Rewatching Smallville – Episode 4

Welcome back to Rewatching Smallville, my weekly dive into the iconic series that explores Clark Kent’s journey before becoming Superman. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the show, you’re invited to join in each Tuesday as I revisit episodes and share my thoughts and observations. Grab your popcorn, settle in, and let’s continue this adventure through the world of Smallville together – be sure to share your own memories and theories in the comments below!

In this week’s episode, aptly titled “X-Ray,” our favorite small-town hero develops a new ability that would make any teenage boy blush. That’s right, Clark Kent can now see through solid objects, including the girls’ locker room walls (because, of course). But before you start thinking this is just another teen drama, let’s dive into the juicy details of this action-packed episode.

The main villain of the week is Tina Greer (Lizzy Caplan), a shapeshifter with a serious case of Lana Lang obsession. Tina’s story is a tragic one, having been born with a soft bone disease that was miraculously cured by the 1989 meteor shower (thanks, Kryptonite!). Her ability to morph into anyone she touches leads to a string of crimes, including bank robbery and identity theft. Talk about taking method acting to the extreme!

But Tina’s not the only one causing trouble in Smallville. We’re introduced to the slimy journalist Roger Nixon, who attempts to blackmail Lex Luthor with a scandalous story from his past. Lex, being the crafty billionaire he is, turns the tables on Nixon and enlists him to dig up dirt on a certain farm boy who walked away unscathed from a Porsche wreck. This marks the beginning of Lex’s obsession with uncovering Clark’s secrets, a theme that will continue throughout the series.

Meanwhile, Lana discovers her mother’s diary and learns that the perfect Laura Lang she’d been idolizing was just a facade. In a touching moment, Lana listens to her mother’s controversial graduation speech, realizing that she, too, can make a difference in the world. It’s a small but significant step in Lana’s character development.

Now, let’s talk about those vehicular mishaps. In this episode, we have a grand total of one: Martha Kent’s truck, driven by a shape-shifting Tina Greer disguised as Clark. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but it does raise the question: does Smallville have a higher rate of car accidents than the national average? I’m starting to think that maybe Driver’s Ed should be a mandatory class at Smallville High.

All in all, “X-Ray” is a solid episode that furthers the plot and character development while still delivering the action and humor we’ve come to expect from Smallville. Plus, who doesn’t love seeing Clark squirm as he tries to control his new X-ray vision? It’s a reminder that even future superheroes go through awkward teenage phases.

So, what did you think of this episode? Did you find yourself rooting for Tina, or were you happy to see her locked away? And how about that Lex Luthor? Is he a misunderstood antihero or a villain in the making? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

DriverNumber of Accidents
Johnathan Kent1
Lex Luthor1
Whitney Fordman1
Freak of the Week3
Total:6
Total accidents on Smallville

9 thoughts on “Rewatching Smallville – Episode 4

    • My blog posts are currently scheduled out through the end of the year… with a few exceptions. So these episodes are scheduled to hit every Tuesday for the rest of 2024, getting me up to the 2nd season episode Red. I got on a big blogging kick a few months ago and just went nuts planning it all out.

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        • Depends on how much time I have in one sitting… sometimes I’ll binge five or six episodes over a weekend and write my posts about them all at once… other times I only have time to watch one or two. Then it can get tedious writing about the same show and the same characters if I do too many at once, so it’s good to space it out a bit, too.

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