Legacy

Season 3, Episode 17, Aired
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Episode Summary

When Jonathan begins to act strangely, Clark believes Jor-El is sending Jonathan messages through the key and is the cause for his father's withdrawal from the family. Clark goes down to the caves to confront his biological father but Lionel catches him there and begins putting the pieces together leading him straight to Dr. Swann. As the two billionaires face off, a deal is struck and Lionel's true motives are revealed.moreless
9.4
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Fan Episode Reviews (10)

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  • this was a good ep

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By cube2k8, Mar 31, 2011 Report Abuse
    in this ep of the show smallvlle clark begins to think that jorel is sendign his dad messages through the key in caves and he goes there to confront his bio locical dad about it but he bumps into lionel luthor and he begins to pecies the things togeather and he goes and he sees dr swan and they make a deal and thing is clark begins to think that he is being betrayed by lex and dr swan . this was a good ep i thought and it was really good and that is why i gave it a 9moreless

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  • Lacking Logic, Much?

    5.2
    "Mediocre"
    By lenzinoH20, Mar 31, 2011 Report Abuse
    Legacy-When Jonathan begins to act strangely, Clark believes Jor-El is sending Jonathan messages through the key and is the cause for his father's withdrawal from the family. Clark goes down to the caves to confront his biological father but Lionel catches him there and begins putting the pieces together leading him straight to Dr. Swann. As the two billionaires face off, a deal is struck and Lionel's true motives are revealed.

    I'm probably in the rare minority of this episode as I found "Legacy" to be very underwhelming. I don't know but I felt that nothing truly significant happened in the episode, which is a shock considering this episode sees the return of Christopher Reeves as Dr. Swann. While Chrisopher Reeve is nothing short of amazing and his scene with John Glover are some of the best acted scenes of the series. It was truly a treat watching both veteran actors working together so well together. But the problem that lies with "Legacy" it never progresses the storyline of the season but more like a filler, which is very bizarre.

    First, Jonathan's consequences for the deal he made for Jor-El get more complicated and never really get developed on. Second, Dr. Swann helping Lionel felt completely out of left field and still didn't make sense why he did it after Clark confronted him about it. Third, Jonathan's fight with Lionel, while well choregraphed had no significance to the sorry what so ever and was a random confrontation. Lastly, how in the world did Dr. Swann get the key at the end as it just randomly showed up in front of him. "Legacy" is nothing like what most fans concieve it to be, less classic episode and more illogical and flawed.moreless

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  • Great Episode

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Beer75, Mar 31, 2011 Report Abuse
    While in the roof of the barn, Jonathan Kent is contacted though the octagonal key and Clark Kent saves him from a fall. Clark goes to the Kawatche caves with the key trying to find an explanation for what happened, when Lionel Luthor unexpectedly appears. Lionel Luthor meets Dr. Virgil Swann (Christopher Reeves) and proposes an association to investigate Clark. The FBI bugs Lex to make a surveillance and get evidences against Lionel Luhtor, and Clark becomes a suspect due to the interest of Lionel in an apparently simple "farm boy". Lana Lang does not decide whether she wants to stay with Clark or not.moreless

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  • Dr. Swann makes his second, and final, appearance on Smallville in this memorable episode from Season 3.

    9.8
    "Superb"
    By Ummagnumma, Mar 31, 2011 Report Abuse
    What a great episode this is. I'm surprised this is not one of the more popular episodes in the Smallville repertoire (although its rating is somewhat higher than average). Written by popular contributor Jeph Loeb, this episode is obviously one of the more smoothly written and constructively taut episodes of the series. The episode culminates with standout performances from John Glover, Tom Welling, Jonathan Kent, and special guest Christopher Reeve.

    The general plotline of the episode revolves around the mysterious behavior of Jonathan, who hears loud noises emanating from the octagonal key and who mysteriously calls Clark "Kal-El". Clark soon believes that Jor-El is responsible for the behavior and begins to confront him in the cave. Lionel happens to interrupt the session, and based on the re-emerging octagonal pattern on the wall -- he is convinced Clark has something to do with it.

