Originally aired September 25, 2009
Written by Brian Peterson & Kelly Souders
Directed by Kevin Fair
Three weeks after defeating Doomsday and renouncing his humanity, Clark has adopted a new costume and dedicated himself to protecting Metropolis. Lois returns with no memory of the past three weeks, and is followed by a mysterious woman. Chloe takes refuge inside Watchtower. Oliver is caught in a downward spiral. Zod struggles to control his soldiers as they hide out in the Luthor Mansion with Tess as their prisoner.
Tropes present in the episode:
- Accidental Murder: Alia kills herself by accident while fighting Clark.
- Badass Army: Major Zod and his Kandorians.
- Badass Normal: The Kandorians have lost their powers, but they're still this.
- Badass Longcoat: Clark rocks a black one as part of his new costume.
- Brought to You by the Letter "S": Clark has started leaving the House of El symbol at the sites of his heroic feats.
- Chest Insignia: Clark wears a black t-shirt with the House of El emblem on the chest.
- Civvie Spandex: Clark's superhero costume is a black longcoat, a black t-shirt with the House of El crest on it, dark jeans, and boots.
- Cold-Blooded Torture: It's revealed that Tess has been suffering this at the hands of Zod's soldiers since the finale.
- Dark Is Not Evil: Clark's new costume is an all-black ensemble, but he's still a hero.
- De-power: Happens to Major Zod and all his soldiers, much to their frustration.
- Dreaming of Things to Come: Lois starts to have visions of the Bad Future.
- Kneel Before Zod: Major Zod says this verbatim.
- Fight Clubbing: What Oliver is doing when Lois tracks him down.
- Future Badass: The Alia tracking Lois and Clark.
- A God I Am Not: Clark tells Chloe such when she begs him to use the Legion ring to travel back through time and save Jimmy from dying.Chloe: [Jimmy] didn't deserve to die, Clark. He died because you and I screwed up, because we made a mistake. Now you have to fix it!Clark: I'm not a god! And the last time that I tried to rewrite fate, my own father died. He died right here in my arms because of me.
- Icy Blue Eyes: Alia has these.
- Intrepid Reporter: John Corben, Clark'a replacement in the Daily Planet.
- Majorly Awesome: This Zod is still a Major.
- The Mutiny: Faora and Basqat lead one against Zod.
- Power Nullifier: Alia uses a chunk of Blue Kryptonite to strip herself and Clark of their powers during their fight in the Kent barn.
- Real Time: When Lois is told she's been gone three weeks, she asks the date. The paper she sees is dated the broadcast date of the episode.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: Chloe gives a short one to Clark after he refuses to go back in time and save Jimmy.Chloe: I've given up so much for you, Clark. This is the only thing I've ever asked from you. Please? Please do this for me. Please save Jimmy.Clark: I can't.Chloe: That's good. It's good that you're embracing your Kryptonian side; there isn't really anything human left in you. [leaves]
- Rousing Speech: Zod delivers one to his troops, causing them to submit to him once again.Zod: You dare defy me? I have saved the lives of half of the soldiers in this room. You know I have risked more than any of you. Not one of you has sacrificed what I have for our survival. And you, do you want a leader who hides away in his mansion for weeks on end and complains? Or do you want a leader who ventured out alone, scouring a hostile world in search of your loved ones?! I have always been true to my word. And I will find the answers we are looking for, or I will die in the quest!
- Set Right What Once Went Wrong: Chloe begs Clark to use the Legion ring to go back in time and prevent Jimmy's murder at Davis's hands. Clark refuses.
- Spell My Name with a "The": Clark goes by "The Blur."
- They Were Holding You Back: Jor-El informs Clark that the reason he can't fly is because he still sees himself as human, and later sends Clark to say goodbye to Lois so he can fully immerse himself in his Kryptonian training.Clark: I've been coming here for weeks. I've done everything you asked. Why are you questioning me now?Jor-El: Until today, you had focus. You had cleared your mind and heart of those who had kept you tethered to the human realm.Clark: If there's anything that's keeping me tethered, it's that I still can't fly. Have I not earned the same powers that Kara has?Jor-El: Your powers lie within you, Kal-El. Your physical composition is no different than your cousin's.Clark: You're saying it's all in my head?Jor-El: You still see yourself as a human.Clark: You're wrong. I gave up everyone I cared about. I gave up everyone who was important to me. I wear the symbol of our family every day to remind me that I have a different destiny.Jor-El: Perhaps you've tried to move on too quickly. The test of a true hero is to struggle with feelings of loss and to overcome them, not to avoid them. Something or someone is holding you back.Clark: No. I've come this far, and i'm not looking back. I can do this.
- Time Skip: Three weeks have passed since the events of the previous episode.
- Took a Level in Badass: Clark, and it shows during his fight with Alia.
- Villain of the Week: Alia, or rather, her future self.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Chloe tells Clark that he is no longer human when he refuses to revert Jimmy's death.
- Would Hit a Girl:
- Zod grabs Tess by the throat and slams her to the floor.
- In the climax, Clark fights Alia and kicks her in the face.
