Smallville: Season 2 Episode 13 – Suspect

This week on Smallville we’re diving headfirst into a classic whodunit with Season 2, Episode 13: “Suspect.” It looks like someone finally had enough of Lionel Luthor’s charming ways and decided to introduce him to a bullet. And guess who’s holding the smoking gun? None other than our favorite flannel-wearing farm boy’s dad, Jonathan Kent! The local sheriff is all too eager to slap the cuffs on him, but Clark knows his Pa wouldn’t hurt a fly… unless that fly was trying to foreclose on the farm.

Get ready for a twisty-turny ride as Clark and Pete play detective, sniffing out clues and dodging red herrings faster than you can say “meteor rock.” Could Lex, always lurking in the shadows, have something to do with it? Or maybe that shady Dominic Senatori is back in town causing trouble? It’s a tangled web of suspects, and our super-sleuth in training will have to use more than just his super-strength to unravel the truth and clear his father’s name. Grab your popcorn, because this episode is about to get suspiciously good!

Episode Review

“Suspect” throws us a curveball with a classic murder mystery setup in Smallville. The episode masterfully uses a Rashomon-style narrative, showing us the shooting of Lionel Luthor from multiple perspectives, each painting a different picture of who might have pulled the trigger. This keeps us guessing and engaged throughout, even if some of the scenarios feel a tad melodramatic. The tension is palpable as Jonathan becomes the prime suspect, and Clark’s desperation to prove his father’s innocence drives the plot forward. While the ultimate reveal might not be the most shocking in television history, the journey to get there is certainly entertaining.

The main players, of course, are Tom Welling as the determined Clark Kent, John Schneider as the wrongly accused Jonathan Kent, and Michael Rosenbaum as the ever-scheming Lex Luthor. This week’s “Freak of the Week” isn’t a meteor-infected individual, but rather the victim himself, Lionel Luthor, played with delicious villainy by John Glover. While not a traditional “freak,” Lionel’s manipulative nature and the sheer number of people who have a bone to pick with him make him a unique antagonist in this scenario. As for guest stars, we see the return of Jason Connery as the slippery Dominic Senatori, adding another layer of suspicion to the mix.

The special effects in this episode are minimal, focusing more on the mystery and character interactions. There’s a slow-motion car crash involving Pete that feels a bit out of place and looks rather dated by today’s standards – almost like a scene lifted from The Dukes of Hazzard (an amusing nod considering John Schneider’s past).

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Synopsis and Plot Breakdown

The episode opens with Lionel Luthor being shot twice in his study. The immediate aftermath leads the local Sheriff Ethan Miller to the scene, where he discovers a drunk and disoriented Jonathan Kent passed out in his truck nearby, a gun in his hand. Jonathan is promptly arrested and becomes the prime suspect.

Clark, knowing his father’s character, refuses to believe Jonathan is guilty. He teams up with Pete to investigate, and their suspicions quickly fall on others who might have wanted Lionel out of the picture. Their investigation leads them to Lex, who had a heated argument with his father shortly before the shooting. Lex, however, maintains his innocence but admits to having a strong motive.

The episode then employs a series of flashbacks, showing the shooting from the perspectives of various characters, including Jonathan, Lex, and Dominic Senatori. Each flashback offers a different version of events, highlighting their potential involvement and motives. Jonathan’s flashback shows him confronting Lionel about his manipulations but not firing the gun. Lex’s version depicts him arguing with his father but leaving before the shots are fired. Dominic’s recollection shows him receiving a call from Lionel just moments before the shooting, seemingly placing him elsewhere.

As Clark and Pete dig deeper, they uncover a potential link between Lionel and Sheriff Miller, suggesting a possible setup. They eventually discover that Sheriff Miller was being blackmailed by Lionel and shot him in a desperate attempt to break free. The episode culminates with the truth being revealed and Jonathan being released, though the trust between him and Sheriff Miller is irrevocably broken.

Lessons and Superman Connections

“Suspect” is a crucial episode for Clark’s development as it forces him to step outside his comfort zone and actively investigate a crime. He learns to rely on his intelligence and observational skills, rather than just his powers, to uncover the truth. This episode highlights the importance of critical thinking and not jumping to conclusions based on circumstantial evidence – a trait that will serve Superman well when facing complex threats and deceptions in the future.

Furthermore, Clark’s unwavering faith in his father’s innocence underscores the strong moral compass instilled in him by the Kents. This deep-seated belief in the good of others, even when faced with damning evidence, is a core element of Superman’s character. The episode also touches upon the corrupting influence of power and how even those in positions of authority can be compromised, a theme Superman will undoubtedly encounter on a larger scale. The betrayal by Sheriff Miller, a figure of trust in Smallville, is a harsh lesson for Clark about the complexities of human nature.

Video

Talkville: SUSPECT (S2E13) Smallville ‘Who Done It’, Annette Saved the Episode, & Lionel Gets Lit Up

Review Notes

Lionel reading “Beyond Good and Evil” LOL

No way he survives that bullet to the heart in real life, like a Smallville bullet now as well as Smallville knockouts