Season 2 Recap Review

Season 2 (2002-2003)

Recap Review

Season Cast:

Tom Welling (Clark Kent)

Kristin Kreuk (Lana Lang)

Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor)

Sam Jones III (Pete Ross)

Allison Mack (Chloe Sullivan)

Annette O'Toole (Martha Kent)

John Schneider (Jonathan Kent)

John Glover (Lionel Luthor)

Coming off a successful and overall solid first season, it seems Season 2 was Al and Miles beginning to really delve into their take on the adaption of the Superman lore by having the scenes overarching theme being Clark eager to figure where he's from and who he is that gives him such miraculous abilities on Earth.  It first starts off in "Lineage" when Rachel Dunleay comes back to Smallville to claim Clark as her son; leading to the revelation of just how Clark was adopted by the Kents and the consequence of Jonathan taking Lionel up on his offer for help.  It's definitely one of the season's strongest early episodes that laid the foundation of Clark's journey through learning of his heritage and by the end of the season, him almost ironically paying for it with the devastating events that occur in "Exodus".  Tom definitely steps it up a notch this season after his obvious Season 1 jitters in the acting department.  He sure got a better hang on playing Clark this season and I'm sure his character's personal arc this season being written pretty strongly helped with that. The next episode to venture into Clark's origins is "Skinwalker(s)" where he and the audience are introduced to the Kawatche Caves that foretell the mythology of Clark's arrival on Earth and his ultimate destiny to the Kawatche people. Not only do we get solid guest stars Gordon Tootoosis and Tamara Feldman, but it's a refreshing addition to the already legendary story of Superman by giving it some Earthly ties to a race of people and making his destiny a myth that is seemingly becoming more true than the Kawatche people ever thought.  While it's a shame that Kyla was lost, Clark continues throughout the season to return to the caves to get closer and closer to the truth; spending nights there and worrying his parents by getting so attached to an ancient legend that may or maybe about him.  But it is clear the Kawatche people really did meet a Kryptonian and the language on the wall as well as the tale of Naman becomes too true.  Not just because of the octagonal slot on the wall of the cave but in the profound and powerful "Rosetta", Clark's insatiable draw to the caves forces him to put the ship's key into the wall and giving him the ability to read his own language....even leave it on the side of the barn! WOW! 

But of course, you can't forget the incredibly timeless appearance of Dr. Swan played by the late and forever charming Christopher Reeves, the Superman icon that lasted for decades to the point of becoming the definitive pop culture representation of the greatest hero to ever live.  The scene between Swan and Clark is so surreal and full of so much emotion that never feels overplayed or under.  Both actors clearly know how important the Superman mythos is and they carry the scene with the class and sophistication you'd completely expect from one generation almost passing the cape to the next here. Amazing!!! :)  Not to mention, it's great to hear "Krypton" and "Kal-El" first spoken on the series as it puts us one HUGE step further in Clark's overall journey to becoming the Man of Steel we all know and adore. The episode before it does that sort of build on Clark's story too in "Fever" when both Martha and then Clark abruptly stricken ill by a kryptonite toxin (which we officially learn the name of in "Visitor" ;) and Jonathan is forced to us Clark's ship as it maybe the only thing that can cure both of them.  It's also the episode we learn the truth of Martha's secret she's been keeping since "Ryan" and the power of Kryptonian technology in general.  Also speaking of "Visitor", it's a shame that Cryus turned out to be a false misdirection but what good came from it is Clark once again continuing his inner struggle of wanting to know more about his people and heritage. But was also a nice touch was while Clark was continuing to get closer to his alien origins that we had moments that reminded him that he just as much human as well because of the Kent's raising of him. Wonderful and another an essential development on how Clark becomes the noblest of superhero legend! :)

