This week on Smallville, Clark stumbles upon more than just loose dirt while joyriding with Pete. He takes a tumble into a hidden cave and unearths ancient Native American inscriptions that seem to whisper secrets about his own mysterious origins. But wait, there’s more! He also meets a captivating young woman who makes him feel like he’s finally found his soulmate. Talk about a productive pothole!
However, this newfound connection to his past and potential future romance hits a snag when Lionel Luthor’s relentless construction crew sets their sights on demolishing the very cave holding these vital clues. Now, Clark finds himself in a tricky situation, forced to choose sides and even enlisting Lex’s help in a battle against his own father. Can Clark save the secrets of the cave and his budding relationship, or will Lionel’s bulldozers pave the way for heartbreak and unanswered questions? Tune in to find out!
Episode Review
“Skinwalkers” delves into the mythology surrounding Clark’s arrival on Earth, introducing the fascinating Kawatche caves and their ancient prophecies. While the episode brings a welcome expansion to the Smallville universe, it’s not without its flaws. The introduction of Kyla and the “soulmate” trope feels a tad rushed, and the CGI wolf… well, let’s just say it’s more Scooby-Doo villain than fearsome beast. Still, the episode manages to weave an intriguing narrative about Clark’s destiny and the clash between progress and preservation.
“Skinwalkers” takes Smallville in a fascinating new direction by introducing mythology that directly connects to Clark’s Kryptonian heritage. The episode skillfully blends teen romance with supernatural mystery and Native American legend, creating one of Season 2’s more memorable storylines. The Kawatche Caves become a significant location for the series moving forward, serving as a physical link between Clark’s Earth life and his alien ancestry.
What works best here is how the writers weave Clark’s ongoing identity quest with Native American folklore in a respectful way. The episode doesn’t just introduce the skinwalker concept as a “monster of the week” but uses it to explore deeper themes about heritage, destiny, and the responsibility that comes with power. Tom Welling does some of his best work of the season, showing Clark’s wonder at finding pieces of his origin story while also navigating the complicated feelings that come with meeting someone who seems to understand him on a deeper level.
Stars: Tom Welling (Clark Kent), Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor), Kristin Kreuk (Lana Lang), Annette O’Toole (Martha Kent), John Schneider (Jonathan Kent).
Freak of the Week: Amara Zaragoza as Kyla Willowbrook. Kyla is a Native American teenager connected to the Kawatche caves who believes Clark is the Naman of legend. Sadly, her story takes a tragic turn as she becomes the “skinwalker” wolf creature. Unlike most “freaks of the week,” Kyla isn’t meteor-infected but instead draws her powers from Native American mysticism. Feldman brings a compelling mix of strength, mystery, and vulnerability to the role, creating one of the more sympathetic and three-dimensional guest characters of the season. The episode also features Gordon Tootoosis as Professor Joseph Willowbrook, Kyla’s grandfather and tribal historian, who delivers a dignified performance that lends authenticity to the episode’s exploration of Kawatche culture.
Special Effects: The transformation sequences involving Kyla as the wolf are, unfortunately, quite dated and unconvincing. The wolf itself appears rather cartoonish, detracting from the intended suspense. The cave set design is the real standout element here. The Kawatche Caves are impressively detailed, with the intricate wall paintings and symbols giving the location an authentic ancient feel. The glowing reactions of the symbols to Clark’s presence are simple but effective visual cues that emphasize the Kryptonian connection without being over-the-top. When Clark touches certain symbols and they illuminate, it’s a subtle but impactful effect that enhances the mysterious atmosphere of the episode.
Music: The episode features a mix of the show’s original score by Mark Snow, which effectively creates a sense of mystery surrounding the caves.
Track listing:
- “Forever” by Papa Roach (plays during Clark and Kyla’s cave exploration)
- “Gone Away” by Lucy Woodward (during the Clark and Kyla stargazing scene)
- “Strange and Beautiful” by Aqualung (during the final montage as Clark reflects on Kyla’s death)
The episode also incorporates subtle Native American musical elements into Mark Snow’s score during the cave scenes and Kyla’s transformation sequences, adding cultural depth and atmosphere without falling into stereotypical territory.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5 stars)
Synopsis and Plot Breakdown
While out dirt-biking with Pete, Clark takes a nasty spill, plummeting into a hidden underground cave system. Inside, he discovers ancient Native American cave paintings that depict a figure strikingly similar to him, arriving in a rain of fire. He also encounters Kyla Willowbrook, a young Native American woman researching the legends of her people. Kyla believes Clark is “Naman,” a hero foretold in the ancient writings who came from the stars. Clark finds himself immediately drawn to her, feeling a connection he hasn’t experienced before.
