[R.e.m.'s "imitation of life" playing]
J“ charades, pop skill j“
j“ water hyacinth, named by a poet j“
j“ imitation of life... j“
[Lana] Hi, Clark.
Lana. I didn't think anybody else was out here.
Well, it looks like we had the same idea for cooling off.
Yeah, it's a scorcher.
You know, I'll come back.
Oh, no, why? It's a big lake.
There's enough room for both of us.
I'm game if you are.
No peeking.
J“ you want the greatest thing j“
j“ the greatest thing since bread came sliced j“
j“ you've got it all, you've got it sized j“
j“ like a Friday fashion show teenager j“
j“ freezing in the corner j“
j“ trying to look like you don't try j“
your turn, Clark.
I promise I won't peek.
J“ that's sugarcane that tasted good j“
j“ that's cinnamon, that's Hollywood j“
j“ come on, come on no one can see you try j“
[splash]
Clark!
[Clark laughs]
Don't do that.
You're... not funny.
I always said there should be nothing between us.
Now there's not.
[Woman] Help!
Help me!
[Screams]
[Gasps]
What's wrong?
[Whimpering]
He's here. Run.
[Screaming]
No! Don't let him take me!
[Growling]
[Theme song playing]
J“ somebody save me j“
j“ let your warm hands break right through it j“
j“ somebody save me j“
j“ I don't care how you do it j“
-j“ just stay, stay j“ -j“ stay with me j“
j“ come on, I've been waiting for you j“
j“ to stay with me j“
j“ I made this whole world shine for you j“
j“ stay, stay j“
j“ come on j“
I dug holes. I used my X-ray vision, but it's like she just vanished.
Was anybody else out there with you?
No. Just me.
You were skinny-dipping alone?
Well, it was kind of a spur-of—the-moment kind of thing.
All right, son, I'll give the sheriff a call.
Maybe I should skip school and go look for her.
Clark, it's not your responsibility to save everybody.
Besides...
Right now, we have a surprise for you.
Outside.
Wow, I didn't know you got a new truck.
It's not mine, Clark.
It's yours.
What? Oh, my god.
Wait till I tell Pete.
It's not just for fun, son. We needed a new truck around here anyway.
Well, how can we afford it?
The extra money Lex gave us came in handy.
Considering the source, I'm surprised you used it.
Yeah, I know. But I finally realized that I wasn't giving him a fair shake.
After all you've been through the last couple of months,
we're really happy to have you home.
[Laughs]
I don't know what to say.
Say that you will take good care of her?
I'll take good care of her.
[All laugh]
- Thanks. - All right.
Better get to school. If sheriff Adams finds out anything about that girl,
- we'll let you know. - Okay.
[Lana] Hey, Clark.
Lana.
- Look, about yesterday... - Oh, it's okay.
You're not mad?
About you running off?
No, I had a good view when you left.
So who was screaming?
- Some girl. - Is she okay?
I don't know. She just kind of disappeared.
I'm really sorry I just left you.
Again.
Well, it's not like we had a date or anything.
But I had fun.
So did I.
Our relationship has always been about pain and angst.
I guess a little levity is refreshing.
Maybe after a while, you'll stop torturing yourself and realize
that there's no reason why we shouldn't be together.
It's okay, Clark.
I'm willing to wait as long as you want.
Hey.
Hey, wait. Hey, who are you?
What happened? I saw you get pulled into the ground.
At least tell me your name.
Uh, Sara.
Sara Conroy.
Okay, Sara, what's going on?
- He's after me. - Who?
He's always after me.
[Rumbling]
- Clark. Where were you? - Pete, did you see that guy?
- What guy? - How could you miss him?
He had a big red cape on. He was standing right there.
Sara, you must...
She was right there.
The insanity defense. It's working. I get it.
I'm not insane.
What do you call skipping an exam worth 50% of your grade?
- That's today? - That was today.
You flunked.
Chloe, I need your help.
Something came up at the lake yesterday.
Yeah, I heard.
You are referring to the blue lagoon moment
with a certain former girlfriend, right?
- You know about that? - This is high school. Everybody knows.
The only...
Did Sara Conroy tell you?
Doubtful, since I've never met anyone with that name.
