Smallville (2001–2011): Season 3, Episode 17 - Legacy - full transcript

Jonathan, what are you doing up there?

Clark should be doing that.

Sweetheart, I'm fine.
Would you stop worrying?

Jonathan, please be careful.

Martha, my father and I built this roof.

I could walk this roof with my eyes closed.

You know what the doctor said
about taking it easy.

You know, the last time I checked,
the doctor didn't have a farm to run.

Jonathan?

Jonathan!

Clark!



Dad, what are you doing, trying to fly?

- Are you all right?
- Jonathan!

It was just that noise.
Where the hell did that come from?

I didn't hear anything.

It was probably nothing.

Dad, look, you don't have to...

Damn it, Kal-El, I can get it myself.

Kal-El?

Why'd you call me that?

I don't know.

You heard a noise.
What did it sound like?

- It was just a loud, high-pitched...
- Hum? It was the key.

Clark, I slipped and fell off the roof, okay?

Are you sure this has nothing
to do with Jor-El?



I thought we agreed
we were gonna drop that.

What?

He is?

All right, have the chopper standing by.

Why did you have to bring him
into this, Jor-El?

Whatever promises my dad made,
I'll take them on.

Come on!

Come on, Jor-El, I'm the one you want!

Who is that? Who's down here?

Oh, Clark, it's you.

Don't let me interrupt you.

- I just came down here to be alone.
- Yeah, I can understand that.

Sometimes, when I'm down here,
and I look at these walls...

I feel as if it might be possible
to solve the mysteries of the universe.

What do you think?

I think it's time for me to go.

Clark.

How's your father?
How's his recovery progressing?

He's better.

I can only imagine how difficult it must be
for you to see him so...

So weak.

Weak, strong, healthy, he's still my dad...

and I love him.

Of course you do.

A son's love for a father,
there's nothing to compare it to.

After all, you only get one.

Clark?

♪ Smallville: "Legacy" ♪
Season 3 Episode 17

Original Airdate April 14, 2004

I'm having a strange case of déjà vu.

Why the sudden resurgence
of interest in the caves?

Lex...

listen, something truly extraordinary
has happened.

Do you remember the octagonal hole,
or the indentation...

that was in one of the walls
of the cave?

I'm sorry, Dad.
That's your obsession, not mine.

All right, but you remember
the hole was sealed over?

Yesterday, I found Clark Kent down there.

- Clark.
- Yes.

And the hole was open.
He'd opened it somehow.

You know, Dad...

they say mental illness is hereditary.

I'm willing to accept my break with reality.
Are you?

Oh, Lex, men of vision
have so often been mocked.

Galileo knew it was the Earth
that orbited the sun...

and he was sentenced to death
for that discovery.

Where's the Inquisition
when you need it?

Don't let your friendship
with Clark Kent blind you, son.

Don't forget it was Clark
who discovered the caves.

Then one of the symbols from the caves
mysteriously appeared on his barn.

The hole sealed itself up the same day
that explosion happened on his farm.

- Probably coincidence.
- Coincidence.

That's an explanation
used by fools and liars.

Lex, we could accomplish so much
if we work together.

Don't pretend that this isn't
an obsession that you and I share.

We both know that you have
an entire archive...

devoted to uncovering the mystery
of Clark Kent...

and if you won't help me,
I'll find someone else who will.

You said there'd be more time.

Who are you talking to?

I'm not talking to anybody, Clark.
I'm just thinking out loud, that's all.

Were you talking to Jor-El?

Listen, son, not everything
is about your real father, okay?

- He's not my real father.
- Yes, he is, Clark.

He is.

He's gonna be around this place
long after I'm gone, anyway.

Dad, what's going on with you?

I don't expect you to understand
any of this stuff, Clark, but I...

I almost died, and I look
around here and I think...

what in the hell did I
really accomplish anyway?

You're lucky, Clark.

You won't ever have to face
your mortality.

