Line #16 Recap/SmallvilleS02E23Exodus


1	Originally aired May 20, 2003
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3	Written by Creator/AlfredGough & Creator/MilesMillar
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5	Directed by Creator/GregBeeman
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7	Clark meets his Kryptonian biological father Jor-El, who insists that Clark must leave Smallville and fulfill his destiny. Lex and Helen prepare for their wedding.
8	----
9	!!Tropes present in the episode:
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11	* AbusiveDad: Jor-El who, when Clark declares he won't let him control him, telekinetically pins Clark to the wall and burns a Kryptonian symbol onto his chest.
12	* AllForNothing: Clark's attempts at defying Jor-El so he won't have to leave Smallville, results in him leaving Smallville under the worst possible circumstances.
13	* AnimateInanimateObject: Clark's spaceship in the teaser. While Jor-El is speaking to Clark through the spaceship, it glows and even changes shape into a replica of planet Earth, complete with a setting sun.
14	* BigNo: Lionel, when he finds that the Kryptonite key is missing.
15	* ChestInsignia: Jor-El burns the Kryptonian emblem of the House of El (which [[MythologyGag resembles the Superman symbol]]) onto Clark's chest after Clark refuses to let him control him.
16	* CliffHanger: Season 2 ends with Chloe accepting Lionel's offer to investigate Clark, Clark leaving Smallville while under the influence of [[GRatedDrug Red Kryptonite]], and Lex alone on a plane that's about to crash into the ocean.
17	* DarkReprise: A dark version of Music/JohnWilliams' ''Film/{{Superman\|FilmSeries }}'' theme plays when Clark emerges from the wreckage of the storm cellar caused by his exploding spaceship, and again in the closing scene as Clark rides towards Metropolis.
18	* DidntThinkThisThrough: Jonathan points out while [[WhatTheHellHero berating Clark]] at the hospital as he clearly didn't think about the repercussions of destroying his ship or even discuss it with Martha and Jonathan first.
19	* DownerEnding: Clark's attempts to get rid of Jor-El result in Martha losing her unborn baby, prompting a devestated Clark to put on a Red Kryptonite ring and run away from Smallville, leaving behind a tearful Lana.
20	* EventTitle: The episode's title refers to both Clark and Lex leaving Smallville.
21	* ForgotAboutHisPowers: In the final act, Clark ransacks the ''Torch'' office looking for Chloe's Red Kryptonite ring. Please note this is ''Clark''--y'know, the guy who can [[XRayVision see through most solid objects]]. Although this can be excused as Clark is clearly griefstricken over Martha's miscarriage.
22	* GRatedDrug: Red Kryptonite, again. Clark even tells Pete that he's desperately looking for a Red Kryptonite ring because "it makes me feel better."
23	* HeroicBSOD: Clark goes into a massive one after Jonathan seemingly rejects him at the hospital in response to his confession that he caused the explosion that injured the Kents, standing dazed in the crater left behind by his spaceship's explosion, telling Lana that all he does is cause pain and misery, and later donning a Red Kryptonite ring to numb his pain and guilt.
24	* IdiotHero: Clark grabs the IdiotBall hard, believing his only option not to leave Smallville is to destroy his ship, he realises he was wrong, but only after destroying the ship and injuring his parents.
25	* IControlMyMinionsThrough: Prejudice, in Lionel's case.
26	-->'''Pete:''' ''[to Lionel's guards]'' Don't touch me. You hate him.\
27	'''Lionel:''' I know that, but I value their hatred; I find it very useful. You see, people are always at their weakest when they're angry.
28	* IronicEcho: When Pete enters the Kawatche Caves to distract Lionel so Clark can super-speed in and swipe the Kryptonite key, Pete tells the guards who apprehend him "You know you hate [Lionel]," to which Lionel remarks he knows they hate him and that hatred and anger is a weakness. After Lionel finds the Kryptonite key missing and suspects that Pete stole it, he prepares to strike Pete after he plays dumb, at which point Pete reminds him, "Careful, Mr. Luthor; you wouldn't want to look weak."
29	* ItsAllMyFault: Clark blames himself for causing Martha to miscarry her baby.
