Smallville (2001–2011): Season 10, Episode 13 - Beacon - full transcript

- Tess.
- Yeah.

You've been taking spin classes,
and not in the gym.

- What are you talking about, Lois?
- Censorship.

I write an article against the VRA and
you turn it into venom for vigilantes.

I didn't approve this article.

I didn't approve any of these articles.

Well, if you didn't
green-light this garbage, who did?

You know, I have better things to do
than deal with your mess.

Excuse me.

Tess.

Lionel Luthor.



- I thought...
- Yes, well, rumors of my death...

...have been greatly exaggerated.

What?

You got a hug
for your long-lost daddy?

No?

Clark told me about this other Earth.
You're from there, aren't you?

It doesn't matter where I'm from,
Lutessa. I am still your father.

And as far as
this trusting world believes...

...the same man
who successfully faked his own death.

Which also makes you
the same man who abandoned me.

Interesting, because in my world...

...you're the one
who turned your back on me.

- I'm sure I had my reasons.
- Oh, you did.

I neglected you, Lutessa.



But I won't make that mistake again.

Clark opened the door
between worlds...

...and that's given me a second chance
to put things right between us...

...to be the father you always wanted.

What exactly do you want, Lionel?

To provide for my family.

For you and for your brother.

I was a fool. I turned my back on you
for someone who betrayed me.

Well, Clark was never yours
in this world.

And Lex is dead.

That is a lie, Tess.

You saved Lex.

And now he's out there
alone somewhere...

...because you discarded him.

And you know the crippling scars that
that can leave on a child, Lutessa.

Where is he?

Tell me now.

I don't know,
but I'm gonna find him before you do.

The boy doesn't need you.

He needs his father.

And they say being a wanted man's
supposed to be a bad thing.

- Were you peeking at your...?
- I...

- Okay.
- Uh, just a peek, just a really quick peek.

The government may have framed me,
but it'd truly be criminal...

...to keep you from checking up
on the world, wouldn't it?

And while you do that,
I'm going to, uh, take a walk.

I'm gonna stretch my legs out.

Oliver? Your stretching yesterday
led to you stopping two muggings...

...and a very public bank robbery.
- That's right.

I wore the hoodie.

And if you get caught, you're gonna
be wearing prison orange...

...which is not the best color on you.

Hey, I just got you back.
I don't wanna lose you again.

We take you there now, live.

Vote down the VRA! Vote down the VRA!

What is going on?

America votes on whether or not
to overturn the VRA!

Our heroes need our help now
more than ever.

- Pro-hero rally? Okay.
- Vote down the VRA!

Lois?

Lois?

Lois, I'm home.

Hi, Clark.

Newspaper is the way to spread the
word, but you can't beat door to door...

...for the personal touch.

I just single-handedly swayed
30 more votes in our favor.

I love your enthusiasm, but I don't have
much time for politics.

Do you have time for your mom?

Because a certain senator has been
working overtime to overturn the VRA.

Her campaigning has raised
enough hero support...

...to force a national vote.

And I appreciate
everything that she's done...

...but, Lois, the vote's tomorrow.

Don't give up on the game when
there are seconds left on the clock.

I'm still out there saving people
whether they want me around or not.

You need to see something.

A motorcade
has pulled up behind the podium.

It looks like the keynote speaker
has arrived.

A major opponent of the VRA...

You were so focused
on flying under the radar...

...that you lost sight of the skyline.

People believe in heroes.

They just need something to give them
the courage to come out and fight.

And now it is my
great honor to introduce to you...

- She's your hero and mine.
- Or someone.

Please welcome Senator Martha Kent!

These are difficult times.

With heroes being painted as criminals,
it's easy to lose hope.

But if we don't speak up now,
then when?

My father always said, "Life only asks
of you what you can handle."

Sometimes we can't do it on our own.

That's why we need to join together
in this crusade like a family...

...so that our united strength shines
through the darkness like a beacon...

- ...inspiring others to find their voices.
- Yeah!

None of us is born to hate.

We're taught to.

That's why we need heroes
to remind us that we are all meant...

