over and then you have to makeup your own story to understand the clusterf##k that that movie is. Even 'Donnie Darko' is easier to understand.

Holy crap, hate those movies that force me to think.

 

[JamalYIgle]

Or rather, Dysfunctional, absentee father-I can't raise my own son family man.

you need to rethink that little line of logic. There are alot of Fathers who are in similar situations who would be insulted by you're statement. What is he supposed to do, announce to the world that he has a son he didn't know about? Putting Jason Lois and Richard in constant danger? Yeah that's smart.

 

[bsquad]

not to mention he's well aware that Jason has a great father figure in Richard. Yes there is a 99.9% chance that he's going to reach out to his son at some point in order to guide him but he still can't mess up the family he has with Richard and Lois. He's going to be there regardless--even if he can't be there in the way we all know he wants to be there.

The thing I don't understand about the complaints about Superman leaving is the claims he was irresponsible, as in people assuming he had sex with Lois and expected to have to leave. It was made well aware that he wanted to stay but felt he had to go. I can understand if he slept with her and knew he was going to leave but that was'nt the case. He planned on being with her--he didn't expect to have to leave and even then he came back still wanting to be with her, still very much in love with her.

 

[Sun_Down]

Jason was not conceived in Superman II. Singer ignored that part of the Donner continuity. Here is his quote about it: "Well, I didn't really stick to that. Y'know, the mylar bed. And the cocktails in the Fortress of Solitude. I wouldn't want to bring that up. All I wanted to reference is they had had a previous, there was some sort of previous relations between them."

Secondly, in SUperman II, he intended to give up being Superman and forge a life with Lois as a normal human, remember when he gives up his powers and all that? Contextually, it's a different situation. There's no indication that Superman in SR intended to be in a committed relationship with her. ACtually, SR gives NO CONTEXT for their relationship whatsoever.

OK, so you're saying that it would be better for them to just have had a one-night stand instead of a committed relationship? Because SMII completely rules out that possibility. SR atleast leaves that possibility open.

Thirdly, you're assuming that these same people liked the idea of them having sex in Superman II and just dislike it in SR. I for one have always cringed at that part of SII, but at least the resolution was complete and more palatable.

You're actually calling the SMII resolution "complete and more palatable"? Sheesh.

Leaving Earth is not a horrible or immoral act. In fact for the right reasons it may be selfless and heroic. However, if you are in a sexual relationship with someone, you are MORALLY obligated to be honest with that person that you are leaving for an extended period of time. Otherwise, you are emotionally abandonning your partner and any children that may be re****ant of that union. I would say that when you are involved sexually with another person you are required by an absolute morality to be honest with your partner about your actions if they will affect your partner. With sex pregnancy is always a possibility, it is your responsibility to communicate leaving town, so that your partner is not abandonned emotionally. It is wrong, it is always wrong, and there is no way it can be seen as right.

This is where you lose all credibility in my eyes. You're saying that if you ever have sex with anyone, you're "morally obligated" to check up on them every day and ask "Hey, you pregnant?" If they were in a committed relationship and having sex regularly, you simply can't do that. He had no idea, you can't blame him for that. You said it yourself, their relationship was never completely detailed, so you can't assume to know the timeline. For all we know, they might not have even been romantically involved when he left.

As far as sneaking out on her, I don't think the film implies that. I think as an adult he would know the consequences of being in a sexual relationship. He knew he should have told her he was leaving, the fact that he said "It was too difficult" shows he knew it was wrong to leave w/o saying good bye. He had to have condsidered it to have come to the realization that "It was too difficult." If he could not tell her b/c it "was too difficult" it adds a selfish motivation for not telling her. Selfishness is not one of Superman's character traits. It is also irresponsible. It's not simply that he left because "There was a job for Superman," it's that he wasn't responsible or thoughtful in his action towards the woman he supposedly loves and who loves him.
As far as sneaking away the next morning, he couldn't have left too long b/c 1. Lois did not have time to find out she was pregnant and tell him 2. She slept with Richard soon enough that she didn't realize the baby was SUperman's 3. She wouldn't have slept with Richard if Superman as still around and Clark would have know who he was when he returned. So, while there's not a whole lot of specific context given, some things can be infered from what is known.

I love how you're ruling out ANY possiblility that Lois was at all at fault. It's entirely possible that she either knew she was pregnant and didn't tell him or simply didn't know herself for a few weeks/months. And why is "it was too difficult" viewed as some sort of character flaw. If anything, it speaks to the depth of his compassion and love. And what's a bigger responsibility : a man sticking around on the REMOTE possibility that your significant other is pregnant (when no indications have been given to you that she is) or the last member of an entire race discovering the remains of his home planet and possibly finding some connection to your only semblance of relatives in the universe? I'm gonna go with the latter.

