Smallville S2 E20 – Witness

Preview: In this week’s action-packed episode, Clark Kent finds himself in an impossible situation after he witnesses a robbery he can’t stop. A group of kryptonite-infused thieves are wreaking havoc, and they are stronger than our hero, leaving him feeling powerless. The stakes are raised when the criminals turn their attention to the Kents, putting Jonathan and Martha in grave danger. Can Clark find a way to protect his family when his usual abilities are useless?

Meanwhile, a shocking new arrangement could change the future of the Torch forever. When Chloe is presented with an offer that seems too good to be true, she must decide if it’s worth the moral compromise. This week’s episode promises a tense showdown and a surprising turn for one of Smallville’s most ambitious residents.

Episode Review

This week’s episode is a classic “Freak of the Week” story, but with a twist. It’s a great example of a story that forces Clark to think outside the box and rely on more than just his raw power. It’s not every day we see him so vulnerable, and that feeling of helplessness is a great reminder that even with all his powers, he’s still a teenager figuring things out.

The dynamic between Clark and the kryptonite-enhanced thieves is a fun inversion of the usual formula. Instead of a lone meteor-mutant, we get a group of guys who are essentially “powered up” on green K. It makes the threat feel more widespread and tangible. We also see some nice progression in the Chloe and Lionel storyline, which is always a treat. Their interactions are so well-written and full of subtle mind games, and it’s interesting to see Chloe being pulled into a world she’s only reported on from a distance.

Cast:

• Tom Welling as Clark Kent
• Kristin Kreuk as Lana Lang
• Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor
• Sam Jones III as Pete Ross
• Allison Mack as Chloe Sullivan
• John Glover as Lionel Luthor
• Annette O’Toole as Martha Kent
• John Schneider as Jonathan Kent

Freak of the Week:

• Zachery Ty Bryan as Eric Marsh. Fans of ’90s TV will immediately recognize him as Brad Taylor from Home Improvement. In this episode, he’s anything but a good-natured older brother. He plays the leader of the kryptonite-fueled gang with just the right amount of cocky menace.

Special Effects:

The effects in this episode are a mixed bag, which is pretty standard for the early seasons of Smallville. The fight scenes with the powered-up thugs are pretty good, especially when they’re throwing Clark around like a rag doll. The best shot, though, has to be when Clark gets shoved into a furnace and bursts out, his clothes completely burned off. It’s a classic Superman trope, and they pull it off well, even if the “shirt rip” is a little more literal here. On the other hand, some of the super-speed shots feel a bit like a blur filter, but we have to remember this was a long time ago and this was groundbreaking for TV.

Music:

• “Princess” by Matt Nathanson
• “Safe Enough To Wake Up” by The Ben Taylor Band
• “No Room To Bleed” by Ben Lee
• “Swing, Swing” by The All-American Rejects
• “The World Outside” by Paloalto

Rating:

4/5 Stars – A solid episode that turns the “Freak of the Week” formula on its head. It gives Clark a real challenge and moves a few key plot points forward, all while delivering some great action and character moments.

Synopsis and Plot Breakdown

The episode opens with Clark on his way to the Talon when he witnesses a group of masked men robbing a LuthorCorp truck. The men are unnaturally strong, effortlessly lifting and throwing heavy crates. When Clark tries to stop them, he is shocked to find that they are as strong as he is. He is overpowered and knocked out. The criminals, who have stolen a shipment of refined green meteor rock, notice a camera and realize their robbery was recorded. They find the witness’s car—Clark’s truck—and track down the Kents.

Meanwhile, Chloe is approached by Lionel Luthor, who offers her a substantial amount of money to sell him the Torch and offers her a job at the Daily Planet. She is conflicted but tempted by the opportunity.

The criminals, led by Eric Marsh, break into the Kent farm and attack Jonathan and Martha, demanding the camera with the footage. Clark arrives and, once again, is outmatched. He realizes that the thugs’ power comes from inhaling a kryptonite gas. He’s able to get them out of the house, but not before they threaten his family. Jonathan, concerned for his family’s safety, suggests they give the footage to the authorities, but Clark is worried they will be targeted again. He feels a deep sense of failure for not being able to protect them.

Clark’s father, Jonathan, gives him a pep talk, reminding him that the criminals are only strong, while he has other abilities. With this in mind, Clark formulates a plan. He uses his super-hearing to track the gang to their hideout—a high school gym. He confronts them again, and they get into a fight. This time, Clark uses his full range of powers: he outmaneuvers them with super-speed, uses his X-ray vision to anticipate their moves, and his heat vision to melt the kryptonite canisters. Without their power source, the criminals are easily subdued, and Clark takes them down.

In the subplots, Lana is dealing with a visitor from her past, a childhood friend named Jennifer.¹⁸ They have a strained relationship, and it’s revealed that Jennifer is secretly dating Lana’s father, Henry Small. Lana feels hurt and betrayed. Meanwhile, Chloe, after a heart-to-heart with Lana, decides to turn down Lionel’s offer. She realizes that her integrity and the Torch are more important than a job at the Daily Planet. The episode ends with Clark and Lana talking about their respective family drama, bringing them closer together.

Lessons from this Episode and Relation to Superman

This episode is a pivotal moment in Clark’s journey toward becoming Superman. It teaches him a crucial lesson that goes beyond his physical abilities. When he encounters enemies with a similar power set to his own, he realizes that his strength is not the only thing that makes him a hero.

The main lesson here is that a true hero relies on his full range of abilities, not just brute force. When confronted with kryptonite-powered thugs, Clark’s usual method of just overpowering them fails. He feels powerless and vulnerable. It’s only when Jonathan reminds him to think differently that Clark succeeds. He uses his speed, vision, and ingenuity to outsmart his opponents, proving that his other powers are just as valuable, if not more so, than his strength. This foreshadows the many times as Superman when he will have to use his mind and other lesser-known abilities to defeat a foe who can match him punch-for-punch.

The subplot with Chloe and Lionel also highlights a different kind of strength: the strength of integrity. By turning down Lionel’s offer, Chloe chooses to stay true to herself and her beliefs, rather than selling out for professional gain. This mirrors the integrity that Clark must always uphold as he moves toward his destiny. It shows that being a hero isn’t just about fighting bad guys; it’s about making the right choices, even when they’re difficult.

Photos

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