Well, she's a new student. I think.
I saw her in the woods, and I just saw her in the hallway.
She's definitely a candidate for wall of weird.
Well, that's too bad, since the wall of weird has been retired.
Chloe, who did this? —I did.
It's time to leave childish pursuits behind. You're not the only one who grew up.
Besides, the daily planet was beginning to frown on my obsession.
- But we know these stories are true. - Do we?
- People have died because of that wall. - And people have been saved too.
I'm done chasing windmills, Clark.
From now on, it's hard news that can be backed up with facts.
[Door closes]
Lex, your message sounded urgent.
Is something wrong?
I'm not really sure.
I'm having a rather strange day.
Join the club.
I was hoping you could help me with a problem, Clark.
What do you need?
Would you hand me that sword?
- Is this new? - Depends on your definition.
It was a ceremonial weapon used by a group of 16th-century samurai warriors.
Ever heard of them?
Japanese history really isn't my strong suit.
[Lex laughs]
Let me give you your first lesson.
Legend has it this sword was forged in the fires of mount fuji.
The blade can cut through anything.
The katai never took it into battle.
They never had to.
Till the day the strongest katai turned on his own.
One by one, the katai fell at his hand.
Nothing left to lose,
the last of the katai lunged at the warrior with this sword...
The blade cut him clean in two.
But when the warrior's armor fell away...
The katai saw he wasn't even human.
[Neck cracks]
Just like you, Clark.
See, I've always been honest with you.
But it turns out you've been lying to me from the first day I laid eyes on you.
- No, Lex, I can explain. - Too late!
The irony is, all you had to do was come to me, Clark.
I was your friend.
I would've protected your secret. I would've protected you.
But I couldn't be trusted. I'm a Luthor.
- No, that's not it. - I don't care!
I'm gonna dedicate myself to ensuring
the whole world knows who Clark Kent really is.
Life as you know it is over.
Mom! Dad! We got a big problem!
What are you doing here?
Lilacs. I haven't seen lilacs in years.
They're my favorite. My mother used to grow them for me.
Where is your family?
Listen.
Please don't let him take me again.
Who?
The traveler, Clark.
How do you know my name?
[Rumbling]
[Screams]
Sara, you cannot escape me.
[Whimpering]
No matter where you hide, I will always find you.
No! Please! No!
Clark!
[Screaming]
[Screams, then gasps]
[Martha] Clark. Thank god, we've been so worried.
- What happened? - You fell asleep
- studying for your exam. - That was a day ago.
- We've been trying to wake you since. - You must've been dreaming.
It was so real.
I met this girl, Sara Conroy, and she was in trouble.
Conroy. That's the name of our new next-door neighbor.
He has a teenage daughter.
They moved into Lana's old house?
There's been a moving truck there since yesterday.
How could I dream about someone I've never even met?
- Somebody's sure up early. - Clark, have you been up all night?
I was kind of afraid to go to sleep.
I can't get over how real that dream was.
- I feel like checking on the conroys. - What would you say?
- Sara was in danger in your dreams? - Be careful.
- I gotta be careful when I'm sleeping. - You weren't just asleep, son.
You were out for 36 hours.
That just happens to coincide with that girl moving in next door?
- You think she's keeping me asleep? - I don't know, Clark.
But with all the weird things going on, you need to be careful.
So look, I'm asking you, you stay away from the neighbors.
Missed you at school the last few days.
I haven't been feeling so good.
To be honest, you look a little tired.
- Maybe you should get some sleep. - No.
- Um, I'll be fine. - Okay.
[Laughs]
Well, um, I brought you your homework.
Mr. Blair said that you could make up your history exam
as long as you have a note from your parents.
You're the best.
- Can I tell you something? - Sure.
I had this dream, and it's really freaking me out.
What was it about?
A lot of things. This girl.
No, Lana, it's not like that.
She needed help.
Let me guess. You had to save her.
Except I couldn't.
Her name's Sara, and she moved into your old house.
- When did you meet her? - That's the thing. I haven't.
How could I be dreaming about her?
Maybe if you walked me through the dream,
we could figure it out together.
You don't think I'm nuts?
Clark, I think you have a lot of issues,
but I do not think you have lost your mind.
