Ep 4.01 - Crusade

[Chiriru]

Clark emerges from the cave completely embracing his Kryptonian background and with the ability to fly. Lois Lane comes to town to investigate the death of her cousin, Chloe. Meanwhile, Lex is on a crusade of his own, and Lana is changed while rubbing a floor carving of Countess Theroux...

[k18]

I just saw this episode again last night on DVD. One of the best episodes of the series! Lois was really funny in the hospital scenes with Clark and her conversation with Martha was great. I loved seeing Clark flying (even though it was Kal-el). And for the first time, I saw Lana happy (in Paris w/ Jason). Great episode overall.

[Brown-eyes]

I'm confused about the whole Lionel (or whomever) poisoning Lex at the end of season 3----and then no mention (or I didn't catch/get it) of it in the season 4 opening episode.

Can anyone tell me how they resolved this part of the storyline?
Thanks!

[OutlawAngel]

I wish that TPTB hadnt messed up the Jason character like they did. He was a breathe of fresh air from most of Lana's boyfriends. I really liked his character he had a sense of humor and really sis care for Lana and that made Lana's character better becasue we didnt have as much of all that 'lieth/cheateth" crap.

I made a joke way back toward the end of season one that Jonathan would be brain dead by seaon 4 and by gollie I got the timing just right.

I love Lois and I loved that scene with her and Kal in the corn field. I just love her character.

And Martha was the bomb diggitty in this episode.

[k18]

Originally posted by Brown-eyes
I'm confused about the whole Lionel (or whomever) poisoning Lex at the end of season 3----and then no mention (or I didn't catch/get it) of it in the season 4 opening episode.

Can anyone tell me how they resolved this part of the storyline?
Thanks!

Well when Lex visited Lionel in prison, he mentions how he has overcome every obstacle that was given to him including being poisoned. Lex blames Lionel for the poisoning and Lionel says he doesn't know what he is talking about. Lex continues and says he layed on the floor for 10 minutes before an ambulance came. Lionel says nothing and acts like he didn't do anything.

[joelucs]

Wasn't that why Lex had to have a complete blood tranfusion every 72 hours

[k18]

yup

[OutlawAngel]

I guess that one time we saw him have it then was the last time he had to have it?

I didnt really like that.

[k18]

Yeah, they weren't consistent with that.

[greggbray]

"I just saw this episode again last night on DVD. One of the best episodes of the series! Lois was really funny in the hospital scenes with Clark and her conversation with Martha was great. I loved seeing Clark flying (even though it was Kal-el). And for the first time, I saw Lana happy (in Paris w/ Jason). Great episode overall.
"

AGREED! This is one of my favorites also. It almost feels like you can watch this episode, and then maybe Run, Transference, Krypto, Onyx, Unsafe, Pariah, and Commencement--and you've pretty much got the best of Season 4. I also liked 'Scare,' but it didnt' feel *necessary* to the over all story.

Anyway, last night I watched Crusade and Commencment Back to Back. Loved it! A perfect opening and closing to an uneven, and at times puzzling, season.

[Kalel33076]

Nothing better than "What is that? Bird? Plane?"

[UpandAtom]

Originally posted by k18
Yeah, they weren't consistent with that.

There wasn't really a situation where they needed to show that. And one of the Verizon E-Mails mentioned that Lex no longer needed to have his blood purified.

[kaykiwi]

I love the scene where Lois takes Clark to the hospital and he has on the blanket. Then he drops the blanket and there is a hillarious scene with a very happy little old lady checking him out. Hillarious, not that I can blame her though. :D

[Welling_is_pretty]

I've only seen some of Crusade (bits and pieces) but what I've seen I've liked. I especially loved Tom Welling's acting. He alwasy seems to really shine when he's being Kal-El. His scenes with martha in the barn were amazing. "Either way, he's dead." And then when Martha confronts him and pummels his chest screaming, "I want my son back! Give me my son back!" and he says "Clark Kent is dead." So powerful. The look on his face, in his eyes is, well, alien.
A great scene.

