Originally aired May 13, 2003
Written by Kenneth Biller
Directed by Terrence O'Hara
Dr. Walden wakes from his coma and tells Lex and Lionel that Clark is an alien and must be destroyed for the good of humanity. Clark's relationship with Lana takes a promising turn, and he begins hearing a strange voice say "The day is coming."
Tropes present in the episode:
- Adoption Angst: Clark shows some angst at the concept of celebrating his birthday, seeing it as an arbitrary date that his parents picked off the calendar for the adoption papers.
- Anti-Villain: Dr. Walden is a Type III. After waking from his coma, Dr. Walden, convinced that Clark is a threat to humanity, sets out to kill him.
- Bookends: The episode begins and ends with Lana and Clark kissing each other.
- Cliffhanger: The episode ends with Clark hearing Jor-El announce "Kal-El, it is time," seeing the lights from his ship, and venturing down into the storm cellar to investigate.
- Early-Bird Cameo: The voice that Clark hears throughout the episode? It turns out to be Jor-El.
- The Glasses Come Off: Sort of. In his previous appearances, Dr. Walden wore glasses, but after emerging from his coma, he doesn't put them back on.
- Hand Blast: Dr. Walden comes out of his coma with the ability to emit energy from his hands.
- Hoist by His Own Petard: Dr. Walden is burned to death by an explosion he caused with his Hand Blast. Jonathan even remarks that Sheriff Adams agreed Walden was responsible for his own death.
- "No Peeking!" Request: Lana tells Clark not to peek when she surprises him with a birthday cake for his birthday
- Special Guest: The end credits list Terence Stamp as the voice of Jor-El.
- Villain of the Week: Dr. Walden, who tries to kill Clark in order to save humankind.