Meanwhile, Lionel Luthor’s construction company is preparing to blast through the land above the caves to make way for a new LuthorCorp building, threatening to destroy the historical site. Kyla and her grandfather, Professor Joseph Willowbrook, are desperately trying to protect the caves. Clark, intrigued by the carvings and his growing feelings for Kyla, wants to help. He even swallows his pride and asks Lex for assistance, hoping Lex’s influence could stop his father’s project.
As the construction preparations continue, strange events begin to occur. A construction foreman is attacked and killed by what appears to be a wolf, an animal that hasn’t been seen in Smallville for decades. Later, Martha is also attacked by the same creature. Suspicion falls on Professor Willowbrook, and he’s arrested. Lex, surprisingly, posts his bail, sensing there’s something valuable about the land.
Clark and Chloe investigate the possibility of a “skinwalker,” a Native American legend of people who can shapeshift into animals. Clark confronts Kyla, asking if her grandfather could be a skinwalker. Hurt and angered by his accusation, Kyla distances herself from him.
The wolf attacks Lionel at the mansion, but Clark intervenes. The creature flees, injuring itself in the process. Clark follows the trail of blood and is horrified to discover the wolf transforming back into Kyla. She apologizes to Clark for not being the one for him before tragically dying in his arms. It turns out Kyla believed she was destined to be with Naman (Clark) and was trying to protect the caves and him in her own misguided way.
In the aftermath, the state declares the caves a historical landmark thanks to Lex’s intervention, halting the construction. Lana comforts a heartbroken Clark, but reveals she has troubling news of her own: Whitney is missing in action while serving in the military.
Lessons for Clark’s Journey
This episode lays important groundwork for Clark’s journey to becoming Superman by introducing the Kawatche Caves, which will become a recurring location tied to his Kryptonian heritage. The prophecy about Naman and Sageeth foreshadows the Superman/Lex Luthor rivalry while adding mythological weight to their friendship-turned-enmity.
The central lesson Clark learns is about the burden of secrecy and the loneliness it creates. With Kyla, he briefly experiences what it might be like to be with someone who understands his true nature, making her death all the more poignant. Her belief that he is Naman forces Clark to consider the possibility that his presence on Earth isn’t random but part of a greater destiny.
Clark also confronts the moral complexity of using powers to protect what you love. While he sympathizes with Kyla’s desire to preserve her heritage, he cannot condone her violent methods. This reinforces his developing moral compass—the understanding that having abilities comes with the responsibility to use them ethically, a core tenant of Superman’s character.
The episode also establishes important Superman mythology by connecting Kryptonian symbols to ancient Earth cultures, suggesting that Clark’s people have visited Earth before and influenced human history. This concept expands the scope of the Superman mythos beyond Smallville while directly tying Clark’s personal journey to a larger cosmic narrative.
His connection with Kyla, though short-lived, highlights Clark’s developing capacity for deeper emotional connections beyond his feelings for Lana. While this relationship doesn’t last, it serves as another step in his journey of understanding human emotions and relationships. The episode also shows Clark grappling with the conflict between protecting something he believes in (the caves and their secrets) and navigating his complex relationship with the Luthors, foreshadowing the future challenges he will face in balancing his personal life with his burgeoning heroic responsibilities.
Photos
Talkville Episode
SKINWALKER (S2E10) Worst Set on Smallville, Clark’s Cursed Secret & Working With a Vicious Wolf
Review Notes
Opens with an American Indian talking to construction guy… nailed it.
White Wolf… continuing the theme…. Explosions
Clark doesnt hold back on the motorcycle, but why would he.
The invincible Clark Kent 🙂
Kyla thinks Clark is the legend…
Everytime we are asked to coexist we are killed or forced onto reservations… DAMN
Lionel is quite chicken shit in almost every chance to show bravery.
Clarks chance at love dead but she was a killer
The episode doesn’t just introduce the skinwalker concept as a “monster of the week” but uses it to explore deeper themes about heritage, destiny, and the responsibility that comes with power.