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Smallville

Rogue

Season 1, Episode 9, Aired Jan 15, 2002

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9.2

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Clark visits Metropolis and does a secret good deed - a police detective named Phelan witnesses his action and begins blackmailing Clark to help protect him from an IA investigation.

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Cast & Crew

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GUEST STAR
Kelly Brook

Victoria Hardwick
GUEST STAR
Cameron Dye

Sam Phelan
GUEST STAR
Danny Wattley

Deputy

Tom Welling

Clark Kent/Kal-El of Krypton
Kristin Kreuk

Lana Lang
Michael Rosenbaum

Alexander ('Lex') Joseph Luthor
Eric Johnson

Whitney Fordman
Sam Jones III

'Pete' Ross
Allison Mack

Chloe Sullivan

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Fan Episode Reviews (21)

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While visiting Metropolis, Clark averts a bus crash but is witnessed by a corrupt former cop named Phelan, who starts blackmailing Clark and his family in to helping him. A decent episode, although some big plot holes...moreless

8.5

"Great"

By Jay-Spacedust, Apr 06, 2011

This review contains spoilers.

"Rogue" is notable because it is the first episode of the series where the villain-of-the-week is not affected by Kryptonite, or any kind of supernatural influence. In fact, other than Clark himself, there is no real supernatural or alien element of this episode. Which is fine, as it makes from a welcome change of storyline.

I enjoyed seeing Clark and his family being blackmailed by corrupt cop Phelan, although I did feel there were several quite big plot lines. For example, after Phelan tries to bribe Clark in breaking into a vault for him, only for Clark to dump the vault on Phelan's car and disappear just as the police arrive the very next day, Phelan is back about in the Kent farm, with his plot to frame Jonathan. Sure Phelan is a cop so might have pulled a few strings, but I didn't find it credible that he would be back in action, complete with a dead body, just a few hours after this incident.

The major plot hole though, and one that many viewers have commented on, is the conclusion Clark drops Phelan in it for trying to steal the diamond-encrusted armor from the museum, finally getting him nabbed by the cops, but suddenly all the murder charges against Jonathan are dropped and he's back home. Whaaa did I miss something? This was one area of the story that really needed to be filled in more.

B-plot wise, we get Chloe ousted as editor of the Torch and Lana, trying to sort the matter out, taking her place, which I found to be far too "teen drama"ish and had no real weight to it at all, and the appearance of an old flame of Lex's, played by Kelly Brook, making him an offer he can't refuse.

I've pointed out all the weaker points, but at the same time this is a very enjoyable episode (if not quite one of my favourites). It is a nice change of pace to not see the Kryto-mutant nemesis of the week, and fun to try and work out how Clark and the Kents will get out of this predicament.

All-in-all, a watchable, enjoyable episode, but not one of my particular favourites of the show. The aforementioned plot holes are the main thing that works against it. But it's got enough decent moments for me to give "Rogue" an 8.5.moreless
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another good ep

8.5

"Great"

By cube2k8, May 07, 2010

in this ep of smallville clark goes to metropilis to a musemum and goes out side for some air and sees a bus about to crash after the driver had like a heart attack and clark stops the bus but thinks no one saw him and it turns out a crupited police officer saw him and starts to blackmail clark to get him to do stuff for him. he first wanted clark to go get some documents but then calles the cops on him after droping the safe on his car. then in the mornignt the cops nock on the door and it turns out that the cruptied cop had planted evidence that johthan had murderd som e one and they found the gun in his car. and then he has him do something eles try to steal the diamonds on the faceplate of the armor from along time ago. it was a really good epmoreless
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A superb episode, and in my opinion, the best episode of Smallville so far. (Spoilers)

9.5

"Superb"

By Jason5550123, Jul 12, 2009

I thoroughly enjoyed this episode of Smallville, mainly because it had a fresh storyline, great acting, amazing character interaction; and it was just an all around superb episode. I am looking forward to more Smallville episodes that are like this. The action was also good, and it was pretty interesting to see Clark get angry. It still looks like Clark and Lana are getting closer to becoming a couple, although Chloe obviously has a crush on Clark. So, I'm interested in seeing what happens with that. Lex is also showing his dark side, as he starts to investigate Clark. Overall, I give this episode, Rogue, a 9.5 out of 10.moreless
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A rogue Metropolis detective witnesses Clark's superstrength in action, and threatens to expose his secret if Clark refuses to help him with criminal acts. Chloe and Lana have a falling out over editorship of the Torch newspaper.moreless

7.5

"Good"

By cxtasy, Oct 04, 2008

Young Clark looks out of place at a glitzy museum reception for some rare art objects, including a jeweled breastplate owned by Alexander the Great, as Lex explains to Clark. Whitney (who gets no speaking part in this episode) is escorting Lana, while Clark is clearly pining for her. Lex introduces Clark to Victoria Hardwick, a very old friend, but she's not old.

