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Smallville
S1.E2
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IMDbPro

Metamorphosis

  • Episode aired Oct 23, 2001
  • TV-PG
  • 45m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
2.2K
YOUR RATING
Eric Johnson and Tom Welling in Smallville (2001)
SuperheroActionAdventureDramaSci-Fi

Bug-lover Greg has an accident involving meteor rocks and his own insect collection, giving him creepy insect characteristics and powers. Lana is endangered when Greg decides that she is the... Read allBug-lover Greg has an accident involving meteor rocks and his own insect collection, giving him creepy insect characteristics and powers. Lana is endangered when Greg decides that she is the perfect mate to start a colony.Bug-lover Greg has an accident involving meteor rocks and his own insect collection, giving him creepy insect characteristics and powers. Lana is endangered when Greg decides that she is the perfect mate to start a colony.

  • Directors
    • Philip Sgriccia
    • Michael W. Watkins
  • Writers
    • Jerry Siegel
    • Joe Shuster
    • Alfred Gough
  • Stars
    • Tom Welling
    • Kristin Kreuk
    • Michael Rosenbaum
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    2.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Philip Sgriccia
      • Michael W. Watkins
    • Writers
      • Jerry Siegel
      • Joe Shuster
      • Alfred Gough
    • Stars
      • Tom Welling
      • Kristin Kreuk
      • Michael Rosenbaum
    • 8User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos35

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    Top cast10

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    Tom Welling
    Tom Welling
    • Clark Kent
    Kristin Kreuk
    Kristin Kreuk
    • Lana Lang
    Michael Rosenbaum
    Michael Rosenbaum
    • Lex Luthor
    Eric Johnson
    Eric Johnson
    • Whitney Fordman
    Sam Jones III
    Sam Jones III
    • Pete Ross
    Allison Mack
    Allison Mack
    • Chloe Sullivan
    Annette O'Toole
    Annette O'Toole
    • Martha Kent
    John Schneider
    John Schneider
    • Jonathan Kent
    Chad Donella
    Chad Donella
    • Greg Arkin
    • (as Chad E. Donella)
    Gabrielle Rose
    Gabrielle Rose
    • Mrs. Arkin
    • Directors
      • Philip Sgriccia
      • Michael W. Watkins
    • Writers
      • Jerry Siegel
      • Joe Shuster
      • Alfred Gough
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews8

    7.32.1K
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    Featured reviews

    8uzairsuleman

    Bug-guy

    It is definitely nice episode. Superman vs The bug guy
    8Jerique

    Sometimes You're the Windshield, Sometimes You're the Bug!

    As far as superheroes go, I can't recall Spider-Man or Batman or any other superhero having over hundreds of small villains to ward off. I mean, there were always main enemies to fight, but Smallville's great ability to have an amazing show and endless amount of episodes comes from all the meteor rocks giving powers to regular people and having Clark someone new to fight.

    As this episode shows us, humans take guilt very hard and it's what separates us from any other species, really. This episode focuses on Clark's guilt and that he feels responsible for killing Lana's parents because he brought the meteor rocks with him. As he tries to let go of his guilt, Greg (Chad E Donnella) has become filled with a power linked to the abilities of bugs. Worse off, he's chosen Lana as his mate.

    While most will believe that Superman can quickly dispose of any foe who comes along, that's incorrect because many of the fight scenes occur near some meteor rocks (unknown to Clark to be Kryptonite) which cause him to weaken and give his enemies the upperhand. It's not just the people who he faces as his enemies, but his own inner demons of not knowing who he is, who his parents are, where he comes from and what his destiny is, Clark is actually a very fragile and flawed character in some sense.

    As this episode progresses, we learn the reason why Clark can't fly and truly become Superman yet is because he is afraid of heights. Along with the rest of what he doesn't understand, he's afraid and it's hard to be a hero if you're scared.

    This episode is about transformation for both Greg and Clark. Character development is very prominent in this episode as well as bonds begin to grow in this episode, primarily between Clark and Lana, Chloe and Clark, Lex and Clark and even Lex and Lana. It's amazing what forty-four minutes of Smallville can do.
    7Rcwilkinson123

    Indicates the new direction of young Superman

    "Metamorphosis" indicates that "Smallville" is going to be much more of a supernatural take than we've seen in the life of teenaged Clark Kent. This show conveys that is the idea: citizens of the town mutated produces dramatic repercussions and drives the induced citizens often into mind warp.

    A young bug collector finds that his insects are induces by a strange sort of glowing-green toxin, found on their bodies and on the rocks on which the insects live. The toxin causes the insects to go haywire on the boy, causing the boy to live and think like an insect. For the second time ever, Clark Kent saves the day, a scene seen many times to come.
    10Brettyboy007

    Loving the slow build up for this first season

    Just like I said in the pilot review, this series is really coming together as a great origin story for Clark Kent/Superman. I like Clark having to use his powers to save Smallville from meteor infected citizens as he does in this one. The villain in this episode is a "bug boy".

