Ryan (Ryan Kelly) last seen in the season one episode Stray is back. First airing on 12 November, 2002, Ryan was written by Philip Levens.

Ryan makes a desperate call to Clark (Tom Welling) claiming his being held against his will in a hospital that is doing testing on his mind-reading ability. Clark is determined to find his young friend, so he heads to a secretive institute in Metropolis to break Ryan out. But it’s not going to be that easy.

Ryan has an inoperable brain tumor, and his doctor, Lawrence Garner (Martin Cummins) wants him back.

In the interim, Ryan is being held at the Luthor Mansion, but Garner has the law on his side, Clark literally kidnapped a minor. How is it all going to play out? Lex (Michael Rosenbaum) is able to get a stay from his lawyer so that Ryan can stay with the Kents for now. But how long does the boy have?

Lana’s (Kristen Kreuk) Aunt Nell (Sarah Jane Redmond) springs a new life plan on her, a move to Metropolis. It’s not something Lana wants to do. Is there a way around it? And what does that mean for Clark and Lana? Is there a way for her to stay?

And Lex interacts with Smallville’s mayor (William B. Davis!), and it seems he wants a bribe when it comes to turning a blind eye to some of LuthorCorp’s construction needs.

This is an outstanding episode, featuring some great character moments, and embracing the show’s ongoing mythology. And Clark learns that there are things he can’t change, and some people he can’t help, but that you can be there for them through it all.

Dichotic sees Jonathan Taylor Thomas guest starring as the freak-of-the-week, Ian Randall, Written by Mark Verheiden, this episode was first broadcast on 19 November, 2002.

Ian has a 4.0 grade average, but a rough grade in shop could ruin his chances at a Luthor Scholarship. So he doubles (?) himself, and kills the teacher!

Clark is suspicious of Ian’s new grade immediately, he snuck a look at the final grades at Pete’s (Sam Jones III) urging.

Meanwhile Ian is taking advantage of his abilities by asking both Chloe (Allison Mack) and Lana out on dates. Speaking of Lana, she’s moving in with Chloe and her dad (Robert Wisden) after her aunt moves to Metropolis.

Ian starts literally double-dating them, until it all starts to come apart thanks to Clark and Pete looking outt for their friends. And it leads to a final confrontation on a bridge with lives at risk! Thankfully Clark is who he is.

And finally, Jonathan Kent (John Schneider) ends up with a broken leg (which could have been worse if Clark hadn’t heard him calling), and chafes with Martha (Annette O’Toole) when she wasn’t immediately available because of her job commitment to Lionel Luthor (John Glover). Hopefully, the pair can sort it out.

And Lex is having intriguing run-ins with the local parking meter enforcement. But is it really him? Or is there something going on with him? Apparently, it’s just anger issues, something he is forced to take a class for. Where he works to connect with Jonathan’s doctor, Helen Bryce (Emmanuelle Vaugier).

Of course, Ian’s abilities are caused by thee meteor rock, and honestly, coming on the coattails of Ryan, this episode doesn’t feel as strong. But I do remember a time when young Johnathan Taylor Thomas was everywhere, apparently he made it all the way to Smallville as well.