It's just unfortunate by the end of the season, things seem to finally being coming together for the sophomore student when his father's A.I. comes to him to force him into his destiny.  Once again, it's kind hilarious but also wondrous how they go Terrance Stamp to voice Jor-EL but he definitely makes a shocking lasting impression on Clark with him telling him he has no choice to embark on this journey of ruling the Earth aka his destiny. Not to mention, branding Clark with a kryptonian symbol.  It's like the writers are trying to make Jor-El involuntarily be the villain of his Kryptonian roots, especially as the series goes down the line of its run.  Honestly, I have never felt worse for Clark, being so young and full of so much guilt causing the death of his mom's baby by not thinking of the consequences of destroying the ship.  Hmmmm driving off to Metropolis on Red K is so depressing and intense.  While "Exodus" doesn't reach for the thrilling highs of last season's finale, "Tempest", is a more than adequate end of Clark's origin journey this season with him ironically driving from home and love ones that Jor-El wanted take him from in the first place.  Of course, it doesn't help that he is leaving Lana behind just as the two finally become a couple doesn't help.  Ironically, it was quite the journey for the two high school crossed lovers this season with "Vortex", the season premiere, laying the intense foundation of their friendship after she miraculously saves her from being killed in that massive tornado.  It unfortunately begins Lana's desire to put Clark down about keeping secrets and I couldn't help but notice everytime he tries to just be a good friend to her Lana just brushes it off harshly because of his secrets and blah, blah, blah.  Whether it was Ian using her ("Dichotic") or Whitney returning with a psychotic new personality ("Visage"), Lana seemed to never be able to trust Clark even when he proven to be right all the time AND saves her each time. WOW! -_-  It doesn't help Clark is always put in a position by the writers to look like a jerk whether in "Red" when he tries to apologize to Lana or "Rush"....when he tries to apologize to Lana.  Jesus, throwing away that rose was beyond harsh and cruel! I'm surprised they kept even being friends after that.

I guess there were some good even great moments between them like after Whitney is found out to be killed in action, Lana confronts Clark in the caves to pretty much apologize for being a terrible friend and taking him for granted when he's always, always, ALWAYS there for her! Their scenes always came more natural when they were just being supportive friends without unnecessary teen drama mucking up the scene.  As least by the end of the season, Lana finally puts her fears aside and both her as well as Clark finally put their heart out on the line to date each other.  The chemistry between Tom and Kristin is definitely palpable enough where their scenes in "Calling" and "Exodus" really felt naturally heart-wrenching and disparaging.  But it wasn't just her relationship with Clark that changed as her aunt Nell found love and moved to Metropolis after getting married.  Luckily, Chloe comes in to save day and convinces her to move in with her and her dad. More on that later......-_-  But the biggest story arc for Lana this season was the revelation of her biological father being alive and wanting to have a relationship with him.  It was definitely a promising story that started off touching and really felling sorry for Lana before the writers seemingly didn't know what else to do with Henry Small and just write him out to fix his relationship with his wife because his new daughter is getting all the attention.  Jesus, so harsh and Lana once again, having to lose a family member again. :( Also, Lana has some competition with...Chloe, even tho she's the one who asked Lana to move in with her!!! I love how Lana is frequently having to shut Chloe up when some guy is also interested in her or Clark is the topic of discussion.  This girl is literally.....constantly becoming an orphan because of the people leaving in her life all the time from death to marriage, etc......yet Chloe seems always wanting Lana to not be the focus and her being the center of attention in Clark's heart. So let's go into one of the biggest things that hurt this season shall we....

Chloe Sullivan is a deplorable, despicable and outright disgusting character from start to finish with her only redeeming moment by some bizarre out of character moment when she convinces Lana to hire Clark at the Talon.  She even says, "Clark is reliable in his own way and always comes through" yet by the end of the season, Chloe causes, once again, a rift between them because Clark is always not dependable, putting her aside to help Lana and has terrible priorities.  There are a handful of scenes of this awful b!tch of a character putting down and scolding her apparent best friend because of Lana, yet on some occasions she can't even hold Lana accountable but Clark gets all the brunt of her anger because he will never feel the same way.  But back in "Vortex" you wanted to be friends when he tried to make it up to you. You blew him off, actually you are constantly blowing Clark off to protect yourself from getting hurt, then get mad at him for having eyes for someone else.  Jesus Christ, the show runners were psycho! O_O Some of the worst scenes of the series are here when Chloe reads her love letter to Clark in his sleep and storms off like the hurt little victim cause he said Lana's name in his delirium and that final scene where she yells at Clark for not telling her about dating Lana....right when Clark's life is coming to a tragic road. I just....and she just goes to Lionel Luthor to betray him because of her evil insecurities even after defending him an episode ago.  Ok enough about Chloe! Ewwww!!! Let's talk about Pete who finally finds out Clark's secret in "Duplicity"....only to become Clark's side kick when he goes investigating  in Smallville.  Yeah.....moving on! O_O