    This episode has a lot of relationship building with Clark/Lana, Clark/Pete/Chloe, Clark/Lex, Clark/Jonathan, and Clark/Martha. Lex and Lana both meet for the first time and build their relationship for the first time. This episode also tells how Clark saves people but never receives credit for what he does! He is the ultimate anonymous hero.

    Funny moments with Clark saying he's afraid of heights. Haha...

    Lex Luthor is a good person. I can only wait till they start to take his character to the heights he is supposed to be.

    Chloe is really a cute journalist.
    8gab-14712

    Clark Fights Bug-Boy!

    I thoroughly enjoyed Smallville's second episode. I feel like these small-time villains will be hit-or-miss as the series continues. Our main villain here is more...buggy...but is an interesting, if not entirely unoriginal villain. The episode does a good job continuing its important character development and the effects of Kryptonite has on Clark and the people in Smallville. Guilt is prevalent here because Clark believes he is at fault for the death of Lana's parents since he brought the meteors with him. Clark has some interesting discussions with Lana and Chloe. Even Lex has some good lines connecting with Lana.

    In this episode, "Metamorphosis," teenager Greg Arkin (Chad Donella) lives all alone with his mother. As a hobby, he collects insects. After an argument with his mother, he gets into a car accident and the bugs he is with goes into the metamorphosis process thus turning Greg into an insect. He kills his mother and chooses Lana to be his mate to create a new colony. Now Clark will need to save the day...and Lana!

    Overall, a solid episode! Not the best villain but was interesting enough. The most important aspect was the continued character development. We learn why Clark cannot fly and that Clark is afraid of heights. The performances continue to be excellent, and I really look forward to see what happens next.

    My Grade: B+

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Clark Kent tells Lana Lang that his father refers to Clark's area in the barn as his "Fortress of Solitude."
    • Goofs
      When Greg crashes his Bug into a utility pole, the sound effects are that of a radiator hissing and the engine stalling. The engine to a VW bug is located in the back of the car, the front is merely a trunk of sorts.
    • Quotes

      Lex Luthor: Your form's good but his gait's off. You might want to check your shoes. Lex Luthor. I'm a friend of your aunt's.

      Lana Lang: Sneaking up like that. You're lucky you didn't get kicked.

      Lex Luthor: You must be Lana. It's a pleasure to finally meet you.

      Lana Lang: We've already met.

      Lex Luthor: I seriously doubt I'd forget meeting you.

      Lana Lang: You were a little preoccupied at the time.

      Lex Luthor: I get the feeling I didn't make a great first impression.

      Lana Lang: When I was ten, I went to Metropolis for a riding competition. Your father invited us to stay over. My aunt said you had an indoor pool. When I went to check it out, I found you and a girl skinny dipping. I think you were teaching her the breast stroke.

      Lex Luthor: That was you? Wow. You're all grown up now.

      [sees a case of ribbons, trophies, and plaques]

      Lex Luthor: Very impressive.

    • Alternate versions
      This episode has two deleted scenes which can be viewed on the Season 1 DVD.
      • In the first scene, which takes place after Clark Kent wakes up from floating. He rushes downstairs to tell his parents what happened only to notice Pete Ross there having breakfast that Martha Kent has just made. Pete tells Clark about what happened to Whitney Fordman and his two friends' trucks during the homecoming dance but assumes it was a prank by a rival school, the Glenville Griffins that were playing against the Smallville High Crows. Martha, whilst looking at Clark, wonders how they did that, Clark replies he doesn't know and wishes he'd been there. Jonathan Kent then comes in and tells Clark that Pete helped him load the truck for the farmers market whilst Clark was still asleep.
      • The second deleted scene, takes place after Clark Kent tells Jonathan Kent he was floating. Jonathan asks Martha Kent how she's doing (after seeing Clark save Whitney Fordman from the truck crash) and she points out the explosion would have killed her or Jonathan and that Clark doesn't have a scratch on him. Jonathan then tells Martha about what Clark told him about floating. Martha asks what Jonathan said to Clark about it, he replies that he told Clark we'd figure it out and Clark didn't come with an instruction book. Martha then tells Jonathan that she can cope with Clark's abilities of Strength and speed but now things are changing. Jonathan says he was hoping Clark's powers would level off about now but he doesn't think they will. Martha then worries that Clark will never be able to live an ordinary life or that he will never be able to have kids, she then asks "How do you raise a child in a world where the rules literally don't apply to him". Jonathan then hugs her and says "The best we can". Martha then says if he was floating then Clark needs to get over his fear of heights.
    • Connections
      Featured in Smallville: Blank (2005)
    • Soundtracks
      Save Me
      Performed by Turin Brakes

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 23, 2001 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Vancouver Technical Secondary School, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada(Smallville High School)
    • Production companies
      • Tollin/Robbins Productions
      • Millar Gough Ink
      • Warner Bros. Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      45 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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