As Lois strives to find the connection between Smallville and Edge’s plans, Clark and Jordan struggle with some nasty after effects of the experimental kryptonite gas weapons.

So, Lois knows that Edge wants the X Kryptonite which is lurking in deposits in Smallville mines, but why else is Smallville so very vitally important to the man, such that he’s literally setting up shop there and investing so heavily in its populace? Determined to find out, she makes some bold and risky moves, but even she may not be fully prepared for the answers.

Clark finds that his superheroing duties are a little more difficult than usual as he seems to be suffering some lingering side effects from exposure to the D.O.D’s experimental kryptonite gas weapons. That’s bad enough, but when Jordan starts exhibiting some bizarre and worrying symptoms of his own it becomes a much bigger issue.

With the health and safety of her husband and son in the balance, Lois lashes out at the man she feels is most directly responsible – her own father. To this point, Dylan Walsh hasn’t had too much to do as General Lane other than look stern and deliver countless ominous warnings but here once again we get the sense of the man beneath the uniform. Lois and Sam’s confrontations are painful and weighted but in the same manner as all the Kent family interactions, they are also necessary.

As Lana continues to dig into exactly what Edge is up to from her own insider position, she might be better served taking into account that super-powered people like Edge’s assistant can hear everything and anything they want to, with distance no object.

And in more mundane happenings, Sarah still has her big moment at the talent show, but with Jordan unavailable, will she get her chance to shine? As that pans out, another proud mother leaves the show in a hurry, prompting Kyle to follow her and then things go really sideways, really quickly.

As the episode barrels onward towards its conclusion, the puzzle pieces start falling into place in the most surprising ways. The reason why Edge is so intensely focused on Smallville starts to become clear but even that can’t top the final confrontation before the credits, which seems to hint at some major revelations to come.

As usual, half the joy here is in watching the familial interactions and small personal dramas play out, and everyone is on excellent form in that respect. Jonathan in particular gets his own important moments here, not least of which is a hard, clear-eyed conversation with his grandfather that shows he may not have superpowers, but he isn’t lacking for courage.

Verdict: Another cracking instalment. 9/10

Greg D. Smith