Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer delivered Rage, which debuted on 9 November, 2006.

Lex (Michael Rosenbaum), in a move that surprises no one anymore, has been involved in crafting experimental pharmaceuticals, and surprise, surprise, Oliver Queen (Justin Hartley) is taking them. It gives him a superhuman ability to heal himself, but it also comes with a side effect: lots of rage.

Will it impact his relationship with Lois (Erica Durance)? And how will it affect his work as the Green Arrow? While we’re talking about the character, let me mention, once again, that I really don’t care for this iteration of the character. He lacks the likability and charm that Ollie should have.

Meanwhile, on the Kent farm, Clark (Tom Welling) and Martha (Annette O’Toole) prepare for their first Thanksgiving without Jonathan. When Clark discovers that Ollie is taking a drug, and they learn about Lex’s involvement, how will things play out?

And wait a second, what the hell is happening with Martha and Lionel (John Glover)?

Speaking of weird romance things, the Lex and Lana (Kristin Kreuk) thing, such as it is, continues, but there seems to be an underlying tension to it now. There’s also something strange going on with Lana as well, something medical.

This one’s okay. There’s a lot going on character-wise; some are getting the short shrift – I don’t think they really know what to do with Lana right now. Surprise, she’s pregnant.

And I get that they are working towards establishing an early version of the Justice League. Heck, we’ve met a number of the founding members, but I don’t think any of them, barring Clark, are memorable enough.

Static was written by James Morris and Shintaro Shimosawa. It first aired on 16 November, 2006.

Hey, look, Lex is menaced by a former Belle Reve patient (again). And, of course, Lana hasn’t told Lex that she’s pregnant. The patient, Bronson (Elias Toufexis) has the ability to morph through various frequencies, manifesting and influencing things as static, including keeping Lex trapped in a room in the mansion, just out of phase. He wants answers about one of his secret labs, 33.1.

Bronson contacts Lana and asks her to help him get the truth out in exchange for Lex’s release. Will she learn about more secrets that Lex is keeping?

Clark goes after one of the Phantom Zone escapees, Aldar (Dave Bautista!), who has slaughtered the crew of a cargo ship during their escape. Clark, armed with the crystal, goes after them, leaving Chloe (Allison Mack) to try to help find Lex. Even Lionel tries to figure out what is going on. But it’s Jimmy Olsen (Aaron Ashmore) who cracks it.

Clark gets to have a bit of a knockdown fight with Aldar; will he be able to stop him? Or will something, someone (?) else be involved?

Sure, in the long run, this one comes down to a freak-of-the-week episode, but it’s just draped in more character arcs than the series has previously had. I’m tired of the Lex/Lana thing; the series needs to figure out what to do with her character. The lines between Clark and Lex are becoming more drawn, and there are so many pieces on the board that are leading recognizably Superman that it almost feels like a ridiculous tease to keep us waiting at this point.