Originally aired November 3, 2005
Written by Brian Peterson & Kelly Souders
Directed by Jeannot Szwarc
Clark and Jonathan are thrilled when Jack Jennings, an old friend of Jonathan's, visits, seeking their support for his re-election campaign for the Kansas Senate against none other than Lex Luthor. Trouble brews when Jack is revealed to have been having an affair with a young woman who was recently murdered, and Clark, Chloe, and Lois all go undercover at a gentlemen's club to find out the truth.
Tropes present in the episode:
- Alliterative Name: Jack Jennings.
- Always Someone Better: Jack decides to step down from running for re-election and suggests that Jonathan, whom he considers a more honest man than himself, run in his stead.Jonathan: Jack, if you're pulling out of this race because your old buddy can't seem to climb off of his pulpit, that's not what I wanted. All I really ask is that you be honest.Jack: I'm pulling out of the race because I'm no longer the best man for the job.Jonathan: Are you sure? If you wanna hang in there and fight, I'll be behind you one-hundred percent.Jack: I know. But all those things you said about me being loyal and trustworthy and willing to take on the Luthors of the world—I might have been that man once, but I have to step aside when I see somebody who still embodies all those qualities.Jonathan: Jack, you can't seriously be talking about Lex Luthor.Jack: I'm talking about you, Jon. Kansas could use a senator like you. You should think about it.
- Broken Pedestal: Jack becomes one to Jonathan and Clark when the truth about his affair comes to light.
- Diplomatic Impunity: Played with. On the one hand, Clark, Lois, and Chloe have to let go of Mr. Lyon, who was buying girls as slaves. However, the immunity didn't help this bastard once Interpol got wind of him keeping these slaves in his own country.
- Fanservice: Lois stripping at the Windgate Club and wearing a bikini.
- Honorary Uncle: Jack, to Clark.Clark: Senator Jennings.Jack: I know it's been a long time, but what happened to "Uncle Jack"?
- Mythology Gag: Clark saves Lois from a helicopter that got "snagged on a cable." Where have we seen that before?
- I Want You to Meet an Old Friend of Mine: Tom Wopat (Jack Jennings) and John Schneider (Jonathan), of course, starred together on The Dukes of Hazzard.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Jonathan gives this kind of speech to Jack after it comes out he was having an affair with an exotic dancer.Jonathan: When were you gonna tell me about the girl, Jack?Jack: You think I had something to do with what happened?Jonathan: I have no idea. But I do think it's time you gave me some straight answers.Jack: Look, I didn't want you to be involved. There's only so much you should ask of a friend.Jonathan: So instead you lie to my face.Jack: Well, what do you want me to say? That my marriage is more of a business arrangement? And the only person who makes me happy is some dancer half my age? How much of it do you understand?Jonathan: I might not understand any of it, but come on, all of our lives have taken turns that we didn't expect.Jack: You've never had a lie get out of hand? Or you've never been caught at it?Jonathan: I've never been in a position where people look up to me. You are Clark's hero.Jack: Oh, so I'm not supposed to have any faults, huh? Who can live up to that? You know why there's no heroes today? Because at the end of the day, people don't respect them; they envy them. They're waiting for them to screw up.
