Smallville S2 E18 – Visitor

This week on Smallville, prepare for a mind-bending journey as Clark encounters a new classmate who claims to be from another planet – and he’s got the “heat vision” to prove it! Could Clark finally have found a fellow Kryptonian, or is there something more complicated at play in the sleepy town of Smallville? Get ready for Clark to question everything he thought he knew about his origins, while Lex continues his own shadowy investigations, leading to a tense confrontation about a certain locked room.

Meanwhile, Dr. Helen Bryce is getting a little too close for comfort to Lex’s secrets, pushing him to reveal a very intriguing aspect of his life. This episode is a great one for exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the lengths people will go to find connection. And, as always, our favorite characters will be facing some difficult choices that will undoubtedly shape their futures in unexpected ways. Don’t miss “Visitor” for an episode that delves deep into the heart of what it means to be different.

Episode Review

“Visitor” is an interesting one! After the monumental “Rosetta,” where Clark finally learned about Krypton and his heritage, this episode plays with the idea of him not being alone. It’s a clever way to keep the audience guessing and to explore Clark’s burgeoning sense of isolation and longing for connection.

The core of the episode revolves around Cyrus Krupp, a new student at Smallville High who genuinely believes he’s an alien who arrived with the meteor shower. He even exhibits what appears to be heat vision, which understandably throws Clark for a loop. It’s a nice change of pace to have a “Freak of the Week” who isn’t inherently malicious, but rather misguided and desperate for a family. This gives Clark a chance to be more empathetic and less immediately adversarial, which is always good to see. Cyrus actually has powers but they are of the healing kind and it becomes obvious the difference how you grow up makes with or withoug powers.

Lex’s subplot with Helen is also heating up (pun intended, maybe?). Helen’s persistence in getting into Lex’s “secret room” pays off, and his reveal of the “obsession wall” focused on the Kents is both chilling and fascinating. It’s a great look into Lex’s increasingly singular focus on Clark and the mysteries surrounding him. The tension between Lex’s desire for connection and his inherent secrecy is played wonderfully.I feel as if I see the rift between Lex and Clark growing every week while Chloe and Lana seem to be coming to grips with his secrets.

Overall, the episode manages to balance the main plot with Clark’s search for answers with the ongoing Lexana (or rather, Lex/Helen) drama. It’s not the most action-packed episode, but it’s strong on character development and pushing the overarching mythology forward.

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:

• Jer Adrianne Lelliott as Cyrus Krupp (Freak of the Week): Jer Adrianne Lelliott does a great job portraying Cyrus as a troubled, yet ultimately innocent, teenager yearning for a family. Her portrayal really makes you feel for the character, even when his delusions are at their peak. You might recognize Lelliott from her work in theater, as she’s a well-known voice actress and performer. Appearing on Smallville, before coming out as trans, the onscreen credits for the episode Visitor lists Lelliott under her deadname.
• Emmanuelle Vaugier as Dr. Helen Bryce: Emmanuelle Vaugier continues to deliver as the intriguing and tenacious Dr. Helen Bryce. She brings a great mix of intelligence and vulnerability to the role, making her a compelling love interest for Lex. Vaugier has a long list of TV credits, including roles on One Tree Hill, CSI: NY, and Mistresses.
• Chad Faust as Kyle: You know, the typical Smallville bully. Faust plays the role well enough to be annoying, which is exactly what he’s supposed to be!

Special Effects

The special effects in this episode are pretty standard for Smallville‘s early seasons. Cyrus’s “heat vision” is a little rough around the edges – definitely not as polished as Clark’s, which makes sense given the narrative. It looks more like a fiery glow than a focused beam, but it gets the point across. The collapsing tower scene at the end is decent, with some debris and sparks, but it’s clear the budget wasn’t quite at superhero movie levels yet. The light in the sky, implying an alien ship, is effective in its ambiguity, leaving the audience (and Clark) to wonder. Nothing here will blow your mind, but it serves the story without being too distracting.

Music

The music in Smallville is always a highlight, and “Visitor” is no exception. The soundtrack uses a mix of popular songs and original score to set the mood.

Track Listing:

• “The Other Side” by David Gray
• “Kiss the Moon” by Hathaway
• “Wartime” by Stephanie Simon
• “Phantasmagoria In Two” by Neil Halstead
• “Diamonds and Guns” by Transplants

Rating

I’d give “Visitor” a 4 out of 5 stars. It’s a strong episode that delves into Clark’s emotional state post-Rosetta, and the mystery surrounding Cyrus keeps you engaged. The Lex/Helen subplot is intriguing, and the acting is solid across the board. While the effects aren’t groundbreaking, they don’t detract from the story.