Oh, and Tom never looks prettier than when he's Kal-El. ;)

[LexLuv180]

This episode was good but not as great as some of the other premieres, particularly 3's, have to love Kal-El. The best, amazing part was when Clark took off in flight and ripped off the plane floor, I nearly died. Lois was amusing in a few scenes but she got on my nerves here too. The hospital scene with the Kents was too dramatic and mushy, my mother and I were sitting there groaning.

[UpandAtom]

The only thing I hated about this episode was that everything resolved too quickly. Everything established in the season finale was never referenced again.

[Pal-El]

Originally posted by UpandAtom
The only thing I hated about this episode was that everything resolved too quickly. Everything established in the season finale was never referenced again.

That is very Smallville though isnt it.

I loved the dialogue between Lois and the Receptionist/nurse fella, very funny.

Didnt like the special fx for Kal's take off though. The rest of his flight was class so I can live with the take off.

[TKFlash]

I wonder how fast Clark was flying?

[supervixen]

I still haven't seen this episode no one mentioned the whole chloe being dead thing did clark find out this epi how did he re act tot he news considering she's supposed to be his best friend.

[RedQ]

Nice one I especially like how the Nurse Suddenly Gracefuly floated in Johnathan Kent's room Exactly as he revived. I guess the nurse was too eager and entered the room too soon.

And How was Martha Kent Handle the Farm All by herself for three months?

Maybe Chloe is Lois reborn also.

Continuity error: the scene where Lana wakes up naked on bed the door chain is fully pulled in her shot. and slacked at Jason Teague shot.

[sup3rp3t3]

the crusade avatars:

[sup3rp3t3]

-

[dhacker615]

Originally posted by Chiriru
Clark emerges from the cave completely embracing his Kryptonian background and with the ability to fly. Lois Lane comes to town to investigate the death of her cousin, Chloe. Meanwhile, Lex is on a crusade of his own, and Lana is changed while rubbing a floor carving of Countess Theroux...

I wrote a long post on this episode here[URL=http://fiendishobservationalcomedian.blogspot.com/2006/05/smallville-season-4.html]

[watcher4]

I saw the episode again last night. The conversations between Lois and Kal-El in the hospital and also Lois and the male nurse were just too cute! Was TW really n**** when he dropped the blanket in the hospital?

[smchic92]

Originally posted by watcher4
I saw the episode again last night. The conversations between Lois and Kal-El in the hospital and also Lois and the male nurse were just too cute! Was TW really n**** when he dropped the blanket in the hospital?



Haha....its funny that you mention that. I just recently watched the episode on DVD and then watched the commentary for it with Annette, Erica, TPTB, and Ken Horton(sp?). They mentioned that when the scene came up and they all laughed and said no. They said it is a professional set so he didn't do that. But I really couldn't tell if they were being sarcastic or not because they were all laughing when they said it.


But anyway, to get back on topic, I loved this episode. This definatly ranks as one of my top 10 favorite episodes. And someone had said about the Kent scene in the hospital being too mushy? I really loved that scene to be honest. Yeah, maybe it was mushy but I thought it showed you how strong Martha really is. And it sort of brought you back to the core of the whole show: the strong family unit.

[LusciousLois]

The best season opener so far. Introducing motormouth Lois and Superman in flight. Truly, awesome! Oh! And kudos for the gratuitous beautiful butt shot. Bravo, Mr. Welling, bravo! :p

[RedQ]

Fans of the show.

and there's 2 scenes that I can think of to be reshot. :lol:

[Welling_is_pretty]

I finally got to see all of this and it was pretty much what I had seen before but I have to say I was startled to see Margot Kidder! I didn't know that she was in Crusade! I knew she appeared as Bridgette Crosby in Season 4 but not in the Season Opener.
I loved all her lines and her entire scene with Annette. And as I watching it all I could think was
"that's Lois Lane and Lana Lang in the Kent barn together!" Such a fangirl moment!