30	* JerkassHasAPoint: Though Jor-El is undoubtedly an abusive prick, he was right about Clark harming his loved ones if he didn't leave Smallville when he should have.
31	* MythologyGag:
32	** Jor-El's speech to Clark in the teaser resembles the one Jor-El gives to Clark in ''Film/SupermanTheMovie''.
33	** The symbol of Clark's ancestors resembles the Superman "S," except the "S" looks more like the number "8."
34	* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Clark steals Lionel's Kryptonite key and puts it into the spaceship in order to destroy it. It works, but Clark ends up causing an explosion that sends out an energy wave that hits Jonathan's truck, resulting in an accident that causes Martha to lose her unborn baby. Nice going, Clark.
35	* PlotDevice: Lionel's Kryptonite key, which he intends to use to try to unlock the secrets of the Kawatche Cave wall. Unfortunately for him and Clark, Clark steals the Kryptonite key and puts into his ship in an attempt to get rid of Jor-El.
36	* RemakeCameo: Creator/TerenceStamp, who played General Zod in the first two ''Film/{{Superman\|FilmSeries}}'' movies with Creator/ChristopherReeve, provides the voice of Jor-El.
37	* SeasonFinale: The show's second.
38	* ScrewDestiny: Clark's response to Jor-El telling him it's time to let go of his past in the teaser.
39	-->'''Clark:''' Everything and everyone I love is here in Smallville!
40	-->'''Jor-El:''' You must let go of your past. I will guide you to your future.
41	-->'''Clark:''' No, I don't want your guidance! I want to create my own future!
42	-->'''Jor-El:''' [[YouCantFightFate You have no choice, Kal-El]].
43	* SoulJar: It's strongly implied in the teaser that Clark's spaceship functions as this for Jor-El's consciousness. Well, until Clark destroys the ship with a Kryptonite key.
44	-->'''Clark:''' Who are you?!
45	-->'''Jor-El:''' I am Jor-El, your father.
46	-->'''Clark:''' I thought you died!
47	-->'''Jor-El:''' I am his will, his memory. I am to fulfill his promise and guide you all the days of your life.
48	* WhatTheHellHero:
49	** Chloe pisses and moans at Clark for not telling her that he and Lana are together after the two of them had made a promise to be honest with each other.
50	--->'''Chloe:''' So how'd you decide? RockPaperScissors? Coin toss? Or did you just draw the short straw?
51	--->'''Clark:''' Decide...?
52	--->'''Chloe:''' Who was gonna tell me that you and Lana are together.
53	--->'''Clark:''' You know?
54	--->'''Chloe:''' Yeah. I came over to the barn the other night to warn you about something.
55	--->'''Clark:''' About what?
56	--->'''Chloe:''' You know, it doesn't matter now. The point is, I saw you and Lana in a major lip-lock.
57	--->'''Clark:''' I didn't mean--
58	--->'''Chloe:''' Didn't what, Clark? Newsflash! You've always been in love with Lana. I tried to deny it, thinking that maybe we could work something out, but it's like fate, Clark--inevitable, but always surprising when it actually happens.
59	--->'''Clark:''' I was gonna tell you.
60	--->'''Chloe:''' Really? Obviously, it was on the top of your to-do list. I can deal with the fact you guys are together. It hurts, but I was prepared. But we just made a promise to be honest with each other and you didn't have the guts to keep your word. Or was it too much fun making a fool of me that you couldn't reveal your secret? Have a nice life, Clark. ''[gets in her car and drives off]''
61	** Jonathan's response to Clark after Clark confesses that he put a Kryptonite key into the ship, causing it to explode and thus injure Martha.
62	--->'''Jonathan:''' Your actions have consequences, Clark! Didn't your mother and I ever teach you that?!
63	--->'''Clark:''' Yes, but--
64	--->'''Jonathan:''' There's no time for excuses, Clark! It's too late! [[DidntThinkThisThrough You didn't think this whole thing through.]] You had no idea what was gonna happen, and now...now, your mother is lying in a hospital bed!
65	* YoureNotMyFather: Clark says this to Jor-El when the latter insists he will obey him.
66	-->'''Jor-El:''' You will obey me, Kal-El.
67	-->'''Clark:''' You're not my father. I won't let you control me!

Context Recap / SmallvilleS02E23Exodus