Originally aired May 10, 2007
Written by Steven S De Knight
Directed by Mat Beck
When a senator threatens to expose LuthorCorp's super-soldier project unless Lex gives him money, Lex sends a super-soldier to kill him. Lois witnesses the senator's murder and ends up becoming the next target.
Tropes present in the episode:
- Antagonist Title: Wes/Mark IV is the titular prototype.
- Combo Platter Powers: Wes/Mark IV possesses Super-Strength and Super-Speed, and can generate a shield and turn invisible.
- Corrupt Politician: Senator Burke
- Dying as Yourself
- Evil Former Friend: Wes/Mark IV, to Lois.
- Exact Words: Lana assures Lex, "I would never the hurt the man I love." From the words, this could imply she wouldn't hurt her husband, who's a Super Villain, or she could be talking about the other side (Clark) to the Love Triangle.
- Fighting from the Inside: Wes does this, with limited success.
- From Nobody to Nightmare: Two weeks ago, Wes Keenan was merely the motive for a Villain of the Week. Now, he's... something worse.
- The Gloves Come Off: Clark warns Lionel that this will happen if he finds out that Lionel is connected to Lana's decision to marry Lex.
- Godzilla Threshold: Clark uses his heat vision at a higher level in order to defeat Wes/Mark IV, which ends up killing him.
- Heartbreak and Ice Cream: Lois gives Chloe a cup of some personal recipe, since Jimmy left on a mission in the last episode.
- Super-Soldier: Wes Keenan AKA Mark IV.
- You Are Number 6: Wes, as a subject for Project Ares, is designated Mark IV.
