Lex’s father closes the LuthorCorp Smallville plant to force his son back to Metropolis. Tornado twisters are on their way to town as Clark discovers the whereabouts of a missing piece of the spaceship. A reporter finds otherworldly evidence in the Kent’s cellar. Remy Zero performs the Smallville theme song "Save Me" during the spring formal.

What’s up with Lex? In an employee staff meeting, Lionel announces the plant closure due to management failures. He tells Lex his training is over and he’s coming home to Metropolis. Lex is upset over his father’s manipulation and the layoff of 2500 employees. Lex asks his management staff to join him in a company employee buyout, with him supplying 90% of the needed capital. Lex tells Lionel of his employee buyout plan. Lionel reveals to Lex that he’s bought Smallville Savings & Loan, and will foreclose on any late mortgages on Smallville LuthorCorp employees, literally controlling the town’s money.

What’s up with Roger Nixon? Roger is "The Inquisitor" reporter originally employed by Lex to investigate circumstances of his car accident in the Pilot episode. Since then, Lex has repeatedly asked him to stay away from the Kent family. Recently Roger’s been looking for a Smallville story.

Back at the Kent farm, Clark uses his strength to drive heavy fence posts into the ground without tools. As he gets into his pickup truck and starts the ignition, the truck explodes into flames. Clark pushes the door off, escaping the flames totally unhurt. Unknown to Clark, Roger who exploded the pickup via remote control, is observing him.

The reporter later approaches Clark, saying he wants to do a story on him. Lex warns Clark not to get mixed up with Roger. At the Luthor mansion, Roger meets with Lex, hinting at his "discovery." Roger sneaks the spaceship piece from Lex’s office and promises to show Lex evidence that night. If Lex isn’t interested, the reporter threatens to offer his evidence to Lionel.

What’s up with Clark? Clark is making plans for the spring formal with Chloe. After Roger Nixon approaches him, he gets suspicious and tells his parents about the reporter, worrying that it was Roger who set up the explosion of the pickup. Clark also confides that Lex has a missing piece of the spaceship, which he has seen in Lex’s office. The reporter has bugged the conversation, and hears the entire Kent discussion.

Later Lex comes to the barn, professing his friendship and warning Clark to be careful. Lex senses doom.

What’s up with Whitney? Whitney arranges a surprise picnic for Lana, thanking her for her loyalty during a difficult year. He tells Lana he was inspired by his dad’s service and he’s enlisted in the U.S. Marines, leaving Saturday night. Whitney asks Lana if she’ll wait for him while he’s away.

What’s up with Lana? She’s unsure of her feelings for Whitney, and unsure of making a commitment. She shares this with Clark. Before he leaves on his bus out of town, Whitney takes Lana into the school gymnasium, which is decorated for the evening’s spring formal. They dance alone. He apologizes for not telling Lana sooner about enlisting. Whitney tries to bring up a commitment, but Lana says "Let’s just dance." Lana drives Whitney to the bus for their good-bye. She gives him her kryptonite necklace for luck. Whitney tells Lana he loves her. She hugs him, but doesn’t reply.

What’s up with Chloe? With the Smallville LuthorCorp plant closing, Chloe’s dad is unemployed. He’s talking of moving them back to Metropolis. When Chloe hears the news of Whitney enlisting, she fears Clark will leave her alone to go for Lana as soon as Whitney is gone. Clark reassures Chloe that won’t happen with a kiss.

Chloe picks up Clark for the spring formal. The reporter watches as they leave. What’s up with Jonathan and Martha? After Clark and Chloe leave, Roger Nixon creeps into the Kent’s storm cellar. He uncovers the spaceship, and begins taping with his video camera. Jonathan and Martha head to the cellar as the storm approaches. They find Roger in the cellar. He has added the missing piece to the spaceship. Jonathan punches Roger as Martha tries to hold Jonathan back. The spaceship is energized, lighting up, and hovering above the ground in the cellar. Roger runs outside to escape, with Jonathan after him. Martha calls out to Jonathan not to follow because of the storm, then turns to see the spaceship beginning to open.

How it ends: Lex searches for the missing piece of the spaceship in his office. Lionel comes in, making threats about the employee buyout. The storm shatters the window and collapses a pillar, trapping Lionel. Lex is hurt too, but gets up. Lionel calls for Lex’s help. Lex just stands by, watching him suffer.

Back at school, everyone is arriving for the spring formal. Chloe and Clark meet up with Lana and Whitney. Whitney takes a moment alone with Clark to apologize for his bad, jealous behavior all year. He asks Clark to do him the favor of looking after Lana until he returns from the Marines. Clark promises he will. Remy Zero performs at the prom, and Clark requests Chloe’s favorite song. They are about to kiss when the band makes an announcement, warning of the storm. Clark is worried that Lana may not yet be safely home from her good-bye with Whitney. Before Chloe can turn around, Clark uses his speed to run south of town to find Lana.

Lana had an accident as the storm approached, and the red pickup is stuck in a ditch. Although she tried to escape the wreck, when she went outside she saw three tornado twisters coming towards her. She’s trapped in the pickup. As Clark arrives, Lana screams for his help. Suddenly a twister lifts the pickup into the sky. Clark runs forward, enveloped by the twister.

TO BE CONTINUED...