Recap / Smallville S 06 E 01 Zod

Originally aired September 28, 2006

Written by Steven S De Knight

Directed by James Marshall

Imprisoned in the Phantom Zone by Zod, Clark finds himself powerless and at the mercy of various alien criminals who were sent away by Jor-El. Back on Earth, Zod begins his plan to re-create Krypton. Chloe runs into an old flame: Jimmy Olsen.

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Tropes present in the episode:

• The Ageless: Raya explains to Clark that time has no meaning in the Phantom Zone, meaning anyone sent there doesn't age.
• Antagonist Title: Zod is the titular antagonist of this episode.
• Badass Bookworm: Raya, Jor-El's lab assistant who holds her own pretty well in the Phantom Zone.
• Big "NO!": Zod lets one out after Clark destroys the black box with heat vision and another not long after that after Clark tricks him into taking hold of the Crystal of El which separates his spirit from Lex and sends him back to the Phantom Zone.
• Blood Magic: Another non-magical example. The Phantom Zone has an escape portal that can only be activated by a member of the House of El, so Clark is able to use his blood to activate the portal and escape the Phantom Zone (unfortunately, he doesn't escape alone).
• Calling the Old Man Out: After Jor-El informs her that Clark has been banished by Zod and that he can't do anything about it, Martha rails against Jor-El for his mind games.
  Martha: What happened to my son, Jor-El?!
  Jor-El: Banished forever by Zod.
  Martha: No. Bring him back. You have to bring him back!
  Jor-El: Not within my power. His destiny is now his own.
  Martha: I-I have lost my husband, and now my son, because of you and your games!
• Curb-Stomp Battle: Zod easily beats Clark during their final battle.
• Friendly Enemy: When Lois is recovering in the hospital bed, Clark tells her that he's really happy that she made it. She responds in kind, until both of them realize it.
• Honey Trap: Lana tries this on Zod in order to get close enough to use the Fortress dagger on him. It fails.
• Impaled Palm: After Lana unsuccessfully tries to attack him with a fire poker, Zod overpowers her and impales her hand to the wall with the fire poker. Ouch.
• In the Hood: Raya is first introduced wearing a cloak.
• I Surrender, Suckers: Clark kneels before Zod and takes his hand as a sign of loyalty...only to reveal he had palmed the Crystal of El that sends Zod's spirit back to the Phantom Zone.
• Kneel Before Zod: Zod issues his famous Catchphrase after he bests Clark in their climactic fight. It backfires epically on him.
• Light 'em Up: The Crystal of El emits a burst of light that repels Phantom wraiths.
• Like Father, Like Son:
  • When Clark insists on returning to Earth to face Zod despite the fact he could very well die at Zod's hands, Raya remarks he's truly Jor-El's son.
    Raya: Zod is a soldier. He will kill you.
    Clark: If there was a way for you to save everyone you loved, wouldn't you risk dying?
    Raya: You truly are your father's son.
  • While beating the shit out of Clark during their fight, Zod contemptuously compares Clark to Jor-El.
    Zod: Did you think you could win, Kal-El? You're an idealistic fool, just like your father!
• Mars Needs Women: Zod takes Lana captive and later announces his intentions to use her to sire an heir for his new Kryptonian empire. He seems to have forgotten all about his wife, Faora, who's still trapped in the Phantom Zone (and doesn't appear at all in this episode).
• The Other Darrin: Aethyr is portrayed by a different actress in this episode, since her original actress, Alana de la Garza, was starring on Law & Order at the time of this episode's initial broadcast.
• Pet the Dog: Jor-El thanks Martha for raising Clark/Kal-El, and teleports her and an injured, unconscious Lois back to Smallville.
  Jor-El: [to Martha] Everything you have done for Kal-El, you have my deepest gratitude. I could not have wished for a brighter light to guide my son. Farewell, Martha Kent.
• Plot Device: The Crystal of El, which Raya uses to repel Phantom wraiths. Later, Clark uses it to remove Zod's spirit from Lex.
• Power Crystal: The Crystal of El.
• Protective Charm: The Crystal of El has the power to repel Phantom Zone spirits by emitting a burst of light. Raya even remarks that Jor-El (who gave her the crystal years ago) is still watching over her.
  Raya: [to Clark, about the Crystal of El] This is all I have left of your father. Every day, he still saves my life.
• Quit Your Whining: Pretty much sums up Jor-El's response to Martha yelling at him for his Superdickery.
  Jor-El: [to Martha] We have both lost much, Martha Kent, but you must put aside your anguish if you hope to save your world. Kal-El's mission must be completed.
• Revenge: Clark and Raya run into Nam-Ek (from "Arrival"), who wants vengeance on Kal-El for his imprisonment.
• Slashed Throat: Raya slits Nam-Ek's throat with a dagger.
• Sealed Evil in a Can: The Phantom Zone prisoners, some of whom manage to escape along with Clark and Raya.
• Sealed Good in a Can: Clark and Raya, until Clark activates the escape portal.
• Would Hit a Girl: Zod has no qualms about running a fire poker through Lana's hand or throwing her across the room.
• You Look Familiar: Pascale Hutton (Raya) previously played Karen Gallagher, Evan's mother, in Season 4's "Ageless."

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