BTW, as an aside about reproduction in human. Ovulation occurs in the middle of the meunstral cycle. A woman then 'misses her period' when she is pregnant about 2 weeks later, give or take a few days. A woman would at least have an idea that something might be up within a few weeks. Also SPerm only last about 3 days inside a woman's body and then they die, so intercourse has to occur fairly close to ovulation for a woman to get pregnant. In the case of Superman, Lois and Richard, she would have to had sex with Richard in about a 2 week time frame after having sex with Superman, otherwise she would have been able to figure out Richard was the father. Additonally, when you're pregnant you get an ultrasound to establish gestational age so a due date can be fixed. At this point in prenatal care Lois would easily have been able to figure out when Jason was conceived. Now even if Lois had sex with Richard within a 2 week period of having had sex with Superman, there might still be confusion. But Lois would have realized this and hopefully would have been honest with Richard that she had been sexually involved with someone else before she and Richard got involved.

Women can be pregnant for weeks, even months without realizing it. They may just think they're sick or gaining weight. Especially if a woman is not expecting to become pregnant, there can be a significant delay.

Actually, I am judging him on the actual act, the act of emotionally abandonning the woman he loves and any responsibility (children) resultant to their sexual relationship. It's not about 'having psychic abilities' it's about acting maturely and responsibly when you are in a sexual relationship.

What do you expect him to do, stick a home pregancy test in her toilet so he can secretly find out if she's pregnant? Again, he had NO IDEA. And quit treating Lois like some sort of child. When you enter into a relationship, you run the risk of getting hurt. It's a part of adult relationships.

Let's say that you had a sexual relationship with a woman and the relationship ended. Are you honestly saying that you would call her up every day for two weeks after the break-up just to make sure she wasn't pregnant? Or would you just stay with her forever because it's possible that she might get pregnant somewhere along the way?

The thing I don't understand about the complaints about Superman leaving is the claims he was irresponsible, as in people assuming he had sex with Lois and expected to have to leave. It was made well aware that he wanted to stay but felt he had to go. I can understand if he slept with her and knew he was going to leave but that was'nt the case. He planned on being with her--he didn't expect to have to leave and even then he came back still wanting to be with her, still very much in love with her.

Great point. The Krypton thing was so unexpected that he couldn't have planned for it. Don't crucify him for the circumstances.

 

[buggs0268]

He does have X-ray vision. He could have always seen if she was pregnant on his own. Singer and his vague history dreally messed this up again. No one, not even he, knows what the hell is going on.

 

[FlawlessVictory]

He does have X-ray vision. He could have always seen if she was pregnant on his own. Singer and his vague history dreally messed this up again. No one, not even he, knows what the hell is going on.

Then you're basically asking him to use his x-ray vision on Lois randomly, that seems kinda creepy. Then again, I wouldn't put it past this Superman, considering he stood out in the bushes of his ex-lover's home and spied in on her family.

 

[afan]

you need to rethink that little line of logic. There are alot of Fathers who are in similar situations who would be insulted by you're statement. What is he supposed to do, announce to the world that he has a son he didn't know about? Putting Jason Lois and Richard in constant danger? Yeah that's smart.

He was supposed to tell Lois he was leaving Earth, just that simple courtesy, to the woman he loves, would have avoided the situation he finds himself in. Leaving Lois without telling her because it would be difficult is at best the easy way out and at worse the act of a snivelling coward, and neither scenario is in keeping with the ethical character of Superman! I really can't see the wiggle room here, and how anyone can defend the actions of Superman in SR.

This is where you lose all credibility in my eyes. You're saying that if you ever have sex with anyone, you're "morally obligated" to check up on them every day and ask "Hey, you pregnant?" If they were in a committed relationship and having sex regularly, you simply can't do that. He had no idea, you can't blame him for that. You said it yourself, their relationship was never completely detailed, so you can't assume to know the timeline. For all we know, they might not have even been romantically involved when he left.

This was not a casual physical relationship. It goes beyond "having sex".

In the case of Lois and Superman any allusion to a relationship must involve the assumption of committment and emotional conviction. The audience has an expectation based on the history of the characters that cannot be ignored. Even within Singer's vague history morass one must acknowledge the annals of the dramatic nature of the pairing.

 

[afan]

Sidebar #2. If SII and the amnesia kiss was in continuity, then wiping her memory of everything sort of becomes akin to date rape. IMO, an even worse situation than is actually presented in SR.

Oh no!

No not even close. Date rape or any rape must involve non consensual sex. Clearly the intimacy between Lois and Superman was consensual. Furthermore the intent of the amnesia kiss was not to imply consent for the act by non resistance of the victim as the use of date rape drugs are intended. Mego Joe usually I agree whole heartedly with all your points and admire the intricacies of you arguments, but here you way off base and grossly incorrect.

