Originally aired January 15, 2002
Written by Mark Verheiden
Directed by David Carson
While visiting Metropolis, Clark prevents a bus from crashing into a homeless man; unfortunately, his act of heroism is witnessed by Sam Phelan, a corrupt detective who blackmails Clark into helping him. Lex reunites with Victoria Hardwick, a former flame who presents an intriguing proposition. Chloe is fired from her post as editor-in-chief of The Torch for using it as a soundboard for conspiracy theories.
Tropes present in the episode:
- Antagonist Title: Phelan is a "rogue" cop.
- Blackmail: Phelan threatens to expose Clark's secret if he doesn't do what he wants.
- Dirty Cop: Phelan is first seen roughing up an informant, and he then schemes to use Clark's powers to get out of an Internal Affairs investigation. Clark even invokes this trope while talking with Lex about Phelan.Lex: Clark, you really don't want Sam Phelan in your life.Clark: You know him.Lex: Unfortunately. I had my share of legal problems while I was in Metropolis.Clark: Serious?Lex: Expensive. Phelan was the kind of officer my father felt we could turn to for help.Clark: He's a dirty cop.Lex: He'll do whatever it takes to get the job done—plant evidence, falsify reports; anything is fair game. And if he's got something on you, Clark, he'll use it.
- Dying Curse: Phelan, to Lex, when the latter questions him about Clark as he lays dying:Phelan: Go to Hell, Luthor.
- Five-Second Foreshadowing: Subverted. Phelan puts Clark in his sights and sneers "you're not bulletproof". Of course, the audience knows he IS in fact bulletproof, and naturally expects that Phelan is about to discover he's wrong. However, because Clark doesn't know he's bulletproof, he instead dodges out of the way at Super-Speed, leaving the bulletproof question for another time.
- Frame-Up: In retaliation against Clark for trying to set him up, Phelan frames Jonathan for the murder of his informant.
- Jerkass: Simply put, Phelan is one nasty piece of work.
- Karmic Death: Phelan finally gets what's coming to him when he is shot by museum security.
- Meaningful Name: The name "Phelan" comes from the Irish word for wolf. In Sam Phelan's case, he's a Wolf in Sheep's Clothing.
- Mundanger: After eight episodes of Kryptonite-infected humans, Clark deals with Sam Phelan, a Dirty Cop who blackmails him into helping him avoid an Internal Affairs investigation.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Clark attempts to turn the tables on Phelan by ripping the safe containing confidential files out of an apartment, dropping it onto Phelan's car, and leaving Phelan alone to face the coming police. It doesn't work, as Phelan somehow avoids jail time and frames Jonathan for murder.
- Out-Gambitted: Phelan seems to constantly have the edge over Clark with his Crazy-Prepared plans and being able to talk his way out of any situation Clark tries putting him in to get him off his back. But, when he forces Clark to help him steal a ten million dollar jewel-encrusted breastplate of Alexander the Great, Clark turns the tables on him for good by grabbing the bag with the breastplate after Phelan puts it in and throws it outside to the police. The breastplate only has Phelan's fingerprints on it, so he won't be able to talk his way out of that one.
- Papa Wolf: After Phelan announces his intentions to reveal Clark's secret if he doesn't comply with his wishes, Jonathan grabs Phelan and slams him down onto the table in the middle of the Beanery. Then Phelan threatened Jonathan to watch his temper.Jonathan: Don't you push me!
- Smug Snake: Phelan, best exemplified when he whistles after observing a generator fall on Clark.
- Suddenly Shouting: Phelan, while confronting Clark after Clark attempts to turn the tables on him.Phelan: That's what you get for trying to be a hero, Clark. You're a pretty smart boy, but you forget I've been doing this a long time. [...] Did you really think that you could double-cross me? Clark, my job is about scenarios. You never enter a crack house with one plan; you go in with ten. That's how you survive. The truth is, kid... YOU! DIDN'T LEAVE ME WITH A LOT OF OPTIONS!
- Villain of the Week: Sam Phelan, a Dirty Cop who blackmails Clark into helping him.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Jonathan admonishes Clark for going with Phelan and lying about it.
