Originally aired February 18, 2003
Written by Matthew Okumura
Directed by Bill Gereghty
When Martha and later Clark are exposed to Kryptonite-irradiated spores and become gravely ill, it falls to Jonathan to find a way to save his family.
Tropes present in the episode:
- Big Damn Heroes: When Jonathan is caught by a guard just after recovering the spaceship key, Clark pops up behind the guard and knocks him out.
- Find the Cure!: When Martha and then Clark become sick, Jonathan reasons that Clark's spaceship can cure them.
- I Can Still Fight!: A sick Clark insists on helping Jonathan retrieve the spaceship key from the DCA's base in Smallville, but Jonathan tells him to go back to bed. Clark later shows up in time to prevent Jonathan from being arrested by a guard.
- Love Confession: Chloe reads a sick and unconscious Clark a Love Letter she wrote to him. Sadly, Clark asks for Lana, causing Chloe to leave.Chloe: So in yet another classic maneuver to avoid emotional intimacy, I wrote my feelings down so that I could read them to you, thereby avoiding embarrassing eye contact. [takes out letter and reads] "I want to let you in on a secret. I'm not who you think I am. In fact, my disguise is so thin, I'm surprised you haven't seen right through me. I'm the girl of your dreams masquerading as your best friend. Sometimes I wanna rip off this facade like I did at the Spring Formal, but I can't, because you'll get scared and you'll run away again. So I decided that it's better to live with the lie than expose my true feelings." This is so much easier when you're unconscious. "My dad told me there are two types of girls: the ones you grow out of and the ones you grow into. I really hope I'm the latter. I may not be the one you love today, but I'll let you go for now, hoping one day you'll fly back to me. Because I think you're worth the wait." [Clark stirs] Clark?Clark: [semi-conscious] Lana?[Chloe leaves in tears]
- No Antagonist: One of the few Smallville episodes to not feature any physical antagonist.
- Plot Device: Two of them—the octagonal key and Clark's spaceship.
- Secret-Keeper: Helen becomes privy to Clark's secret after being called in by Jonathan to treat an ill Clark.
- Wham Line: The doctor delivers one to Jonathan regarding Martha's health.Dr: For Martha and the health of her baby.
