Smallville S2 E22: Calling

As the penultimate episode of Season 2, “Calling” sets the stage for seismic revelations and emotional upheaval. The story pivots around destiny, deception, and the deepening mysteries of Clark Kent’s origins.

The Return of Dr. Walden
Dr. Walden, previously rendered comatose by the cave’s Kryptonian energy, awakens with a dangerous conviction: Clark Kent is the harbinger of doom. Empowered and unstable, Walden believes it’s his mission to stop Clark before he fulfills a prophecy he barely understands. His reappearance escalates tensions between science, myth, and the supernatural forces at play in Smallville.
Clark and Lana’s Long-Awaited Kiss
After seasons of longing glances and emotional restraint, Clark and Lana finally share a passionate kiss. It’s a moment fans had been waiting for—but it’s bittersweet. Clark’s secret still looms large, and the emotional vulnerability of this scene underscores the impossibility of a normal relationship for someone with superhuman origins.
Lex’s Descent into Obsession
Lex Luthor continues to unravel the cave’s secrets, driven by a mix of curiosity and paranoia. His father, Lionel, manipulates events from the shadows, pushing Lex deeper into the rabbit hole. Lex’s pursuit of truth is noble on the surface, but it’s laced with the seeds of future betrayal.
The Mysterious Message
Clark begins receiving cryptic signals from the spaceship hidden in the storm cellar. The message is clear: “Come home.” It’s a chilling moment that forces Clark to confront the reality of his alien heritage. The episode ends on a foreboding note, with Clark standing at the edge of a decision that could change everything.

Freak of the Week

This week we have a special guest, Dr. Helen Bryce, played by the talented Emmanuelle Vaugier. She isn’t a “freak” in the traditional sense, but she is definitely obsessed with Clark and his abilities. Vaugier is probably best known for her role as Mia on Two and a Half Men, but she also had a recurring role on CSI: NY. In “Calling,” she’s the one who’s able to figure out how to interpret the symbols on the Kryptonian artifact. She also has a complicated relationship with Lex. She’s his love interest for the time being, and while they’re not married in this episode, the “not-so-real” wedding you mentioned is the very thing this episode builds to, making her an important part of the season’s climax.

Special Effects

The effects in this episode are pretty good, especially for a show from the early 2000s. We get some great visuals of the Kryptonian artifact and the way it reacts to Clark. The effects of the sun and the moon on the artifact are particularly well done. The sequence where we see the glyphs on the cave walls light up and start to glow is also a standout moment. The visual effects team did a great job of making the artifact feel otherworldly and ancient. The tornado at the end, while brief, is a solid callback to the pilot and a great way to close out the episode and lead into the finale.

Music

The music in “Calling” is on point, as usual, with a great mix of indie rock and pop. The score does an excellent job of building the tension as the episode progresses, and the song choices really help to set the mood for each scene.

• “I’m with You” by Avril Lavigne
• “Love Song” by The Cure
• “In a World” by The Shins
• “A Rush of Blood to the Head” by Coldplay
• “Smallville Main Title” by Mark Snow & Remy Zero

Rating

I’m giving “Calling” 5 out of 5 stars. It’s a fantastic episode that does everything a penultimate episode should do: it wraps up some storylines, leaves us with some great cliffhangers, and pushes the show’s mythology forward in a big way, all while building massive momentum for the finale.