Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (TV Series)

Meet John Doe (1997)

Lane Davies: Tempus

Photos 

Quotes 

• Tempus : [TV Broadcast]  Though the Doe administration doesn't take power for a few months, I wanted to let the people know we're going to make the transition as painless as possible. I'm already working with President Garner on that.

  Lois Lane : Oh, God... it's started already.

  Tempus : My greatest hope is that the former supporters of President Garner will join with me in making this country great again.

  Clark Kent : Again?

  Lois Lane : Like back in the days of slavery.

  Tempus : ...in particular-- Superman. If you're listening, I want you to know that I hope we can find a place for you in the Doe administration. Once all citizens are working through the proper channels, especially well-meaning but lawless vigilantes such as yourself, well the world will be a safer and more ordered place. I hope you can understand that, and if you 'kent'-- I mean can't, we'll just have to figure out something else. That's all for today. Thank you.

  Lois Lane : [Turns off the TV]  Clark, he said your name.

  Clark Kent : I know.

  Lois Lane : I know this isn't our usual approach, but I say you go over there and kick his skinny butt.

  Clark Kent : I would love to, but you know Superman can't just go beat up the President Elect.

  Lois Lane : Why not?

  Clark Kent : Lois...

  Lois Lane : He's dangerous.

  Clark Kent : I know. He's also the most popular man in the country right now, elected by a landslide. We have to be very, very smart about this.

  Lois Lane : Tempus... President of the United States--what a nightmare.

  Clark Kent : Lois, I've been having--

  [interrupted by a distress call] 

  Clark Kent : There's a robbery goin' down right now. Do me a favor-- stay here, lock the doors, don't go anywhere.

  Lois Lane : Clark...

  Clark Kent : Honey, just--do it. I got a funny feeling...

• Andrus : Come, we return for your trial.

  Tempus : I don't think so.

  Andrus : Tempus, I speak to you as a fellow utopian. Return with me now, make amends for your crimes and save what is left of your soul.

  Tempus : Funny, no matter how you pretty it up it still sounds like prison to me.

• Andrus : You are a true force for evil, Tempus.

  Tempus : Oh, you're just saying that because I've got you tied to a chair and I'm about to plunge the world into a thousand years of darkness.

  Andrus : You won't get away with this--men of greater character will conspire to stop you.

  Tempus : [sets the paper down in front of him]  Or not.

  Andrus : [shows Superman grounded]  If you don't allow Superman to do his good work, Utopia will never come about.

  Tempus : I'm creating a new Utopia, Andrus--one that suits my own unique sensibilities.

  Andrus : Great men aren't so easily neutralized, Tempus.

  Tempus : You know, you're right. If history has taught us nothing else, it's taught us this: Never invade Russia, and don't underestimate the power of Superman's disgusting goodness. He'll need a little more convincing if he's to cooperate fully, and I know just where to hit him hardest for maximum effect.

• Tempus : Well Superman! You patriotic thing, you. Come on in!

  [Superman walks up to him, taking him by the neck and lifting him in the air] 

  Randolph : Um, should I call for the Secret Service, Mr. President Elect?

  Tempus : No, Randolph... He won't harm me.

  [Superman reluctantly puts him down] 

  Tempus : See, Randolph... That's something you must learn about superheroes--no matter which way they turn, they're constantly bumping into their own ethics.

  Superman : I'm going to bring you down, Tempus.

  Tempus : Who's Tempus?

  Superman : You've gone too far this time.

  Tempus : What're you gonna do--impeach me?

  Superman : I'll do whatever's necessary.

  Tempus : You might want to reconsider cooperating with the new administration, Superman. One never knows when one's wife will drive her car off a cliff, does one?

  Superman : This is a warning--you stay away from her, or I promise you, you will see my *ethics* disappear.

• [Superman walks Tempus into the time window but then Tempus disappears] 

  Andrus : What? No, that was the replicant!

  Lois Lane : [Lois bursts into the room while secret service agents try to hold her back]  Superman!

  Superman : Lois! Get out! Get out now!

  Tempus : [Comes into the room]  Let her through, she should see this.

  Andrus : No, if he touches the window Superman is doomed!

  [Tempus touches the window and it starts to disappear] 

  Superman : Lois!

  Lois Lane : Clark!

  Superman : [Reaches for her]  Lois!

  Lois Lane : [Reaches for Clark while Tempus holds her back]  Clark!

  Superman : [Their fingertips touch but Lois falls back and the window floats away until it disappears]  Lois! No!

  Tempus : Well. Time to get on with the country's work.

  [laughs and leaves the room] 

  Lois Lane : Where is he? Where is he?

  [Grabs Andrus] 

  Lois Lane : Where is he? Where is he?

  Andrus : Gone.

  Lois Lane : What do you mean gone?

  Andrus : He traveled into time without the window. He's in eternity now.

  Lois Lane : Well you have to help me get him back!

  Andrus : I feel... strange. It's not unpleasant. Everything's changing. I no longer exist...

  [He disappears] 

  Lois Lane : [Looking distraught, calling out to where Clark disappeared]  Clark! Clark?

• Tempus : [running for President as John Doe]  Attention all registered voters, John Doe is darn nice guy.

• Tempus : Can we move this along? I'm breaking out this morning, you know.

  Barrett : Yes. You believe that a peacekeeper from the future will be arriving on this date to...

  Tempus : Extradite me back to the future to face crimes I've committed in various time zones.

  Barrett : So, I gather you still believe you're from the future?

  Tempus : Duh... .

  Barrett : And that you were first brought to this century by Science Fiction writer H.G. Wells in a time machine of his own invention.

  Tempus : A real brain twist, isn't it?

  Barrett : And using this time machine, you tried to kill the infant Superman.

  Tempus : In the early '60s, yes.

  Barrett : I see. And your assertion that Superman has a secret identity?

  Tempus : I stand by it.

  Barrett : And that secret identity is... ?

  Tempus : [laughing]  I'd tell you, but you'd think I was nuts.

  Barrett : Mr. Tempus, assuming this is all true, why would you admit it to me?

  Tempus : Because you are-- in a word-- Looney Tunes.

  Barrett : [gets up, moving to bars to look directly at Tempus]  'Looney Tunes' is two words.

  Tempus : Not if you say it fast.

• Tempus Decoy : Clark Kent and Lois Lane, star reporters for the Daily Planet.

  Clark Kent : Tempus, you know why you're here?

  Tempus Decoy : Yes, I do. Dr. Dussel explained it to me. I'm deeply disturbed-- I've lost my identity, the result of a traumatic event, so I fashioned a romantic alter ego for myself. Assuming this role allows me to avoid dealing with painful childhood issues.

  Clark Kent : What about Superman?

  Tempus Decoy : Superman? Clearly, I've projected my own identity issues onto Superman.

  [looks at doctor] 

  Tempus Decoy : I'm learning that now.