Synopsis and Plot Breakdown

The episode opens with Clark at school, feeling a bit out of sorts after learning about Krypton. He encounters a new, eccentric student named Cyrus Krupp, who claims to be an alien. Cyrus is bullied by a group of jocks, and during the altercation, he appears to use heat vision, setting a truck on fire. This immediately grabs Clark’s attention, making him wonder if he’s not the only Kryptonian on Earth.

Clark begins investigating Cyrus, who is living with foster parents. Cyrus believes he arrived during the meteor shower and is building a giant antenna tower to contact his “real” alien parents. He’s convinced they’ll come for him at midnight. Clark is torn; he wants to believe Cyrus is a fellow Kryptonian, but he also has doubts. He and Pete go to the school to retrieve a stolen component Cyrus needs for his tower, encountering the bullies again. Clark uses his own heat vision to scare them off, confirming to Cyrus that Clark is also “one of them.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Helen Bryce discovers a locked room in Lex’s mansion. She presses him about it, and after some hesitation, Lex reveals his “obsession room,” filled with evidence, photos, and files related to meteor freaks and, most prominently, the Kent family. He admits his fascination with Clark and the unexplainable events surrounding him. Helen is understandably taken aback by the intensity of Lex’s investigation.

Cyrus successfully builds his tower and prepares for the midnight rendezvous. However, Chloe, doing her own journalistic digging, discovers that Cyrus’s real name is William, and his biological parents died in the meteor shower. He’s an orphan who suffered a severe trauma and, in his young mind, created a fantasy about being an alien. The heat vision he exhibited was a result of him seeing Clark use his own.

The bullies return to destroy Cyrus’s tower just as he activates it. Kyle, one of the bullies, is injured during the struggle. Clark arrives and, realizing the truth about Cyrus, tells him to heal Kyle. Cyrus, using his healing touch (another power, not alien in origin, but a consequence of his meteor shower exposure), heals Kyle but then collapses, heartbroken that his “parents” haven’t arrived.

The “spaceship” that appears in the sky is revealed to be a Kansas State Police helicopter responding to the disturbance. Cyrus is taken to a mental institution. The episode ends with Clark grappling with the fact that he’s still alone, despite his brief hope of finding a fellow Kryptonian. Lex and Helen’s relationship is strained by his revelations, showing that his obsession with Clark might be too much for even his fiancé.

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

This episode is a pivotal one for Clark’s journey to becoming Superman because it directly addresses his feelings of isolation and his longing for belonging.

• The Weight of Being Unique: After learning about Krypton in “Rosetta,” Clark is eager to find a connection, a shared heritage. Cyrus offers a glimpse of that possibility, and Clark’s immediate openness to it highlights his deep-seated desire not to be alone in the universe. When Cyrus turns out to be human, and his “powers” are a manifestation of trauma and imitation, Clark is left with the stark realization that he truly is an anomaly on Earth. This reinforces the burden of his secret and his uniqueness.
• Empathy and Responsibility: Clark’s interaction with Cyrus is a lesson in empathy. Instead of immediately dismissing Cyrus as crazy, Clark tries to understand him and ultimately protects him, even after the truth comes out. This demonstrates Clark’s growing compassion and his natural instinct to help, regardless of whether the person is a “freak” or simply a troubled individual. He uses his powers not for personal gain or glory, but to aid someone in distress, even healing the bully who hurt Cyrus. This is a clear precursor to his Superman ethos.
• Defining His Identity: The episode pushes Clark to internalize his alien identity without the immediate comfort of a shared experience. He can’t lean on Cyrus as a “brother from another planet.” This forces Clark to confront what it means to be Clark Kent, an alien adopted by human parents, and to define his own place in the world. He chooses to stay on Earth, acknowledging that his life and his love are here. This commitment to Earth is fundamental to his future as its protector.
• The Seeds of Distrust with Lex: Lex’s “obsession wall” is a huge red flag. While his intentions might seem rooted in scientific curiosity at this point, it’s clear his interest in Clark is bordering on unhealthy. This episode further solidifies Lex’s trajectory toward becoming Superman’s greatest foe, as his desire to uncover Clark’s secrets will eventually lead to a complete breakdown of their friendship and a dangerous rivalry. Clark gets a glimpse of Lex’s intensity here, even if he doesn’t fully grasp the implications.

Talkville

VISITOR (S2E18) Lex is a Stalker, Chloe Gets Desperate, the Stunt Horse & Canadian Bullies