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Smallville

Leech

Season 1, Episode 12, Aired Feb 12, 2002

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9.3

EPISODE RATING: Superb

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On a class trip, Clark and a fellow student named Eric are struck by lightning, and because Eric was holding a piece of kryptonite, Clark's powers are transferred into him.

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Cast & Crew

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GUEST STAR
William Samples

Sir Harry Hardwick
GUEST STAR
Will Sanderson

Brent
GUEST STAR
P. Lynn Johnson

Mrs. Summers

Annette O'Toole

Martha Clark Kent
John Schneider

Jonathan Kent (Seasons 1-5)
Michael Rosenbaum

Alexander ('Lex') Joseph Luthor
Allison Mack

Chloe Sullivan
Tom Welling

Clark Kent/Kal-El of Krypton
Kristin Kreuk

Lana Lang

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Fan Episode Reviews (18)

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112

9.4

"Superb"

By Canogaparkcindy, Nov 14, 2010

A near perfect episode of Smallville, even though it managed to be somewhat of a filler, it was beautifully executed and watching episodes like these just remind you of Smallville's potential and how good this show can really be. From the unresolved sexual tension between Clark & Lana to Lex's clever dialogue, it's classic Smallville here. Another plot element of classic Smallville is definitely the "freak of the week." Every week, we'd get someone new that survived the meteor shower with some side effects, that wasn't completely the case here, but it still had to do with the meteor rock.

Clark losing his powers, something new, something that the fans haven't seen all season, and it definitely was interesting seeing Human Clark. We also got tons of great scenes here like Clark pretty much saying goodbye to Lana in The Talon to the hilarious basketball game. It was just an amazing episode.

Amazingly written, beautifully directed, Smallville, not at it's peak, but definitely one of the best.moreless
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this was a really good ep

9.0

"Superb"

By cube2k8, May 07, 2010

in this ep of smallville the class is out looking for rocks and this kid erick is the teachers son and the dad is yelling at him. thing is erick has a thing for one of the football jocks girls. and then erick gets upset and goes and stand on the edge and thing is that he is holding the krptonite clark grabs him but some how tranfers his ablities to erick and erick has all the power . he makes is family live in fear and he beats up clark and beats up erik and the girl he loves call him a freak and he destroys a ton of police cars and then clark must find a way to get his powers back.moreless
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Another power transfer from Clark to a classmate leaves Clark as "normal," while the other faces the temptations of vengeance. Clark must devise a means to reverse the transfer.

7.5

"Good"

By cxtasy, Jan 22, 2009

On a school science trip into the B.C. forest, the Smallville cast has to dig up mineral samples, and once again Clark is adversely affected by the meteor rock Lana wears on her necklace. Chloe gets an amusing idea - order rocks on-line and have them delivered vacuum-sealed. Her heart is in journalism, not in science or algebra. One student, Eric, is treated harshly both by his teacher father and by classmates, so the setup does not take long. But when Eric disappears and tries a risky balancing act on the Reeve dam, Clark attempts to prevent his fall. A bolt of lightning strikes both, and the meteor rocks in Eric's bag transfers Clark's powers to Eric. At the farm, Jonathan's blue GMC pickup is full of hay, but Clark's usual strength is gone, and so is his speed, so he falls into the mud on a late autumn day in Canada. Shawn Ashmore plays Eric, who suddenly discovers he does not need his glasses, and continues to be verbally abused by his father, but also discovers more powers. So "Leech" is a fish-out-of-water theme, Clark without powers, Eric gaining them, as he finds by bench pressing 600 lbs. in the school weight room.

Lex continues his investigation of the Porsche accident in which Clark's intervention saved his life. Computer graphics of the scene roll over and over again as Lex wonders how Clark survived the collision, while he collaborates with tabloid Inquisitor writer Roger Nixon. Lex offers $10k for the name of each expert Nixon consulted to develop the theory that the Porsche struck Clark at 60 mph.

This week Lex drives a Jaguar sedan, tagged "LX LTHR" to see Clark, but it's easy to see it coming - just as Lex begins to suspect something very unique about Clark, that something has disappeared. Lex tries again to get Clark to tell him how the collision happened, but Clark continues the story that he simply dove into the river to save Lex. He offers Lex a chance to hit him with a hammer, rejecting this attempt to learn the truth.