Let's talk about my favorite duo of father and son in the Luther men.  Season 2 was just as much as step forward for Lex as it was for Clark with his constant corporate battles between him and father reaching a boiling point.  Even tho Lex is trying desperately to fight the darkness within his family, Lionel's initial staying at his mansion after being blinded after his surgery because of the storm, Lex just can't seem to shake his hatred for his father who just seems to constantly want to push him over the edge.  Not surprised someone would think he'd tried to kill his father in the masterful mystery episode, "Suspect".  It also doesn't help that as Clark is getting closer to his origins, Lex can't help by follow as his curiosity thickens by taking over the property of the caves to investigate the secrets of the Native American hieroglyphics.  Seriously, the lying the two have to do during their friendship is definitely showing more and more of their eventual hatred/rivalry toward each other. Then of course, there's his new love interest in Helen Bryce this season that blossoms into a romance that tests Lex's willingness to let someone in and be a good man to her.  While it doesn't exactly work, we do see moments of Lex letting his guard down to Helen despite how terrifying his obsession with the Kents are or just simply breaking the law to find answers to his relentless questions. "Precipice" was probably suppose to be the highlight of their relationship arc this season with Helen's life at risk because of a stalker ex boyfriend and Lex almost killing a man for revenge...but it just detours from the enjoyment of the show honestly. But boy does the season end with one hell of another Lex cliffhanger as he is the only one on the plane on his flight to his honeymoon with Helen....and the plane crashes right into the ocean. Yikes! Then there's Lionel who begins becoming the overarching villain of the show during this season. Making John Glover officially apart of the cast was a brilliant move and every scene of his is beyond compelling.  His treatment of Lex becomes more conniving and distrustful from bribing Helen to taking over ownership of the Kawatche Caves to find out the truth about the secrets within the wall as well.  Then of course, he had a son with Rachel Dunleavy in "Lineage" that he kept a secret as Lex finally finds him in "Prodigal", a pretty fun if not confusing clashing of all three men when Lucas tries to get him to kill Lex. But here also began his interest in Clark and using the people in his life to get closer to knowing more about him like Martha working him or offering Chloe to investigate him.  This is just the beginning tho as Lionel is a charismatic joy and solid antagonist for this stage in the series.

Lastly, I want to talk about the Kents and the drama they must deal with this season because of not only Clark's search for his true parentage and home but Martha working for Lionel Luthor.  It puts a serious dent in their family that Martha and Jonathan find it hard to work through.  By "Insurgence", they both realize they need to stay close together, not to mention protect Clark from Lionel possibly finding out the truth about Clark.  Tho I wonder why the writers never continued to have Martha work for Lionel to keep tabs on the Luthors like Jonathan mentioned.  Lots of missed opportunity there.  As for Jonathan, he's as strong as ever to support and motivate Clark through his origins while also getting framed for murder by an unlikely friend turned backstabber ("Suspect").  He of course is the strength and foundation of the family not just being there for Clark but his unborn child with Martha....which unfortunately doesn't make it by season's end.  It 's hard seeing the last moment between father and son being of his disappointment and lost of his child but it deepens the family dynamic of the Kents by truly testing them and leaving room for more exploration next season.  

"Overall, Season 2, despite its flaws in Chloe and.....well, Chloe! This was still a nice step up for the series in terms of quality.  Sure the meteor freak of the week structure is ever so present but characters like Lex and Clark are nicely fleshed out for their journey to eventual iconic roles.  The supporting cast is also doing better with their characters, feeling more comfortable their sophomore year even if some are hardly used (Pete) or just written horrifyingly (Chloe).  The origins of Clark beginning to be revealed added more excitement and ties in with the comics really well while also establishing their own takes on the Superman mythology with the caves and the Naman/Sageeth legend! :)"

Final Season Grade: A-