There’s more trouble afoot in Smallville when a deranged police officer, Flynn (Kevin Daniels), breaks into the Luthor Mansion demanding to know where the spaceship is that came down in the meteor shower. Lex (Michael Rosenbaum) uses his panic room to stay safe.

Written by Steven S. DeKnight this episode was first broadcast on 19 January, 2006.

And when a group of cops go after Lana (Kristin Kreuk) in an attempt to force Lex out in the open and reveal the ship, the already fragile relationship between her and Clark (Tom Welling) takes another hit. He’s learned that she’s working with Lex on researching it, and it’s causing lots of static for them.

Lex and Lois end up in the panic room together after a rough encounter that leaves Lex shot by Flynn. And it looks like seeds for a romance between Lex and Lana are still being planted.

Meanwhile, on the political front, Jonathan (John Schneider) wants to know who the mysterious backer is, and Lois (Erica Durance) reveals who it is, and Martha (Annette O’Toole) reveals more: that she’s the one who took the money from Lionel (John Glover).

And by episode’s end, there may be changes in the air, not the least of which is Smallville needs a new Sheriff… again. And Clark and Lana may be doomed if Clark can’t ever tell her the truth.

A fairly solid episode, but we also know that the Lana/Clark story isn’t going to end well anyway, and despite not knowing it yet, Lois is right there in the wings.

Reckoning first aired on 26 January, 2006. It was written by Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson.

Lex and Jonathan learn the results of the election… and oh, yeah, Clark reveals his secret to Lana. Five seasons in the making, how is it going to play out?

He takes her to the Fortress and reveals all. He even proposes to her! (How will that play out with Lex and his developing feelings for her? We find out in a pretty tough scene.)

But a tragic car accident is waiting in the wings, and will an appeal to Jor-El (Terence Stamp) be able to change it, or redefine Clark in a new way, once again? Lana’s car is struck while Lex attempts to talk to her. She doesn’t survive.

I think that will pretty much put paid to the Clark/Lex friendship.

But Jor-El allows him a chance to make a change, so Clark has a Groundhog Day as he works to keep Lana alive and by his side. How will it play out in the end? And what will the cost be?

Reckoning is the 100th episode, so something big has to happen. And does that mean we have to say goodbye to someone, permanently?

Oh yeah… it was going to happen sooner or later, so it’s time to say goodbye to Jonathan Kent, who suffers a heart attack. Clark only ends up sacrificing one love for another, and he won’t end up with Lana anyway. It’s a very nicely made episode, and marks a number of changes for the series.

There are some nice nods to the Superman films, and the entire episode plays out beautifully.