[RedBullet]

Was Matha wearing tan pants when she was hugging the revived Jon or was she not wearing pants? It looks like it?

[DeVinde]

I think Clark is the only one walking around hospitals naked in that episode. :p

What made the episode for me was Kal-El flying. Seeing Clark Kent at his full powers was what did it for me.

[Naman is 1#]

Originally posted by DeVinde
I think Clark is the only one walking around hospitals naked in that episode. :p

What made the episode for me was Kal-El flying. Seeing Clark Kent at his full powers was what did it for me.

Ditto! You hit the nail on the head. Awesome!

[Theiinlive]

lol

[EricN68]

Kal-El, for a brief moment, truly seemed like an alien warrior as he flew through the skies. It was a welcome glimpse ... of a guy I would not like to know or be friends with.

The whole "stones" thing was very rushed, as I'm sure many other people have complained. What are they, what precipitated the search for them, yadda yadda yadda. With this, and with Lana's storyline tangled up in it, the season was kind of "stuck" -- they had to follow through, of course, but I felt like they were trying to get out of it for the rest of the season...

[hannah]

1 thing that is bugging me...is that wen clark is with lois waiting in the hospital he's actually nice to her and listens to her blah blah......but then wen he gets to the barn with martha hes Kal-el and is as normal kinda rude and mean and stuff....is he still Kal-el wen hes with lois and are they just tryin to prove that he likes lois early on or am i gettin this wrong coz to me it seems like Kal-el has only eva been nice that one time when he was talkin with lois!

[RichardMarx]

How is flying part of "Kryptonian heritage"? Doesn't the yellow sun give Kryptonians their powers?

[ginnyfan]

This episode was such a Lois and Clark episode.

It has the fateful meeting. It has Margot Kidder as an employee of Dr. Swann (Christopher Reeve). She even alludes to them having a relationship "in another lifetime." I sort of think of it as a two parter with Gone.

It really sets up the quest for the stones very well. The flight really puts it over the edge and makes it one of my favorite episodes. Also Lex and Lionel actually start literally going for blood.

[Kryptonian Boy]

They also did really well on Kal-El flying.

[Gabreya]

I liked the episode. It's good that Lois got to meet him for the first time. But,he was nude when she first met him and I was laughing my head of when he turned around towards her and she said to herself,"Look at his face. Look at his face." Especially the way he was looking at her!:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[erances23]

Originally posted by RedBullet
Was Matha wearing tan pants when she was hugging the revived Jon or was she not wearing pants? It looks like it?

i dont know if anyone else notices, but i zoomed in on that scene. that was not annette o toole with john schneider at that hospital bed 'cause the woman has her buttcrack showing and there was a tattoo above it.

God i love technology....

[Crusader]

This has to be my favourite smallville episode!, flying scene alone makes the overal season one to remember.

[tibbit78]

What did I think of Crusade? There are 4 things I loved about Crusade.

1) Chloe's heartwarming speech to Clark Kent:
"I don't know where to start. I know you must have a million questions... but I don't know how many answers I can give you. If you're watching this, it means I'm probably dead. You were always the one good thing in my life... and if I didn't tell you enough, I care about you more than you'll ever know. Please find out who did this, Clark. You're the only one who can."

2) I loved the Jonathan, Clark & Martha scenes. Jonathan tells Clark that the doctor said he is a "walking, breathing miracle, thanks to you, Clark."
Clark wanted to give his mother Martha all of the credit. "The real hero is Mom. I don't know if I would have the strength to hold on... for 3 months not knowing where I was and if Dad would pull through," says Clark to his Mom.
Martha replies to Clark: "My father used to tell me, 'Life asks of you what you think you can handle.'" Martha went on, "But there were days when I thought it had asked too much. But then I would think of this family... and all the things we've endured and the good things ahead of us. And I found the strength to keep going... because I knew the 3 of us would be together again." All 3 hug each other. Oh, how I really miss the Clark, Jonathan and Martha scenes. Those were the best episodes of Smallville (the Clark, Jonathan & Martha stories and lessons for Clark to learn).

