Smallville S2 E17: Rosetta

Preview: A Message from the Stars

This week on Smallville, Clark’s quest for answers about his origins takes a cosmic turn! After a bizarre incident involving the Kawatche Caves and his own heat vision, Clark finds himself drawn to a brilliant, reclusive scientist who might just hold the key to his past. Get ready for some major revelations as our favorite farm boy finally gets a glimpse into where he truly came from.

But it’s not all alien mysteries! Back in Smallville, the tension between Lana and Chloe reaches a boiling point, leading to a big decision for Lana. And as always, Lex is lurking in the shadows, ever curious about the strange occurrences in this seemingly normal Kansas town. Don’t miss this game-changing episode that promises to unravel more of the secrets surrounding Clark Kent!

Episode Review

“Rosetta” is one of those episodes that fans remember for a long time, and for good reason! This one truly delivers on the promise of Clark learning more about his Kryptonian heritage, and it does so in a way that feels both epic and incredibly personal. The show had been teasing Clark’s origins for a while, but this episode finally opens the floodgates.

The emotional core of this episode is spot on. Clark’s desperation to understand himself, and Jonathan’s unwavering support, really hits you in the feels. It’s a reminder that even with all the superpowers, Clark is still just a kid trying to figure out who he is. And speaking of hitting you in the feels, the big reveal is handled beautifully.

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

Freak of the Week / Guest Star Spotlight:

We don’t really have a traditional “Freak of the Week” in this episode, which is a nice change of pace! Instead, we get a monumental guest star:

• Christopher Reeve as Dr. Virgil Swann: Okay, folks, if you’re a Superman fan, this is HUGE. Christopher Reeve, the man who was Superman for a generation, graces our screens as Dr. Virgil Swann. Swann is a brilliant astrophysicist who has been studying the meteor showers and the language of Clark’s home planet for years. His performance is incredibly poignant and full of gravitas. To see the former Man of Steel passing on this crucial information to the budding one, it’s just chef’s kiss. You can feel the weight of his words and the history behind his casting. It’s truly a special moment in television history, and his scenes with Tom Welling are electric. He brings such an air of mystery and wisdom to the role, it’s a shame we don’t get more of him.

Special Effects:

The effects in this episode are pretty solid for early 2000s television!

• The visual of Clark burning the Kryptonian symbol into the barn door with his heat vision looks surprisingly good and quite dramatic.
• The effects when Dr. Walden interacts with the Kryptonian key in the cave are effective in conveying the overwhelming nature of the information. The light and energy bursts are decent.
• The most impressive part is perhaps the depiction of Krypton and the message from Jor-El. While not groundbreaking by today’s standards, the CGI for Krypton itself and the visual representation of Jor-El (even if it’s just a projection) are quite well done and convey a sense of a grand, advanced civilization.
• A little less impressive are some of the green screen shots, particularly when Clark is traveling. You can tell they’re on a set, but it’s a minor nitpick in an otherwise strong episode visually.

Music:

The music in “Rosetta” really helps elevate the emotional weight of the episode. And yes, you absolutely hear that theme!

• “Stop Crying Your Heart Out” by Oasis: Plays during the emotional ending sequence, adding to the feeling of reflection and connection between Clark and his parents. It’s a powerful song that fits the moment perfectly.
• “In This Life” by Chantal Kreviazuk: Heard during the emotional conversation between Lana and Chloe, highlighting their strained friendship.
• “Breathe In” by Frou Frou: A lovely, ethereal song that plays during a quieter, more reflective moment.
• John Williams’ Superman Theme: Yes, you heard that right! A subtle, yet powerful, snippet of the iconic Superman movie theme plays during Clark’s conversation with Dr. Swann when he’s learning about Krypton. It’s a fantastic nod and sends chills down your spine.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This episode is a true gem. The reveal of Clark’s origins, the iconic guest appearance, and the strong emotional beats make “Rosetta” a standout not just in Season 2, but in the entire series. It’s exactly the kind of payoff fans had been waiting for!

Synopsis and Plot Breakdown

The episode opens with Clark having disturbing nightmares, where he’s speaking in an unknown language and waking up in strange places, including the Kawatche Caves. After one particularly intense dream, he uses his heat vision to burn a Kryptonian symbol into his barn door. This, surprisingly, activates a signal that catches the attention of Dr. Virgil Swann, a brilliant but reclusive scientist.

