Tuesday May 21, 2002
227620
Lex is hit with a surprise after his father closes the local Smallville plant to force him back to Metropolis, blaming the plant's failure on his management. Meanwhile Clark prepares for his date with Chloe, reporter Roger Nixon gets wind of Clark's alien origins after setting up an explosion, and Whitney joins the Marine Corps.
Read Full Recap » (warning: possible spoilers!)Season One ends with Whitney leaving for the Marines, leaving open the possibility of a relationship between Clark and Lana. Nixon discovers Clark's secret, threatens to expose it, and a severe storm endangers Lana and Clark. hide show
The eye-catching opening scene has a US-registered helicopter arriving at the Luthor plant with Lionel aboard, greeted by Lex, who is uneasy about the purpose of the visit. He wants a pat on the back for the plant's workers for recent good performance. The production staff must have hired the entire workforce of this processing plant as extras for Lionel's speech scene - so everyone got a nice work break and a chance to be seen on-camera.
Lionel instead drops the news that the plant is closing immediately due to management failures - Lex being the culprit. At least he told everyone in person, but he wisely had an exit strategy via the same chopper, and last words for Lex about that job being just a training ground, and that's over. So Lionel's helo lifts off toward the Alex Fraser Bridge in North Delta, BC, just southeast of Vancouver - a distinctive landmark - but an area depicted as Metropolis in other episodes.
Chloe, Clark and the Kents are shocked about the closure and the impact on employment in Smallville - but Clark is somewhat defensive of Lex. Meanwhile Whitney and Lana are out for a traditional picnic by the lake, where he hands her his acceptance letter for his US Marine Corps enlistment, signed out by the cleverly-named General "Maulem," and giving Whitney a free trip to Parris Island. Lana is shocked. "Will you wait for me?," he asks. She doesn't answer.
Clark visits Lex, spotting the spaceship key Lex found near the Kent farm last week in "Obscura." Lex may have a plan to cope with the plant shutdown, but doesn't share it with Clark. Lex later meets with the plant staff and supervisors, proposing an employee-led buyout, and offering to come up with 90% of the capital.
So Clark visits Chloe, whose father is facing a loss of work, and she's considering moving back to Metropolis, alarming news for Clark. He promises her a night she won't forget at the formal, and later commiserates with Lana, who drops the news about Whitney leaving. So they both face the loss of someone close to them, and their gaze tells us that ain't all necessarily bad. Our superpower scene has Clark ramming fence posts into the ground from the old blue GMC pickup. As he attempts to drive away, the truck goes up in an huge explosion...who's filming that? We see it was set up by Roger Nixon, the editor of the Inquisitor, and he's seen Clark emerge unscathed.
Meanwhile, Lex has an Apple laptop product placement scene, but since I like Macs, I don't have a problem with that. He's reading an email about Alexander the Great's exploits and scorched-earth campaigns, and checking a Luthorcorp spreadsheet of software bug reports, when in walks Lionel. Lex talks about the employee buyout of the plant; Lionel ridicules the idea, and reveals he's yet again one step ahead of Lex. He bought the local Savings & Loan, giving him control over much of the resources and mortages of the plant workforce. That's a clear threat to anyone who supports the buyout.
Clark solicits a ride to the formal from Chloe, so they don't have to explain the sabotage explosion to anyone. No suspicions. Clark has to reassure Chloe about the date; she clearly sees the potential competition from Lana. He gives her a brief kiss; Lana sees that, and we see her.
Nixon meets Clark in the Talon...wanting a story about Clark, and revealing that he knows Clark wasn't hurt in the explosions. Clark denies everything, then Lex enters, pretending not to know Nixon, but we saw their relationship in previous episodes. Lex continues to hide his scheme to feed tabloid fodder to Nixon.
The script has Clark and the Kents oddly incurious about the explosion. No police report, they didn't try to figure out who was behind it - all taken in stride. When they finally talk about it, they realize Nixon has seen something of Clark's invulnerability, and advise Clark to continue his usual activities. When Clark speculates that Lex has a piece of the spaceship, we see that Nixon has bugged the barn, and hears their discussion of all this and the location of the ship. Pretty good investigative reporting, but it makes the Kents look very careless.
