Originally aired November 12, 2002
Written by Philip Levens
Directed by Terrence O'Hara
When Clark learns that his telepathic friend Ryan is being held captive at the Summerholt Neurological Institute, he breaks Ryan out of the facility and later learns that Ryan is dying of a brain tumor. Lex contends with Smallville's mayor, who demands a bribe from him. Lana considers her options after Nell tells her she's moving to Metropolis.
Tropes present in the episode:
- Back for the Dead: Ryan returns in this episode, only to die of a brain tumor by the end.
- Downer Ending: Ryan dies despite Clark's best efforts to save him, and the episode ends with Clark looking at Ryan's empty hospital bed, collecting his Warrior Angel comics, and standing alone in the hallway.
- Dr. Jerk: Dr. Garner, who forces Ryan to press on despite the fact that the kid has a headache.
- Foreshadowing: Ryan talks with Lex about Warrior Angel and Devilicus, who used to be friends until Devilicus proposed they rule together and Warrior Angel refused. Sounds familiar...Ryan: Weren't [Warrior Angel and Devilicus] best friends?Lex: Once upon a time.Ryan: What happened to them?Lex: Well, they ruled the Guardian Realm together until Devilicus told Warrior Angel that they should join forces and conquer humanity. Together, no one would be able to stop them.Ryan: What did Warrior Angel say?Lex: He refused. He believed it was a hero's sacred duty to protect those weaker than himself. Devilicus thought he was naive and vowed to destroy him and everything he stood for.Ryan: Why do you think Devilicus went bad?Lex: I'm not sure. Probably wasn't aware of it. You see, Ryan, in life, the road to darkness is a journey, not a light switch.Ryan: You should remember that, Lex.
- Leeroy Jenkins: Clark's at it again when he breaks Ryan out of Summerholt and ends up bringing Dr. Garner's wrath down on him and his parents (fortunately, Lex comes to the rescue by helping give the Kents temporary custody of Ryan while Summerholt is investigated for its questionable practices).
- Mundanger: Dr. Garner has no superhuman powers.
- Papa Wolf: Jonathan extends this trait to Ryan when Dr. Garner arrives to re-claim Ryan, stepping in front of the boy when the not-so-good doctor moves toward him.
- Start of Darkness: Discussed between Lex and Ryan. Lex explains to Ryan that Devillicus probably turned evil without even realizing it, and that in life you don't just decide whether to be good or bad, there is a journey to darkness. Ryan tells Lex he should keep that in mind.
- What Happened to the Mouse?: Dr. Garner disappears halfway through the episode, although he reappears in two episodes of Season 3.