- ...to fight for truth and justice.
- Yeah!

- To take a stand against fear and hate.
- Yeah!

To go to the polls tomorrow
and vote down the VRA!

Vote down the VRA!
Vote down the VRA! Vote down the VRA!

- See? There's still hope.
- Vote down the VRA!

Vote down the VRA!

We just heard
what sounded like gunshots.

Federal agents are now...

- I'm her son.
- Yes, Mr. Kent.

Thank you for your concern, Lois.

Oh, hold on a second. Hi, sweetheart.

- Mo...
- Hi.

I know. Clark does have a way
of leaving abruptly.

Um, I'm gonna stop by the farm later.
Bye-bye.

- You okay?
- I'm fine.

They convinced me
to wear a bulletproof vest.

- The other bullet grazed my shoulder.
- You didn't tell me you were in town.

- I could've protected you.
- I had to protect you, Clark.

The whole state is watching.
It's not safe for you or your friends...

...to be caught in the spotlight.

So you step in, and look what happens,
somebody shot you.

They shot a senator to frighten people
from going to the polls.

I have to get back out
and encourage people...

...to stand up for what they believe in.

So more of them can get hurt?

People are upset.
They're getting violent.

If you don't let me do this...

...there will never be a day
when you can come out of hiding.

- People need someone to believe in.
- I'm not gonna let you sacrifice yourself.

Your father and I made a pact
many years ago.

We knew protecting you
would be dangerous...

...but we vowed to do it,
even if it cost us our lives.

I'm willing to sacrifice
the same thing your father did.

But I'm not gonna let you go
on a suicide mission for me.

The person who did this to you
is out there. I'm gonna find them.

I'm not ready
to say goodbye to you too.

He's just worried about you,
Mrs. Kent.

We all are.

Oliver really wanted to come too,
but I was afraid he'd get recognized.

- Oh!
- Sorry.

Who would've thought there'd be a day
when heroes need this much protection?

It's nothing new.

A long time ago,
Jonathan and I realized...

...Clark wasn't just our blessing...

...someday we'd have to share him
with the world.

Protecting him suddenly became
a much bigger responsibility.

That explains why the Red Queen
eventually entered the game.

I've been watching you too.

I know you took over
where Waller left off...

...but why did you leave Clark's side
in the first place?

Same reason you did.

There's a very fine line between being
protective and being overprotective.

We both needed to leave
for Clark to stand up on his own.

But maybe we stepped away too far.

Mrs. Kent, I never stopped
watching his back.

Clark needs you
as much as the world needs him.

You're part of this family, Chloe.

You know, growing up, I never really had
much of a mother figure to look up to...

...until I met you.

You really taught me what it meant
to take care of the people that I love.

And as Clark's oldest friend...

...I can't think of anyone better
to watch over him.

Stand back.

With tensions rising
and violence breaking out...

...between VRA protestors
and supporters...

...in the wake of the attempt
on Senator Kent's life...

...things are escalating
very quickly here, Bruce.

Hey, what are you doing?

- Does Chloe know you're out here?
- Not exactly, no.

She worries, Clark.

I can't stay holed up
in Watchtower all day.

I'll drive myself crazy.

Your mother was out here
standing up for me too.

She won't be doing much of anything
if we don't figure out who did this.

- Did you find anything?
- No.

The cops haven't found anything either.
They can't even find the bullets.

- Clark, you all right?
- It's kryptonite.

Police didn't find bullets because
they're made out of meteor rock.

- Turn to dust on impact.
- Shooter knows your weakness.

They probably thought
I'd try to stop it.

This wasn't political.
It was personal.

Lois Lane. I called about doing
a pro-hero piece for your paper.

Then you really have no business...

...calling yourselves "fair and balanced,"
now, do you?

- Hi.
- Hi. Oh.

- Let me get that for you.
- Thank you.

I see you've been baking again.

Well, yeah. I'm getting a little better.

And because of what you've
been through this morning...

...you could use
a little homespun sweetness.

That's very thoughtful, Lois.

- Ow.
- Oh. Ha, ha.

Um, I also compiled a list
of the top 10 possible shooters.