The Nixon character now knows so much that he can't last too long in this script. He tells Lex about important discoveries, seeking big cash for information about Clark, and promises to reveal more that night. Lex goes to see Clark as he prepares for the formal, and issues veiled warnings about something happening soon.
Whitney and Lana are reminiscing at the school ahead of his departure as they enter the gym, fully decorated for the Spring formal, and have one last dance. We have to think Johnson is being written out of Smallville for next season, probably so the relationship with Clark can progress.
Chloe picks up Clark for the formal out at the farm, driving her '61 Ford Falcon four-door, and making us wonder how she can possibly maintain such a relic. But it's fun to see a 45-year-old car in such good shape. Roger Nixon watches from afar, with the spaceship key in his hand, so Lex does not know Nixon stole it. A storm brews as everyone arrives at the formal, giving Clark an chance to talk to Whitney alone...he wants Clark to look after Lana, he agrees, and Whitney leaves with Lana for the bus station. So long, Eric Johnson, thanks for the contributions to the Smallville story.
Lana is returning to town in a new red Dodge pickup, unaware of the storm danger, until a row of flying mailboxes crashes into her windshield, and she hits the ditch, without her shoulder harness on. Three funnel clouds are heading her way.
Back at the farm, trespasser Nixon is checking the storm cellar, finding the covered spacecraft and videoptaping it. As the storm nears, Jonathan and Martha head to the shelter, where Nixon has the key, but it flies from his hand and inserts itself into the slot on the ship. Nixon threatens to expose all he knows, and Jonathan attacks him. The ship powers up, Nixon bolts outside, followed by Jonathan, leaving Martha with the ship, now illuminated and opening. Cliffhanger #1.
Back at the formal, the dancing continues, Chloe pleased but a bit surprised that Clark is still there, and his mind does seems to be on her..until they get the weather warning, and Clark disappears, knowing Lana is in the path of the tornadoes. A severe reality check for Chloe.
Lex has discovered that the key is missing, sending him into a hysterical search for it, just as Lionel arrives. The windows blow in; they're both crushed by the force of the sudden storm surge. Trapped, Lionel calls for help by Lex, who now has a decision...will he save his own father? Cliffhanger #2.
The tornado special effects are pretty good, and Lana has taken refuge in the Dodge, as Clark speeds to the rescue. He reaches the scene as the truck and the terrified Lana are hurtled into the funnel cloud...to be continued. Cliffhanger #3.
It's going to be a long summer waiting for resolution of this episode, but the writers have given us a good ending to savor until then. It meets every expectation for this series - relationships ending and starting, threats to Clark's secret, and a dramatic rescue underway. "Tempest" no doubt will be one of the best of the series. Re-run rating B.
A Whirlwind of Drama hide show
Tempest-Lex is hit with a surprise after his father closes the local Smallville plant to force him back to Metropolis, blaming the plant's failure on his management. Meanwhile Clark prepares for his date with Chloe, reporter Roger Nixon gets wind of Clark's alien origins after setting up an explosion, and Whitney joins the Marine Corps.
After a jittery yet solid first season, the writers start their tradition of powerhouse finales starting with the episode. "Tempest" does a great job of rapping up all the storylines of the year while giving us a lot to look forward to next season. Its here where we see the dynamics between the character finally come into play and developed a lot more. Clark and Chloe finally explore their romantic feelings for each other as they prepare for attend the Spring Formal together. Of course, Chloe is a bit worried about Clark going off to Lana's side during their date but Clark assures her he'll only be thinking bout her. It's nice to see this relationship explored with little Lana interruption. Despite Clark and Chloe making much better friends than a couple, it's nice that the writers tried to explore a possible relationship this early in the series to see how it would work out. Whitney and Lana also get some quality and well developed screentime between each other. They're relationship seemed more like just plot device as an obstacle in Clark's way until he can date Lana, but they're relationship comes full circle here. Last episode, Whitney discovers his father's military medals and decides to become a join the Marine Corps. This is actually great development on Whitney's part and nice exit for the character who has been overlooked the whole season. Eric Johnson and Kristin Kreuk work wonderful together in this episode, making you feel sympathy for the end of their relationship. The best scene between them is when they dance together in the gym before the Spring Formal. It's a touching scene and plays out perfectly. I also loved Whitney and Clark's talk before Whitney leaves. It's great closure between the characters who have been at odds as season and it show tremedous growth as Whitney asks Clark to look over Lana while his gone.