Meanwhile, back at the Torch, Chloe accidentally reveals to Lana that Clark kept the pictures of her and Whitney from the Spring Formal. This causes a huge argument between Chloe and Lana, leading to Lana deciding to move out of Chloe’s place and into the Luthor Mansion, much to Lex’s quiet satisfaction.

Clark, confused and desperate for answers, takes the octagonal key to the Kawatche Caves and places it in the slot on the wall. This causes a burst of energy that seems to infuse Clark with knowledge of the Kryptonian language, but it also leaves Dr. Walden (the professor who was also studying the caves) catatonic when he tries to interact with the key.

Dr. Swann contacts Clark, instructing him to come to New York. Clark, against Jonathan’s initial wishes, travels to meet Swann. Swann reveals that he has been receiving transmissions from space for years and has dedicated his life to deciphering them. He shows Clark a holographic projection of Krypton and explains that Clark is not from Earth, but from a planet called Krypton, which was destroyed. He also reveals Clark’s birth name: Kal-El.

Swann plays a message from Jor-El, Clark’s biological father, which states that Clark was sent to Earth to “guide them.” However, a partial translation later reveals a more ominous message: “My son, Kal-El. It is I, Jor-El. Your father. On this third planet from the sun, you will be a god amongst men. They can be a great people, Kal-El. They wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you… my only son.” The full message is later revealed to be: “My son, Kal-El. It is I, Jor-El, your father. On this third planet from the sun, you will be a god amongst men. They can be a great people, Kal-El, they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason, above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you, my only son.” The earlier, misleading translation comes from Dr. Walden, who misinterpreted “guide them” for a more dominant role.

This revelation deeply disturbs Clark, especially the “god amongst men” part, making him fear his true purpose. Jonathan, upon Clark’s return, reassures him that he is their son, and his destiny will be whatever he chooses to make it. Meanwhile, Lex learns of Dr. Walden’s condition and the strange events in the caves, fueling his obsession with Clark’s secrets. The episode ends with Clark and Jonathan sharing a quiet moment, reflecting on the newfound knowledge and the uncertain future.

Lessons from this Episode and Relation to Superman

“Rosetta” is a pivotal episode for Clark’s journey to becoming Superman because it finally gives him concrete answers about his past and identity.

1. Understanding his Alien Heritage: For the first time, Clark learns he’s not just “different” because of a meteor shower; he’s from another planet entirely. This is a massive step in his self-discovery. He gets a name for his home world, Krypton, and his birth name, Kal-El. This information grounds his powers in a cosmic origin, rather than just random meteor rock mutations, which is crucial for him to eventually embrace his destiny.
2. The “God Amongst Men” Dilemma: The chilling partial translation of Jor-El’s message, “you will be a god amongst men,” introduces a fundamental conflict for Clark: will he use his powers for good, as a servant of humanity, or will he succumb to the temptation of superiority and control? This internal struggle is a recurring theme for Superman throughout his mythology. “Smallville” uses this to show the early moral foundations Clark is building, guided by the Kents’ strong moral compass. Intersestingly I just finished watching the new James Gunn Superman and it handled the message very similarly.
3. The Importance of Choice: Despite Jor-El’s seemingly predetermined destiny, Jonathan Kent emphasizes that Clark’s path is his own. This reinforces the core Superman ideal that while he has incredible power, his heroism comes from his choice to help others and to be a force for good. He is not forced into it; he chooses it, and that choice is influenced by his upbringing in Smallville.
4. Connecting to his Legacy: The appearance of Christopher Reeve as Dr. Swann is more than just a cool cameo; it’s a symbolic passing of the torch. It connects Smallville‘s nascent Superman directly to the established, iconic version, subtly validating Clark’s eventual role. Swann serves as a wise mentor figure, guiding Clark and giving him information he desperately needs, much like how various mentors aid Superman in his journey.
5. Setting Up Future Conflict: Jor-El’s message, while initially a source of dread for Clark, is really laying the groundwork for his complex relationship with his Kryptonian father. Jor-El’s intentions, whether benevolent or controlling, will become a major arc. This episode firmly establishes that Clark’s journey isn’t just about fighting meteor freaks; it’s about understanding and reconciling his dual heritage.

Essentially, “Rosetta” is where Clark starts to shed the idea that he’s just an anomaly and begins to grasp the magnitude of who he truly is – the Last Son of Krypton, destined for something far greater than he ever imagined.

Talkville: ROSETTA (S2E17) Smallville Creators AL GOUGH & MILES MILLAR:
Christopher Reeve’s Legacy as Superman