Ray Sacks, Bruno Mannheim,
they're all in there.

And... Yeah.

- Lois.
- Yeah?

Don't worry. I've been impressed
with you for years.

This is for you.

Really?

- Wow.
- When I first came into this house...

...I was the city girl,
and Jonathan's mom was particular.

I didn't think I'd measure up
to everything she'd been for him.

But on our wedding day,
she gave me that necklace...

...and said the thing she couldn't
measure was Jonathan's happiness...

...since he had met me.

But more importantly...

...you are a perfect fit for Clark.

You inspire him.

I wish that I could inspire him
a little right now.

He just... He's losing hope.

I need to reach more people...

...but all of my journalistic jump shots
keep getting blocked.

Did you know Perry White started out
fighting for his causes as an outsider?

He didn't think much
of the conventional media...

...so he printed pamphlets
out of a storage unit.

Storage unit.

That is so low-rent and so rebel.

You've grown up, Alexander.

I watched your body fall 40 stories.

It was the greatest moment of my life.

Well, what father doesn't
wanna make his son happy?

You don't need this.

Kryptonite.

You shot Martha Kent.

Why would you do that? I understand
she's a perfectly lovely woman.

I was trying to kill him.

I thought he'd blur
in front of the bullet.

The kryptonite
would tear through him.

But he didn't come.

He wasn't there to protect her.

Don't worry, son.
I'm here now to protect you.

No one will ever find out
what happened today.

Will you help me kill Clark?

I betrayed you for that boy
in another life.

But now, here,
we've got another chance.

We'll work together.

You're my flesh and blood.

My only son.

With my help, you will succeed.

You will rule our family dynasty...

...no matter what it costs.

God.

Wow.

Lois.

Why am I at my alma mater?

How am I supposed
to be protecting my heroes...

...if I'm totally on everybody's radar?

And what's with
all the Woodward and Bernstein?

Actually, more like Perry and White.

- These are Perry's files.
- Oh.

That explains the smell
of Old Spice and young ambition.

I thought you'd be out
campaigning right now.

Actually, I'd rather be writing...

...but no one wants to print
pro-hero prose.

I needed inspiration...

...a way to blow down those power-puff
pieces piling up against the Blur.

And then it hit me
like a banner headline.

Go guerilla.

Okay, bad banana jokes aside...

...do you really think that you and I
passing out a bunch of pamphlets...

...is gonna actually defeat the VRA?

Actually, I had a different idea.

I just need you to hack into
a couple of national-news websites.

How many?

All of them.

Oliver, you can forget about
looking into those kryptonite bullets.

- I found the shooter's crow's nest.
- He leave an autograph?

More or less. Something he scratched
into the roof while he waited.

I've only seen this one other place,
on the wall in Alexander's cell.

- He's the shooter.
- Don't worry, Clark.

We'll find this guy.

- What the hell is this?
- Forgot to change the locks.

Lionel Luthor.

It's a journal.

My, uh, doppelgänger's life
makes for a very interesting read.

Alexander.

I wouldn't get used to the view.
You forget, I know where you're from.

- People find out you're not real...
- Not real?

Why would anyone think that?

I've been quietly reclaiming
my assets for months now.

Your illicit activities made it easy for me
to buy you out at a bargain...

...and the LuthorCorp board
has welcomed me back with open arms.

- In this world, you murdered my parents.
- In mine too...

...and I had a very good reason.

Hit me. Security's on the way.
We'll add assault and battery.

Come on.

I'll pass.

So, what was that this morning, huh?
Was that, uh, your idea?

Show Daddy that you
got the killer instinct too?

Are you making an accusation
against my son?

No one will take your word.
You're a convicted felon.

You should've stayed
out of the spotlight...

...but you wanted celebrity.

You made one fatal mistake,
you trusted them, the people.

They're vulgar, uneducated
and stupid...

...and they don't even know
when you're fighting for them.

Must be heartwrenching.

Well, you got it all figured out.

I'll tell you what.

I wouldn't underestimate
the common man in tomorrow's vote.

When the VRA's repealed
and my name is cleared...

