Before he was Teen Wolf, Tyler Posey showed up on Smallville as Javier, a migrant worker, in Subterranean. Written by Caroline Dries, this episode debuted on 7 December, 2006.

While Lex (Michael Rosenbaum) and Lana (Kristin Kreuk) mull over Lex’s wedding proposal and Lana’s pregnancy, Clark (Tom Welling) gets involved in helping Javier.

Javier was working at the nearby McNally farm, but there’s a sinister secret in the cornfield left by the last meteor shower – mass graves for workers who tried to escape, and something that lives there. Javier just wants to get to his mom, but he’s been trapped as an illegal worker. Clark, no surprise, is determined to help him.

This episode is definitely the most political one of the series; it deals with illegal immigration and the use of illegal immigrants as workers. Martha (Annette O’Toole), as a senator, wants to initially turn Javier over to the authorities; Clark in typical superhero fashion, just wants to help.

Clark believes everyone has rights and opportunities, and Javier is trapped in a cycle that is exploiting and abusing him. Those in power want more of it, and money (Lex) and aren’t worried about exploiting people, including migrant workers, to improve their bottom line, and that prevents (some) immigrants and workers from getting into the country or improving their lives legally.

I get this is an oversimplification, but it comes down to the fact that people continue to exploit these workers and use them illegally.

We also get to check in on Chloe (Allison Mack) and Jimmy’s (Aaron Ashmore) developing relationship. They also help Clark find Javier’s mom (Maria Dimou).

And Lana comes up with a plan to help the workers apply for permanent residency and homes, though Clark is convinced Lex is doing it to clear his name, and he is keeping some terrible things from Lana. Section 33.1 for instance.

This is a pretty important episode considering the political climate. Compassion should outweigh the law; there is moral justice, which should be a higher standard than codified laws.

Hydro was written by Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson. It was the first episode of 2009, broadcasting on 11 January. It was also directed by Tom Welling.

Tori Spelling plays the Daily Planet’s gossip columnist, Linda Lake. That’s going to make this episode tough to watch, she’s always kind of annoyed me. Anyway, Lake has the abiliy to turn herself into water, allowing her to overhear private conversations – she can hide in a jug of water, a lake a pond, a puddle. That’s how she always gets the best gossip, and it’s always true.

Lois (Erica Durance) is beginning to suspect a connection between Oliver Queen (Justin Hartley) and the Green Arrow. Clark helps him keep his secret, but also gets his first kiss from Lois!

And Lana reveals to Chloe that Lex proposed, which Chloe reveals to Clark after Lake eavesdropped on the conversation and put it in the Planet. When Clark confronts Lex, he reveals that Lana’s pregnant. And Lana gets closer to Clark’s secret than ever before!

This is a fairly standard episode, but it’s done well, with lots of great character moments. This one seems to be all about advancing character arcs. I just wish they’d done it without Spelling.