When a TV show hits its 100th episode, it's usually a time for celebration. For network series, that milestone meant syndication deals and a stamp of approval that the show had truly made it. But Smallville decided to mark the occasion in the most heartbreaking way possible, delivering an episode that would change Clark Kent's life forever.
Unlike the movies that skip straight to the cape, Smallville spent ten seasons exploring Clark's journey from a confused teenager to the hero he was destined to become. The show's genius was in showing the struggles that shaped him, with Jonathan and Martha Kent instilling the values that would define Superman. But as Clark's powers grew, so did the weight of his choices, and no episode drove that home harder than the 100th, titled "Reckoning."
A Perfect Day Turns Tragic
In Season 5, Episode 12, Clark finally reveals his secret to Lana Lang and proposes. She says yes, and on the same day, Jonathan wins a seat in the Kansas State Senate, beating Lex Luthor. It seems like everything is falling into place. But when Lex, drunk and bitter, confronts Lana, she flees in her car, and Lex gives chase. In a horrifying moment, Lana's car is struck by a bus, and despite Clark's super speed, he can't save her.
Desperate, Clark begs his Kryptonian father Jor-El for a second chance. Jor-El grants it, but warns that the universe will demand a balance. Earlier in the season, Jor-El had resurrected Clark, and now that debt comes due.
The Cost of a Second Chance
When Clark relives the day, he chooses not to tell Lana his secret, and she breaks up with him. This time, Lois Lane is the one in danger, but Clark saves her. Meanwhile, Lana again ends up at Lex's mansion, and he kisses her. As she drives off, Lex chases her again, but this time Clark is ready and stops the bus. Lana survives.
But fate has other plans. Jonathan, on his way to meet Lionel Luthor, gets into a confrontation when Lionel threatens to expose Clark's secret. In a fit of rage, Jonathan throws Lionel around, but the strain triggers a fatal heart attack. Clark and Martha arrive home just in time to see Jonathan die in their arms, his final look one of love and peace.
A Lesson in Mortality
Jonathan's death was a gut punch for fans, but it was also a crucial lesson for Clark. No matter how powerful he is, he can't save everyone. The episode reinforced that Clark is not a god, but a man with human emotions and limits. Martha later helps Clark see that if he had to choose between saving Lana or Jonathan, he would have been able to make that choice. It's a painful but necessary part of his growth.
Jonathan Kent's legacy lives on in the values he passed down, and his death remains one of Smallville's most unforgettable moments. It's a reminder that even the future Superman can't escape the pain of loss. For more on how the show handled this turning point, check out our deep dive into the episode.
