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 wild ride that is the 25th episode of our beloved series, “Red.” This fourth installment of Season Two takes us on a journey through the tantalizing world of red kryptonite and its effects on our resident alien heartthrob, Clark Kent.

First things first, let’s talk about the plot. Clark, in a moment of teenage rebellion (because even superheroes have those), decides to splurge on a fancy class ring with a “ruby” that’s actually – you guessed it – red kryptonite. As soon as he slips it on, our mild-mannered farm boy transforms into a leather-clad, motorcycle-riding, bad boy with a serious attitude problem. It’s like watching a Superman version of Grease, minus the musical numbers.

Throughout the episode, we see Clark embracing his newfound bad boy persona, which he dubs “Kal.” He flirts shamelessly with Lana, borrows Lex’s Ferrari (because why not?), and even stands up to Lionel Luthor himself. Speaking of Lex, this episode further explores his complicated relationship with his father and his growing friendship with Clark. It’s a subtle reminder that while Clark is on the path to heroism, Lex is slowly but surely heading down a darker road.

Now, let’s talk about the vehicular chaos in this episode. By my count, we’ve got one motorcycle joyride (courtesy of Clark), one borrowed Ferrari (again, Clark), and one offscreen car crash (thankfully not involving Clark this time). It’s like the writers were trying to challenge themselves to see how many vehicles they could cram into 42 minutes of television. But since that one accident occurred offscreen, we’re not adding it to the table below…

Now let’s talk, once again, about how everyone seems to just waltz into the Luthor mansion like it’s a public library? I mean, I get that Lex is a busy man, but you’d think he’d invest in some better security. Then again, if he did, we wouldn’t get to see Clark casually strolling in to play pool and trade barbs with Lionel, so I suppose we can let it slide.

All in all, “Red” is a fun, if slightly over-the-top, episode that explores the darker side of Clark’s personality and the consequences of unchecked power. It also sets the stage for future appearances of red kryptonite and the havoc it wreaks on our hero’s life. Plus, it gives us a glimpse of what Clark might have been like as a rebellious teenager if he didn’t have the Kents to keep him grounded.

So, what did you think of “Red”? Did you enjoy seeing Clark’s bad boy side, or did you miss the wholesome farm boy we all know and love? Let me know 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	9
Random	2
Total:	20