Original Airdate: March 12, 2002
Looks like we’re taking a trip down memory lane this week, folks! Lex Luthor’s shady past comes back to haunt him in the form of a mysterious figure connected to a nightclub fire from three years ago. Meanwhile, Chloe Sullivan’s insatiable curiosity leads her down a rabbit hole of investigation into Clark Kent’s mysterious origins. Will Lex confront his demons? Will Chloe uncover Clark’s secret? And most importantly, will Lana Lang finally notice that Clark is, like, totally into her? Find out in this week’s episode of Smallville!
Episode Review
Starring: Tom Welling (Clark Kent), Kristin Kreuk (Lana Lang), Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor), Allison Mack (Chloe Sullivan), John Glover (Lionel Luthor), Annette O’Toole (Martha Kent), John Schneider (Jonathan Kent)
Freak of the Week: Our “freak” this week isn’t exactly affected by meteor rocks. Instead, we have a vengeful “spirit”, Jude Royce (played by Corin Nemec), seeking retribution against Lex. Corin Nemec might be a familiar face, especially if you were a fan of “Parker Lewis Can’t Lose” back in the day.
Music: Mark Snow’s score continues to be a highlight of the series, effectively setting the mood for each scene. The use of more contemporary music in the club scenes provides a nice contrast and adds to the overall atmosphere.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars. A solid episode with a decent mystery, some good character development, and a few cheesy moments that are just part of Smallville’s charm.
Synopsis and Plot Breakdown
Three years ago, a fire at Lex’s nightclub, Club Zero, resulted in the death of a man named Jude Royce. Now, someone bearing a striking resemblance to Jude is back in Smallville, seeking revenge on Lex. He seems to have some spooky abilities, like phasing through walls and controlling electricity, making him a formidable foe.
Meanwhile, Chloe is working on a class assignment that involves profiling a classmate. Naturally, she chooses Clark, much to his dismay. Her investigation leads her to dig into Clark’s adoption, raising suspicions about his past. Clark, understandably, tries to deflect her inquiries, leading to some tension between the two.
Lex, haunted by the events of the past, tries to figure out who is targeting him and why. He eventually discovers that the man he thought was dead might actually be alive and seeking revenge for being left to die in the fire.
The episode culminates in a confrontation between Lex and “Jude”. Clark, realizing that Lex is in danger, intervenes and uses his powers to subdue “Jude.” In the end, it’s revealed that “Jude” is actually a doppelganger for Jude and the girl Amanda that Lex helps keep out of trouble who actually killed Jude. The actual bad guy is the brother of Amanda, nothing supernatural at all, who was seeking justice for his sibling’s death by suicide.
This episode is significant as it gives us our first real deep dive into Lex’s troubled past. The flashbacks to his wilder days in Metropolis help explain his current desire to break free from his father’s influence and forge a new path in Smallville.
The structure of the episode, with its flashbacks and unreliable narration, adds complexity to the storytelling. We see multiple versions of the Club Zero incident before learning the truth, which effectively builds suspense and intrigue.
The theme of redemption runs strong throughout the episode. Lex’s past actions and his current attempts to be a better person create an interesting conflict that adds depth to his character.
Clark’s role as both friend and investigator shows his growing maturity. He’s willing to dig for the truth while still giving Lex the benefit of the doubt, demonstrating the complexity of their friendship.
The episode title “Zero” works on multiple levels – referring to both the club and the idea of starting over from zero, which is what Lex is trying to do in Smallville.
Overall, “Zero” is kind of a standout episode that breaks from the typical “meteor freak” formula to deliver a character-driven story about friendship, redemption, and the weight of past actions. It’s crucial in developing Lex’s character and the Lex-Clark dynamic that will become so important to the series.
Lessons and Superman Connections
This episode explores themes of guilt, revenge, and the consequences of our actions. Lex is forced to confront the darkness in his past and the impact his decisions have had on others. It’s a reminder that even seemingly small choices can have far-reaching consequences.
For Clark, the episode highlights the importance of trust and honesty. His attempts to hide his past from Chloe create a rift between them, emphasizing the need for open communication in relationships. This is a lesson that Clark will continue to grapple with as he learns to navigate his dual identity.
The episode also showcases Clark’s growing sense of responsibility. He’s willing to put himself in harm’s way to protect others, even those like Lex who have been antagonistic towards him. This selfless act foreshadows his future role as Superman, a protector of the innocent.
Review Notes
I missed the guess on this one the title is not about any freak at all
They did a great job in the school hallway actually having background noise, too many timesthese scenes are not realistic as the background sound is too quiet, I felt like I was in the hall
Cows!
Chloe needs to learn who to investigate and who to leave the hell alone, becoming an annoyance.
Why didn’t Clark X-Ray that box in the theatre!
I really want to know what Lex’s family did to Pete’s family.
This was a stupid unnecessary coverup, was self defense or defense of others, no one would have gotten in real trouble, he stabbed Lex for Christ sakes.
We do know what Phelan had on Lex now though at least.
OK so no more cows I guess!!!
Reminds me of a twilight zone episode. Good episode but light on Superman more questions than answers.
Next Episode: Nicodermis… no idea, smoking? Maybe a tobacco company baddie?
Detailed Plot Breakdown:
- The Past Returns:
- We learn about “Club Zero,” a Metropolis nightclub where Lex was involved in a fatal incident three years ago.
- The Zero Incident Flashbacks:
- Through flashbacks, we see young Lex at Club Zero.
- Amanda Rothman, her fiancé Jude Royce, and Lex’s friend Max Kasich were all involved.
- The incident ended with Jude being shot dead and our bad cop Phelan getting involved.
- Present Day Threats:
- Max Kasich arrives in Smallville, fearful for his life.
- He’s later found dead, staged to mirror the Club Zero incident.
- Clark’s Investigation:
- Clark becomes concerned about Lex and starts digging into the past.
- He discovers inconsistencies in Lex’s story about what happened at Club Zero.
- The Truth Unfolds:
- We learn that Amanda’s fiancé Jude had been abusive.
- The man claiming to be Jude is actually his fiancé’s brother, seeking revenge.
- The original incident involved Lex and his connections helping Amanda.
- The Final Confrontation:
- Fake Jude kidnaps Lex and recreates the Club Zero scene.
- Clark arrives to save Lex, learning the full truth about what happened.
- Resolution:
- The true story of Club Zero is revealed.
- Lex and Clark’s friendship is tested but ultimately strengthened.