- Okay, so where did you see her first? - Crater lake.
- You were there. - Really? What were we doing?
Nothing. Umm...
It's really hazy.
Okay. Well, I have a better idea.
Why don't we go see Sara in person?
Wow, she seemed so...
Do the doctors think she'll come out of it?
Well, there's always hope.
It must be really hard to see your daughter like this.
Oh, Sara's my niece.
So this is your old house, Lana.
And you're the boy from next door.
- What exactly happened? - Clark.
[Conroy] It's okay. It's no secret.
It was a car accident.
Sara and her parents went off the loeb bridge
on their way home from a soccer game.
The paramedics say Sara was asleep, which is probably why she survived.
- Sara's from Smallville? - Grandville.
Just over the county line.
Lilacs. Those are Sara's favorite.
How did you know that?
Oh, they're my favorite too.
It must be kismet, living in the same house.
[Laughs]
That's an interesting medal.
This?
- Well, it's just good old St. Christopher. - The patron Saint of travelers, right?
Yes, I say his prayer every night in the hopes that Sara's journey will end
and she'll come back to us.
Look, I'm sorry. You'll have to excuse me.
It's time for Sara's medication.
Thank you for stopping by.
Dad, I thought I made it clear
that I'm back, fully committed to LuthorCorp and to you.
And I'm delighted...
[Moans]
To hear it.
Now, what's the problem?
I've been blocked out of half the computer files I need to do my job.
Insufficient security clearance?
Thank you, meli.
[Groaning]
These, uh...
Security measures, Lex, are a necessary evil. You should know that.
- We have to protect our assets. - From me?
I applaud your renewed commitment to LuthorCorp.
After what you've been through, it's remarkable.
But you think I might betray you again.
Betray me? That's an interesting notion.
Might you?
I want this to work.
I want us to be a family again.
You have nothing to fear from me.
Why have you refused to complete the psychological profile?
Come on, dad. You've never believed in that psychobabble, and neither do I.
I believe that personal, emotional problems
may affect day-to-day decision-making.
I think that dreams can often reveal hidden dangers, serve as a warning...
- Spare me the jungian cliff notes, dad. - It's five sessions, Lex. That's all.
I thought you wanted to reestablish our bond.
I do.
Then do it. Prove that my total confidence in you is justified.
[Bell rings, then locker slams]
Clark Kent dreaming of the girl next door.
Isn't it nice to know some things never change?
Now I'm just trying to stay awake.
Yeah, even red bull has its limits. Trust me. I've tested them.
I think Sara's reaching out to me for help.
Entering your dreams to communicate?
How else would I know these details of her life? Like the lilacs.
There's a theory that telepathic receptivity is increased during rem sleep.
It has to do with frontal lobe activity.
My frontal lobe is acting as a beacon.
Well, I've never seen a case this dramatic, but we all know that your brain
is wired a little differently than the rest of ours.
Add that the river where she crashed is a source for our favorite green stuff,
and you have the perfect Smallville cocktail for weirdness.
You think the meteor rocks gave her this ability.
Once she's in, she can keep you asleep.
It certainly explains the day-and-a-half snore-a-thon.
I didn't wake up until the traveler appeared.
Or a manifestation of fear that she has for her uncle.
Sorry. I didn't mean to get all freudian on you.
No. Her uncle is all-powerful in her life.
- Why wouldn't he be in her dreams? - You're not buying the altruism angle?
My faith in human kindness is not what it used to be.
Wanna go to the courthouse to see what public records say about uncle Nicholas?
I have a deadline for the daily planet.
And a wall of weird story doesn't take precedence in their mind.
- No time for childish pursuits anymore. - That's not fair.
You know if I had a choice,
I would definitely be down there pulling dusty records with you.
I doubt that. It's okay, I'll grab Lana.
Yeah, at least she can provide a constant source of caffeine.
[Lana] Now I know why public records are public.
They're incredibly boring.
[Clark] Not all of them.
Take a look at this.
Wow. Sara's parents were rich.
When they died, she inherited everything.
One guess who's in control of the money.
Uncle Nicholas.
As long as she stays in a coma, he controls the wealth.
But he still hasn't done anything wrong.
I mean, taking care of your niece and living a nice life
isn't exactly a smoking gun.