Outside, detective Phelan beats up another guy, demanding he get into Internal Affairs for some files, as Clark steps outside for some air. City bus rounds the corner, driver suffers heart attack, bus heads for sleeping derelict, so heroics happen early. Clark throws himself in front of the bus, and it wraps around him like a phone pole. Good move, but he's spotted by Phelan. How will he misuse this information?

Mom and Pop Clark are proud of his deed, meanwhile we see some blackmail going on against a museum guard by Phelan. He gets a security cam photo of Clark with Lex, so he intends to blackmail Clark, no doubt.

Lex is getting along with Victoria, who's trying her best to be very sultry, and has come to see him from the Old Country, where her father is an wealthy industrialist. She's using her charms to recruit Lex away from Luthorcorp.

Over at the High School, reporter Chloe has written a story about "whack funky" Smallville, America's strangest town, but Principal Kwan is not pleased about another "Mutant" headline. Meteor rocks have been found to be harmless, he insists, and relieves her from her editor position. Chloe is crushed.

Lex seems to know bad guy Sam Phelan, who claims to have something on Lex. Back at home Clark finds a Metropolis police badge, just as a tractor engine drops on him; it's Phelan and he's seen what Clark can do. He now knows Clark's powers, but Clark refuses to help. Clark later has to tell Martha and Jonathan about this imminent blackmail, but Jonathan is going to see Phelan instead.

Lex drops by to see Clark at the barn, and detective Phelan has already been to see Lex. Phelan is a dirty cop, Lex warns him. Later at the Talon, Jonathan meets Phelan, who demands Clark's help, presumably in his battle against crime. Jonathan refuses to allow Clark to help, Phelan threatens to expose Clark, ending his normal life, and Jonathan nearly loses control.

Clark researches Phelan at the Torch, whose computers seems have no limits on getting into various databases. Lana comes in; she's been appointed new editor, but Chloe explodes in anger about losing her position. Phelan intercepts Clark outside, and they go to Metropolis to fight crime, by Clark breaking and entering to get files from police Internal Affairs. Clark reluctantly complies, and throws the chief's safe right onto Phelans car, as the police arrive. Nice turn of events by Clark.

Victoria is romancing Lex, who knows her father wants control of Luthorcorp, but Lex is even more ambitious, suggesting they control both companies. Time will tell if this story line goes anywhere.

Then Sheriff Ethan arrives at the Kent farm with a warrant; they find a dead body in the barn, and a gun in Jonathan's truck, all obviously planted by Phelan. When? Isn't he in jail from the previous night's escapade? They arrest Jonathan, then Phelan shows up at the house, where he reasserts control over Clark. Clark visits Jonathan in the jail, where he has to admit he saw Phelan again, during the b&e. Clark was close to killing Phelan; Jonathan advises keeping control over his impulses.

Lex offers to help against Phelan, Clark refuses the offer. That night, Phelan appears again at the barn. This time he wants Clark to help him again, and they leave the farm, followed by Lex in a Jaguar XJ sedan, license "LX LTHR." Phelan and Clark arrive at the museum; Clark is pressured to steal the breastplate. He disables the security system, while Phelan calls in a bomb threat to the museum staff, and Lex sees the building evacuated. Inside, Clark bends steel in his bare hands and the breastplate is out. But Clark flings it outside to the guards and Lex, Phelan pulls a gun and fires a slo-mo bullet at Clark. Nice touch - the bullet even rotates as it zooms past Clark, faster than a speeding.

The guards burst in and Phelan is killed in a brief gun battle, refusing with his last breath to tell Lex anything about Clark.

Back at the Torch, new editor Lana is in hot water with Principal Kwan, too, after her lead article about him crushing free speech. He offers Chloe the editorship again, if she promises to prove anything she writes. Chloe and Lana make up.

Jonathan has been released, all charges dropped, but Clark is justifiably depressed about Phelan's fate. He's positive no one saw him at the museum, but when we hear those words, we know they'll be shown wrong. Lex is seen repeatedly viewing museum security video - a speeding blur crosses the screen, and his suspicions grow....nice ending....always leave something unresolved, a thread for the next episode. An average Smallville story, showing some of the challenges and threats Clark will always face if someone learns his secrets. Re-run rating C.moreless
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Blackmailing With The Enemey

9.2

"Superb"

By lenzinoH20, May 17, 2008

Rogue-Clark visits Metropolis in this episode, and does a secret good deed - a police detective named Phelan witnesses his action and begins blackmailing Clark to help protect him from an IA investigation.