Back to Eric, now with the chance to get back at his tormentors and play the hero, so a conveniently-placed purse-snatcher (in broad daylight in Smallville?) targets Chloe, and Eric speeds to the rescue, with some effective CG and stunts showing the perp's knife shattering on Eric's hand, followed by a toss through plate glass onto the street. Even Eric is surprised, as a crowd congratulates him. The story is predictable - except for figuring out how Clark's powers will be restored and Eric loses his.

The Kent family correctly realizes that the powers were transferred to Eric by the lightning strike. All believing the change is permanent, the family comes together in support and love for a young man who sees a drastic change in his life - did his powers define his character? The upside is the end of meteor-rock danger to Clark, as he notices when meeting Lana in the hall, and finding that her meteor rock necklace no longer affects him. It's a chance to be "normal," Clark and Pete losing a game of pick-up basketball, to Clark's enjoyment - no more worries about injuring someone.

Lex greets Sir Harry and Victoria in a high-rise office, but their deal is off, as Harry is still attempting to take over Luthorcorp, but now without Lex's company shares. Sir Harry may be playing a Brit, but it's an Aussie accent he has. Victoria has betrayed Lex somehow in this plan, and Lex knows it.

In a precursor to later events, Lana and Clark talk of good times in the now-closed Talon theatre, where Lana's parents met. Lana begins to notice Clark's more relaxed approach to life, and we can see he's discovering more advantages to his loss of powers.

Eric, meanwhile, has been billed as the local Superboy by Chloe's newspaper article, but his parents think he may be ill, and want to have him examined and studied. An angry super guy is a dangerous super guy, as Eric demonstrates at school by flipping a car and Clark's stunt double, too. Speeding off, Eric leaves Clark bleeding on a car roof. At the hospital, Lex comes by, seeing that Clark is truly injured and apologetic about his earlier accusations, so all is well for Clark's (former) secret for now. The larger story here is the contrast between Clark's responsible use of his power for good, versus the temptations any mortal like Eric faces when given any kind of unlimited power - would we respond as Clark, or as Eric? And their family support differs - Clark with loving, supportive parents, Eric with a vindictive, domineering father, suppressing him until he explodes.

Eric now faces consequences for his tirade at school, as his parents have notified the police, who roar into the scene with sirens blasting and lights flashing, another overdone authority-figure production, often seen in Smallville. Whether local police, a big-city SWAT team, or a military unit, the writers seem stuck on cartoonish exaggeration of any kind of enforcement agency action. Why? To whom does this appeal?

To end the side plot, we find Lex has double-crossed Sir Harry by false valuation of the lab Harry bought to take over it's patents, and now Sir Harry faces ruin. This was a betrayal of Victoria also, but the loss of his relationship with her is of little consequence to Lex. He has won again, and will be buying out Sir Harry's empire. This story line is rather short and only serves to reinforce the depth of Lex's ability to manipulate others and trap them before they can do the same to him.

Clark decides he must try meteor rocks on Eric, on the chance he may have the same vulnerabilities. He ask Lana for her necklace - is this the best source of meteor rock to use against Eric? Lana worries, and Clark does not know the consequences of his plan, and says "Goodbye" to her as if he will never return. And there's some truth to that - he realizes his powers may be restored, and his hopes for a relationship with Lana may be dashed. None of these feelings are spoken, simply implied by good subtle acting and direction.

Eric has created havoc at his home, a cruiser graphically puncturing the roof, clever idea. Clark realizes Eric must have gone to the dam, and when Eric appears next to an electrical substation, all the elements are present for a reversal of the transfer. And of course Eric grabs a live cable to kill Clark, who has the necklace in his hand, and the transfer takes place in shower of sparks and discharges. Eric is normal, and out of the script.

At the mansion, Lex tells Nixon he's convinced Clark is normal, even though Nixon hangs onto his theory. Lex says he is "closing the books" on the Clark case, but nothing is permanent in Smallville.

