Hey there, fellow Smallville fans! We are back in the thick of it with Season 4, and if the premiere didn’t give you enough whiplash, this second episode certainly will. We’re officially in the “Lois Era,” and let’s just say the Kent farmhouse is getting a lot more crowded and a lot louder. Grab your red jackets and let’s dive into “Gone.”
Preview
Chloe Sullivan is dead—or is she? After the shocking explosion that supposedly claimed the life of Smallville’s favorite investigative reporter, Clark and a very persistent Lois Lane team up to find out what really happened. But they aren’t the only ones looking; Lois’s father, the no-nonsense General Sam Lane, marches into town with a private army and a lot of secrets. While Clark and Lois play “Hardy Boys meets Military Police,” Lana returns from Paris with a souvenir she didn’t pack: a mysterious tattoo and a hunky new boyfriend named Jason Teague.
In Metropolis, a literal “man of steel” is on the loose, but it’s not the one we’re waiting for. Lionel Luthor, even from behind bars, has dispatched a T-1000 wannabe to ensure Chloe stays “gone” for good. Clark will have to dodge bullets, helicopters, and his own awkwardness around Lois to save his best friend before the trial of the century falls apart.
Episode Review
Stars: Tom Welling, Kristin Kreuk, Michael Rosenbaum, Jensen Ackles, and Erica Durance.
Freak of the Week: Trent MacGowen (James Bell). This guy is basically a low-budget Terminator. He’s got the “bio-conversion” power, which is a fancy way of saying he can turn his limbs into liquid metal blades. He’s effective, creepy, and reminds us why you should never trust anyone Lionel Luthor hires.
Special Effects: The effects in this episode are a bit of a mixed bag. The liquid metal transformation on Trent is actually pretty solid for 2004 TV—it’s got that cool, shiny Terminator 2 vibe. However, the scene where Clark takes down a military helicopter with nothing but a leap and some grit? A little “early 2000s green screen,” if you know what I mean. It’s ambitious, but you can definitely see where the budget started to sweat.
Music:
Smallville always nails the “angsty but hopeful” soundtrack.
- Save Me – Remy Zero (The classic theme, obviously)
- Flower Duet (from Lakmé) – Delibes (A classy touch for the Luthors)
- Faraway – Dara Shindler
- She Will Be Loved (Acoustic) – Maroon 5 (Perfect for the “Lana is back” feels)
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
(Lois and Clark’s chemistry carries this episode, even if the “metal-arm guy” is a bit cliché.)
Complete Synopsis & Plot Breakdown
The episode kicks off with Clark and Lois realizing the grave they just dug up is empty. Well, not empty, but it definitely doesn’t contain Chloe. This leads them on a trail that brings them face-to-face with Lois’s dad, General Sam Lane. The General is exactly what you’d expect: stern, loves cigars, and treats Clark like a recruit who forgot to shine his shoes.
It turns out Lex Luthor—bless his manipulative heart—actually faked Chloe’s death to protect her from Lionel so she could testify. He’s been keeping her in a safe house. However, Lionel isn’t one to let a little thing like “death” stop him, so he sends Trent (our metal-limbed assassin) to finish the job.
While Clark and Lois are hunting for Chloe, Lana arrives back from Paris. She meets Jason Teague at the Talon, and we find out he followed her all the way across the Atlantic. Clark, meanwhile, is dealing with the fact that Lois has basically moved into his house. We get the legendary “shower scene” where Lois accidentally walks in on Clark—an iconic moment that sets the tone for their “bickering siblings” dynamic for the rest of the season.
The climax takes us to a warehouse where Trent has cornered Chloe. Clark arrives just in time, using his speed and strength to deflect metal blades. He manages to defeat Trent by using a high-pressure steam pipe to melt/overpower the assassin’s form. Chloe is saved, the General is grumpy but impressed, and the Kents are finally reunited with their favorite reporter.
Lessons & The Path to Superman
The Lesson: This episode is all about Trust and Truth. Clark is starting to realize that his “friendship” with Lex is built on a foundation of lies and secrets. He even tells his parents that Lex might be a bigger threat than Lionel because Lex is smart enough to play both sides.
Becoming Superman: We see Clark stepping into a more proactive hero role here. He’s not just reacting to a meteor freak in high school; he’s taking on the military and professional assassins. His interaction with Lois is also crucial. Superman needs a Lois Lane to keep him grounded (and annoyed), and seeing them work together to save Chloe shows the beginning of the most important partnership in DC history. Plus, Clark “not flying” anymore despite doing it as Kal-El shows his internal struggle: he has the power to be a god, but he’s choosing to be a man.
Photos
Review Notes
Uh.. Clark definitely killed that dude.
That shower scene really holds up, from Clarks shy looks to Lois’ smart aleck remarks to Martha’s reaction its very well done.
Interesting episode, not sure how I feel about how this season is starting out. Not that it’s bad… just different. The Jason Teague storyline is very stalkerish so far. Red flag after what a 1 or 2 month fling. There almost has to be something behind it… Lex or Lionel? Plus the tattoo and cave connections…
Next week episode 3 Facade… is that where we find out about Teague?
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