Another fine example that shows that when the writers change the routine of their regular episodes, they can produce some quality material. "Rogue" suceeds by having antagonist whose not a meteor freak, but a corrupt cop in the form of Sam Phelan. At this point, all the villains that Clark have faced just attacked and Clark managed to overpower them by episode end, but Phelan turns out to a much more crafted enemy. It's great plot development as Phelan doesn't force Clark to do what he wants through force but by blackmail. Cameron Dye is flawless as the once great detective whose now takes the law into his own hands. I also like the fact that Phelan and Lex have history, and Club Zero story sounds promising.

Tom Welling really turns up his acting this episode. The confrontation between him and detective Phelan was well acted. The development of Jonathan's arrest is handled well and brings some great drama not seen in the Kent family so far. I like how Clark turns the table around on Phelan in the end and frames him. The best part about the shootout at the end is while Phelan is about to die, Lex asks for the truth about Clark and Phelan tells him to go to hell. It's dark and subtle moment as Lex sees a bit of Lex's dark side starting 2 grow. The special effects are also getting more impressive by the episode as Clark getting hit by the bus was stunning scene. I also liked sequence of Clark watching a bullet being shot mid-air. "Rogue" is well done episode with a great villain and some tense developments.moreless
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (6)
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- When Lex comes in, Phelan turns away from where he's playing the pinball machine with both hands. There is a quick camera cut to Lex's face, and then a shot of Phelan and he is now casually holding a coffee cup that has appeared out of nowhere.
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- As Phelan talks to Lex at the Beanery, the score on the pinball machine behind him changes from a 3,000 number, to a 1,000 number, to a 14,000 number.
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- Phelan says that Clark isn't bulletproof. However, he has no reason to believe this, and every reason to believe Clark is invulnerable, considering that Clark survived having a generator dropped on him earlier.
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- In the museum scene near the end, Clark tells Phelan that his fingerprints are all over the breastplate. But Clark's fingerprints would also be on the alarm panel that Clark had to break into to disable the alarm system, incriminating him as well.
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- When Clark goes to see Lana at the Torch he is not wearing a jacket; however, when he leaves he picks up a jacket on the way out.
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- How was Clark's dad finally released? The guy that set him up was dead, are we supposed to assume that it somehow got cleared up because of that?
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QUOTES (8)
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- Victoria: So what are you suggesting? Lex: You came to play on my hatred of my father. Now I'm going to play on yours. Why take one company when you can take two? Victoria: You know they'll probably kill us. Lex: Probably. But that's what makes life interesting.
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- Lana: Clark, what happened to you last night? Clark: I wasn't feeling well. Guess I'm not much of a city guy. Chloe: You can take the boy off the farm, but you can't take the farm out of the boy.
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- Clark: Whitney's not my enemy. Lex: Yes he is, Clark, and the sooner you realize that the sooner you'll find a way to win Lana. Just remember, keep your friends close and the quarterback closer.
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- Lex: I plan on being great all by myself.
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- Lex: How is Sir Harry? Victoria: Distant, inaccessible, and rich. I believe you know the type. Lex: What's he want with me? Victoria: He understands you may have negative feelings toward your father. Lex: Sir Harry has always had an incredible grasp of the obvious.
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- Chloe: It figures you'd side with her. Clark: I'm not taking anyone's side. Chloe: Yeah right, Clark, you're completely objective in all things Lana!
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- Phelan: We're both rational adults. Let's sit down and... Jonathan: I don't think a rational adult drops a generator on top of a teenage boy, do you?
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- Lex: (pointing to a "S"-type symbol) You know it belonged to Alexander the Great? They said the design symbolizes strength and courage. Clark: I can't exactly see myself going into battle with that on my chest. Lex: Darker times call for darker methods. His opponents thought he was invincible. Clark: I didn't know you were such a history buff. Lex: I'm not. I'm just interested in people who ruled the world before they were thirty.
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NOTES (3)
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- A short story in "Smallville #4" takes place towards Clark and Sam's arrival to the museum near the end of the episode. The scene has Clark spotting a car wreck and Phelan stopping (though Clark had to persuade him a few times). Clark pulls the car out of the water and Phelan saves one of the passengers. They manage to flee before the medics arrive.
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- Music: Everything and Breathing (Lifehouse), I Have Seen (Zero 7), She Lives By The Water (Club 8), Angel (Massive Attack), Take Your Time (Radford), Step It Up (Stereo MC's)
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- Injoke: The "S" on Alexander the Great's chestplate is imagery foreshadowing Clark's future.
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