Very few shows make it to 200 episodes.  And even fewer deliver their best episode 10 seasons in.  I was expecting the episode to be good but I did not expect it to take over the position of my favorite episode of the series.

With everything but Lex Luthor and the tights, tonight's groundbreaking episode, "Homecoming," looks back at the past and provides a glimpse of the future as Clark discovers the darkness within him.

"I Forgot How Many Memories You Have Here"

Do high schools even have five-year reunions?  Apparently Smallville High does.  Time to put on that Crows jacket Clark.  With Clark down in the dumps, Lois drags him to their high school reunion to lighten his spirits.  Yes I said "their," Lois was enrolled for 23 days after all.  However, Lois soon realizes it may not have been the best decision to attend the reunion.  No one remembers her five days of actual attendance and the constant reminders of Clark's old flame, Lana Lang, stirs up her insecurities.  "So you're the moth, not the flame."  Aw, don't listen to that punch bowl lady, Lois!  She doesn't know what she's talking about, of course Clark likes you.

"It's Time to Move on From the Past"

Three cheers for the Homecoming King!  Clark's day just keeps getting better and better.  If facing his memories at the Torch and meeting the new age "Clark and Chloe" wasn't bad enough, having a pep rally in his honor really topped it all.  Bet he wishes the Blur were there to steal his thunder now.  But his moment of discomfort is short lived as time is frozen and who should walk through the door but a not-so-defeated Brainiac.  

Brainiac 5 of the 31st Century is now a member of the Legion and has come to fix Clark just as Clark had helped fix him.  "The darkness is the past and you hold onto it."  Clark just let go of the past already!  Revisiting Jonathan's death, Brainiac 5 shows Clark that it was not his fault, that Jonathan set his own fate in motion with his choice to protect Clark.  Holding onto his past and dwelling in his guilt is keeping Clark from being the hero he could be and from seeing the troubles surrounding him in the present.

"How'd I Become So Uptight and Nerdy?"

Someone call Doc Brown, Clark has taken a ride in the Delorean!   When Greg Arkin, a.k.a. Bug Boy, approaches Lois at the reunion, Clark tries to get back to real time.  But messing with the Legion ring before Brainiac 5's lesson was complete catapults him seven years into the future.  "Superman Saves the Day."  Now there is a headline I love reading.  Clark Kent is finally Superman fully equipped with the glasses disguise.  It doesn't take long for Clark to be pummeled over by Future Lois.  Now working on the eighth floor, Clark tries to get answers but is only met with more questions.  Future Lois knows he's an alien and she's okay with it.  So now you have to tell present-day Lois, Clark.

Am I seeing double?  As Lois rushes Clark into the elevator, Clark is faced with his future self.  Much more assertive and slightly uptight, Future Clark tells Clark to be on the roof to save Future Lois while he flies off to take care of a nuclear reactor on the other side of town.  If seeing the Clark Kent our Clark will one day become didn't send your inner geek into overdrive, the helicopter save on the Daily Planet rooftop definitely had to have done the trick.  Clark gets quite the thank you from Future Lois, who is crazy about her man.  Well you've saved the day yet again, Clark.  It's time to go home as Brainiac 5 appears to bring him back to the present and leaves Clark with the advice not to fear the future and to let go of the past.

"We All Choose Our Own Fate"

Clark, you finally got through the trial Jor-El warned you about back in season 5!  You are finally able to say goodbye to Jonathan. Burying Papa Kent's watch at his grave, Clark symbolically lets go of his guilt and walks away, promising to be the man Jonathan always knew he could be.  With his mind cleared to see what's right in front of him, Clark attends Oliver's interview, his presence giving Oliver the confidence he needs to set the record straight.  "You're damn right, I'm a hero."  You tell them, Oliver!  

Oliver isn't the only one whose doubts need to be reassured.  Clark may have missed his homecoming dance with Lois at the reunion but boy does he know how to make up for it.  With a lit up disco ball in his barn, Clark asks Lois for that dance.  Our boy has missed his girl and he finally utters the three words every Lois & Clark fan has been waiting to hear... "I love you."  With her saying the words back, our iconic couple is back together.  But wait!  That was not the big moment fans were teased with for the past few months.  As they close their eyes and live in the moment, Clark breaks the law of gravity and they dance happily in the air with Lois standing on Clark's feet.  


(image courtesy of the CW)