    Lionel begins to fill in the gaps and takes his case to Dr. Swann (played with perhaps a greater urgency than the first time by Christopher Reeve -- Reeve's performance in this episode is riveting and is certainly a worthy swan song to his career). Dr. Swann is not willing to help Lionel out, but the mention of the key gives Dr. Swann ideas. So the two come to a sort of deal. However, it becomes clear that Dr. Swann has his own agenda that is unfavorable to Lionel.

    Meanwhile, Lex begins to tackle his formidable father, in this instance by bugging himself in case Lionel slips. Lionel's obsession with Clark Kent is revealed, but Lex supplies resounding disapproval to an investigation of Clark -- for reasons that will become obvious soon enough.

    When Clark learns of Lionel's visit to Dr. Swann, he confronts the brilliant scientist. Swann reveals his disapproval of Clark's behavior in the past year (and for good reason given the events of the end of Season 2 and most of Season 3). Swann is convinced that Clark is not ready to embrace his destiny; Clark, meanwhile, reveals what was written in the spaceship. One of Swann's lasting pieces of advice (and a worthy conclusion to Reeve's performance) is that "humanity is not entirely biological". A great scene.

    The episode's urgency reaches a fever pitch when an obviously skullduggerous search of the Kent farm takes place. But Jonathan Kent, whose behavior continues to mystify, has kept the disk. However, his behavior becomes more and more reckless, and he boldy goes back to the cave (which is now inundated with LuthorCorp gear and employees) to face Lionel. The disk reacts to its proximity with the octagonal impression in the cave and then moves directly toward it. The impression then is lost, and the disk is nowhere to be found.

    Jor-El's message that he "is waiting" is finally answered. The disk is to be protected until Clark is ready. And the keeper of the key? No one other than Dr. Swann. How unbelievably appropriate.

    Lionel's true intentions are also revealed. He believes his life can be saved by what's inside the caves. And it is obvious he will stomp on anybody in his way. Season 3 was a season where each character was on the brink. And the tension is at an incredible high. Great stuff.

    What a thrilling episode. Beautifully shot, superbly acted, and intelligently unraveled. This is one of the best episodes of the series.

    As for Christopher Reeve, you will forever be missed. And you went out in great style.moreless

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  • Goodbye, Christopher Reeve!

    9.6
    "Superb"
    By OeTvGreat, Mar 31, 2011 Report Abuse
    This episode was really cool, first of all Clark begins to feel that his father is acting strangely so he tries to figure out what is going on, later he discovers that Jonathan is getting messages coming from the small disk and Clark tries everything to help his father, Clark requests Lex's help in order for Lionel to get out of the caves, and discovers Lex is working for the FBI, and blames him from sacking the farm, telling him they were no FBI agents. Later on, Clark goes out to Dr. Swann and discovers that he has met with Lionel, and he tells him that he got a message origined from Earth that goes toward his dad, and Jonathan goes down to the cave to kill Lionel, but Clark manages to help him. Is really good episode, but unfortunately is the last appearance of Christopher Reeve, since he dies later, too bad a great legacy from Superman that he left us...moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • It's not revealed here or in the future why the key teleported itself to Swann at the end. Edit
    • Trivia: Lex reveals that he speaks German. Edit
    • At 0:55 as Jonathan falls, there is a wire visible that is keeping the weathervane from falling all the way off the roof. Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • The building used as the outside of the Conservatory is The Dakota. When it was built in the 19th century, many people thought it was going to be a financial failure. Because of that, it was nicknamed "Clark's Folly" (a reference to the developer Edward Clark who had it built). Edit
    • Music: Once In A Blue Moon (Edie Brickell), Mona Lisa (Grant-Lee Phillips), Love's Divine (Seal) Edit
    • In the German dubbed version Lex speaks French. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Lex: Where's the Inquisition when you need it? Edit
    • Clark: I didn't mean to unload on you like that. Lana: No, you .. you never have to apologize for opening up to me. Edit
    • Jonathan: This is your last warning - stay away from my son. Lionel: If you'd raised your son the way I raised mine, maybe you wouldn't have to protect him. You know, weakness isn't something you're born with - you learn it. And Clark learned his from you. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Lex: Where's the Inquisition when you need it?
      The Inquisition was an institution in the Catholic Church charged with the eradication of heresies. Heretics were people who said something in opposition to the doctrine of the Church and usually executed. Edit

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