Episode 2.8: Ryan

This episode is a kind of sequel to the first season episode 'Stray'. It sees Clark breaking the young Ryan James out of an institute in which he was being experimented on. What follows is a touching story of brotherhood as Clark aims to keep Ryan safe and save him from a brain tumour. The fact that Clark cannot save Ryan only adds to the emotional impact of the story.

Even Lex gets to act as a surrogate father to the boy and advises Clark to spend whatever time he has left with him rather than trying to fix a problem that cannot be fixed.

There is one moment that I found hysterical in this episode. It is when we see the cover of Warrior Angel morph into Clark's face. It's so cheesy that I couldn't help but burst into laughter. Whether or not it was meant to be taken this way I do not know. All in all though, 'Ryan' sits just on the right side of sentimentality, without becoming unbearably mushy.

A heart-wrenching story well told. 9/10