The first episode of season two, “Vortex” picks up right where we left off, with Clark saving Lana from a tornado. However, the storm also releases his spaceship, burying his father and a reporter in the process. Now, Clark must find a way to save them both while keeping his secret identity hidden. “Vortex” resolves the multiple cliffhangers from the season 1 finale “Tempest”, dealing with the aftermath of the tornado, Nixon’s threat to expose Clark’s secret, and the LuthorCorp takeover situation.
Episode Review:
This episode effectively resolves the previous season’s cliffhangers while setting up new dynamics for Season 2. The biggest shift is in the Luthor family dynamic, with Lionel’s blindness creating a fascinating new power struggle.
Lex’s decision to kill Nixon to protect the Kent family is a pivotal moment in their relationship. It shows both his loyalty to Clark and his capacity for ruthless action – a complexity that defines his character.
The aftermath of the tornado is handled realistically, showing both the physical destruction and emotional impact on the community. It grounds the supernatural elements of the show in real-world consequences.
Lionel’s blindness adds an interesting new dimension to his character. Even without sight, he remains a manipulative and powerful presence, perhaps even more dangerous than before.
Overall, “Vortex” serves as both a satisfying conclusion to Season 1’s storylines and an effective launching point for Season 2’s new dynamics. It particularly excels in deepening the complex relationships between Clark, Lex, and their respective fathers.
Detailed Plot Breakdown:
Tornado Aftermath:
- Clark saves Lana from the tornado but loses her in the chaos.
- Lana ends up in the hospital, unconscious but is fine.
- The town is dealing with massive destruction.
Nixon’s Threat:
- Reporter Roger Nixon has evidence of Clark’s abilities.
- Jonathan hunts Nixon through the woods.
- Lex gets caught between helping the Kents and his curiosity about Clark.
The Luthors:
- Lionel is injured during the storm and loses his sight.
- Lex must deal with his now-blind but still manipulative father.
- The power dynamic is going to shift as Lex becomes Lionel’s caretaker.
Search and Rescue:
- Clark frantically searches for Jonathan among the storm victims.
- The town comes together to help storm survivors.
- Multiple rescue efforts showcase Clark’s heroism while trying to keep his secret.
The Confrontation:
- Final showdown with Nixon in the woods.
- Lex shoots Nixon to protect Clark’s family saving Jonathan from certain death..
- This moment deepens the complex relationship between Clark, Lex, and Jon as well as setting up a new dynamic with Lionel.
Resolution:
- Lana recovers in the hospital.
- Lex chooses Clark over exposing his secret.
- Lex and Jonathan shake hands, they seem determined to forge a new relationship.
- The ship sits in a cornfield waiting to be discovered.
Who stars in this episode:
- Tom Welling as Clark Kent
- Kristin Kreuk as Lana Lang
- John Glover as Jonathan Kent
- Tom O’Brien as Roger Nixon
- Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor
- Annette O’Toole as Martha Kent
- Sam Jones III as Pete Ross
Freak of the Week:
There is no Freak of the Week in this episode.
Music:
- “Krypton” by Ramin Djawadi
- “Time And Time Again” – Stretch Princess
- “In My Place” – Coldplay
Rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Lessons from this episode:
- Clark learns that he can use his powers to save people, even if it means putting himself in danger.
- Clark learns that he must be careful about keeping his secret identity hidden.
- Clark learns that his father loves him, even though he doesn’t always understand him.
How this relates to Clark eventually becoming Superman:
This episode shows that Clark is beginning to understand his powers and how to use them for good. It also shows that he is starting to realize his destiny as Superman. He even says I think I was flying to Jonathon.
Photos:
Clark saving Lana from the tornado
Clark’s ship is lost
Jonathan and Clark
Review Notes:
- The special effects are impressive.
- The acting is good, one of the best acted episodes so far.
- Clark said Martha was like “Super Mom”
- Lana knows something is up, tells Clark he cant hide forever.
- Kind of a mini break up of Clark and Chloe. “Just Good Friends”
- Overall, this is a good episode that sets the stage for the rest of season two.
Next Week: S2 E2 Heat
My guess: Do we get heat vision? or is it a freak of the week with heat powers? Never know on this show they have a somewhat random episode naming principle.