Hey there, fellow Smallville fan! We’re diving back into the early years of the Man of Steel, and honestly, Season 4 is such a wild ride. It’s that sweet spot where the show starts leaning into the wider DC Universe, and episode 5, “Run,” is a total fan-favorite and one of my favorites in a while in this rewatch for a reason.
TV Guide Preview
Clark Kent usually feels like the fastest thing on two legs, but he meets his match this week when a teenage puck named Bart Allen zips into town and swipes Jonathan’s wallet. After a high-speed chase that leaves Clark eating dust, he discovers that Bart isn’t a “meteor freak”—he’s just a kid with a gift and zero guidance. While Clark tries to play big brother to the impulsive speedster, Lex Luthor is busy obsessing over a mysterious 14th-century manuscript that might hold the key to Clark’s destiny.
The stakes get high when Bart decides to “borrow” Lex’s pricey artifact, leading to a showdown where speed isn’t the only thing that matters. Will Clark be able to convince Bart to use his powers for more than just free room service, or will the lure of the fast life leave Smallville in the rearview mirror? It’s a literal race against time as the two fastest teens on the planet learn what it really means to have a hero’s heart.
Episode Review
This episode is a breath of fresh air. After years of “freak of the week” characters who just want to kill Clark or Lana, we finally get someone who is actually fun. Bart Allen (played with high-energy charm by Kyle Gallner) brings a great dynamic to the show. He’s the cool, rebellious younger brother Clark never had. The chemistry between Tom Welling and Gallner is top-notch; you can tell they had a blast filming the “speed off” scenes.
It’s also a pivotal moment for the series’ mythology. We see Lex becoming more ruthless in his pursuit of the stones, and the show stops being just about Smallville and starts feeling like a corner of a much bigger world.
The “Freak of the Week”:
Bart Allen (Kyle Gallner). Now, technically, Bart isn’t a meteor freak—he mentions an “accident,” which is a nice nod to Flash lore. Gallner plays Bart as a charismatic, slightly annoying, but ultimately lovable thief. He’s the first DC hero to guest star who isn’t connected to the meteor shower, which was a huge deal for fans at the time.
Special Effects:
For 2004, the speed effects are actually pretty solid! Instead of just a blur, we get “Flash-time” (the predecessor to The Flash TV show’s “Flashtime”). The stop-motion style during the opening save where Bart rescues Jonathan is clever, though some of the CGI during the final race looks a bit like a PlayStation 2 cutscene. It’s charmingly dated, but it gets the point across: Bart is significantly faster than Clark.
Music:
The soundtrack is very “mid-2000s alt-rock” in the best way possible.
- Don’t Say Nuttin’ by The Roots (Bart at the pawn shop)
- Welcome To My World by Kyle Newvachek (Clark finds Bart’s hotel)
- Cruel Sun by Silver (Bart and Clark at the Talon)
- Feels Like Today by Rascal Flatts (Closing scene)
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5 stars)
A near-perfect episode that loses a tiny bit of steam in the middle, but the ending race is legendary.
Complete Synopsis & Plot Breakdown
The episode kicks off with a bang. Jonathan Kent is nearly flattened by a drunk driver in Metropolis, but a blur of red and yellow saves him. Before Jonathan can even say thanks, the “hero” picks his pocket and vanishes. Clark, naturally, isn’t going to let a thief get away with his dad’s wallet, so he chases him down—only to be left in the dust when the kid literally runs on water across a river.
The thief turns out to be Bart Allen, a runaway living in a fancy hotel paid for by stolen credit cards. Clark tracks him down, but instead of turning him in, he tries to mentor him. Bart is unimpressed by the “Smallville” lifestyle and tries to flirt with Chloe (who is predictably charmed) and steals a tulip from halfway across the world just to impress her.
Meanwhile, Lex has acquired a rare manuscript with Kryptonian symbols. He’s convinced it’s a map. Bart, seeing how much Lex values it, decides to steal it to fund his nomadic lifestyle. However, Lex’s security is no joke, and Bart gets caught. Lex, being the “friend” he is, tries to use Bart’s speed for his own ends.
In the climax, Clark has to save Bart from a trap involving a sonic weapon that messes with his speed. After the rescue, Clark gives Bart a speech about responsibility. Bart realizes he can’t keep running forever, but he’s not ready to settle down in a barn. The episode ends with a friendly race to the state line. Clark gives it his all, but Bart just smiles, runs backward for a second to taunt him, and then hits “Maximum Overdrive,” disappearing in a flash of light.
Lessons & The Path to Superman
The big lesson here is Belonging and Responsibility. Clark sees a dark mirror of himself in Bart. Without the Kents’ guidance, Clark could have easily become a “Bart”—using his powers for convenience and comfort rather than the greater good. It’s one of the first times Clark realizes he has a responsibility not just to hide his powers, but to use them to help others find their way.
The Road to Superman:
This episode is a massive stepping stone. It expands Clark’s world beyond Smallville. He realizes he isn’t the only “special” person out there, which plants the seeds for the future Justice League. Also, seeing someone faster than him humbles Clark. It makes him realize that power isn’t everything; it’s what you do with it that counts. Plus, we see the first hints of the “Red/Blue” color scheme that will eventually become his iconic suit.
Photos
TalkVille Podcast
RUN (S4E05) w/ KYLE GALLNER! Kid In a Candy Store & Michael vs. The Director
Notes:
It feels like Clark finally can share a little and he has great big brother feelings with Bart. He needed that.
Lex showing Clark the manuscript just to see if Clark will tell him he can read Kryptonian is so low
Clarks race with Bart is one of my favorite scenes in the entire show so far. Right up there with the flying scene. Something about the end with Clark just standing there smiling hit me just right.
Something here feels like a Justice League setup, wonder if that will go anywhere or if its going to be little stuff all the time. I think it might be cool to have Young Justice League.
Are you faster than a speeding bullet…. felt like Clark went No but I am LOL
Easter Eggs:
Near the end of the episode, Clark ask Bart what he is going to do and Bart replies “find more people like us, maybe start a club or a league or something” referencing the Justice League that the Flash and Superman would later be founding members of.
When Bart hits on Chloe, he briefly mentions coming from the future. In the comics, Bart Allen was actually sent from the 31st century by his grandmother to be taken care of by Wally West.
When Clark breaks into Bart Allen’s hotel room and goes through his wallet, he sees 3 IDs: Jay Garrick, Barry Allen, and Wally West. These were/are names of all the Flashes. Jay Garrick is the original WWII-era Flash (who sometimes watches over Bart), Barry Allen was the pre-80’s Flash who died in “Crisis on Infinite Earths”(and Bart’s grandfather), and Wally West was the Flash during the 2nd Crisis (and Bart’s official guardian). Bart Allen himself has been known as Impulse, Kid Flash, and the Flash
Bart Allen referred to himself as the fastest man alive which is a nickname for the Flash.
Like Clark’s usual blue and red, Bart wears red and yellow, the colors worn by the Flash in the comics. Bart’s backpack, belt, and shoes have a lightning bolt design stitched into them, the Flash’s trademark symbol
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