Originally aired March 27, 2008
Written by Brian Peterson & Kelly Souders
Directed by James Marshall
When Brainiac returns and offers her a surprising proposition, Kara decides to teach Clark how to fly in order to even their chances of taking down the Kryptonian supercomputer; unfortunately for them, Brainiac has a shocking bargaining chip. Lex investigates the Veritas Society.
Tropes present in the episode:
- Ain't Too Proud to Beg: In the final act, Lionel desperately begs Chloe on his hands and knees to listen to him as he warns about "something terrible" coming. Chloe isn't moved.
- Mind you, he's willing to fall to his knees before one of the few people he gleefully screwed over throughout the series so far.
- And I Must Scream: What Brainiac does to Lana amounts to this. He even describes it as such.
- Internal Reveal: Lois and Jimmy are the first to find out that Patricia Swann is dead... and by the end of the episode, that Lex may be responsible.
- Manly Tears: Clark is heard crying by Lana's side after Brainiac tells him through Lana that he's too late.
- Mouth of Sauron: In the final scene, Brainiac speaks through Lana to tell Clark that he's too late to save her.
- Not Me This Time: Lionel tells Chloe he didn't kill Patricia. But of course, she doesn't believe him, as he also killed Patricia's father.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Near the end, Lionel, who's known for being calm, collected, narcissistic, and arrogant, ends up getting on his knees and begging Chloe to listen to him as he tries to warn her of something very bad coming.
- Prophet Eyes: Lana gets these after Brainiac takes control of her.
- Reformed, but Rejected: In the final act, Lionel insists to Chloe that he's repented of his past sins, but Chloe dismisses his claims and accuses him of taking advantage of Clark's All-Loving Hero nature.Lionel: Miss Sullivan, you must talk to Clark. I need you to talk to Clark.Chloe: A little late to mend that fence. Amazing how a couple of cold-blooded murders can come between people.Chloe: "Past?!" Try last week! Maybe even today. Who knows with you?Lionel: I did not kill Patricia Swann.Chloe: After you knocked off her father and the rest of that Veritas coven of yours, I'm supposed to believe you why?Lionel: Because I was given a gift. I was chosen by Jor-El to serve him, to be his vessel, his emissary. And that changed me. That made me a different man.Chloe: We're not stupid. You preyed on Clark's inherent need to find good in all people, and his constant willingness for forgiveness. But now you have cried wolf one too many times.Lionel: Please. I'm begging you to listen. Clark won't talk to me. He's turned away from Jor-El, and now he is vulnerable. He is in terrible danger.Chloe: If he's in any danger, it's only from you.Lionel: I've repented!Chloe: That's right; you're an intensely spiritual man. You amassed all the power a human could until you found out about Clark. Befriending him is the closest thing you'll ever get to seeing God.Lionel: Protecting him is the only way I found to pay for my sins. And isn't that what we all want? To repent, and be forgiven. But none of that matters. Because what's coming, is so terrible.Chloe: Another false warning. You seriously need to come up with a new line. [leaves]
- Secret Circle of Secrets: The Veritas Society, whose members included Lionel, Dr. Swann, the Queens, and the Teagues. It was founded around the prophecy of the Traveler (Kal-El/Clark).
- To the Pain: Brainiac describes what's happening to Lana, saying she can't scream or move but is experiencing immense pain.Clark: What did you do to Lana?Brainiac: A little adjustment to her central nervous system. Absolutely irreversible by any human standards; completely reversible by me.Kara: Whatever you want me to do. Just don't let Lana suffer.Brainiac: I'm afraid that she is suffering. There's part of Lana that is completely aware of what's happening around her, but she has no control over her body. Her motor skills, her speech, every breath she takes, is controlled by me.Clark: Leave her out of this.Brainiac: Did I mention that Lana is in excruciating pain? She just can't express it.
- Vagueness Is Coming: Lionel insists to Chloe that "something terrible" is coming. (See Reformed, but Rejected above.)
- Wham Line: It's in a flashback, but at the meta level it qualifies.Lionel: [to young Lex] We are going to fly in a helicopter, to a little town called Smallville!
- You All Share My Story: Apparently Laser-Guided Amnesia from being at ground zero of the original meteor shower caused Lex to forget that he used to be playmates with Oliver Queen, Jason Teague, and Patricia Swann.
- You Are Too Late: Brainiac tells Clark such through Lana in the final act.Brainiac:: [through Lana] You're too late, Kal-El.
- You Have to Believe Me!: No one believes Lionel has truly changed or listens to his warning. Since this is Lionel we're talking about, we're forgiving if no one will hear anything he says. No matter how much he pleads and begs, even if he's being sincere.
