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!

Smallville‘s “Visitor,” the 39th episode of the series, asks a fascinating question: What if Clark Kent met another alien? Written by Philip Levens and directed by Rick Rosenthal, this episode deftly explores themes of isolation and belonging while advancing several crucial season-long arcs. It’s a testament to the show’s ability to blend classic Superman mythology with teen drama, all while maintaining the delicate balance of Clark’s secret.

The New Kid in Town

Enter Cyrus Krupp, played with compelling vulnerability by Jer Adrianne Lelliott. He’s the new transfer student who claims to be an alien and, unlike most people making such claims, actually seems to have the powers to back it up. Heat vision? Check. Healing abilities? Double check. A detailed story about arriving during the meteor shower? Triple check. For Clark Kent, who’s spent his entire life believing he’s alone in the universe, this is essentially finding a needle in a haystack – if the needle also happened to be from your home planet.

Lelliott brings a perfect mix of otherworldly detachment and desperate need for connection to Cyrus. There’s something both endearing and unsettling about his performance, making us wonder right alongside Clark whether this kid is the real deal or just really good at his alien cosplay.

The Superman of It All

What makes “Visitor” particularly interesting in the broader Superman mythology is how it plays with our expectations. Usually, when Superman meets another supposed Kryptonian, it’s either a trap, a villain, or both (looking at you, Zod). But Cyrus isn’t trying to take over the world or steal Clark’s powers – he just wants to go home. It’s E.T. meets Superman, with a dash of mental health commentary thrown in for good measure.

The episode cleverly uses this premise to explore Clark’s own relationship with his alien heritage. When Cyrus offers Clark the chance to join him in returning “home,” Clark’s immediate rejection speaks volumes. “Everything I care about is on Earth,” he says, in what might be one of the most Superman-esque moments of the season. It’s a beautiful articulation of what makes Superman Superman – not his powers or his origin, but his choice to embrace humanity.

The Lex Files

Meanwhile, in the B-plot that’s definitely not going to have any major repercussions (wink, wink), we get to see Lex’s obsession room for the first time. And what a room it is! Part stalker shrine, part conspiracy theorist’s basement, it’s filled with everything from meteor rocks to cave drawings to that crashed Porsche that started it all. When Helen discovers this room, it forces Lex to come clean about his Clark investigation, marking a significant moment in both their relationship and the larger series arc.

Michael Rosenbaum continues to excel at showing us the war between Lex’s genuine desire to trust and love versus his pathological need to understand and control. His scene with Helen in the obsession room is particularly noteworthy – you can see him trying to justify his actions even as he realizes how they appear to an outsider.

The Subplots Thicken

The episode juggles several other ongoing storylines with varying degrees of success. Martha’s secret doctor visits to Helen add another layer of tension to the Kent family dynamic, while Lana’s subplot about Whitney’s horse provides some much-needed grounding in normal teen problems. Because apparently, even in a show about an alien teenager, someone still needs to worry about stable fees.

Themes and Symbolism

“Visitor” is heavy on themes of isolation, truth, and sacrifice. Cyrus’s willingness to give up his one chance at “going home” to save a bully who tormented him is particularly poignant. It’s a moment that validates Clark’s faith in humanity while also serving as a tragic reminder of the cost of heroism.

The episode also continues Smallville‘s exploration of mental health and perception – is Cyrus really an alien, or is he a troubled young man who’s created an elaborate coping mechanism? The show cleverly keeps us guessing until the end, using our knowledge of Clark’s true nature to make us question our own assumptions about Cyrus.

Technical Aspects

Director Rick Rosenthal handles the episode’s various elements with a steady hand, particularly in the climactic tower scene. The special effects, while dated by today’s standards, serve the story rather than overwhelm it. The healing effects, in particular, create a nice visual distinction from Clark’s more physical powers.

Looking Ahead (Spoiler Territory)

In retrospect, this episode sets up several important developments for the series. Cyrus’s healing abilities foreshadow Chloe’s eventual meteor power, while Lex’s obsession room represents a point of no return in his relationship with Clark. The revelation that Clark isn’t the last survivor of Krypton (despite Dr. Swann’s claims) will also prove prophetic, though not in the way anyone might have expected at this point.

The Verdict

“Visitor” is Smallville at its best – using the Superman mythology to tell a deeply human story about belonging, belief, and sacrifice. While some elements feel dated (the effects, some of the music choices, that red jacket/blue shirt combination that Clark apparently bought in bulk), the core emotional story remains powerful.

The episode’s greatest strength lies in how it uses Cyrus’s story to illuminate Clark’s character. By the end, we understand more about why Clark chooses to stay on Earth, not through exposition, but through seeing the impact he has on others. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most alien thing about Clark Kent is how fundamentally human he chooses to be.

Episode Highlights:

• Jer Adrianne Lelliott’s nuanced performance as Cyrus
• The reveal of Lex’s obsession room
• Clark’s choice to stay on Earth
• The healing powers special effects
• That perfectly timed Kansas State Police helicopter fake-out

Nitpicks and Questions:

• How did Cyrus get Dr. Swann’s exact coordinates for Krypton?
• Why doesn’t anyone question how Clark knew where to find Cyrus’s tower?
• The magnesium powder explanation for the heat vision feels a bit rushed

Despite these minor quibbles, “Visitor” stands as one of Season 2’s stronger entries, balancing character development, mythology building, and genuine emotional resonance. It’s a reminder of why Smallville worked so well when it was firing on all cylinders – it never lost sight of the human heart beating beneath all the superhuman elements.