This reminded me of two warriors, circling each other, both jockeying for the high ground. Luthor had it physically, Lois had it every other way. (Even to her partner being Superman, while Luthor had to make do with that sop, St John).
The ending is a worry, of course, but Clark usually manages to overcome Kryptonite, so I'm hopeful.
I think Luthor has to die. If he's merely in jail, Lois would obviously divorce him, but death has a much greater termination of the Lois/Luthor marriage - which would clear the path for a certain Superhero to fly in.