 

[Sun_Down]

This was not a casual physical relationship. It goes beyond "having sex".

In the case of Lois and Superman any allusion to a relationship must involve the assumption of committment and emotional conviction. The audience has an expectation based on the history of the characters that cannot be ignored. Even within Singer's vague history morass one must acknowledge the annals of the dramatic nature of the pairing.

You contradict yourself so rapidly its dizzying. The details of their relationship were never explored, yet you assume to know that it was a long, committed relationship. It could have gone down just like it did in SMII. It could have been one night and then, for whatever reason, they parted ways.

 

[buggs0268]

He could have told the whole damn planet he was leaving. Would have ended the whole thing. Just had Lois set up a video camera and said "I am going to go to Krypton for a while to see if anyone is left" Boom. End of story.

 

[Pickle-El]

Ummm...yeah, doesn't leave much drama for an 'exit' of a god does it? All it does it build a case for his 'RETURN'.

Either way, you're screwed. Do you think so little of the human race it needs to be adressed of your every movement....bowels included?

'World, I'm about to super-deuce. Fear not of that thunder storm over in the south pacific. It's just me.'

 

[afan]

You contradict yourself so rapidly its dizzying. The details of their relationship were never explored, yet you assume to know that it was a long, committed relationship. It could have gone down just like it did in SMII. It could have been one night and then, for whatever reason, they parted ways.

Firstly SR's vague history foundation is a disaster, and the frequently demaonstrated lack of understanding for the character cores makes the nature of the relationship between Clark / Superman / Lois very confusing.

However one can assume based on the knowledge of the characters involved that any intimate relationship between them is one that would and should include the intent of serious committment, any other conclusion exhibits ignorance of the characters.

In Superman II, Superman abandoned his powers to live a lifetime with Lois, not to acheive intimacy for one night but to commit himself wholely to her for his lifetime. Clearly tho the relationship was brief the committment was to be everlasting. The circumstances that made him return to his role as Superman forfeitting his committment to Lois, is a dramatic vehicle to explore the tragic stituation he is in. Despite his personal need to be with Lois, and his efforts to follow that need, he is driven by events beyond his control to forever abandon that path.

In SR it is not any circumstance beyond his control that creates the abandonment of Lois and the relationship it is a willing act on the part of Superman to leave without notice.

 

[FlawlessVictory]

In SR it is not any circumstance beyond his control that creates the abandonment of Lois and the relationship it is a willing act on the part of Superman to leave without notice.

And there lies the problem. Superman created his own mess in SR, are we supposed to feel sorry for him? I find myself rooting for Richard more than Superman.

 

[El Payaso]

And there lies the problem. Superman created his own mess in SR, are we supposed to feel sorry for him?

Of course not, we never make mistakes.

I find myself rooting for Richard more than Superman.

Me too, I hope Lois chooses him. Superman screwed it up.

 

[FlawlessVictory]

Of course not, we never make mistakes.



Me too, I hope Lois chooses him. Superman screwed it up.

Glad to see we agree. t:

 

[Spiderine]

What is the deal with the crystals that Kitty dropped on the New Krypton Island. Is there any indication what could become of them?

 

[mego joe]

you need to rethink that little line of logic. There are alot of Fathers who are in similar situations who would be insulted by you're statement. What is he supposed to do, announce to the world that he has a son he didn't know about? Putting Jason Lois and Richard in constant danger? Yeah that's smart.

Well, they can go ahead and feel insulted. If you act so irresponsibly that it has become impossible for you to raise your own son without ruining his life, perhaps you need to rethink what is right and what is wrong.

It is morally wrong to conceive a child you cannot raise and care for. It is the greatest responsibility we have as humans. Unfortunately, too many people view sex as something ONLY for their own pleasure and put no thought into the consequences of their actions.

Now as for SUperman in SR, I'm not saying he shoud reveal it all to the world and endanger Jason, Lois and Richard. I'm just saying that he's in a situation in which is unable to fulfill his moral and ethical obligations as Jason's father. A situation that is about as un-SUperman-like as you can possibly imagine.

 

[mego joe]

not to mention he's well aware that Jason has a great father figure in Richard. Yes there is a 99.9% chance that he's going to reach out to his son at some point in order to guide him but he still can't mess up the family he has with Richard and Lois. He's going to be there regardless--even if he can't be there in the way we all know he wants to be there.

The thing I don't understand about the complaints about Superman leaving is the claims he was irresponsible, as in people assuming he had sex with Lois and expected to have to leave. It was made well aware that he wanted to stay but felt he had to go. I can understand if he slept with her and knew he was going to leave but that was'nt the case. He planned on being with her--he didn't expect to have to leave and even then he came back still wanting to be with her, still very much in love with her.

If he was so in love with her why didn't he say goodbye and explain before he left. Nothing says "I love you" like disappearing without a word for 5 years.

