Episode 3.9: Asylum

When Clark learns of Lionel's plans to have Lex's memories wiped, using a dangerous procedure that could leave him in a vegetative state, he must race against the clock to break him out of Belle Reve insane asylum. Unfortunately, Clark runs into not one, not two, but three (four if you really think about it) villains that he has previously faced off against. Meanwhile, Lana begins her physical therapy and meets Adam.

Following on directly from the results of Shattered, Lex continues to be put through the ringer in this episode. You gotta feel sorry for the guy at this point! Rosenbaum is once again on his A game, giving a really outstanding performance.

John Glover is also on great form as Lionel, who gets to show a genuine feeling of love towards his son at one point. But it is a feeling he must force to one side for the sake of self-preservation. It's truly tragic! Annette O'Toole delivers once again too. There's a scene towards the end where the compassion she conveys towards her son is deeply touching.

We learn from Pete that he really struggles to keep Clark's secret. Clark realizes what a burden it is for him. It's a nice moment that reminds us of the sacrifices that Pete has to make for his friend on a daily basis. It's not all fun and games being best friends with a superhero.

It's so cool having Smallville's first real super-villain team up, though it's a shame that Van McNulty gets taken out the way he does, given how strong the previous episode with him was. The final showdown with the two remaining meteor freaks is still fun to watch. However, it does present us with the disturbing reality of Clark getting his stolen powers back, only at the expense of flipping the switch that essentially fries Lex's brain. The scenes of Lex receiving the electro shock treatment are painful to watch.

The new addition of Adam comes across as a rival to Clark for Lana's affections. At this point there's not much to suggest anything more than that so it feels like a nice ease in to the character. This is the way they should have handled the character of Kyla in last season's Skinwalker, so at least the writers are learning from their mistakes.

There's a great moment towards the end where we get the satisfaction of seeing Lionel's face as he realizes Lex was privvy to a secret that has now been wiped from his memory.

Excellent episode. 10/10