Back at the Talon, Clark returns Lana's necklace, in a lead-lined box, protecting Clark for the time and giving her a subtle message that he does not want her to wear it. To quote Clark, she says, "Sometimes letting go is the only way of moving forward." And the weight of the world is on Clark again, and his hopes for a life with Lana diminished. But this scene will play out again, as it does in most average Smallville episodes like this. It's a variation on the meteor-mutant theme, and a bit more interesting than most, with Mr. Welling dealing convincingly with the change in his life and the loss of powers. It's not an earth-shaking episode, but with good special effects and flawless acting, it's worth seeing a couple times. Re-run rating C+moreless
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Clark Kent's Day Off

9.5

"Superb"

By lenzinoH20, May 19, 2008

Leech-On a class trip, Clark and a fellow student named Eric are struck by lightning, and because Eric was holding a piece of kryptonite, Clark's powers are transferred into him.

It is always interesting to see what happens to a superhero when they lose the williness to fight, or more importantly, their powers all together. But the point is Clark is still oblivious to his future and is more a hero in training. He has no idea why or where these powers come from, but he has used them to help people since the discovery that he is an alien. "Leech" builds on Clark's mentality as a hero and helps him to become a stronger individual after he loses his powers. Tom Welling does a wonderful job as Clark adapts for the first time at being a normal human being. His reations to his everyday are now more complicated as he feels pain, gets tired easily, and can't seem adjust. But Clark soon learns that sometimes it's better to do things the hard way as well as his lack of abilities leave him at ease. At one point of episode Lana tells Clark he seems different, like he doesn't have the weight of the world on his shoulders anymore. It's a great scene showing Clark has achieved what he always want and that's being normal.

Shawn Ashmore makes for a terrific villain as Eric discovers he has Clark's powers. Yet at the sametime, Eric's situation is very sympathic. The family issues he has especially the bad blood he has with is father make him into a complex character. Eric, just like Clark, is kid just trying to fit in, and inronically, Eric becomes very popular when his power become public. The whole and community consider him a hero and I like comic book reference Chloe makes when she calls Eric "Superboy". Of course, Clark becomes jealous when Eric becomes a hero and it even makes him reconsider losing his powers. At the sametime, there's Lex who discovers that he hit Clark directly on the bridge the day he saved him. Even though it's a convenient plot development for Clark to lose his powers just as Lex confronts him about the truth, this scenes are great between the characters as Clark just wants Lex to be grateful just as Lex begins to feel guilty about questioning his friend. The best aspect of the episode is how courageous Clark becomes. It doesn't matter how much power you have, but it's do have the courage to back it up. Clark taking responsiblity for Eric's actions is great chaarcter development as Clark will do anything to stop him.

The special effects and action was above average than usual in this episode. My favorites are the opening teaser when Clark gets hit by lightning, Eric throwing a car, Eric saving the day in the streets of Smallville, the aftermath of Eric's rampage at his house, and the climatic fight between Eric and Clark. Lastly, I love the scene between Clark and Lana before he goes after Eric. It's amoving scene between the 2 characters as they grow more attached even dependent on one another in times of crisis. It's moments like this that make you wonder how could the writers have exploited this relationship to the point of butching? Anyway, "Leech" is a brilliant episode that is the best form of character development Clark ever had as he grows more into his hero persona.moreless
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In this episode, Clark must fight the "Parasite", well, sort of. He isn't really the "Parasite", but the similarities between him and Eric are many in this excellent episode.

10

"Perfect"

By macabre190788, Sep 17, 2007

I was hoping to see the power-sucking villain Parasite in a Smallville episode. And when I first found out that Eric managed to steal Clarks powers, I was hoping this could be a new "Parasite". Just like Rudy Jones(Parasite) in the 96 Superman animated series, Eric is presented as a loser, and a bit of a show-off when he learns to use his powers. Unfortunately he isn't really the "Parasite", because he seems to only obtain Clark's powers and not his toughts, and he doesn't lose the powers over time like in the comics. But I still enjoyed thi episode, and it's my second favorite episode so far in this season. Great and awesome effects, especially when Eric flips that car and the lightning scene before the intro. If you like Smallville, you got to see this one.

