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 is time, Kal-El. Come to me.”

These ominous words set the stage for “Exodus,” the Season 2 finale of Smallville that aired on May 20, 2003. As episode 44 in the series, “Exodus” marks a pivotal turning point in Clark Kent’s journey, one that challenges everything he believes about his identity, his future, and his relationships. The episode title itself is fitting—referencing a biblical departure that mirrors Clark’s own impending journey away from everything familiar.

The Ship Has Sailed (Literally)

Let’s dive right into the plot. “Exodus” opens with Clark entering the storm cellar where his spaceship has decided to get chatty. The vessel transforms and announces it contains the memories and will of Jor-El, Clark’s biological father from Krypton. The message is clear and unwelcome: Clark must leave behind his life in Smallville by sunset to “fulfill his destiny.” When Clark expresses reluctance (as our farm boy hero is wont to do), the ship ominously declares, “You have no choice.”

Talk about helicopter parenting from beyond the stars.

The next morning, Clark confides in his parents about Jor-El’s ultimatum. Jonathan and Martha, consistently the moral anchors of the show, assure him that his future remains his choice. Meanwhile, at the Luthor mansion, Lex is facing his own crisis after confessing to Helen that he ransacked her office to steal Clark’s blood sample. Lex’s puppy-dog eyes and declarations of love are met with what appears to be Helen’s stone-cold indifference. Not a great start to wedding week, Lex.

The Tangled Web of Relationships

“Exodus” excels in its portrayal of the complex relationships that define the series. Clark and Lana are finally together, sitting arm-in-arm in that picturesque meadow with horses that screams “teenage dream.” Clark asks Lana to be his official date to Lex’s wedding, but there’s a catch—they need to tell Chloe about their relationship status.

And herein lies one of the episode’s most heartbreaking moments. Chloe, having witnessed Clark and Lana kissing, confronts Clark at the farm. Her dialogue is gut-wrenching: “News flash! You’ve always been in love with Lana. I tried to deny it, thinking that maybe we could work something out, but…It’s like fate, Clark. Inevitable, but always surprising when it actually happens.”

Allison Mack delivers these lines with such raw hurt that even I can’t help but feel for Chloe. And I can’t stand the girl! Clark, distracted by his impending alien deadline, barely puts effort into the conversation, adding insult to injury. It’s this emotional devastation that drives Chloe straight into the manipulative arms of Lionel Luthor, accepting his offer to investigate Clark in exchange for a column—a decision that will have far-reaching consequences.

When Fathers Know Best (Or Worst)

The father-son dynamics in “Exodus” are fascinating, particularly with how they contrast each other. On one hand, we have Jonathan Kent, who tells Clark, “You choose your own destiny. Nobody can decide that for you, son.” On the other hand, there’s Jor-El, whose disembodied voice commands, “You will obey me, Kal-El.”

This conflict represents the classic Superman dilemma: the pull between his Kryptonian heritage and his human upbringing. It’s worth noting that much of Jor-El’s dialogue was lifted from the 1978 Superman: The Movie, connecting Smallville to the broader Superman mythology while putting its own twist on the relationship. In traditional Superman lore, Jor-El is typically portrayed as wise and benevolent, making this controlling, almost threatening version all the more intriguing.

Meanwhile, the Luthor father-son relationship continues its toxic dance. Lionel’s presence at the Kawatche Caves, combined with his kryptonite key experiment, represents another paternal figure attempting to control events. When Pete Ross confronts Lionel about stealing his family’s factory, Lionel’s response is chilling: “I value their hatred. I find it very useful.” John Glover delivers this line with such delicious villainy that you can’t help but enjoy his wickedness.

The Turning Point

The episode’s climax revolves around Clark’s desperate decision to destroy his ship using Lionel’s kryptonite key. It’s a moment of rebellion against Jor-El’s demands, but one with catastrophic consequences. The resulting explosion creates an electromagnetic pulse that overturns Jonathan and Martha’s truck, ultimately causing Martha to lose her baby.

This moment marks a profound shift in Clark’s journey. The guilt of his actions—and their terrible consequences—becomes the catalyst for his departure from Smallville. When Jonathan looks at Clark with disappointment after learning what he did, Tom Welling perfectly captures the devastation of a son who has lost his father’s approval. Clark’s claim to Lana, “The Clark Kent you know is a lie,” and his statement to Pete, “You should have seen the way he looked at me! Like I was some sort of alien,” underscore his growing identity crisis.

In a final act of desperation, Clark retrieves Chloe’s red kryptonite class ring—knowing it will strip him of his inhibitions and guilt. When Lana tearfully professes her love and begs him to stay, Clark (now transformed into his alter ego Kal) replies coldly, “I love you too. More than you’ll ever know, and that’s why I have to leave.” He dons the ring, mounts Jonathan’s motorcycle, and rides away from Smallville as Jor-El’s voice echoes, “You will obey me, Kal-El.”

