Smallville: Season 1, Episode 3 "Hothead"

 Smallville: Season 1, Episode 3 "Hothead"

October 30, 2001


“Hothead” continues a thrilling beginning to Smallville. This week’s villain is the high school’s football coach who is given the power of kryptonite but also has a quick fuse of a temper which creates all sorts of issues. Characters are developed further…especially those of Chloe Sullivan and Lex Luthor. At least to start, the younger Luthor is not pure evil as he shows some empathy towards his employees. There is also the father versus son dynamic at play here. Clark wants to play football…but he is hardly human so you cannot blame Jonathan for wanting his son to take it easy and not reveal who he really is to the world. There are thrilling moments scattered throughout. The principal’s car being blown up with flames comes to mind.

Walt Arnold, played by Dan Lauria, is Smallville’s arrogant football coach coming up on two hundred victories. During a sauna bath, he is exposed to kryptonite and now is given the powers of creating flames at will. Principal Kwan discovers that seven of his players have cheated on a math test and forbids them from playing which incurs Arnold’s wrath. He burns the principal’s car and sends the man to the hospital. Against Jonathan’s wishes, Arnold recruits Clark to play for the team. Once he loses control of his powers, Clark needs to save his father and his best friend. Meanwhile, Lana’s relationship with Whitney is becoming strained to the point where she quits the cheerleading team and Lex’s father, Lionel comes to Smallville with the orders for Lex to fire 20% of his staff.

Overall, a great third episode. We see Clark show off with his football skills. The cast does a great job throughout. I was most interested in the family dynamic with Clark and Jonathan. The visuals and effects continue to be really good, especially for a television series.

My Grade: B+


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