Michael McKean portrays Perry White in this episode of Smallville. Michael's real-life wife is Annette O'Toole, Martha Kent. Superman fans know that in the future, Perry White becomes the boss of reporter Clark Kent at the Daily Planet. Michael talks about working on set with Annette and the possibility of Perry White as a recurring character in this interview from zap2it.com. What's up with Clark? Record-breaking solar flares are effecting Clark's super powers. He cannot control his strength, speed, or heat vision.

Who is Perry White? Tabloid journalist Perry White is in Smallville to research the meteor shower for a cable TV show, "XStyles." Perry has a drinking problem. While driving drunk, Perry swerves to avoid hitting Clark. Clark uses his strength to pull Perry from the accident. Perry smells a story and continues to watch Clark. Chloe tells Clark that Perry was once one of the best journalists in Metropolis. When asked what happened to his success, Perry explains that he has a past with Lionel Luthor, who squelched Perry's biggest story.

What's up with Lana? Perry wants an interview with Lana about the meteor shower. Blocking sad memories, she refuses. Lana asks Lex to intervene to keep Perry from digging up the painful past.

What's up with Lex? The LuthorCorp required psychoanalysis sessions are getting no where with Lex, and the psychiatrist tells him so. She will not sign off on his mental health, warning him that he cannot cope alone with the emotional stress of being stranded on the island and his failed marriage. She recommends further therapy sessions.

Perry confronts Lex. He wants to tell Lex all he knows about Lionel in exchange for information about Clark. Lex threatens Perry in an uncontrollable rage. Realizing he needs therapy, Lex reluctantly agrees to further sessions.

How it ends: Perry stakes out a camera crew in front of the Kent farm. Jonathan leads them away as Clark and Pete escape to camp out overnight to avoid further problems. As they set up camp, Clark gets a call from Lana on his cell phone. Pete drives Clark to the bridge, where Lana is frantic. Perry is standing on the edge, threatening to jump into the gorge. Perry is sure that Clark will use super powers to save him, giving Perry his proof and story. Perry jumps as Clark hangs on to him. They both dangle above the gorge from a rope that Perry has tied to his ankle, tethering himself to the bridge. Clark, effected by the solar flares, has no super powers to save them. Pete gets a rope from the car and ties it to the bumper, while Lana tosses Clark the other end of the lifeline. Perry hangs on to Clark's legs as Pete uses the car to pull them up to safety. Perry sees Clark's hands bleeding and realizes from the ordeal that he has no story.

With the solar flares gone, Clark's powers return to normal. Lana stops by the barn for a visit. Clark apologizes for being a part of the efforts that stirred up painful memories of her parent's death in the meteor shower. Lana suggests that she is moving on from the grief of losing her parents because she really cares about him. She hopes they can work things out between them.

Clark drops Perry at the bus stop to return to Metropolis. Clark's noble regard for others has inspired Perry to go sober and given him with the courage to pursue the big stories. He hopes that he can return to work at the Daily Planet. As they say good-bye Perry tells Clark, "If you're ever in Metropolis, look me up. I owe you one."