...I'm coming after you.

No, you're wrong.

Tomorrow, the people
will turn on you again, believe me.

You missed the mark, Green Arrow.

And now it's our turn.

Again.

Come on, Clark.

- Tess?
- Clark, I have been calling you.

I've been busy. I found out
who the shooter was: Alexander.

I'm gonna need to scan traffic cameras,
retrace his steps.

Clark, Alexander's not the only Luthor
that's crawling back into our lives.

Lionel's here.

Lionel?

He followed you from his parallel world
and he knows about Alexander.

Worse, he's already found him. Just got
back from father-son day at LuthorCorp.

Alexander's all grown up.
Family's back in business.

Lionel's rebuilding his empire
with Lex by his side.

Clark, you saw the world
that Lionel built over there.

Use the mirror box
and send them both away.

I destroyed the mirror box.

Maybe Jor-El has a way
to send Lionel home.

Snow Dad's been a little frosty lately.

Maybe we should figure out
a different way.

Yeah, I agree with Oliver.

Don't you have other ways
to deal with them?

No one does anything
till I get back from the Fortress.

This is your home, Alexander.

You'll be safe here.

You always remember, son...

...a Luthor's home is his castle.

But this really isn't your home,
Lionel, is it?

And we both know
this boy is sick and needs serious help.

Alexander, would you leave us
a minute, please?

Go on.

It's all right. It's all right.

So, Senator Martha Kent.

I assume Clark told you about
his journey through the looking glass.

And he just called me about yours.

You don't belong here.

That's strange, coming from you.

Where does your son belong?
Certainly not here.

Well, on this side of the mirror,
Clark is a force for good.

And if you try to hurt him...

...I will destroy you.

I find you very attractive, Martha.

I understand why I had
such strong feelings for you.

I loved to give you presents.

There was a wristwatch.

You remember?

Lionel and I had nothing to hide.

Engraved.

"To Martha, with deep affection."

Did you share that
with your husband?

Stay away from Clark.

You may have used him
in your world to kill Lex...

...but you won't use him in this one.

Alexander.

Is that true?

You abandoned me in this world
and wanted me dead in the next?

Oh, my God, son,
what have you done?

Son?

Isn't it a little late for that?

In two separate worlds,
you picked your son.

And it wasn't me.

You loved her son.

I was wrong, Alexander.

I...

That's why I came
back here to find you.

No second chances, Lionel.

It's time to end this family feud.

- Alexander, please listen to me.
- I know I'm dying.

I'm aging faster and faster.

I have all of Lex's memories.

And he despised
every single one of you.

Listen to me, son.

Don't let hate master you.
Make it your servant. Use it.

Let it build inside you.
Your hate can make you strong.

- I can teach you how.
- There's nothing left for you to teach me.

I'm taking pity on you, Martha.

I know how much it would kill you
to watch your son die.

I was halfway to the Fortress
when I realized what you meant.

You're looking
for the Phantom Zone crystal.

- You sent Slade there, didn't you?
- The VRA forced my hand.

When the justice system here is fixed,
I'll bring him back to stand trial.

How can you be so good, Clark?

Because no one taught him to hate.

Like Lionel taught me.

- Alexander.
- But don't worry.

I took care of my father.

And your mom too, Clark.

What did you do?

Clark.

Part of growing up
is letting go of your parents, Clark.

Something you've
always struggled with.

Where are they?

Back at the mansion.

Or what's left of it...

...since it's burning to the ground
as we speak.

You're not a killer, not yet.
You can come back.

I'm the last Lex Luthor.

After I die, there's no coming back.

- Alexander...
- No, Tess!

I am done with all of you.

And you.

Always making yourself look better by
making me look like some monster!

You're not him.

You keep blaming everybody else,
but look who has the gun in their hand.

I know how you feel.

After living in the darkness
for so long...

...you feel like
you can't step into the light...

...because it makes you feel ashamed.

But Clark was the one
that changed everything for me.

He can do the same thing for you.

Why would you wanna help me?

I'm your enemy.

- We've been locked in battle for years.
- We're not locked into anything.

