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 get into the eighth episode of the series, “Jitters,” and boy, is it a doozy. In this midseason finale, we’ve got a hostage situation, a secret Level 3 at the LuthorCorp plant, and the Candyman himself, Tony Todd, guest-starring as the jittery Earl Jenkins.

First things first, let’s talk about the plot. Clark decides to throw a small party while his parents are out of town, but thanks to Lex’s “help,” it turns into a rager with a hundred people. Meanwhile, Earl Jenkins, a former LuthorCorp employee, is on the run after accidentally killing a maintenance man during one of his “jitter” fits. He ends up taking Chloe, Pete, and the rest of Clark’s class hostage at the LuthorCorp plant, demanding to be taken to the mysterious Level 3.

Now, let’s talk about the importance of this episode. “Jitters” gives us a glimpse into the shady dealings of LuthorCorp and sets the stage for Lex’s eventual turn to the dark side. We learn that Level 3 was used for secret experiments, and Lex is just as surprised as anyone when he discovers its existence. This episode also showcases Clark’s heroism as he saves Earl and Lex from a collapsing catwalk, despite being weakened by the meteor rocks in Earl’s body.

Speaking of Earl, can we just take a moment to appreciate Tony Todd’s performance? The man knows how to bring the intensity, and his portrayal of a man driven to the brink by LuthorCorp’s experiments is truly captivating. Plus, he’s the Candyman! That’s just cool.

Now, for the moment you’ve all been waiting for: the vehicular accident count. Surprisingly, there were no major crashes in this episode. However, we did see Martha Kent nearly run over Earl as he was having a jitter fit in front of LuthorCorp. Should we call that a close call and give it a half point? Nah…

In the end, “Jitters” is a solid episode that sets up some important plot points for the rest of the series. It’s a testament to the show’s ability to balance teenage drama with superhero action and corporate intrigue. Plus, it’s got Tony Todd. What more could you ask for?

So, what did you think of “Jitters”? Did you find yourself on the edge of your seat during the hostage situation? Were you surprised by the revelation of Level 3? And most importantly, do you think Lex’s purple shirt was a fashion hit or miss? Let me know in the comments below!

Driver	Number of Accidents
Johnathan Kent	1
Lex Luthor	1
Whitney Fordman	2
Freak of the Week	4
Total:	8