A rave in the caves causes problems for Pete (Sam Jones III) and Chloe (Allison Mack) in Rush. First airing on 4 February, 2003, this episode was written by Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer.

The pair are infected with a parasite that makes them adrenaline junkies, and that is not only going to cause problems for them, it may put Clark’s (Tom Welling) secret at risk. These caves are going to be the source of a lot of trouble I see.

And it could ruin Clark’s actual date with Lana (Kristin Kreuk).

Oh, and of course, there could be complications when Clark learns that Lex (Michael Rosenbaum) owns the land and the caves now. In fact, Clark has been spending a lot of time in the caves, and Lex gives the security guard the okay for him, and only him.

And speaking of Lex, he hires Frederick Walden (Rob LaBelle) to investigate the pictograms and iconography in the caves. Yup, this cave is going to be pretty important. And he doesn’t want Clark in the caves…

Man, things are gonna get complicated. This a real barrier in Clark and Lex’s friendship. Pete and Chloe are wired and infected, and will Clark be able to have an actual romantic date with Lana? Or will the barriers keep coming up for the potential couple?

Oh you better believe they do, because Pete slips some red kryptonite into Clark’s pocket. And Chloe learns Clark’s secret… but forgets it by the end of episode. Somethings have to be maintained for a while longer yet. But before then, things are going to get pretty troubled for the pair.

And how do they get rid of the parasite? And will things get patched up for Lana and Clark?

The character stuff is great, and it’s interesting to see Pete as a threat. And the cave and story mythology gets pushed forward.

Prodigal debuted on 11 February, 2003 and was written by Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson.

Remember the mention of Lex’s brother Lucas awhile ago? Clark has finally found him. Played by future Captain Kirk, Paul Wesley steps into the role of Lex’s long-lost brother. Lex found him in Edge City, and brings him back to Smallville.

He hopes to convince Lucas to join him in working against his father, Lionel (John Glover), but Lex faces betrayal again when Lucas sides with Lionel.

Course it doesn’t help that Lucas was cheating some Chinese high-rollers (and gangsters) at cards. Maybe Lionel found some leverage to use on his own son. Lionel declares Lex no longer a Luthor, and he’s taken all of his money and holdings… Lex turns to the Kents for a place to stay.

And Lucas rumbles Lionel, he’s only pretending to be blind.

And despite, the way things ended with Clark and Lana in the previous episode, they seem to boe doing okay with one another in this one. Course, that doesn’t mean Clark is going to get a job at the Talon just because she’s hiring. Clark gets the job, but can he handle it? Or will he even have a chance with the new Talon partner, Lucas?

How is this all going to end up? Maybe some convenient assassin working for the Chinese and other problems will cause Lucas to step away from Smallville once and for all? Or will itt all come own to a family showdown between the three Luthors?

Not my favorite episode, but it’s interesting to see the conniving Luthors at work against one another.