Nicodemus gives us a bit of This Side of Paradise feel… you know the classic Star Trek episode? Written by Micheal Green from a story by Greg Walker, it first aired on 19 March, 2002.

We learn that Dr. Hamilton (Steve Norton) has been working for Lex (Micheal Rosenbaum) and doing some experimenting with the kryptonite-infused meteorites. We learn it because one of Luthor’s employees has stolen a plant from Hamilton.

Before he can get too far away, he has an accident and is saved by Jonathan Kent (John Schneider – who is listening to a familiar tune on the radio). Jonathan gets sprayed by the plant, and it lets out his most lustful side for his wife, Martha (Annette O’Toole) and his hatred from the Luthors.

A number of people become infected, including Pete (Sam Jones III) and Lana (Kristin Kreuk) who attempts to seduce Clark (Tom Welling). And after that goes not as well as either wanted, she goes to the Talon, and attempts the same thing on Lex.

There’s a corollary between sex, violence, and strong emotions. Sounds very similar to that Star Trek episode. In this case, however, it could lead to death, as Jonathan falls ill after hitting peak emotional overload, and others can’t be too far behind.

Clark and Lex work together to figure out is going on. But how much is Lex really helping if he already knows Hamilton is working for him?

Chloe (Allison Mack) discovers something called the Nicodemus Diary, which may have a clue to how to stop things.

Stray sees the Kents becoming involved in another car accident. This time it’s Martha and the young boy involved, Ryan (Ryan Kelley) claims amnesia to get away from his parents who use him to facilitate their thefts.

You see Ryan is the freak of the week, and is able to read minds. But it’s not caused by kryptonite, this time around, it’s a tumor in Ryan’s brain.

Stray was written by Philip Levens and first aired on 16 April, 2002.

On the Kent farm, Ryan finds himself with Clark as a big brother, and it adds a nice new layer to Welling’s performance.

Ryan’s parents are desperate to gt him back, because they plan to use Ryan’s abilities to rob Lex. So how are things going to play out? Well, Clark is going to be able to save Ryan from his parents, but he can’t stay with the Kents… And Ryan will be keeping a number of secrets.

We get a mention of Lex’s late brother for the first time, and get a glimpse of Clark’s ship again (the first time since the Pilot, and it looks a bit different now). We also get an appearance from Lionel Luthor (John Glover – who is always welcome!).