But if you did...

you'd find yourself
reevaluating your choices too.

Like taking me in?

Clark, no, that's not...

I would never regret that.
There's just so many chances I never took.

I have to live with my mistakes.

Don't let my mistakes be yours.

You're tired.

Let's go inside.

The last thing we want to do
is call more attention to this.

That looks a little heavy for Psych 101.

I'm just trying to get a handle
on what my dad's going through.

The surgery and everything.

When I was in the hospital
the doctors told me...

that depression's pretty common
after a major surgery.

He's just not the same dad I know.

He keeps talking about all these
opportunities he missed in his life.

Clark, it's gonna be okay.

There isn't anything
that you can't recover from.

What if you screw up something so badly
you can never get it back?

I guess that depends
on how determined you are.

So what's with the cave obsession?

You listened to the conversation.
It's one of my father's eccentricities.

Along with Clark Kent?

Trust me, Clark has nothing
to do with my father.

That's not what it sounded like to me.

When the Metropolis police
had that noose around your neck...

- you offered us full disclosure...
- Look, don't try to hang this on me.

Before I agreed to help, all you had
on my father was creative bookkeeping.

I'm giving you illegal cellular research,
cloning, crimes against humanity.

So leave Clark out of this.

"You've got an entire archive
devoted to unlocking...

the mystery of Clark Kent."

That sounds to me like more
than your average kid from Podunk.

Maybe if I speak into the microphone,
you'll hear it clearer.

Clark Kent is nobody.

A nobody who's pals
with Dr. Virgil Swann?

Corporate titans don't often show up
at my doorstep unannounced.

I apologize for surprising you like this,
Dr. Swann...

but it's a matter of some urgency.

I've been wondering how long it would
take you to finally walk through the door.

Then you obviously know why I'm here.

I think, perhaps, you've been reading
my e-mails to Clark Kent. Am I correct?

My transgression doesn't seem
to upset you. I'm glad.

I'm a scientist.

I find curiosity to be
a most admirable trait.

Dr. Swann, I am the conservator
of the Kawatche Caves.

If you can tell me what is written
on the cave walls...

I would agree to hand over
that conservancy to your foundation.

Well, thank you,
but I'm afraid I can't help you.

The language remains a mystery to me.

Are you aware that at one time
there was an octagonal keyhole...

on the wall of the cave?

It was sealed for months.

Then it reopened suddenly.

Just after our friend Clark
had been down there.

Then you don't need me.
You need a locksmith.

Right, but...

the key to that lock
was in my possession...

but it was stolen from my safe.

Again, Clark had been present.

So now you believe that he has it.

He trusts you.

Would you be willing to talk to him?

It's such a small price to pay...

in exchange for the answers
you've been searching for.

Yes, well, I know what I'm after...

but what do you expect to find?

You're dying.

How do you know that?

As I said, curiosity is an admirable trait.

Dr. Swann...

I know that what can save my life
is locked within the wall of that cave.

I believe in the extraordinary...

in the possibilities it holds.

But I prefer to follow my own path.

All right.

Thank you for your time, doctor.

Even if you had the key...

you have no idea what would happen
if you put it into the lock.

I'd be willing to take that risk.

Then perhaps there is
an arrangement we might make.

Clark. I'm afraid I've invaded
your sanctuary.

- What do you think you'll find down here?
- You tell me.

How'd you open it, Clark?

- I don't know what you're talking about.
- I don't want to play games.

You expect me to believe your fascination
with these caves started with a term paper?

No, do it again.

I don't think you wanna start talking
about unusual obsessions, Mr. Luthor.

Unless you want to explain why you
blackmailed my friends into spying on me.

I believe that we're put on this Earth
for a reason, Clark.

Our task in life is to find out
what that reason is.

Sometimes, we can't do that alone.

You're never gonna find
what you're looking for.

I'm much closer than you think.

What's going on here?

Take the barn. The rest follow me.
Martha Kent?

