Recap / Smallville S 06 E 06 Fallout

Originally aired November 2, 2006

Written by Holly Harold

Directed by Glen Winter

Clark is overjoyed when Raya, the Kryptonian who helped him escape from the Phantom Zone, shows up at the Kent Farm, and the two team up to take on Baern, a fellow Phantom Zone escapee bent on revenge against Clark for Jor-El imprisoning him.

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Tropes present in the episode:

• Accidentally Broke The Macguffin: Lex's been working on how to use the Kryptonian artifact that may be Brainiac's power source - then Baern absorbing its energy makes it crumble to dust.
• Badass Bookworm: Raya holds her own well against Baern. Well, until Baern gets supercharged and successfully kills her in the final fight at the Fortress of Solitude.
• Evil Sounds Deep: Baern, briefly, after he possesses Lamar. After that, he speaks in a normal voice.
• Killed Off for Real: Raya, thanks to Baern.
• Plot Device: The Crystal of El. In addition to its phantom-exorcising powers, it can absorb energy and be used to restore power to the Fortress.
• Revenge by Proxy: Baern wants revenge on Jor-El for his imprisonment in the Phantom Zone, but since Jor-El is long dead, he comes gunning for Jor-El's son, Clark/Kal-El.
• Scary Black Man: Baern in Lamar's body.
• Series Continuity Error: Lamar and his friend were playing basketball and talking about school, despite the fact that there's a nation-wide blackout going on when the Zoners crashed to Earth.
• Tell Me About My Father: Clark asks Raya about Jor-El, whom Raya describes as a brave and good-hearted man.
  Clark: What was he like? My father.
  Raya: Brave, strong, with the biggest heart of anyone I've ever known.
  Clark: To be honest, that's not the Jor-El I imagined.
  Raya: He was determined to save us. I remember helping him build your ship. He was so careful, planning every detail, down to your baby blanket. I wish that he could see you now.
  Clark: I haven't been the best son.
  Raya: Your father was hard on himself, too. He felt guilty that he couldn't save Krypton.
• Villain of the Week: Baern, who's out for revenge against Clark for Jor-El imprisoning him in the Phantom Zone.
• What the Hell, Hero?:
  • Raya gives Clark grief for ignoring Jor-El.
    Raya: Your civilization is going to destroy itself, just like Krypton. You should know this. It was part of your training.
    Clark: I haven't started my training. The Fortress is damaged. Jor-El tried to warn me, but I didn't listen. I mean, how could I trust someone who brought so much pain into my life?
    Raya: Pain is a part of anyone's journey, Kal-El. You can't escape it. You must accept your destiny.
  • Raya later gripes at Clark for not trying hard enough to restore the Fortress of Solitude.
    Clark: Raya, I told you the Fortress is dead. Why are we here?
    Raya: The Fortress is our only hope to defeat Baern. This was all we had left of our home, Kal-El.
    Clark: And now it's gone, too.
    Raya: It was more than that. The Fortress was a storehouse for all the knowledge in the universe, at least, all that we had. How could this happen?
    Clark: I'm sorry. I don't know how to bring it back.
    Raya: Your father wouldn't have given up so easily.
    Clark: I haven't given up. I don't know what else to do. I've tried everything.
    Raya: Everything except the training your father wanted for you.

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