Mortal

Season 5, Episode 2, Aired
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Episode Summary

Jor-El strips Clark of his power, leaving his son free to pursue a "normal" life. But when those closest to him are taken hostage to force him to recover a serum from LuthorCorp's Level 3, Clark must save the day without his superhuman abilities.
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Fan Episode Reviews (70)

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  • Average Joe Saves The Day!

    8.0
    "Great"
    By lenzinoH20, Apr 22, 2011 Report Abuse
    Mortal-Jor-El strips Clark of his power, leaving his son free to pursue a "normal" life. But when those closest to him are taken hostage to force him to recover a serum from LuthorCorp's Level 3, Clark must save the day without his superhuman abilities. For an episode that features our main hero powerless for an entire episode sounds pretty dull, especially since we've seen Clark powerless before! But "Mortal" maintains some good momentum with its freak of the week storyline and has great developments along the way. Most meteor freaks turn out to be crappy villains, but I was actually surprised that enjoy the characters of Lee and infamous Albino twins. They actually had good motives with their connections to 33.1 and the hostage situation provided tension that we can take seriously. Not to mention, their powers brought some cool special effects like Lee's energy balls and the twins' force field. My favorite aspect of "Mortal" is Clark and Chloe working to save the day for the first time. Their scenes together were so entertaining and it's great seeing this new side of their friendship. I also loved how Chloe reacted when she found out Clark told Pete the truth about him, lol. But it's good to know that even without his powers; Clark can still save the day. The way he beats Lee and the twins shows how resourceful he is. It's refreshing to see Clark find an alternate way to save the day and it really develops his character. It also comes as a shock as Lex was behind the whole thing as a way to test Clark. The end confrontation between them was great as it's an even greater rift in their friendship that can't be repaired. Glad to see that Lex's darker side is already coming out strong and you just can't wait to see what he'll do next. The only thing this episode could have done without is Clark and Lana making out in every scene they had together, ehw! I'm just glad we didn't see the entire love scene between them at the end; I don't think I could have stomached it! "Mortal" is a cool episode that gets overlooked and badly critiqued by fans sometimes, but I find it to be a good development episode for both Clark and Lex.moreless

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  • Clark Kent Human Hero

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By sh811a, Jun 27, 2009 Report Abuse
    There isn't much I can say that hasn't already been said but I really liked this episode, it's your typical hostage sittuation scenario but it's done right and I found it engaging and thrilling.

    It's almost like an episode of Macgyver, just as Macgyver has no leathal weapons to get out of situations Clark has no powers so he has to use only his wits and self defense skills to win.

    The three Belreave excapees where no doubt good adversaries let alone had some psychological issues going on which make them all the more dangerious. The action moments were good, I really loved how both Clhoe and Clark worked as a team inflitrating that factory almost like "Mission Impossible". But also how Clark tricked the three adversaries at the end with a booby traped case once opened activated a tear gas grenade, that was of course the same trick in "From Russia With Love". I also like what he said to the Sheriff when he was about to go in the house which I felt got at the core of what Clark Kent is.

    However my favorate moments were the dramatic moments one with Lex where Lex we see has fallen into that classic trap in the obsessive pursuit for the truth and it has severly cost him something far valluable, friendship.

    Most of all Lana. One where we hear that revelation that both of them are virgins, I felt that was great because it just showed not just how far their love for each other goes but what they want out of romance, it's paractically the same thing I believe in. And of course in the end both Lana and Kent making love in the end which was sweet.moreless

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    0 1

  • boring

    2.0
    "Terrible"
    By desiboy007, Feb 16, 2009 Report Abuse
    This episode really did just feel like filler, to make up the numbers for the series. I, like many others, was thrilled by the opener to the series, 'Arrival', and couldn't wait to see what happens, and then there was this. Another meteor-freak that clark had to stop, it just seemed so unoriginal. I know there will always be bad guys and superheroes but a little story line too please! On the plus side, it was interesting to see him do it without any special powers but I was just so bored. And I'm always wondering when they are going to stop with the long drawn-out love story between lana and clark its just getting annoying now. I'm patiently waiting for James Marsters to get in on the action.moreless

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    3 9

  • Lex releases three dangerous inmates from Belle Reve, and they take Clark and family captive to force Clark to penetrate Level 3 for a serum. Clark continues his pursuit to stay free of his former super-powers.moreless

    7.4
    "Good"
    By cxtasy, Sep 04, 2008 Report Abuse
    Back in Belle Reve, a dreadful mental institution, Lex has Lionel confined in a straitjacket, so it's turnabout from last season when Lionel had Lex in similar straits. And Lionel is back to his long-hair look. Another ugly inmate suddenly escapes from his shackles using a power ray, and frees a set of twins, played by Brad and Todd Mann, and they can stop bullets. (Would hospital guards go straight to shooting escapees?) Their destination - Smallville. At a local barn-raising which is part of the community's reconstruction after the meteor shower disaster, Clark, without his powers, struggles with strength like everyone else. Chloe questions his change to being a "normal," but Clark affirms that this is what he wants - "Destiny is another word for not having a choice," he replies. Rebuilding Smallville is credited to Lex pulling strings at FEMA (hey, they do a good job without political influence!) as Lex arrives in his Mercedes SL 500. On a romantic run back to the Kent farm, Clark and Lana try to put their mistakes behind them. How long can separated lovers last reunited? Not long - the three Belle Reve escapees interrupt them, thinking all they heard about Clark is true - but he's now powerless.

