User reviews

Clark must save his family sans his powers in this interesting second episode of Smallville's fifth season.

For saving his good friend Chloe from freezing to death in the Fortress of Solitude, Clark's biological father Jor-El takes his powers from him. However, once three men have escaped from Belle Reeve Sanitorium, they are after Clark for the things he has previously done to other meteor infected people, most of which have gone to the institution because of him. While the escapees hold Clark's parents and Lana hostage at the Kent household, Clark and Chloe must find the serum at LuthorCorp that will cure them from their infection. Only when he gets creative is Clark able to stop the criminals and save those he loves.

This episode is interesting to see Clark act as a hero without his abilities. An intriguing angle for a story about someone who is used to being nearly invincible, but now just mortal.

Lex Luthor visits Lionel in the Belle Reve Sanatorium, and pretty after three powerful criminals escape from the asylum. Meanwhile, Clark Kent is delighted, being an average Kansas farm boy and in deep love with Lana Lang. The population is rebuilding Smallville together after the meteor shower and Lana and Clark go to the barn of the Kent's farm to bring a box of nails. However, the three runaway meteor freaks arrive, kidnap Lana first and Jonathan and Martha later to force Clark to break in Luthor Corp. facility and steal a serum in Level 3. The trio is addicted in this substance that increases their abilities. Stripped of his powers, Clark asks Chloe to help him.

In spite of being without power, a hero is always a hero: Clark Kent is helped by his friend Chloe and defeats the three bad guys. The second chance for his friendship with Lex Luthor is apparently over. The surprising revelations that both Clark and Lana are virgins is amazing and incredible. On the contrary of Clark's thoughts, the past can still hurt. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Mortal" ("Mortal")

I believe it was established in a prior season that Clark gets his super powers as a result of being a Kryptonian under the influence of a yellow sun (Earth's sun). So please explain how Jor-El, who is nothing more than a voice or something, can strip Clark of his super powers? Clark is still a Kryptonian and he is still under the influence of the yellow sun. A plot hole too big to ignore.