 

[mego joe]

OK, so you're saying that it would be better for them to just have had a one-night stand instead of a committed relationship? Because SMII completely rules out that possibility. SR atleast leaves that possibility open.

IMO, the relationship in SII was the beginning of a committed relationship. He was committed to being with her, hence why in both versions he depowered. He was not intending on having a one night stand. Circumstances prevented him from being able to stay with Lois, but Lois knew what was going on.

IN SR, we have absolutely no idea what was going on. The fact that he couldn't be honest with her about leaving for 5 years implies that they were not in a committed relationship. If they had been in a committed relationship it seems it would be a no brainer for him to be honest with her.

You're actually calling the SMII resolution "complete and more palatable"? Sheesh.

THe story ended with no danglind plot lines and the situation was reset with no change to the status quo. Much more pallitable than SUperman having a son he cannot raise as his own in a sequel to SR and an unresolved situation between Lois and SUperman where we find out what exactly their plans are for raising Jason, why Superman found it 'difficult' to be honest with her etc....

This is where you lose all credibility in my eyes. You're saying that if you ever have sex with anyone, you're "morally obligated" to check up on them every day and ask "Hey, you pregnant?" If they were in a committed relationship and having sex regularly, you simply can't do that. He had no idea, you can't blame him for that. You said it yourself, their relationship was never completely detailed, so you can't assume to know the timeline. For all we know, they might not have even been romantically involved when he left.

YOu are right. If you are having sex with anyone, you are morally obligated to care for and raise any child you might conceive. If you are having casual sex you might have to ask "hey, are you pregnant?" If you are in a committed relationship and having sex regularly, unless you are an idiot and selfish jerk you will be concerned about whether or not you have conceived a child with your partner. Children are more important than anyone's libido. If you can't accept that you need to rethink what is right and what is wrong.

THe part about that timeline that would not make sense is that she could not possibly think that the child is Richards if they had been broken up for a while. SUperman doesn't know Richard when Superman comes back. Therefore Lois met Richard when Supemran was gone. LOis would have to have had sex with SUperman and Richard to think that Richard was the father. Otherwise, she would most likely already have missed her period and realized she was pregnant before she met Richard. Additionaly, when she had her first ultrasound and gestational age of the fetus was established and a due date set it would have been obvious to her who the father was.

I love how you're ruling out ANY possiblility that Lois was at all at fault. It's entirely possible that she either knew she was pregnant and didn't tell him or simply didn't know herself for a few weeks/months. And why is "it was too difficult" viewed as some sort of character flaw. If anything, it speaks to the depth of his compassion and love. And what's a bigger responsibility : a man sticking around on the REMOTE possibility that your significant other is pregnant (when no indications have been given to you that she is) or the last member of an entire race discovering the remains of his home planet and possibly finding some connection to your only semblance of relatives in the universe? I'm gonna go with the latter.

There's a lot of room in this movie for LOis to be wrong, I'm simply discussing how SUperman was in the wrong. ANd, he didn't have to stay, he just had to be honest with Lois about why he was leaving and explain himself before the fact. THat would have absolved him as well as leaving the door open for a happy homecoming when he did return and a joyful meeting with his son.

Women can be pregnant for weeks, even months without realizing it. They may just think they're sick or gaining weight. Especially if a woman is not expecting to become pregnant, there can be a significant delay.

NOt really. Once a woman missses her period she starts to wonder. Only people who are grossly overweight pull off that "I didn't know I was pregnant" thing and suddenly give birth. Besides, once she discovered she was pregnant the ultrasound would have established gestational age and confirmed who the father was unless Lois slept with SUpreman and Richard within a two week period. At that point, it would have been Lois's responsibility to tell Richard that she had been with another man and she couldn't be sure who was the father of the baby.

What do you expect him to do, stick a home pregancy test in her toilet so he can secretly find out if she's pregnant? Again, he had NO IDEA. And quit treating Lois like some sort of child. When you enter into a relationship, you run the risk of getting hurt. It's a part of adult relationships.

ANd my point is that it is out of character for Superman to hurt the woman he loves.

Let's say that you had a sexual relationship with a woman and the relationship ended. Are you honestly saying that you would call her up every day for two weeks after the break-up just to make sure she wasn't pregnant? Or would you just stay with her forever because it's possible that she might get pregnant somewhere along the way?

YOu're missing the point. He just disappeared for 5 years after being in a sexual relationship with her. He's obligated to at least make her aware so that if anything does come up, she knows what's going on. THat is responsibility. If you can't understand that, I'm sorry.

Great point. The Krypton thing was so unexpected that he couldn't have planned for it. Don't crucify him for the circumstances.

All he needed to do was explain why he was leaving, be honest with her and say goodbye. He chose not to explain himself.