- What are you doing?
- FBI. We're searching this place.

- You can't.
- We can, and we will.

Excuse me, ma'am, we need you outside.

Hi, Mom.
You must be out looking for Dad too.

I think I have an idea where he is.
I'll see you soon.

Thanks for the phone.

Clark, what's going on?

My dad kind of went AWOL.

He was halfway through
unloading the feed run...

and just jumped in his truck
and took off.

I'm sorry, Lana. It's...

- He's never done anything like this before.
- Hey, you know what?

It's gonna be okay.

I didn't mean to unload on you like that.

No, you...

You never have to apologize
for opening up to me.

Lana?

I know this is a stressful time for you.

No. That's not what this is about.

Lana, I don't want to
look back like my dad...

and wonder what my life
could've been.

Clark.

We've tried this once before.

You said there's nothing
you can't recover from.

No, I wasn't talking about us.

Look, right now,
think about your dad, okay?

He's the one who needs you.

Yeah.

Dad, are you okay?

Mom and I have been
worried sick about you.

You can't just take off like that.

How'd you know to find me out here?

When I'm searching for answers,
I turn to my dad.

I guess it runs in the family.

Your grandfather was
the stubbornest man I ever knew.

And believe me...

Clark, I wasn't nearly the son you are.

My mother used to say that...

he and I were like watching
two sides of the same coin...

duking it out.

I see the way you and Jor-El fight
and I wonder...

if maybe fathers and sons
were the same on Krypton.

Except he's not my father. You are.

Yeah.

I am your father who turns his back on you
when you need him the most.

I am your father
who forces you to run away.

My father never would've done that.

I wish I had his strength and his wisdom.

Dad, you do.

Clark, I don't know
how to protect you anymore.

That's not your job.

Your job is to teach me
how to protect myself...

but that doesn't mean I don't need you.

Mom needs you too.

Let's go home.

I realize paying the Talon's bills...

isn't the high point of your month...

but I'm guessing
something else is going on.

No. No, everything's fine.

Lana, you know you could
talk to me about anything.

I wanna believe that
someone can change, but...

But I'm starting to lose faith.

Are we talking about Clark?

You know, he came by the Talon earlier...

and he kissed me.

He kissed you?

Isn't that what you wanted?

God, I don't...

I don't know.

Look.

I'm afraid I'm a little jaded
in the romance department.

The only thing I know
about relationships is that...

someone usually winds up
getting hurt.

And you don't think I can
trust Clark to not do that?

I don't think it's about trust.

It's like the German poet Rilke said:

A person isn't who they are during
the last conversation you had with them.

They're who they've been
throughout your whole relationship.

- Mom!
- Oh, thank God you're back.

- What happened?
- The FBI came and tore through everything.

- What did they want?
- They had a search warrant.

The only thing that's missing is the key.

I have to get that back.
If they find out what it's for...

- It doesn't matter, Clark.
- How can you say that?

Because they didn't get
what they came for.

Lex!

Clark, I'm busy. Can this wait?

The FBI just raided our farm.

Any idea why?

They didn't say, but for some reason,
I think your dad's involved.

Clark, I can't imagine my father's
on the FBI's most trusted list...

but I'm curious why you think
he'd be interested.

I talked to him today.
He said some crazy things.

He thinks I can give him answers
about the caves.

Can you?

My father's methods can be questionable,
but usually there's truth in his madness.

He's so obsessed about those caves
that he's imagining things that don't exist.

Clark, I'm glad you told me about this.

It means a lot that you trust me
enough to let me help.

Is there something you're not telling me?

And what would that be, Clark?

I'll check into it.

What the hell were you doing
at the Kent farm?

Be quiet.

You're bound and determined
to blow our cover, aren't you? Get in here.

If I want to look at Clark Kent,
you won't have much to say about it.

- Those weren't your men?
- We don't storm farmhouses as a habit.

