Episode 2.16: Fever

When Martha Kent buries the key to the ship in the storm cellar, she unearths some green (i.e. Kryptonian) toxic spores that infect her with a virus, putting her into the hospital. While in hospital, Jonathan and Clark learn that Martha is pregnant, something that was made possible when the ship was last opened with the key. This news makes it all the more urgent to find a cure for Martha. But Martha is not the only one in need of a cure. Clark is also infected. When the DCA searches the farm for the cause of the virus they take the key to the ship with them. Jonathan breaks into a military base in order to steal it back, hoping that the ship will save both Martha and Clark.

This episode has a lot going on, and with no meteor freak to contend with, it is all character driven stuff, including one of the most heartbreaking moments in Smallville history, when Chloe confesses her undying love to a bedridden Clark, only to have him whisper Lana’s name in his comatose state. It is a crushing blow to Chloe that really makes you sympathise with her.

As an addendum to that, there is a moment right at the end of the episode in which Lana tells Clark that she cares for him, even if she is "not as good with words as some people". She says this after having read what Chloe had written to Clark. As a result, this moment really makes you want to slap Lana in the face. It almost feels like she is trying to cheapen the way in which Chloe feels by saying that Chloe is simply better with her words. In fact, Lana’s half-arsed attempt to tell Clark how she feels just seems really lame, especially when she tries to justify not going to see him when he was ill by saying "it would have been too hard to see him like that". What!!! Seriously Lana, get over yourself! Sometimes you really have to ask why Clark is still swooning over her.

Lex does not have a great deal to do, which is a shame, but it is always nice to see Jonathan stepping up to the plate in an effort to save his family. At one point, Clark comes to his rescue, even though he too has been struck with the kryptonian fever. This is a nice moment because it shows us that it is Clark's willingness to step up, no matter what the situation, that makes him a hero and not his super powers.

10/10