Originally aired November 15, 2007
Written by Todd Slavkin & Darren Swimmer
Directed by Glen Winter
When Clark hears his biological mother Lara's voice coming from Kara's crystal, he ignores Jor-El's warnings and activates the crystal, resurrecting Lara. Unfortunately, the crystal also resurrects Zor-El, who sets out to use the Fortress to cause an eclipse that will eliminate humankind.
Tropes present in the episode:
- Abusive Dad: After Kara tries to stab him with a Kryptonian dagger, Zor-El grabs her and starts strangling her until Clark arrives with a piece of Green Kryptonite. Moments later, Zor-El recovers, grabs Kara, and attempts to push her into a cluster of sharp crystals, only for Clark to destroy the blue crystal, causing Zor-El to disappear and Kara to be transported to Detroit without her memory.
- Adam and Eve Plot: Zor-El plans to pull this with Lara once he's wiped out Earth's population. He even lampshades the trope.Zor-El: Lara, it's our duty to re-populate this planet. The humans, they would call us "Adam and Eve."
- Back from the Dead: Lara and Zor-El are resurrected as clones, thanks to the blue crystal.
- Batman Gambit: Zor-El reveals he pulled one on Clark when Kara failed to activate the blue crystal.Zor-El: Your father's ring might symbolize victory back home, but here, it means defeat.Clark: My mother gave me this ring.Zor-El: She had no way of knowing the blue mineral robs your powers. I, on the other hand, did a little research in one of my earlier walkabouts on Earth. I knew she'd slip it on your finger, like the good Kryptonian mother she is. She was so proud of your father.Clark: It was a trick. Her voice. All so I would activate the crystal.Zor-El: If Kara failed to activate the crystal, I knew I could appeal to your human tendencies.
- Brought Down to Normal: Clark, thanks to Jor-El's victory ring, which contains Blue Kryptonite.
- Cliffhanger: The episode ends with Jor-El expressing his disappointment in Clark for defying him yet again and then Clark being bathed in bright light after Jor-El announces he's going to punish Clark.
- Evil Uncle: Zor-El, to Clark.
- Fight Off the Kryptonite: After Clark weakens him with a chunk of Green Kryptonite, Zor-El manages to get the Kryptonite off of his chest and advances on Kara.
- Jerkass Has a Point: Jor-El was right about Clark's emotions clouding his judgment.
- Kill All Humans: Zor-El's scheme so he can re-create Krypton on Earth along with Lara.
- Laser-Guided Amnesia: Kara is the victim of this (again) after Clark destroys the blue crystal.
- Neck Lift: Zor-El does this to Kara after she tries to stab him with a Kryptonian dagger.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Clark, you really should have listened to Jor-El.
- Plot Device:
- The blue crystal, which releases clones of Lara and Zor-El, gives Zor-El control of the Fortress, and leaves Kara amnesiac in Detroit after Clark destroys it.
- Jor-El's victory ring, which contains Blue Kryptonite which strips Clark of his powers when he puts it on.
- Power Nullifier: Blue Kryptonite is introduced in this episode.
- Ring of Power: Jor-El's victory ring contains Blue Kryptonite which can strip a Kryptonian of his powers. Zor-El made sure that Lara had the ring with her when Clark used the blue crystal to bring her back to life so she would give it to him and he would be powerless to stop him.
- Villain of the Week: Zor-El, who seeks to wipe out all humans and re-create Krypton on Earth.
- We Can Rule Together: Zor-El tries to persuade Clark that it's his destiny to rule Earth.Zor-El: Kal-El, the blood of the House of El runs through your veins just as it does mine. As much as you want to deny it, your destiny is to rule. And we can do that together as a family.
- Would Hit a Girl: When he storms Queen Tower to get Lara, Zor-El hits Lana and sends her flying across the room. Later, he strikes Lara and sends her flying across the Fortress when she tries to stop him from strangling Kara to death.