BTW. Am I the only one who finds Chloe a bit annoying?moreless
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (8)
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- When Clark is in the emergency room, Jonathan tells Martha to help him get dressed so he can go finish the paperwork, Martha puts Clark's one arm in the shirt and then drapes the other one around his shoulder. In the next shot Clark's arm is already in the shirt.
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- In the previous episode Clark got shot with an Uzi and the next morning his bruises still haven't healed, yet here the instant Clark regains his powers the scar on his head heals.
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- When Eric is atop the dam, he has the kryptonite in his right hand and the bag in his left. But in the next scene the kryptonite and the bag change places.
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- It took Clark twelve years to learn to use and control his powers - how did Eric manage all this within a 1-2 day period?
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- When Clark goes to confront Eric, why doesn't he wear the necklace around his neck to make sure Eric couldn't hurt him?
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- When Clark confronts Eric, the necklace falls out of the box not to far away from Eric. How come the kryptonite doesn't affect him until he touches it?
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- Lex is right outside the hospital room when Clark says to Martha: "Even though Eric has my abilities, I still think of them as my responsibility." Why didn't he hear that?
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- Whitney was complaining that he doesn't have any time to train or study, and he can kiss his scholarship goodbye - and then he goes off to play basketball with Clark! I would call that a bit of waste of time when he has more important stuff to do. (editor's note: then again, this is Whitney... ;) )
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QUOTES (14)
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- Jonathon: Clark, your gifts may be a part of you but they don't define you.
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- Eric: Come on, Clark. If you had the power to do whatever you want, what would you do? Clark: I'd stop people like you.
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- Roger: This could make one hell of a story. Lex: No one's ever going know about this; and if this story is accidently leaked, you and I are going to have a serious trust issue. Roger: (sarcastically) As opposed to the close, personal relationship we enjoy now.
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- Pete: He's been acting weird lately. Chloe: Well, okay, Clark's always acting weird, why don't you give me a gauge?
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- Jonathan: You know what they say: lightning never strikes twice in the same place. Look, my guess is that your powers aren't coming back. Clark: Maybe being normal won't be so bad; I mean it works for you and Mom. Martha: Oh, thanks.
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- Clark: You don't feel any differently about me now do you? Martha: Clark, you're our son whether you can bench-press the tractor or not.
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- Clark: I hope all this attention doesn't go to his head. He needs to be careful. Chloe: Well, you know what, Clark, the second you start throwing people thirty feet, I'll write nice things about you too.
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- Lex: Listen, I had no right to question your honesty. All I can do is plead temporary insanity and hope we can find a way to put this behind us. Clark: Only temporary?
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- Lex: You call sleeping with me business? I hate to think what that makes you.
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- Chloe: I'm sorry, but I find geology even more pointless than algebra. I mean, I could just order these rocks online and have them delivered to my house vacuum-sealed.
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- Pete: Why are you grinning? We lost. Clark: I know. Pretty cool, huh?
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- Jonathan: How are you holding up? Clark: Considering my chores used to take me five minutes and now they take two hours, I'm alright.
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- Lionel: Smallville is your test and now you are failing.
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- Victoria: We could've been great together. Lex: I plan on being great all by myself.
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NOTES (7)
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- This is the last appearance of Kelly Brook as Victoria in the series.
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- Music: "Inflatable" by Bush, "Bonecracker" by Shocore, "Fade" by Staind, "Fat Lip" by Sum 41, and "Elevation" by U2.
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- About halfway into the episode when Clark, Chloe, and Pete are walking down the stairs at school, you see the "crow" mascot behind them. His outfit is blue with a red cape, similar to the future Superman's.
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- The kids are out on a geology field trip at the beginning of the episode. In pre-Crisis continuity, Pete Ross became a geologist when he grows up.
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- In the comics and in the animated series, Superman battled a villain that could steal his powers called Parasite. His name was Rudy Jones, not Eric.
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- Shawn Ashmore starred in the movie X-Men as Bobby Drake (aka Iceman although not named as such), a boy that Rogue took a liking to. His character here, "Eric Summers," has a name composed of two X-Men movie characters: Eric Lensherr (Magneto) and Scott Summers (Cyclops). And the power his character Eric displays here is similar to another X-Men character: Rogue...who is his X-Men's character's girlfriend in the movie.
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- Cadmus Labs is mentioned in this episode. It is the same lab that created The Newsboy Legion and Guardian clones. It also created the Superboy clone after Superman "died" in Superman: Man of Steel #75.
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ALLUSIONS (1)
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- Superboy In Chloe's article, Eric is dubbed "Superboy." In the original DC comics, Superboy was a young version of Superman. He wore a similar costume as Superman and his alter ego was Clark Kent. In modern DC comics Superboy and Superman are distinct characters. Superboy (Kon-El) is a partial clone made from some of Superman's DNA. This new version of Superboy was created by Project Cadmus and artificially aged during the "Death of Superman" saga.
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