Originally aired February 11, 2004
Written by Todd Slavkin & Darren Swimmer
Directed by Jeannot Szwarc
Clark learns that Pete is involved in illegal street racing, in which the drivers use Kryptonite-enhanced fuel in their cars. Lana uncovers shocking information about Adam.
Tropes present in the episode:
- Accidental Murder: When Clark is locked in Pete's car with a bomb set to go off when Pete hits 100 mph, once all the Kryptonite fuel is used up, Clark uses his strength to tear open the fuel tank just before Pete reaches 100 mph. But this indirectly leads Dante's death, since his car ends up losing traction on the spilled fuel and dies in the resulting horrifying crash.
- Alas, Poor Villain: Clark and Pete are both horrified by Dante's gruesome death. Despite them both admitting that Dante was a psychopath and how he tried to get them both killed, they never intended for him to die. At the end of the episode, Clark holds Pete accountable for Dante's death along with everything else Clark had to do for him all because of his selfishness putting them in the situation in the first place.
- Applied Phlebotinum:
- Dante and his guys use Kryptonite to boost their cars' fuel.
- The serum Adam is injecting himself with contains blood platelets of unknown origin.
- Body Horror: In the final act, Adam is seen with yellow, peeling skin before he injects himself with the serum.
- Break the Haughty: This happens to Pete over the course of the episode. He begins as the latest star of Dante's street races, and he cockily insists to Clark that he has everything under control. But then, when he refuses to throw a race, Pete ends up owing Dante a hefty debt. When Clark finds evidence of Dante's criminal activities and informs Sheriff Adams, Pete gets beat up by Dante and his goons under the assumption that he was the one who ratted on Dante. By the end of the episode, Pete realizes the error of his ways and apologizes to Clark, who's not quite ready to let things go.
- Downer Ending: The episode ends with Clark and Pete on uneasy terms following the events of the episode.
- I Just Want to Be Special: Pete admits he feels overshadowed by Clark and his superpowers, which is why he's taken up Kryptonite-enhanced street-racing.Pete: For once in my life, I finally found something that I'm truly good at.
Clark: What are you talking about? You're good at a lot of things.
Pete: Like what?
Clark: Like basketball. You got a killer jump shot. You've beaten me plenty of times.
Pete: Yeah, when you're not using your powers. Clark, I'm okay at hoops. I'm a decent photographer. But you saw that crowd last night. You heard them chanting my name and, for once in my life, I finally get to feel what you feel like every single day. I get to feel special.
Clark: Pete, I'm not special; I'm different.
Pete: Clark, who do you think you're kidding? You can do things that I can never even dream of. And ever since we were kids, even before I knew your secret, I've been walking in your shadow.
Clark: That's not true.
Pete: Clark, don't get me wrong; it's not a bad place to be. But I'm growing up. I'm realizing that I got my own talents. - Idiot Ball: While Pete always has been a little Hot-Blooded, he's usually portrayed as being reasonably intelligent. In this episode however he gets involved in an illegal street racing scheme, and when told to take a dive, he refuses at the last moment to impress a girl. He apparently thought that a career criminal with serious money on the line would just laugh it off. Even considering that he thought that Dante was a friend, he shows a surprising and dangerous level of naivety.
- Mundanger: Jason Dante, street-racing proprietor.
- Motivational Kiss: A beautiful girl kisses Pete on the lips before one of his races for good luck, and adds afterwards "not that you'll need it". Though this is after Dante ordered Pete to take a dive in this race, which just motivate Pete to defy Dante and win anyway.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Pete ends up getting into illegal street racing and refuses to get out while he can despite Clark's instance because it makes him feel special compared to Clark. But when he refuses to throw a race under Dante's orders he ends up with his life in danger unless he can repay him the $20,000 he cost him, forcing Clark to jump through several hoops and cross many moral lines to save him.
- Out-of-Genre Experience: This episode essentially has Clark step into a street racing film like The Fast and the Furious (2001).
- Persona Non Grata: After Pete refuses to take a dive in a race and costs Dante $20,000, Dante furiously tells him not only to repay him the money he cost him, but also orders him to return the keys to his Mustang and tells him he never wants to see his face again, effectively banning him from street racing under threat to his life.
- Red Baron: Pete has become knows as "The Boss" due to his success in street racing.Dante: Ladies and gentlemen! Your reigning king of speed, Pete "The Boss" Ross!
- Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!: Clark finds evidence of Dante's crimes and informs Sheriff Adams; unfortunately, Dante avoids getting caught due to having a deputy in his pocket who warns him.
- Stepping Out for a Quick Cup of Coffee: Clark approaches Lex and asks him for $20,000 to help Pete with Dante, but Lex is hesitant to give him the money and is in fact on his way out to a meeting. Clark pleads with Lex who, before leaving the mansion, gives Clark a long look before telling him "Be careful." After Lex leaves, Clark notices that he left the keys to his Porsche on a table, and he decides to use the Porsche as a prize for a race between Pete and Dante to settle Pete's debt.
- Tears of Blood: Adam, early in the episode.
- Villain of the Week: Jason Dante, street-racing proprietor.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Clark gives one to Pete when he expresses excitement for his plan to win.Pete: Clark you are the man!
Clark: GLAD YOU'RE SO EXCITED, PETE!! Not only do I lie for you, I stole for you, now I'm cheating for you! Let's get this over with!
Pete: (Smile fades as he stares off into the distance)
