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!
Well folks, Smallville is back with a bang (and a lot of wind) in the Season 2 premiere, “Vortex”. This episode picks up right where the Season 1 finale left off, with a massive tornado threatening to turn Smallville into a giant game of pick-up sticks.
The action is non-stop as Clark (Tom Welling) races to save Lana (Kristin Kreuk) from becoming a permanent fixture in Oz. Meanwhile, Lex (Michael Rosenbaum) is faced with the age-old dilemma: save dear old dad or let nature take its course? In a surprising twist, Lex chooses the former, proving that even bald billionaires have a heart.
But the real star of this episode is the tornado itself, which seems hellbent on rearranging the town’s real estate. It even manages to lift Lana’s truck into the air, giving Clark a chance to show off his not-so-subtle flying abilities as he rescues her. But Lana had already driven the truck into a ditch in the previous episode, so we won’t count the second tornado-based crash.
Remember Roger Nixon (Tom O’Brien)? He’s our favorite sleazy journalist and he’s back and more determined than ever to expose Clark’s secret. His partnership with Lex takes a backseat this episode, as he finds himself trapped underground with a very angry Jonathan Kent (John Schneider). The ensuing heart-to-heart between the two men sheds light on the Kent family’s decision to keep Clark’s powers under wraps.
In true Smallville fashion, the episode also touches on the budding Clark-Lana-Chloe love triangle. Chloe (Allison Mack) decides that being “just friends” with Clark is the way to go, but her teary reaction suggests otherwise. Lana, on the other hand, is starting to suspect there’s more to Clark than meets the eye.
The episode ends with a few loose ends: Lionel Luthor (John Glover) is now blind, adding a new dimension to his villainous persona; Clark’s spaceship is MIA; and Lex is left grappling with his father’s condition and his own actions during the storm.
All in all, “Vortex” is a solid start to Smallville‘s second season. It sets the stage for Clark’s journey towards becoming Superman while also hinting at Lex’s slow descent into darkness. Plus, it’s always fun to see how many people just pop up at the Luthor mansion without an invitation.
So what did you think of “Vortex”? Did it live up to the hype? And more importantly, how many more tornados do you think Smallville can handle before it’s officially renamed “Twisterville”? Sound off in the comments below!
| Driver | Number of Accidents |
| Johnathan Kent | 1 |
| Clark Kent | 1 |
| Lex Luthor | 3 |
| Martha Kent | 1 |
| Lana Lang | 1 |
| Whitney Fordman | 2 |
| Freak of the Week | 7 |
| Random | 2 |
| Total: | 18 |
The Confusing Middle 
Nicely done. I know I’m going to rewatch this again someday. You have reminded me that, even though the series naturally had hormonally driven relationship drama (like any show featuring teenaged characters), it was—for me—the relationship between Clark and Lex that was the true emotional heart of the series. It changed the way I looked back on all of those Silver Age comics I devoured, even. It was also why I was slightly less engaged after Rosenbaum left.
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Thought it was a great season premiere. Took full advantage of the tornadoes set up in the finale.
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