3) And the introduction of Lois Lane:

Even though Erica Durance didn't shed a tear, I still liked her cemetary scene and nice speech she gave to Chloe:
Lois (talking to Chloe in the graveyard): "I have a confession to make: I didn't go to your funeral. I hate funerals. Dad says everybody does... but it's a way of paying tribute to a life well led." (Lois sobs). "I hate myself for being weak. I just knew the moment I came here... it would make it real. I promise, I will find out who did this to you... even if I have to do this alone."

Clark comes along and comforts Lois. "You're not alone, Lois." And then Clark goes on to say, "Look, why don't you let me help you find out who did this to Chloe. Chloe was my best friend. You can stay at our house while you're in town. It beats living out of your car."
Lois answers humorously, "Thanks, but you should know, I don't pay any attention to curfews and I never make my bed."

Well, that's one way of Smallville introducing us to Lois Lane.


4) Clark Kent's flying:


Jonathan: Clark, your mother tells me you can fly.

Clark: Kal-El can fly. Clark Kent is still earthbound.

Joanthan: How did that feel?

Clark: Amazing and scary. If I can do that, maybe I'm capable of doing anything.

Martha: You are.


I also liked the part about Kal-El/Clark flying. Jonathan talks about Martha Kent witnessing Clark Kent's flying. When Jonathan tells Clark Kent, "Clark, your mother tells me you can fly," Clark answers, "Kal-El can fly. Clark Kent is still earthbound." That was the first time we've seen Clark fly. It's funny how he disagrees about Clark flying, and just giving Kal-El the credit, instead of himself (as if Clark Kent & Kal-El were 2 different people). Jonathan asks Clark, "How did that feel," and Clark answers, "Amazing and scary. If I can do that, maybe I'm capable of doing anything." Martha has great faith in her son, Clark and says to him, "You are (capable of doing anything)." It really is great to see the Kent family back together again. This was a great episode.


1) My favorite Clark related moment is when Lois Lane introduces herself to Clark Kent. Clark has amnesia and asks Lois, "Who are you?" and Lois answers, "Lois. Lois Lane."

2) My favorite Clark Kent line is "Kal-El can fly. Clark Kent is still earthbound. It feels amazing and scary. If I can do that, maybe I'm capable of doing anything."

3) The funniest moment in the episode: When Lois Lane looked at Clark Kent and said calmly, "Look at his face," and when the little Chinese lady looks at Clark in the hospital and gasps.

4) I only wish that Clark Kent and Lana were back together again.

5) What do I like best about Tom's performance? He does an excellent job at portraying the amnesiac Clark Kent.

[Alexius]

Kal-El rocks! Tom did a very nice job and Erica was great also. The ep. had its funny moments, so it was a very good premiere.

[TWLOVER03]

I was trying so hard to not like Lois! But I do! The only other thing I remember was a convienetally placed leaf over Clark's butt in the very begining

[vezz801]

I can't believe it. Almost four years later and Clark still doesn't fly, even in Veritas.

[MixTKO]

Just re-watched the episode last night, had to see some Clark in the air since we might not get it til season 8. Just hope he flies in the season 7 finale.

[Diego*Chloe]

this episode was one of the good ones

in the opening credits i was just wating to see "Allison Mack" but.. i din´t so i thought Chloe was really death untill Clark says to Lois " i think Chloe is still alive"

[JNottle]

Lois: You know, Chloe said in her notes that you used to work for Lionel. I am trying to get in to see him, but he keeps refusing to see me. Any advice?
Martha: Stay away, you don't wanna get pulled into Lionel's web.
Lois: How did you escape unscaved?
Martha: I didn't.

If someone can explain what this means, I would be greatful, I didn't get what Martha meant when she said I didn't.

