Originally aired April 22, 2003
Written by Clint Carpenter
Directed by Thomas J Wright
Clark makes a bad first impression on Nancy Adams (Camille Mitchell), Smallville's new sheriff, when he defends Lana against a bunch of unruly college students, and he's forced to do community service. To add insult to injury, the Kents get hit with a massive lawsuit. Helen is being stalked by her ex-boyfriend Paul, and Lex's dark side comes out when she's brutally attacked by Paul.
Tropes present in the episode:
- Actor Allusion: Adams lays down the law for Clark after speaking with Jonathan and Martha, and tells him that the "good ol' boy" days are over.
- Big Damn Heroes: Twice.
- In the teaser, Clark arrives in time to tell Lana's attackers to back off.
- In the final act, Clark slams his shoulder into the train that Paul and Lex are on to prevent Paul from killing Lex with a fire ax.
- The Dog Bites Back: Lana gets her revenge on Andy using her new-found fighting skills.
- Domestic Abuser: Paul beat a former girlfriend, which is why Helen broke up with him in the first place.
- Former Teen Rebel: After Clark worries over whether he's beginning to fulfill what the spaceship said (that is, rule humans with strength), Jonathan mentions that he used to get into fights when he was a teenager.
- Frying Pan of Doom: Paul attacks Lex with one on the train.
- Hate Sink: No matter how polarizing Lana Lang is to the Smallville fanbase, her most vocal detractors would cheer her on when she gets her revenge on Andy.
- Jerkass: Andy and his boys are an unpleasant bunch, to say the least.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Sheriff Adams is rather gruff and brusque towards the Kents, but she's more polite to Lana, Pete, and Chloe.
- Morality Pet: In the final scene, Lex tells Helen that the thought of her is what pulled him back from the titular precipice when he was about to shoot Paul.Lex: I wanted to kill [Paul], Helen. I wanted to kill him for what he did to you. I probably could have gotten away with it in everyone's eyes, but one person would have known the truth.Helen: Clark.Lex: You. Clark didn't save me in that moment, Helen; you did.
- Mundanger: Paul Hayden isn't superhuman.
- Neither is Andy Connors.
- No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: Or as Pete says:Pete: Welcome to Smallville, where if you stop the crime, you do the time.
- Police Are Useless: Sheriff Nancy Adams seems more interested in lording her new by the books policing methods over Clark and Lex than worrying about Andy and Paul, two actually violent criminals. And while she does eventually take Paul seriously it's only after he brutalizes Helen and is nearly too late to catch him before he runs out of town
- Roaring Rampage of Revenge: After Helen is attacked by Paul and left critically injured, Lex sets out to find Paul and comes very close to killing him.
- Stalker with a Crush: Paul, to Helen.
- Suddenly Shouting: Paul does this while cornering Helen in the pathology lab.Paul: No, we can't go and HAVE COFFEE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
- Took a Level in Badass: After Andy's attack against her, Lana takes martial arts lessons with Lex, and uses her new skills to get Andy to admit he's faking his injuries.
- Villain of the Week: Paul Hayden, Helen's crazy ex-boyfriend.
- And Andy, who makes unwanted advances towards Lana and slaps the Kents with a lawsuit for fake injuries.
- Would Hit a Girl:
- Andy Connors, who violently pushes Lana into a shelf while making unwelcome advances towards her.
- Also, Paul, who hit his previous girlfriend and later brutally attacks Helen.
- Wounded Gazelle Gambit:
- Paul smashes his own head into a mirror and later tells Helen that Lex is the one responsible for injuring him.
- Andy fakes having an injury to his neck and leg to sue the Kents for damages. Lana, in the end, gets him to admit the truth.