Then why is Sara so scared of him?
- I just don't get it. - Hey, you're tired.
I'm afraid to close my eyes.
I'll go put on another pot of coffee.
You don't have to stay.
I want to, Clark.
[Sighs]
That was fast.
-Sara.
I must've fallen asleep.
- Yeah. - How do you get into my dreams?
I don't know, Clark.
This has never happened to me before. I mean, the other day,
suddenly I was in the woods and then at school and then at your house...
I realized what happened when you and Lana came to see me.
You can hear us?
Yeah. It's like being in along, dark tunnel.
I mean, sometimes it's open, but sometimes it's not.
I tried to reach out to you.
You don't know what it's like to be locked in your own body,
never any contact.
Sara, who's the traveler?
Oh, we shouldn't talk about him. He'll find us.
Is it your uncle?
Why are you so afraid of him? What does he do to you?
I don't know. I used to be able to hear the doctors talking,
and they said I should've woken up.
But every time I do feel just a little bit better, he does something
and I get sent back to a deep, dark place that's like the bottom of the ocean.
I almost woke up once.
That's when he moved us here.
[Traveler] Sara...
God, he's here.
[Sara screaming]
[Lex] Interesting theory, Clark.
I know it sounds crazy, but that's what happened.
Now you're saving people in your dreams too.
A shrink would have a field day with that.
- You don't believe me? - I believe you believe it,
and that's enough for me.
You'll have to forgive me. I have a personal bias against psychotherapy.
You don't like letting people in your head.
Something like that.
Well, this girl's in my head until I figure out a way to help her.
I made a few calls to Metropolis general.
It's true. Sara was supposed to wake up.
So her uncle is drugging her.
They didn't have evidence of foul play,
but they've only performed routine blood tests.
Maybe the drug's untraceable.
It doesn't appear he's done anything wrong.
We both know appearances can be deceiving, Lex.
Hearing it in a dream won't get him arrested.
I appreciate your help.
Anytime.
I always liked this sword.
What is it, some sort of legendary samurai antique?
Hardly. It's a prop from my favorite kurosawa movie.
Throne of blood.
I bought it at auction.
Relax, Clark. It can't hurt you.
It's not real.
Right.
You've gotta learn the difference between reality and fantasy.
Get some sleep.
[Knock at door]
Clark. This is a pleasant surprise.
I thought I'd bring Sara some fresh flowers.
Huh. Come in.
This is real nice of you, Clark.
Would you mind if I sit with her for a while?
Can I get you something to drink?
Anything with caffeine.
I think I might have some soda.
[R.e.m.'s "bad day" playing]
J“ I paid it never mind. Go away j“
j“ s♪♪♪ so thick you could stir it with a stick j“
j“ free teflon whitewashed presidency j“
j“ we 're sick of being jerked around... j“
- Clark. - Sara.
He's so angry.
Wait, if you're here, that means I'm...
[Knocking]
- [Lana] Hello? - Lana, hi. Come on in.
I was looking for Clark.
I brought him a pick-me-up.
Oh, well, he's not back from Lex's, but you're welcome to wait.
- So you finally have new neighbors. - Yeah, not as good as the old ones.
[Laughs]
Mrs. Kent, could I ask you something?
Of course, Lana.
Do you know why Clark pushed me away?
Metropolis changed Clark.
He's not the same boy he was when he left this spring.
Jonathan and I are trying to figure it out too.
I guess I just feel like...
If I stay in his orbit long enough,
he'll finally decide to open up.
[Jonathan] Martha! Come quick, it's Clark!
[Lana] Oh, my god!
[Martha] Jonathan!
- What happened? - He must've fallen asleep at the wheel.
- [Lana] I'll call an ambulance. - No, hejust hit his head.
He'll be fine.
Where was he coming from? Lex's mansion is the other way.
Oh, Clark, I told you not to go to the conroys.
He was worried about Sara. He kept seeing her in his dreams.
It's my fault. I took him there.
Oh, sweetie, don't blame yourself. Clark will be fine.
- What about Sara? - I'm worried about her too.
Sara, wait!
- We have to get away from him! - You can't keep running.
- I just wanna be free! - You can.