You had something Lex never had
and that's Tess.

She loved you.

I still love you. I do.

And I know that I'm not perfect.

But I'll always be there for you.

Okay?

This isn't over.

Cheer up, Clark.
Lex? Lionel? You had a big win tonight.

I think we'll still lose today.

And after this vote,
I'll be an outlaw forever.

Hey. You might wanna
take a look at this.

"A beacon of hope
shining light on the truth"?

It's our answer to the VRA.

Hey, Blur, it's Brian.

I like to consider myself
a longtime supporter...

...of these vigilantes,
as they like to call it now.

All of my hopes were confirmed...

...when I saw that mysterious letter S
showing up everywhere.

I knew it was you guys. And so,
what it's worth, Blur, thank you.

You've already changed my life.
Keep fighting, no matter what.

I remember what it was like here
in Metropolis before he came.

You couldn't even walk the streets.
But since the Blur came, we have hope.

So I just wanna let the Blur know...

...that there are still people
who support him and I'm one of them.

Being a hero isn't about being able
to save every person from a mugging...

...or pull someone
from a burning building...

...but to give people hope
for a brighter tomorrow.

The Blur is a symbol for integrity
and morality and selflessness.

If you're listening to this,
Blur, thank you for everything.

I wanna be a hero to my kids.

I wanna be a hero that helps
give them faith in themselves...

...that they can accomplish greatness.

Thank you for helping me believe
that heroes can and do exist.

Blur, I wanna thank you. As long
as you're doing what you're doing...

...to keep the people
of our hometown safe...

...us boys and girls here
can keep on doing our jobs.

I look at the Blur
and his powers that he has...

...and they're amazing...

...but that's not what inspires me
about him.

It's his character.

When I see the Blur
and others like him...

...turn their differences
into strengths...

...it gives me hope
that one day I can do the same.

He's always there for us, standing up
for us and doing what's right.

That's who a hero is, somebody who
stands up for others.

Everybody has
their favorite hero.

Well, my favorite hero is the Blur.

Thanks for being somebody
thatl can count on to do what's right.

We love you, Blur.
We're always here for you.

I can't believe they'd risk
coming out to defend me.

You have no idea how much
you mean to people, Clark Kent.

I don't think
a couple hundred testimonials...

- ...will be enough to change the vote.
- Try a couple hundred thousand.

All of them willing
to step forward for you.

They just needed a place to be heard.

You're an American hero, Clark.

This historic
vote is the first of its kind...

...with an unprecedented number
of people going to the polls.

And I've just been told,
with all 50 states reporting in...

...we can announce
that the measure to repeal...

...the Vigilante Registration Act...

...has passed.

Yeah!

- Yay!
- We won! Ha, ha, ha.

Thank you.

You should thank your mom
and Perry.

They were my inspiration.

I thought people
had given in to the hate.

I didn't realize how much
hope there was.

I wish I would've had more faith.

I wanna be the man
that you made that suit for.

You don't need a suit
to be the world's hero.

Well, when I saw those people
willing to defend me...

...it was inspiring.

It got me to thinking that...

...in order for the Blur
to be a true beacon of hope...

...maybe people need
to see my face too.

I've been to the future...

...and I saw the hero
that I will become to save the city.

But I also saw me.
I mean, Clark Kent...

...disguised behind glasses
and a bad haircut.

Well, I'm sure
you still looked very handsome.

Mom, I just don't know how I can treat
Clark Kent as a disguise.

You and Dad raised me
to be who I am right now...

...the real Clark Kent.

What's real is your strength
and integrity and compassion.

As long as you remain honest
to those things...

...it doesn't matter what you wear
or what name you go by...

...because you'll always be my son.

So you're saying I should become
that hero and step into the light?

Clark...

...you are the light.

Oh, gosh,
your dad would be so proud.

- Hey, Tess.
- Hey.

Are you okay?

I feel sick.

Come here. Sit down.

I'm beginning to forget things.

Can you remember
what you did yesterday?

What if I forget everything?

What if I forget you?

Come here.

Come here, Alexander.

I promise you...

I promise you...

...that I will make everything okay.