Ep 14. Zero

Clark Kent has always known that he has powers beyond those of ordinary humans. As he struggles to come to terms with his abilities, he also has to navigate his life as a teenager in the small town of Smallville, Kansas. In episode 14 of season 1, titled "Zero," Clark faces one of his toughest challenges yet.

The episode begins with Clark witnessing a robbery at a jewelry store. When he tries to intervene, he is knocked unconscious by a strange device that emits a green light. He wakes up in a lab, where he is imprisoned alongside a girl named Maddie. They soon realize that they are both being held captive by a man named Earl Jenkins, who has the ability to control technology with his mind.

As Clark and Maddie try to escape, they realize that Jenkins is planning to use his powers to destroy Smallville. He has set up a bomb at a nearby nuclear power plant, and only Clark's abilities can stop it from detonating. With the help of his friends Chloe and Pete, as well as Maddie's hacking skills, Clark must race against time to save his town from destruction.

Meanwhile, Clark's adoptive father Jonathan Kent is dealing with his own problems. He is running for local office against a wealthy businessman named Lionel Luthor, father of Clark's schoolmate Lex. As Jonathan campaigns, he begins to uncover a dark history between the Luthors and the Kents, and he starts to question whether he can win the election without compromising his values.

The episode is full of action and suspense as Clark and his friends try to stop Jenkins from carrying out his plan. There are several tense moments as Clark uses his powers to try to prevent the bomb from detonating, and he has to make some difficult choices along the way. There are also several heartwarming scenes between Clark and his parents, as Jonathan tries to guide his son in using his powers responsibly.

One of the standout performances in the episode comes from actor Michael Rosenbaum, who plays Lex Luthor. He brings a level of nuance and complexity to the role, as Lex struggles with his own demons and tries to establish a connection with Clark. The episode also introduces the character of Earl Jenkins, played by Tony Todd, who is a memorable villain with a unique set of abilities.

Overall, "Zero" is a thrilling episode of Smallville that showcases the show's strengths. It has a strong central conflict that keeps the audience engaged, and it also explores some deeper themes about power, responsibility, and family. As Clark continues to grow into his role as a hero, he faces new challenges and learns important lessons about what it means to be a good person.