Originally aired October 29, 2002
Written by Russel Friend & Garrett Lerner
Directed by Chris Long
When the Kent Farm faces financial problems and Martha turns to her estranged father, William Clark, for help, Clark tries to mend fences between Jonathan and William and establish a relationship with his grandfather. He also has to deal with Smallville High's new principal giving him a hard time as well as a classmate who's draining the youth of other students to sustain her own.
Tropes present in the episode:
- Calling the Old Man Out: Clark calls out William for not wanting to be involved with the Kents. He later learns that William did try to reconcile with Jonathan and Martha after they adopted Clark but due to their history of disagreements they kept their distance from him because they weren't sure William could be trusted with Clark's secret.Clark: [to William] I don't understand how a man who hasn't seen his family in twenty years can walk away.
- The City vs. the Country: William wasn't happy about Martha, who grew up in Metropolis, marrying Jonathan, whom he dismissed as "a hick farmer."Jonathan: When your mother and I decided to get married, I went to him to ask for her hand.Clark: What'd he say?Jonathan: I remember his exact words: "I will not let my daughter throw her life away by marrying some hick farmer who couldn't possibly support her."Clark: Well, that's harsh.Martha: He was a corporate lawyer. That's the way he dealt with people.Jonathan: When he realized we were serious about getting married, he lost it. He tried to shove me out of his office.Clark: What happened?Jonathan: I hit him. I'm not proud of that; I tried to apologize to him. He wouldn't have anything to do with it. Your grandfather and I haven't said a word to each other since.Clark: That was twenty years ago. He was willing to drive out here; maybe he wants to try again.Jonathan: Believe me, Clark, he's not here to help; he's here to gloat.
- Dean Bitterman: Principal Reynolds, who intiallt appears bent on making life miserable for Clark solely because he's friends with Lex (as it turns out, Reynolds used to be Headmaster of Excelsior Academy until Lionel had him fired). But at the same time, he wants his students to make something of themselves and wants Clark to reach his full potential.
- Expy: Principal Reynolds, an authority figure who has it out for The Hero for petty reasons. Now where have we seen that before?
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: William is extremely antagonistic towards Jonathan, but he treats Martha and Clark civilly, and later gives the Kents a cashier's check so they can pay their bills.
- Life Drinker: Chrissy drains the youth from others to maintain her own.
- Mythology Gag:
- In the teaser, Clark is seen wearing red swimming trunks.
- In Principal Reynolds' office, there is a 48-star flag on the wall. In The Adventures of Superman, the last shot in the opening had Superman standing in front of a 48-star flag, part of the "Truth, Justice, and the American Way."
- Obnoxious In-Laws: William Clark, Martha's father, despises Jonathan, and isn't at all shy to voice his contempt of his son-in-law. The feeling is definitely mutual on Jonathan's end.
- Really 700 Years Old: Chrissy's been alive since at least the 1900s.
- Ten Minutes in the Closet: On Lex's suggestion, Clark tricks Jonathan and William into meeting with one another on the farm so they can resolve their long-standing acrimony towards one another. Unfortunately, the two men just snipe bitterly at each other and end up parting ways unchanged.William: The problems we have are between us. Martha says you need help; I'm here to give it.Jonathan: So now you want to be part of this family?William: I don't want anything from you. I brought a check because I won't watch my daughter suffer.Jonathan: Couldn't resist turning that knife?Clark: Dad, give him a chance. You two can work this out.Jonathan: I don't think so, son. It's just like twenty years ago; the same argument and attitude.William: Not quite. It has been twenty years, but everything I predicted has come true. I knew Martha was making a big mistake when she married you.Clark: That's not true, Granddad.William: You'll have to swallow your pride to save this farm.Jonathan: I don't need a lecture on how to take care of my family.William: You're just as stubborn and pig-headed as you were the day we met.Jonathan: You get off my land.William: Gladly. [leaves]
- Villain of the Week: Chrissy Parker, a girl who drains the youth from others to sustain her own.
