Originally aired October 2, 2008
Written by Caroline Dries
Directed by Mairzee Almas
Oliver collapses at a fundraiser and reveals that he only has hours to live, so Clark and Chloe race against the clock to find a cure. Flashbacks show how Oliver first learned how to use a bow and arrow while stranded on a deserted island, and his first meeting with Tess.
Tropes present in the episode:
- Best Served Cold: Marcos waited for years to take revenge on Oliver and Tess. At the end, Tess does this to him, poisoning him again and leaving him to die slowly.
- Chekhov's Gunman:
- In the flashbacks, Tess is revealed to be one the whole time.
- The girl who arrived with Oliver is victim to the same poison, and according to the flashbacks, the standard medical procedure will inadvertently kill a victim instead. Which happens to the girl in the present.
- Fever Dream Episode: Oliver flashback is show through one.
- Find the Cure!: What Clark and Chloe set out to do after Oliver collapses.
- Flashbacks: Oliver's time on a deserted island and his first meeting with Tess are shown this way.
- Hideous Hangover Cure: Lois can recite one off the top of her head for some reason."I need a sports drink, as much vitamin B as you can get your hands on, and one dill pickle."
- Hoist by His Own Petard: Tess poisons Marcos with the same poison he uses.
- Mundanger: Marcos possesses no special powers.
- New Old Flame: Tess and Oliver are revealed to be this.
- Off Screen Moment Of Awesome: Tess explains that a Luthor Corp facility in Brazil is the only place that can create the antidote. However, given the distance involved and Oliver being in grave condition, there's nothing she can do. Clark, of course, is less pessimistic and appears at Oliver's sickbed shortly afterward with the antidote, having super-speeded to Brazil to get it.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: What Oliver's What the Hell, Hero? talk to Clark becomes over the last few sentences.
- Ruthless Modern Pirates: Marcos and his gang.
- Scary Black Man: Marcos, Tess's captor.
- Tragic Keepsake: Tess wears her friend Megan's bracelet in honor of her.
- Used to Be a Sweet Kid: Tess, as shown in the flashbacks.
- Villain of the Week: Marcos.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Oliver calls Clark out on withholding the knowledge that Lionel had his parents murdered.Oliver: Did you know about this? You were the son Lionel never had. The guy knew everything about you, right? So don't stand there and tell me that you didn't know a couple of his dirty little secrets.Clark: Look, Oliver, I was afraid that you'd do something you'd regret.Oliver: "Something I regret." Like what, Clark? You thought I was gonna kill him? Is that it? I wouldn't have killed him! I survived for two years on an island by myself, Clark! When it wasn't pouring rain, it was blistering sun! There were mosquitoes that ate me alive! It's okay, because you know what? It made me strong. You may be invincible, but you are not fearless, are you? You're afraid to trust your friends, and you're afraid to face who you were really meant to be. You're afraid of everything. Maybe you haven't been put to the test yet. Maybe your island's still out there, Clark.
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You Look Familiar: Ron Selmour (Marcos) previously played an orderly at Belle Reve in Season 3's "Asylum."
