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. Be sure to share your own memories and theories in the comments below!
It’s time to dive into the sixth episode of our favorite small-town superhero saga. In “Hourglass,” we’re introduced to the concept of time and destiny, two themes that will continue to play a significant role throughout the series. So, grab some popcorn, settle in, and let’s discuss this pivotal episode.
Clark, Pete, and Lana are fulfilling their community service hours at the Smallville Retirement Center. Here, Clark meets Cassandra Carver, a blind woman with the ability to see the future. She cryptically warns Clark that someone close to him will die soon. Meanwhile, Harry Volk, a convicted murderer from the 1940s, miraculously regains his youth after falling into a koi pond filled with meteor rocks. Harry seeks revenge on the descendants of the jurors who convicted him, including Clark’s grandfather, Hiram Kent.
“Hourglass” introduces us to the concept of destiny and the burden of knowing the future. Cassandra’s visions of Clark’s lonely future and Lex’s dark path serve as a foreboding glimpse into what lies ahead for our beloved characters. This episode also showcases the power of the meteor rocks and their ability to grant extraordinary abilities, a recurring theme throughout the series.
In a chilling scene, Lex visits Cassandra and sees a vision of his future self as the President of the United States, surrounded by death and destruction. This moment foreshadows Lex’s eventual descent into villainy and his obsession with power. It’s a testament to the show’s brilliant storytelling that even in these early episodes, we can see the seeds of Lex’s dark future being planted.
In true Smallville fashion, this episode didn’t disappoint in the vehicular accident department. Martha Kent’s car tires were slashed by the vengeful Harry Volk. While not as explosive as some other episodes, it’s a reminder that in Smallville, no vehicle is safe from harm. However, since there was no actual collision or crash as the result of someone behind the wheel, we won’t add this to our total tally for the series (see the end of this post).
“Hourglass” is a thought-provoking episode that sets the stage for the overarching themes of destiny and the consequences of knowing the future. It’s a must-watch for any Smallville fan, as it lays the groundwork for the complex relationship between Clark and Lex.
Now, it’s your turn, fellow Smallville enthusiasts! What did you think of “Hourglass”? Did Cassandra’s visions send a chill down your spine? And how many more vehicular accidents do you think we’ll witness before the season ends? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
| Driver | Number of Accidents |
| Johnathan Kent | 1 |
| Lex Luthor | 1 |
| Whitney Fordman | 2 |
| Freak of the Week | 3 |
| Total: | 7 |

I always thought that the effects of the meteor rocks on humans was a nice, original touch in this series. That, and the friendship between Clark and Lex. It gave a depth to the Superman mythos that had always been absent in the comics and other adaptations. Plus, the rocks gave us a lot of monsters-of-the-week.
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I always liked how they foreshadowed future events early on. Great way to tie into Superman and Lex Luthor before they became who they were.
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