Adam Brody guest stars as Justin in Crush, the nineteenth episode of the first season. First airing on 7 May, 2002, it was written by Philip Levens and showrunners Alfred Gough and Miles Millar.

Justin has been recovering in a Metropolis hospital after a hit and run. He’s returning to Smallville, following his release (and an accident involving his doctor), and makes a romantic connection with Chloe (Allison Mack). She also learns that he has telekinetic ability!

There’s a job fair at Smallville high and that’s a lot of fun.

Pete (Sam Jones III) clues Clark (Tom Welling) into the fact that Chloe likes him, but he’s too caught up in Lana (Kristin Kreuk) to notice. She was even planning on asking him to the spring formal. And now it may be too late what with Justin back in town. She wants to help him find the driver who was responsible for his hit-and-run.

Things escalate when Justin finds the car that hit him, and its owner… Principal Kwan (Hiro Kanagawa) and takes ‘justice’ in his own hands. But what if it wasn’t Principal Kwan driving? Can Clark find a way to stop him? And will that impact their friendship?

Lex (Michael Rosenbaum) is mourning the loss of his mother, on the anniversary of her death and is visited by his former nanny. She wants to make things better between her and Lex before she dies, from cancer.

And Whitney (Eric Johnson) wants a second chance with Lana, but how does she feel about him now, and what about Clark? Choices will be made, and there will be losses before the end of the episode.

There are lots of character beats in this episode. Character arcs and moments are being pushed to the fore. The series has definitely found its footing and is leaning into the characters in a big way.

Obscura debuted on 14 May, 2002. It was written by Micheal Green and Mark Verheiden from a story by Greg Walker.

It’s Lana’s turn to have some powerful abilities. After an (kryptonite-tinted) explosion (that happens a lot in Smallville), Lana is injured and wakes with some form of clairvoyance.

She begins to have visions of a serial kidnapper and killer who is stalking the area.

When Chloe ends up being kidnapped, Clark must trust to her visions to help his friend. And once she’s rescued, thanks Clark, the kidnapper strikes again… taking Lana! Clark really has his work cut out for him.

Roger Nixon (Tom O’Brien), the reporter, resurfaces, and Lex convinces him to take a look at the meteor shower when a witness tells them that something else came down along with the meteors.

Mythology arcs are pushed forward, character beats are pushed further to the fore, and the series is really starting to thrive here. Sure, we like the adventures, but we are now hooked on the characters, and the last couple of episodes have definitely catered to that.

Aaron Douglas shows up in the guest cast! and that ending with Joe Morton’s character showing up and laying a piece of Clark’s ship on Lex’s desk!!

Character moments include the reveal that Chloe got the summer internship at the Daily Planet, Whitney is dealing with his dad’s death, but has asked Lana to the spring formal (and reveal that he’s planning on leaving town). The event is looming, and everyone is starting to pair up as we race towards the season finale next week!