Originally aired April 17, 2008
Written by Holly Henderson & Don Whitehead
Directed by Ken Horton
Lex confronts Lionel about the Veritas Society and demands to know the true identity of the Traveler; when Lionel refuses to divulge what he knows, Lex murders him.
Tropes present in the episode:
- Character Death: Lionel Luthor dies in this episode.
- The Conscience: Alexander acts as this to Lex. That is, until Lex pushes him into the fireplace because Virtue Is Weakness.
- Death by Secret Identity: Lex's assistant, Gina, is murdered by an unknown assailant after she learns that Clark is the Traveler.
- Destination Defenestration: Downplayed. Lex shoots out a window behind Lionel, then pushes his father out of it.
- Dies Wide Open: When Lex is asked by the police to identify Lionel's body, we're treated to a close-up of Lionel's open, lifeless eye.
- Dramatic Irony:
- In Season 1's "Reaper," Lex remarked that kings would come to Lionel's funeral. In this episode, the only people attending Lionel's funeral are Lex and Clark.
- Gina tries to silence Lois, Jimmy, and Chloe for having an incriminating photo of the moment of Lionel's death. Then she sees Clark exhibit his powers, only for someone else to silence her not long after. It's implied that her knowing Lex killed Lionel may have something to do with it...
- Due to the Dead: Clark defies Lex's wishes (Lex forbade anyone else from attending Lionel's funeral) and shows up at Lionel's funeral to pay his final respects. After Lex simply smirks at him and walks off, Clark sprinkles a handful of dirt onto Lionel's coffin and utters "Thank you."
- Event Title: The title refers to Lionel's literal descent to the ground after Lex pushes him out the window, and to Lex's metaphorical descent into evil.
- Face–Heel Turn: This episode showcases the completion of Lex's turn to darkness, culminating with Lex mentally killing Alexander, his "good" side.
- Heroic Sacrifice: True, Lionel doesn't go out in a blaze of glory, but in his final moments, he cements his loyalty to Clark by refusing to divulge Clark's secret to Lex, who sends the elder Luthor falling to his death for his trouble. Chloe even notes in the final act that Lionel not only died for Clark, but for all of humanity.
- It's All My Fault: Clark's response to how all the father figures in his life (Jor-El, Jonathan, and now Lionel) died protecting him.Clark: Another person who treated me like a son and died because of it.Chloe: Clark...Clark: Jor-El died getting me on that ship. My dad died of a heart attack from the powers he took on protecting me. And now Lionel's been murdered for protecting my secret.Chloe: They did die for you, Clark. But ultimately, they died for all of us. There was a reason those men were in your life: Each of them added something to the man that you are today.
- Kick the Dog: While he and Clark are arguing about their fathers, Lex mockingly wonders why Jonathan always seemed so stressed and implies that Clark was responsible for his father's fatal heart attack. Clark is understandably enraged by the suggestion.Lex: Of course, everyone can trust Clark Kent! You're the perfect son! So, so why did Jonathan Kent always seemed so stressed? I mean, was raising the perfect son really that much work? I wonder the strain it must've put on his heart.Clark: Are you blaming me for my dad's death? Are you?! You're the guilty one, Lex, not me!
- Kill It with Fire: Lex "kills" his "good" side Alexander by pushing him into the fireplace.
- Lonely Funeral: Lex forbids anyone else from attending Lionel's funeral. Not that that stops Clark from coming to pay his final respects.
- Motive Rant: Lex's response to Clark when the latter claims all he cares about is power and controlling everything around him.Lex: This is Smallville! Meteor freaks, alien ships, cryptic symbols! These threats are real! Someone had to take control! Someone has to protect the world!
- Obi-Wan Moment: Lionel remains perfectly calm as he plummets to his death.
- Pre-Mortem One-Liner:Lex: [to his father] I was raised in your shadow. Now, you're gonna die in mine.
- Redemption Equals Death: Right before his demise, Lionel, who's admittedly done villainous things both in the recent and distant past, refuses to reveal Clark's secret to Lex.
- Self-Made Orphan: Lex murders Lionel in the teaser.
- Tantrum Throwing: After Alexander confronts him on murdering Lionel, Lex throws a decanter of wine at the fireplace while yelling he had no choice.
- Video Will: Sort of. Clark finds a Kryptonian device that contains a voice recording made by Lionel before he died.Lionel: [recording] In my lifetime, I've known many famous and powerful men—presidents, sultans, kings. And I believed that I was superior to them all. But I've come to know the truth, Kal-El: My greatest accomplishment is that I have dedicated myself to protecting your life and serving you. For that, I am grateful. But if you are reading this, it means that I cannot protect you any longer from a terrible truth. Two lockets exist, two. Each one has its own key. These keys, used together, unlock the secret of controlling you. You must find the keys, Kal-El, or your destiny will fall into the hands of another man. You must save yourself.
- Virtue Is Weakness: Right before he kills his "good" part Alexander (who represents the scruples and virtues he still has), Lex tells him outright "You make me weak."
- Wham Episode: Lex kills Lionel and completes his turn to The Dark Side.
- Would Hurt a Child: In the final act, Lex mentally purges himself of his "good" side by pushing Alexander, his younger self, into the fireplace.