I found it funny with the end Clark and Lois scene.

Also the Bridget and Martha scene was pretty decent.

Lois was really well played, all of her lines where funny and got to the point at once.

Lionel was awesome as usual.

Lex was fairly decent.

Jason and Lana scenes where hysterical.

[Clark/Lois-fan]

Kal-El flying. Introducing Lois Lane. Margot Kidder guest stars. Man I love this episode. Missed Chloe- but glad she didn't die.

[DisneyBoy]

An interesting season premiere. I really enjoyed how convincing Tom was as Kal-El. He was still pretty young looking back then and the cheekbones were rocking, weren't they? Great look with the black shirt and the flying. Classic Best-of Smallville stuff.

I just wish the directors had given Martha a close-up moment at the end of the episode. This story was very much about her hanging on to a family that had fallen apart. In the commentary, Annette points out that she feels the Kents are the heart of the show and the rest is just a bonus. I agree...which is why the series feels so over-the-hill now. By not finding good ways of keeping Martha in the stories, they lost something really important to the show. Much more so than Lex or Lana.

I found the Lana/Paris stuff boring. Well shot and the two characters have chemistry, but just so needless in the grand scheme of the series. Wish they'd realized this, and not tried to force Lana into a place she didn't belong. The show would have worked much better with her taking a leave of absense earlier on in the run. Or if they'd just let her in on the secret sooner. Anyways, she annoys.

Lois was alright, but certainly not as comfortable in the series as she is now (season eight).

I loved seeing Lionel in prison. Glover rocked all his scenes, and even made Lex look like a little boy in one particular close-up. (Oops...that happened in Gone!)

Nice seeing Margot Kidder. Was this her first appearance in the series? Too bad they killed her off. She could have stayed with the show for a while, making guest-spots.

The Lex stuff wasn't that interesting. It has nice points, but irrelevent ones too, so it's hard to totally love this episode.

[HapaPapa38]

My favorite thing would actually be the fact that I've pulled out my Season 4 and Season 5 DVDs and am back to marathon episode watching (after getting the kids to sleep!). I've always enjoyed this series, despite a few so-so episodes, and I love that LL has been introduced. Glad Chloe is alive (she used to bug me a little, but her caring for Clark and guarding his secret is becoming very endearing as I watch these old episodes. I'm almost rooting for Clark to get together with her instead of Lana. Loved Martha Kent fighting for her son, the Margot Kidder cameo, and finally, I know this has been mentioned before, but what was up with the Marth Kent-straddling-fresh-outta-coma Jonathan Kent, exposing low back stamp and a slight bit of derriere cleavage? It just didn't strike me as Martha Kent-like, but I guess if my spouse were out of a three month coma I'd be excited too. (If that was Annette O' Toole, good for her! If not, Jonathan's got some explaining to do! :)

[KalEltheBoyscout]

Kal-El flying. Introducing Lois Lane. Margot Kidder guest stars. Man I love this episode. Missed Chloe- but glad she didn't die.

I'm glad too.

[rebecavaldez]

The episode Clois began

[e-µ-i]

This is my favorite episode since SV started. I enjoyed every second of it - from Clark being Kal-el and flying away, from introducing the beginning that will lead to the passage of Fortress of Solitude, and of course - Lois. Great actor and character.
This episode starts giving a completely new vibe to Smallville, something I've personally been waiting for a long time. Perfect ;)

[The Dark Knight74]

I have a couple questions about the whole reborn thing. Exactly what was the purpose? Was this in any comics or past series' or was this an original idea?

[e-µ-i]

Well, I don't know about the comics, but from watching the show, I think is what happened :
in the last episode of season 3 Jor-el took Clark for the next stage of his journey to become a true Kryptonian. Somewhere in that stage Clark was 'transformed' to Kal-el, the person that Jor-el always wanted him to be. Since Jor-el indicated that all three elements must be combined to open an access to unlimited knowledge, Kal-el listened to his father. But mama Kent wanted her son back, so when she used the black Kryptonite, Clark fought with Kal-el and won.
So, I guess, the whole transformation thing (if you mean that fight) is obvious, and you're talking about the three lightning in a corn field thingy, it is an attempt of Jor-el to ressurect his son, the Kryptonian Kal-el.

