Episode 1.11
“Hug”
FOTW.
Again.
This time there are two, one for good and one for evil which makes a difference. It has been rare so far to see any FOTW turn to good rather than evil. That alone adds value to the episode, but only slightly.
Bob Rickman and Kyle Tippet are old friends although it isn’t revealed until much later. They both though have the power of persuasion through touch. If they touch you, they can control your actions. Kyle decided to retreat into hermitdom, afraid of what his powers could do, while Bob took full advantage of it and made himself a tycoon by milking people out of house and home.
Kyle doesn’t help matters as he has a reputation of being a freak who would hurt people. When Lana falls off her horse, many believe that Kyle spooked it, when in reality Clark believes that Kyle was just trying to help. It sets off some issues between Clark and Lana with Whitney right in the middle.
Clark forces the issue a bit.
Yay for 90210 moment.
To further the end Rickman talks Jonathan into selling the farm, creating both friction in the family and forcing Clark into Lex’s friendship even more.
All in all an average but forgettable episode.
C
References:
Superman’s favorite book is To Kill A Mockingbird. In this episode, Lex calls Clark Atticus and tells him he should read the book
Clark asks Lex if their friendship will deteriorate like Kyle and Bob’s did. Lex tells him that their friendship will be one of legend.
Lana: “So, what do you want to be when you grow up?”
Clark: “All I know is, I don’t want be a man who wears a suit and flies everywhere.”