Leech 

Clark and classmate Eric Summer are both struck by lightning while Eric is holding Kryptonite, and Clark's powers are transferred to Eric. While Clark experiences normal humanity, the emotionally challenged Eric goes on a rampage.

Director:

Greg Beeman

Writers:

Jerry Siegel (character created by: Superman), Joe Shuster (character created by: Superman)

Stars:

Tom Welling, Kristin Kreuk, Michael Rosenbaum

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Welling	...	Clark Kent
Kristin Kreuk	...	Lana Lang
Michael Rosenbaum	...	Lex Luthor
Eric Johnson	...	Whitney Fordman
Sam Jones III	...	Pete Ross
Allison Mack	...	Chloe Sullivan
Annette O'Toole	...	Martha Kent
John Schneider	...	Jonathan Kent
Kelly Brook	...	Victoria Hardwick
Kevin McNulty	...	Mr. Summers
Sarah-Jane Redmond	...	Nell Potter
P. Lynn Johnson	...	Mrs. Summers
William Samples	...	Sir Harry Hardwick
Tom O'Brien	...	Roger Nixon
Shawn Ashmore	...	Eric Summers

Storyline

Clark and a classmate, named Eric Summer, are both struck by lightning when Eric is holding a piece of meteor rock. The electrical surge takes Clark's powers away and transfers them to Eric. As Eric gets used to his new powers, Clark has to deal with being a normal person for the first time, with all the advantages and disadvantages. But Eric's abusive and domineering father wants to have him examined in Metropolis for his strange powers and in response, the mentally unbalanced Eric goes on a rampage. Meanwhile, Sir Harry Hardwick, Victoria's father, and rival of Lionel Luthor, try to recruit Lex for their business in Metropolis and almost succeed in buying out Luthor Corp. But Lex turns the tables against them. Reporter Roger Nixon continues to investigate Lex's car accident and begins to close in on Clark's secret. Also, Lana becomes more distant when Aunt Nell announces her plans to sell her florist shop.

---

Plot Keywords:

animal in title | 

---

Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Romance | Sci-Fi

---

Certificate:

TV-PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The last episode to feature Kelly Brook in her recurring role as Victoria.

---

Quotes

Jonathan Kent: I stopped by to see Eric's parents this morning.
Clark Kent: How are they?
Jonathan Kent: They're scared, Clark.
Clark Kent: Were you ever scared of me?
Jonathan Kent: Well, you threw a few temper tantrums when you were little; we had some holes in the walls, but... nah. You're a good kid, Clark.
Clark Kent: I don't think Eric's a bad kid.
Jonathan Kent: Oh, neither do I. He's just a teenager who's in way over his head, that's all.

---

Connections

References Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

---

Soundtracks

Fat Lip
(uncredited)
Written and Performed by Sum 41

User Reviews

Personality and Character Are What Matters

While in the woods of Smallville searching for ores in an excursion of the school, Clark Kent saves the troubled teenager Eric Summers (Shawn Ashmore) from a fatal accident near a waterfall. However, a lightning strike them both and transfer the Clark's powers to Eric. Eric changes his personality becoming aggressive, while Clark tries to help him. Meanwhile, Lex Luthor is betrayed by his girlfriend Victoria Hardwick.

"Leech" is certainly the best episode of "Smallville" up to now. The original story, with Clark Kent "releasing the world from his shoulder", acting like a normal person, but keeping his strong personality and character, is remarkable. In the end, an important moral lesson about human character and role of the parents to build the personality of a son (or a daughter). My vote is ten.

Title (Brazil): "Sanguessuga" ("Leech")

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 February 2002 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Cleveland Dam, Capilano River Regional Park, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tollin/Robbins Productions, Millar Gough Ink, DC Comics

Technical Specs

Runtime:

43 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1