Lex and Nixon's storyline really get intense in this episode as Nixon sets out to prove Clark isn't normal. The truck explosion scene was great and Nixon develops into a villain throughout. The episode really builds to an incredible conclusion when the tornado threat comes into play. First, there's Martha and Jonathan finding Nixon in the storm cellar during the tornado. It's completely in Jonathan's character to go after Nixon, especially during the storm. Then Martha looks in amazement as Clark's spaceship comes to life and creates a blinding light. Lionel returns and confronts Lex about closing the Luthorcorp factory. John Glover and Micheal Rosenbaum work off each other flawlessly in this scene as it builds to the shocking cliffhanger as Lionel is trap under a collapsed pole in the room and an injuried Lex decides whether or not to save his father. Lastly, Clark goes after Lana who is about to be sucked into a tornado. While the tornado effects are dodgy, the suspense at this point is high! The episode ends with a brilliant climax as Clark arrives in the middle of the road to witness Lana getting sucked into the vortex. Clark superspeeds into the twister as Lana and her car are engulfed by it and the credits roll with the sound of the storm still roaring in the background... "Tempest" is a stunning finale full of wonderful scenes, great character development, and stunning cliffhnagers.
This was an amazing episode for a season one finale. *some spoilers in review* hide show
Well I got to say that when I first watched this episode it was not only superb, but the cliffhanger was fantastic! Most TV shows end their season finale episode with good closure but with Smallville, I really like how the writers always leave a cliffhanger ending to make sure you'll tune into the season premier of the next season. This episode also had so many twists and turns and I love how each character had their own separate problems at the end of this episode. Also liked how Remy Zero; the band who sings in the opening credits of Smallville, were the band at the school dance. Here's a little summary of what happened in this episode.
A storm of tornadoes is heading to the town of Smallville and Lana Lang having just dropped off her boyfriend Whitney at the bus stop is getting sucked up in a tornado! Clark Kent ditches the dance and his date Chloe Sullivan and friend Pete Ross to try and rescue Lana. The storm hits the Luthor mansion and Lionel Luthor is trapped under debris and begs his son Lex so help yet he hesitates! Martha Kent has an encounter with the alien spaceship that Kal-El (Clark Kent) arrived in and a reporter Roger Nixon plans to expose Clark's secret abilities to the world and Jonathan Kent runs after him into the storm! The final scene is Clark Kent running into the tornado to try and save Lana! To Be Continued....
Anyways a wonderful episode overall and ending to season one of Smallville.
Lionel Luthor closes the Smallville plant and blames it on Lex; Lex decides to initiate an employee buyout of the local plant to save everyone's jobs and forge his own future with LexCorp. Whitney decides to join the Marines and leaves Smallville. Roger Nixon learns the truth about Clark and decides to expose his secret to the world. As Lana drives home from dropping Whitney off at the bus station, three tornadoes touch down, forcing her off the road. When the news is announced at the school dance, Clark rushes off to make sure Lana is ok. Clark finds Lana just as she is sucked up into a tornado, and he speeds in after her.
Excelent season finale! hide show
This episode rocks! I loved the plot. The way this episode was made, almost made my cry of excitement! I think Clark and Chloe make a really good couple, though we already know how it is going to end, right? Regarding Lex and Lionel, this is where they show they're true feelings. The end is simply magnificent, though I do not really agree with the "To Be Continued" part. It keeps the fans stressed and angry for not being able to follow the story for 6 months. But that's what keeps the fans attached to the screen. I just want to thank the writers for being able to bring to the screen such a beautiful story as this.
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