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 eleventh episode of this show, and boy, do we have a lot to unpack. In “Hug,” we’re introduced to the dynamic duo of Bob Rickman and Kyle Tippet, two salesmen who gained the power of persuasion after being caught in the meteor shower. But don’t let the title fool you; there’s not a whole lot of hugging going on in this episode.

First off, let’s talk about the vehicular mishaps. In true Smallville fashion, we’ve got a car explosion and a bullet-riddled pickup truck. That brings our total count to two accidents, courtesy of Lex Luthor and, well, Lex Luthor again. Someone might want to consider revoking his driver’s license.

Moving on to the meat of the episode, we see the paths of Clark and Lex diverging even further. While Clark is busy saving the day and inspiring Kyle to use his powers for good, Lex is getting caught up in Bob’s web of influence. It’s a testament to the show’s writing that we can see the seeds of Lex’s future villainy being planted, even as he struggles to maintain his friendship with Clark.

Speaking of friendships, can we talk about how easily people seem to waltz into the Luthor Mansion? For a place with supposed top-notch security, it sure seems like anyone can just stroll in and chat with Lex. Maybe he should invest in a better lock system.

But the real heart of this episode lies in the parallels drawn between Clark and Kyle. Both have incredible powers, but they choose to use them in very different ways. It’s a classic Superman dilemma: how do you use your abilities for the greater good without losing sight of your humanity? Clark’s journey to answering that question is what makes Smallville so compelling.

In the end, “Hug” serves as a reminder that our choices define who we become. Will Clark and Lex’s friendship stand the test of time, or will they end up like Bob and Kyle? Only time (and a few more seasons) will tell.

Now, I turn it over to you, dear readers. What did you think of this episode? Did you find yourself rooting for Kyle’s redemption, or were you too busy keeping track of all the people barging into Lex’s home? Let me know in the comments below!

Driver	Number of Accidents
Johnathan Kent	1
Lex Luthor	3
Whitney Fordman	2
Freak of the Week	4
Random	1
Total:	11