Smallville Season 2 Episode 16 – Fever

Let’s dive back into Smallville, everyone! This week we’re hitting Season 2, Episode 15: “Fever”. Get ready for some chills (and maybe a few sneezes) as we explore what happens when kryptonite gets a little too up close and personal with our favorite farm boy.

Preview

This week on Smallville, prepare for a high-stakes episode as a mysterious illness sweeps through the Kent farm, leaving Martha fighting for her life. As the town’s medical resources are stretched thin, Clark finds himself in a desperate race against time, not only to uncover the source of the contagion but also to protect his own secret as his powers begin to falter. Can Clark discover the truth before it’s too late for his mother and his own identity?

As the epidemic escalates, the lines between friends and foes become blurred, and even Lex Luthor’s vast resources might not be enough to save the day. The Kent family faces their greatest challenge yet, forcing Clark to confront his deepest fears and make impossible choices. Tune in for an episode packed with suspense, emotional twists, and a glimpse into the true strength of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds.

Episode Review

“Fever” is one of those episodes that really puts the Kent family through the wringer, and honestly, it’s pretty compelling to watch. It’s not just about the big bad meteor freak this time; it’s about a very human, very relatable threat: illness. Martha gets hit hard, and it’s genuinely stressful to see her so vulnerable. Clark’s helplessness in the face of something he can’t punch or super-speed away from is a great character moment.

Starring:

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

Guest Stars (Freak of the Week, sort of!):

While there isn’t a traditional “Freak of the Week” in the sense of a meteor-powered individual causing mayhem, the “freak” of this episode is arguably the kryptonite spores that makes Martha sick. It’s an invisible enemy, which makes it even scarier!

Special Effects:

Okay, so the special effects in “Fever” are less about flashy powers and more about depicting illness. The scenes of Martha’s deteriorating condition are effective, though perhaps not “special effects” in the usual sense. When Clark starts feeling the effects of the kryptonite, we get some blurry vision and wobbly movements, which are pretty well done to convey his sickness. There’s nothing truly awful here, which is a win in my book! It’s subtle, but effective in showing the internal struggle.

Rating:

I’m giving “Fever” a solid 4 out of 5 stars. It’s a emotional episode that pushes the boundaries of what Smallville usually does, focusing on a more grounded threat. It’s a good example of the show evolving beyond just one-off meteor freaks.

Synopsis and Plot Breakdown

“Fever” kicks off with Martha Kent feeling unwell, attributing it to a simple cold. However, her condition rapidly deteriorates, and she’s soon hospitalized with a mysterious, aggressive illness. It’s revealed that the illness is caused by a potent strain of kryptonite spores that Martha accidentally inhaled while hiding the key in the storm cellar – Classic Smallville!

As Martha’s condition worsens, Clark is beside himself with worry. He’s also feeling strange; his powers are fluctuating, and he’s experiencing bouts of weakness and dizziness. This leads to some harrowing moments where his super-speed or super-strength suddenly cut out, nearly exposing his secret. He realizes his own exposure to the meteor rock is making him sick too, but his Kryptonian physiology is fighting it off differently.

Lex, ever the resourceful one, tries to use his connections to get Martha better care, even considering moving her to a larger facility. He’s genuinely concerned for the Kents, which is always nice to see. Meanwhile, Chloe, with her investigative prowess, starts to dig into the pattern of the illness, trying to find a common link. She uncovers some crucial information, pointing towards the storm cellar at the Kent farm as a potential source.

Jonathan, desperate to save Martha, realizes that the only way to get answers might be to reveal Clark’s secret to Dr. Bryce, the lead physician, hoping she might understand his unique physiology. She is obviously surprised, but nothing is said other than “miracles”

With the help of Pete as a decoy, the two manage to get the key and the ship outside of the hospital. Martha flatlines and is declared dead, just as the key flies out of Clark’s hand into the ship and a bright burst of light is emitted — it rolls over Clark and through the hospital and both Martha and Clark are cured. The next day, Martha has made a full recovery and the Kents are overjoyed at the news that their future new arrival is also healthy. The episode ends with the Kents relieved, but also more aware of the dangers lurking in their own backyard, and the ever-present threat of Clark’s secret being exposed.

Lana and Chloe are getting ready for the food drive at the Talon. When Chloe leaves the room, Lana finds her letter to Clark and reads it. At the food drive, a now-healthy Clark thanks Pete for his help and even though he doesn’t remember her visit, he thanks Chloe for coming. When she excuses herself abruptly, Clark asks Lana what’s up. Lana cryptically says that seeing Clark sick affected everybody, but some people are better at expressing it. Chloe sees them talking and looks pained. The triangle continues and I really feel kind of sorry for Chloe.

Lessons from this Episode and How it Relates to Clark Becoming Superman

“Fever” offers some pretty important lessons for Clark on his journey to becoming Superman:

• Vulnerability of Loved Ones: This episode hammers home the reality that even with all his powers, Clark cannot protect his loved ones from everything. Illness, especially, is a threat he can’t punch away. This teaches him the limits of his physical abilities and the importance of supporting others through more conventional means, like seeking medical help and providing emotional support. It’s a stark reminder that even Superman needs help sometimes, and that he can’t solve every problem with brute force.
• The Double-Edged Sword of His Powers: While his powers are generally a blessing, “Fever” shows that his Kryptonian physiology can also be a vulnerability. The same meteor rock that gives him his powers can also make him sick and even kill him. This is crucial for him to understand as he learns to control and manage his abilities. It also hints at the future dangers of kryptonite and how it will be used against him.
• Maintaining His Secret: The fear of exposure is a huge theme here. Clark’s illness almost reveals his unique physiology to doctors and potentially the world. This reinforces the importance of his secret identity and the lengths he must go to protect it, even when facing personal crises. The weight of this secret, and the potential consequences of it being revealed, is something Superman constantly deals with.
• Resourcefulness Beyond Brute Strength: Clark can’t just smash the illness. This is a vital lesson for Superman, who often has to think his way out of situations, not just power his way through them. It shows him that sometimes, the most heroic act isn’t the most flashy.

Review Notes

WTF Mom stay out of the cellar

Pregnant WTF???? No way she has a baby on this show???

This is not one of my favorite episodes, its well done but really leans into the WB of it all.

Chloe is still so in love with Clark

That trio is just messed up.

Next Week: Rosetta – my guess Rosetta Stone is the only thing I can think of which is language interpretation so I am going ot guess that we get some cave wall deciphering or the like.