Lex and the Crashing Plane

While Clark’s story forms the emotional core of “Exodus,” Lex’s subplot provides its share of drama. After Helen forgives him (despite his betrayal), they proceed with their wedding. The ceremony goes ahead without Clark as best man, but Lex’s honeymoon flight takes a sinister turn when he awakens to find the plane empty and plummeting toward the ocean.

This cliffhanger leaves viewers with questions: Did Helen orchestrate this? Was it Lionel’s doing? Or perhaps some other enemy? The sudden peril facing Lex parallels Clark’s own journey into the unknown, with both characters leaving Smallville under dramatic circumstances—one by choice, one presumably not.

The Superman Connection

“Exodus” serves as a pivotal chapter in Clark’s evolution toward becoming Superman. The episode introduces several elements familiar to Superman lore:

1. The more active role of Jor-El in Clark’s life, voiced by the legendary Terence Stamp (who, in a nice bit of Superman circular casting, played General Zod in Superman II)
2. The mark of the House of El burned onto Clark’s chest, foreshadowing the iconic “S” symbol
3. Clark’s struggle between his human connections and his Kryptonian destiny
4. The first emergence of his Kal persona, which becomes a significant alter ego

The episode also subverts expectations by portraying Jor-El not as the wise, benevolent father from the films and comics, but as a controlling force demanding Clark fulfill a potentially dark destiny to “rule” Earth. This twist creates tension between Clark’s human upbringing and his alien heritage—a conflict central to Superman’s character throughout the decades.

The Emotional Impact

What makes “Exodus” such a compelling finale is its emotional resonance. The episode dismantles nearly every relationship Clark holds dear:

• His bond with Jonathan is damaged after Martha loses the baby
• His romance with Lana ends with his cold departure
• His friendship with Chloe is shattered by his inattention and her hurt
• His role as Lex’s best man is abandoned
• Even his connection to his ship—his last tangible link to Krypton—is destroyed

By the end of “Exodus,” Clark is truly alone, having pushed away or hurt everyone who matters to him. It’s this emotional isolation that makes his decision to flee Smallville so powerful. The red kryptonite doesn’t make him leave—it simply removes his hesitation to do what he already feels is necessary.

Visual Storytelling

The episode employs powerful visual moments to underscore its themes:

• The glowing Kryptonian symbol burned into Clark’s chest, marking him as alien
• The massive explosion of the ship, symbolizing Clark’s rejection of his heritage
• The electromagnetic pulse radiating outward, visually representing how Clark’s decision affects everyone around him
• Clark’s transformation after putting on the red kryptonite ring, with Tom Welling subtly shifting his posture and expression to convey Kal’s emergence
• The final shot of Clark riding away on the motorcycle, a visual metaphor for his journey away from innocence

Legacy of “Exodus”

As a season finale, “Exodus” masterfully sets up the storylines for Season 3 while concluding the major arcs of Season 2. The episode leaves multiple cliffhangers:

• Clark/Kal’s departure from Smallville
• Lex’s plummeting plane
• Chloe’s deal with Lionel
• Martha’s recovery from losing the baby
• The fallout from the ship’s destruction

Without spoiling future developments, it’s safe to say that the repercussions of “Exodus” echo throughout the series, particularly in how it permanently alters Clark’s understanding of his Kryptonian heritage and his relationship with Jor-El.

Final Thoughts

“Exodus” stands as one of Smallville‘s most consequential episodes, marking the end of Clark’s relatively innocent high school years and the beginning of his more complex journey toward becoming Superman. The episode’s strengths lie in its emotional impact, its advancement of multiple character arcs, and its willingness to take risks with beloved relationships.

If there’s a central theme to “Exodus,” it’s that running from destiny only hastens its arrival. Clark attempts to destroy his connection to Jor-El, only to end up fulfilling his father’s command to leave Smallville. Lex tries to escape his Luthor nature by marrying Helen, only to find himself in peril potentially caused by his inability to trust. And Chloe, trying to move past her feelings for Clark, makes a decision that will draw her deeper into his orbit.

As the credits roll on Season 2, viewers are left with a profound sense that nothing in Smallville will ever be the same again. The boy who just wanted to play football and take Lana to the prom is gone, replaced by someone caught between two worlds—neither fully human nor fully Kryptonian. It’s this identity crisis that forms the heart of the Superman mythology, making “Exodus” not just a great episode of Smallville, but a crucial chapter in the enduring story of Clark Kent’s journey to becoming the Man of Steel.

As Jor-El ominously intones in the final moments: “You will obey me, Kal-El.” But as viewers familiar with the Superman story know, Clark’s ultimate destiny isn’t obedience to Jor-El, but finding his own path between his two worlds—a journey that “Exodus” sets in motion with dramatic flair.