    Meanwhile, Chloe's at the caves, and Lex is there, too - he reminds her of their last cave meeting - Lex unconscious and Chloe mysteriously transported to the Arctic. Chloe counters with questions about his coverup of the spaceship crash during the recent meteor storm. Clark and escapee Lee talk about Lee's stay in Level 3, the alleged top-secret research facility at Luthorcorp. Lee demands that Clark break into Level 3 to get green rock serum for the three escapees, thinking Clark has powers - wrong. Martha and Jonathan arrive in yet another red Dodge pickup, and that makes four captives of the escapees. Clark enlists Chloe to take him to the plant - where a blank area of the floor plan has to be the infamous Level 3, and they manage to slip in unnoticed. While crawling through the typical air shaft, Clark lets slip to Chloe that Pete knows his secret, too. What secret, we ask? He's "Mortal."

    Back at the Kent farm, Sheriff Nancy arrives with siren on full blast in her gigantic Chevy Caprice. She's searching for the escapees who left their stolen car nearby - they deflect her suspicions for a moment but she calls in reinforcements. The twins, looking and acting like members of Blue Man Group, except for their color, create a force field that stops even a Caprice like a brick wall. At the plant, Chloe tells Clark to search for a big door, and they find the inner lab and the serum stash. Clark returns to the farm without the serum, but with Chloe's smoke bomb. That girl is well-equipped. Cutting the local electrical power, Clark is able to defeat their special powers, leading Sheriff Nancy to ask Clark, "Ever consider a career in law enforcement?" Bad Lex was observing Chloe and Clark on Level 3, and Clark beats up on him, knowing he released the thugs and hampered their rescue attempt. Lex hits back, drawing blood from Clark - stunning him with the thought that Clark is "normal." Lana patches up Clark, as they realized the uncertainties of tomorrow, the one thing certain is their love, at least for another episode or two. There's nothing essential in this storyline, so the re-run rating is an average C.moreless

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    1 1

  • Great Episode

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Beer75, Aug 22, 2007 Report Abuse
    Lex Luthor visits Lionel in the Belle Reve Sanatorium, and pretty after three powerful criminals escape from the asylum. Meanwhile, Clark Kent is delighted, being an average Kansas farm boy and in deep love with Lana Lang. The population is rebuilding Smallville together after the meteor shower and Lana and Clark go to the barn of the Kent's farm to bring a box of nails. However, the three runaway meteor freaks arrive, kidnap Lana first and Jonathan and Martha later to force Clark to break in Luthor Corp. facility and steal a serum in Level 3. The trio is addicted in this substance that increases their abilities. Stripped of his powers, Clark asks Chloe to help him. In spite of being without power, a hero is always a hero: Clark Kent is helped by his friend Chloe and defeats the three bad guys. The second chance for his friendship with Lex Luthor is apparently over. The surprising revelations that both Clark and Lana are virgins is amazing and incredible.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • When Clark is trying to get into Level 3 thanks to the ventilation system, he seems to be speaking to Chloe very loud instead of whispering. This, and the tremendous noise he is making by simply walking into the pipes, should be more than enough to alert anyone standing beneath them. Edit
    • When Martha and Jonathan come looking for Clark and Lana and only find Clark, he is nervously placing three planks against the wall. When the camera angle changes there are only two planks. Edit
    • Where was Martha during the commotion at the Kents' Farm? Lee is fighting with Jonathan and the twins are fighting with Lana and yet Mrs. Kent who was there just moments ago is nowhere to be seen. Edit

  • Notes

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    • Music: Message by Coldplay. Edit
    • This is one of the first times since they were written off the show where Pete and Alicia have both been mentioned. Edit
    • This is the first episode of the series in which Clark never uses his powers. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Clark: I want our first time to be as special as you are. It's, um, it's my first time. Lana: It's mine too. Clark: You and Jason... Lana: No, no. You and Alicia? Clark: No. You are the only one I ever really loved. It's only been you, Lana. Edit
    • Clark: After everything that's happened, I thought I knew what my life would be like now. I thought it would be easier, but I guess you can never be certain what's gonna happen tomorrow, can you? Edit
    • Clark: (while beating on Lex) I thought we could start over, Lex, but you're too obsessed with the past, with me. But I'm different now, and I'm through playing games with you. You want to test me? Do it yourself, you coward. (Lex punches Clark, who bleeds) Satisfied? Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Lee: You ain't the only ones Heckle and Jeckle. You keep that field up all right. Heckle and Jeckle were a pair of identical cartoon magpies created by Paul Terry for his studio Terrytoons. The duo debuted in 1946 in the short The Talking Magpies. One of the two spoke with a British accent and the other spoke with a Brooklyn dialect though it was never clear which magpie was Heckle and which Jeckle. Edit
    • Chloe: What about alien Ken and Barbie? They tore apart Smallville looking for you. Barbie and Ken are best-selling dolls produced by the Mattel toy company. Barbie was first launched in 1959, and her companion doll Ken followed in 1961. Over the years, Barbie has been the target of much criticism stating that the doll portrays an unhealthy and unrealistic body image for women. Edit
    • Lee: Just trying to amp up what me and the Wonder Twins could do. Referencing the Superfriends TV series and Zan and Jayna, two aliens who could touch hands to activate their powers. Presumably the show doesn't exist in the Smallville universe and the phrase is just a coincident. Or the show is substantially different since it wouldn't have Superman in it. Edit

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