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!

In its second season, Smallville took a bold departure from its usual meteor-freak-of-the-week format to deliver something entirely different: a taut crime procedural that would make the folks at CSI proud. Episode 34, “Suspect,” opens not with some teenager discovering their newfound kryptonite-induced powers, but with Lionel Luthor taking two bullets to the chest and crash-landing through a glass table. Talk about starting with a bang.

The episode begins with a Nietzsche quote that proves more relevant than your average teenager’s Tumblr post: “That which is done out of love always takes place beyond what is good and evil.” It’s a fascinating choice for an episode that explores the extremes people will go to for both family and revenge. Unlike other episodes in the series, this philosophical musing stands alone – there’s no meteor rock to blame for what unfolds, just human nature in all its complicated glory.

The Frame Job

When Jonathan Kent is found passed out in his truck with a convenient combination of tequila and a smoking gun, it seems like an open-and-shut case. Except this is Smallville, where nothing is ever that simple, especially when a Luthor is involved. The episode cleverly plays with viewer expectations by presenting a lineup of suspects that reads like a “Who’s Who” of people with reasons to want Lionel Luthor dead – and let’s be honest, that’s practically half the town’s phone book.

Luthor Family Values

At the heart of this episode lies the increasingly toxic relationship between Lex and Lionel Luthor. We’ve seen their chess matches before, but this time Lionel has gone full Bobby Fischer on his son’s business aspirations. LexCorp, Lex’s attempt at independence from his father’s empire, is being systematically dismantled through Lionel’s masterful manipulation of shareholders. It’s a reminder that while Lionel might get shot in this episode, he’s still the one calling the shots.

The episode brilliantly illustrates how the Luthor definition of “tough love” involves corporate takeovers and casual blackmail. When we learn that Lionel was planning to bring Lex back into the fold after crushing his independent venture, it’s peak Luthor parenting – break them down to build them back up in your own image. Somewhere, a family therapist is having a panic attack.

CSI: Smallville

Clark Kent trades in his usual hero routine for some amateur sleuthing, and honestly? It works. Watching Clark and Pete play detective (with a little help from Clark’s X-ray vision – okay, a lot of help) provides a fresh angle on Clark’s powers. Instead of stopping a runaway car or saving someone from a fire, he’s using his abilities for forensic investigation. Though I have to appreciate Pete’s suggestion about using Clark’s X-ray vision to find his buried jar of quarters – practical friendship goals right there.

The Sheriff Who Stole Christmas

And then there’s Sheriff Ethan Miller. Talk about a twist that hits harder than a kryptonite-powered punch. After appearing in 14 episodes as a trusted authority figure and friend to the Kents, his reveal as the would-be killer lands with particular impact. It’s not just another corrupt cop story; it’s the betrayal of a man who wrote in Jonathan Kent’s yearbook, calling him “a great quarterback, a better friend.” The small-town intimacy of Smallville makes this betrayal particularly potent – these aren’t just law enforcement and citizens, they’re former high school buddies whose kids grew up together.

The revelation that Ethan was Lionel’s inside man for gathering dirt on LexCorp’s board members adds another layer to the story. His justification that “the Luthors are like a cancer destroying everything they touch” rings with tragic irony – in trying to fight what he saw as corruption, he became exactly what he despised. His breakdown when confronted by Clark is particularly poignant, asking “What have I done?” It’s a moment that reminds us that sometimes the most dangerous actions are taken by good people who convince themselves they’re serving a greater good.

Family Matters

The episode’s genius lies in how it weaves together its themes of family, loyalty, and betrayal. The Kents, as always, demonstrate their unshakeable family bond, with Clark and Martha never doubting Jonathan’s innocence for a second. Meanwhile, the Luthors show us their own twisted version of family loyalty – Lionel’s attempted murder becomes just another teaching moment in his ongoing effort to mold Lex into his image.

The final scene between Clark and Lex in the loft perfectly captures their complicated friendship at this point in the series. When Lex says, “You know that darkness you were talking about? I don’t think we’re born with it. I think people like my father find a way to bring it out,” it’s both a moment of vulnerability and foreshadowing. Clark’s wish that he could help Lex with his father speaks to the genuine friendship that still exists between them, even as viewers know the tragic irony of where their relationship will eventually lead.

Verdict

“Suspect” stands as one of Smallville’s more unique episodes, proving the show could step outside its supernatural comfort zone and deliver a compelling crime drama while still maintaining its core themes about family, trust, and morality. The Nietzsche quote that opens the episode proves prophetic – every major action taken by the characters, from Jonathan’s framing to Lionel’s business machinations to Ethan’s betrayal, was done out of some form of love: love of family, love of power, love of justice.

In the end, we’re left with a reminder that in Smallville, the most dangerous threats don’t always come from meteor-infected teenagers or mysterious conspiracies. Sometimes they come from the people we trust most, and the darkness that lives in ordinary human hearts. No kryptonite required.