[WellingFan]

The flying sequence was simply fantastic. Hats off.

[Clark/Lois-fan]

The flying sequence was simply fantastic. Hats off.

So true. Just watched it again & I still get's goosebumps :D

[Bre723]

Ahh, don't you just love the opening scenes for crusade?
Chloes video, and the famous "I'm Lois, Lois Lane".
love love love.

[lex fan 10]

great episode 9 out of a 10

[kaleid_from_krypton]

Clark flying...:D
My favorite part of the episode!!

[vyperman7]

For those of you who were watching Smallville on TV back when Crusade aired, does anyone remember the huge advertising campain for it that aired in the summer before it premiered?

I found this promo on YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4eIsU4rIaw

I have been watching Smallville on TV since day one, so I have seen every promo, next on previews, etc. Not many really stuck with me. However, this promo for Crusade with Jimmy Eat World's Firestarter has to be one of my favorite if not my favorite Smallville promo of all time. The promo turned me onto the song Firestarter by Jimmy Eat World, and since then it has become of my favorite songs. This promo really pumps you up for Crusade. Too bad S4 turned out to be one of the weaker seasons overall.

[Lex Dance]

Apologies for being a bit off-topic Ryan, but if you get the chance, search for the E4 trailers by the British channel that shows Smallville over here. Some of them are monumental and some of them are just plain hilarious (check out the one for Sneeze!)
I'm still hoping someone will post the one for Transference and Zod - both of which were my favourites. The Zod trailer used to be on YouTube but then whoever posted it took it down.

[MjLaDy08]

the best season premier,,, the mark of lois lane... Clark jr... hehehe

[A Flawed Fashion]

For those of you who were watching Smallville on TV back when Crusade aired, does anyone remember the huge advertising campain for it that aired in the summer before it premiered?

I found this promo on YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4eIsU4rIaw

I have been watching Smallville on TV since day one, so I have seen every promo, next on previews, etc. Not many really stuck with me. However, this promo for Crusade with Jimmy Eat World's Firestarter has to be one of my favorite if not my favorite Smallville promo of all time. The promo turned me onto the song Firestarter by Jimmy Eat World, and since then it has become of my favorite songs. This promo really pumps you up for Crusade. Too bad S4 turned out to be one of the weaker seasons overall.

I wasn't watching Smallville at the time and I even remember that.

Lois Lane was going to be on Smallville. It was the first thing that ever peaked my interest in Smallville. I was never even remotely interested in Watching this show before that.

Anyway, I did eventually watch this episode and I love it. It is a great season premiere.

[LBDII]

Just re watched it it was great I forget though did they ever mention why Lex stopped getting the blood transfusions?

[347Studboy]

They didn't, but my theory is that when Lex picked up the Element of Air and it started glowing, his body was healed from the poison. It's not that far-fetched, given that the elements had other bizarre properties (that same stone later restores Clark's powers in "Spell", and the Element of Water has the power to switch bodies as seen in "Transference").

[Stebob1984]

Just re watched it it was great I forget though did they ever mention why Lex stopped getting the blood transfusions?

I noticed the same thing maybe they just thought they couldn't be bothered with it in the end we all fogot anyway :D

Just watched this again for the first time in a long time (I'm watching old Smallvilles cause I can't wait for new ones :D). Gotta say the flight scene still looks amazing, it was so brill to see. I had a thought whilst watching it aswell, when Martha used the black K on Clark and he split into two. Kal-El was very Bizarro like so in a way was this our first like at Bizarro Clark?

[Nimkong]

This episode became so close on my top three for the season.Liked how kal-el flew,liked how they introduced the stones of power,and how they introduced lois lane.