In the real world. You just have to face him.
[Cries]
- I'm afraid. - Sara, you're keeping us in this dream.
I can't help you until I wake up. I have no power.
I'm sorry, Clark.
[Screams]
Sara!
How did he know about the lilacs?
I don't know what's going on in there, but it's gonna stop.
Don't put that needle in her.
How did you get in here?
We know you've been drugging Sara.
Really.
You and your boyfriend are a little too neighborly for your own good.
If you kill her, there's no more money.
Who said anything about killing her?
[Lana yelps]
[Gasps]
Sara, are you okay?
I'm all right, Clark.
She's in trouble.
- Who? - Lana.
[Whistling, then rumbling]
I warned you, Sara. This is a fight you'll never win.
- It's too late. - Sara, we have to save Lana.
He's too strong. You can't stop him.
Death will follow those who trespass.
Sara! You have to help me!
Sara, you cannot escape me.
- Return with me. - No.
[Clark] You're stronger than he is. You know you are.
- He cannot save you. - Fight it!
He did this to you.
- Get angry. He took six years of your life. - I control your destiny, Sara.
Close your eyes and return to your slumber.
Don't be afraid, Sara.
The more you resist, Sara, the more you will suffer.
I will not warn you again.
[Groaning]
[Clark gasps]
[Martha] Clark.
Mom. Lana's in trouble.
Lana.
Looking for this?
[Groans]
Lex?
What's so urgent?
- I decided to do it. - Oh, do what?
Meet with the psychiatrist, submit to a full battery of mental tests.
Curious.
Tell me what changed your mind.
Because I was dealing from a position of fear.
If there's one thing you can sniff out like a bloodhound, it's that.
It's a gift, Lex, and it's useful.
I know the only way I'm gonna prove to you that I'm your rightful heir
is to deal from a position of strength.
I have nothing to hide.
That would mean a lot to me, son.
I figured, you're my father, and you only have my best interests at heart.
- Who's the good doctor? - Claire foster.
Oh, highly credentialed. She's published a couple of books.
She'll be able to help you work through any problems.
- That island didn't make me crazy, dad. - Oh, crazy? No.
Of course not.
But it'll be good to have that in writing, won't it?
When you're rich, you're not crazy.
You're eccentric.
[Indistinct chattering]
- Hi, Sara, how you doing? - Hi.
I brought you some fresh lilacs. I know they're your favorite.
It's Clark, isn't it?
I didn't think you'd remember me.
Yeah. We've been through so much together
even though we've never officially met.
I still don't know how I got in your dreams.
The important thing is, you're safe. And you're awake.
You're obviously a special guy.
I saw some of the things you're able to do.
Well, in our dreams, we're all super.
I just...
I know it's none of my business. I know dreams are usually private.
No, um...
[Sighs]
I'm curious to hear your perspective.
What did you see?
Someone who's clearly in love,
but who resists it.
Lana, right?
Clark, take it from someone who's been trapped for six years.
If you love her that much, don't push her away.
It's a long and complicated story, Sara.
I only know what I saw.
I may have been there...
But Lana's the girl of your dreams.
[Laughs]
[R.e.m.'s "at my most beautiful" playing]
Burning the midnight oil?
I finally got some sleep. My makeup history exam is tomorrow.
How are you feeling?
[Laughs]
Pretty stupid.
Why?
What you did was really brave. You saved Sara's life.
Yeah, and it almost cost me mine.
It's lucky you got there.
You believed in me when I thought I was losing my mind.
It was the least I could do.
So I finally met Sara.
All she could talk about was you.
I told her I'd love to switch places.
You know, find out what goes on inside your head.
It's not that exciting.
Still, you know, maybe it would explain why things between us...
Lana, if I had the answers up here, you'd be the first to know.
You know, it's just the last few days I felt like the girl next door again.
And it was nice.
Even though it almost got you killed?
Lana.
You'll always be the girl next door.
So any chance we could do something this weekend?
You know, as friends?
What did you have in mind?
Well, it's been like an oven outside,
so I was thinking we could go swimming at crater lake.
I really don't think skinny-dipping is a good idea.
Who said anything about skinny-dipping?
Maybe in your dreams, Clark.
[Closing theme playing]