What is it about this kid
you're trying to protect?

Look, Luthor, this is my show.

- Do I need to remind you you came to us?
- Like I had a choice.

You know the deal.
The FBI isn't interested in some farm boy.

We're interested in your father.

Now, get out of here
so we can do our work.

Your father's not working with the FBI!
It's you!

- Clark, you have to trust me.
- I did.

I guess it was a bad mistake.

Clark, you've got it all wrong!

Look, it's not about you!
We're going after my father!

He tried to pin the murders at Metron Labs
on me, so I went to the feds...

and I cut a deal.

Look, over and over...

I've given him the chance
to show me who he really is...

and I now realize he already has.
He deserves what's coming to him.

- You don't care whose privacy gets invaded.
- It wasn't the FBI who raided the farm.

My father may have had men impersonate
the feds. The question is why.

Maybe he's on to you!
Maybe he's warning you to back off.

If that's the case,
I'm sorry he got you involved...

- but I think you already were.
- What's that supposed to mean?

How well do you know
a Dr. Virgil Swann?

What makes you think I know him at all?

According to the FBI,
my father's been talking to him...

and he found Dr. Swann through you.

You two have been e-mailing each other?

He's been studying the cave paintings.

I don't know how you
stumbled into this...

but somehow you've got two billionaires
keenly interested in you and those caves.

They're your enemies, not me.

You betrayed me!

Hello, Kal-El.

My name is Clark.

You think I betrayed you
because I met with Lionel Luthor?

You did more than meet with him.
You agreed to help him.

I didn't betray you, Kal-El.

I promised you your secret would never
leave this building, and it hasn't.

My involvement with Lionel Luthor
is in your best interest.

That man has done nothing
but cause my family pain.

Was he the one who caused
the explosion on the farm?

Did he make you run wild in Metropolis?

I opened the door to your heritage...

because I thought that you were ready.

Your actions over the past year
have proven me wrong.

You don't understand.

There was another message in the ship,
from my biological father.

It said I was sent here to conquer.

Do you know if that's true?

I don't have all the answers.

I'm still on the same journey
as you are, Kal-El.

Please. Don't call me that.
I don't even know who that is.

Fathers often want futures
that their sons reject.

That struggle is as old
as the human race.

Except I'm not human.

Humanity is not only about biology.

Look, you don't know Jor-El.

Everything that he said
has come to pass.

My father made a deal with him to save me,
and now it's killing him.

But the more you pursue this course,
the greater the risk...

that you'll expose your secret
not only to the Luthors...

but to the world.

I can't let my father die for my mistakes.

Well, if that's your decision...

then there's something else
I have to show you.

Activate screen.

It says, "I am waiting."

It must be from Jor-El.

That message didn't come
from the stars.

It originated right here on Earth.

But I believe...

that it wasn't meant for you, Kal-El.

Dad?

Mom, where's Dad?

He left again, Clark.

Don't be too hard on him.

He can't do what he used to
around here.

Mom, I don't think it's that simple.
I just went to see Dr. Swann.

He thinks Jor-El
is trying to contact someone.

Mom, it's not me,
and the way Dad's been acting...

I think he's getting
messages through the key.

What would Jor-El want with your dad?

He said Jor-El was waiting for something.
Do you know where Dad went?

- You searched every inch of that farm?
- Yes.

- You're certain?
- Yes, sir, I assure you. It's not there.

Everybody out of here. Get out.
Right now! Get out of here!

Out of here. Now!

- I said, everybody get out of here!
- Go on, get out.

You have no right to be down here.

Well, the State Park Service
might disagree with you.

You want something that doesn't belong
to you. I'm not gonna let you take it.

There exists in this world some things
too valuable to belong to any one person.

I am sick and tired of talking to you.

This is your last warning.
Stay away from my son.

If you raised your son the way I raised mine,
he wouldn't need protection.

You know, weakness isn't
something you're born with.

You learn it,
and Clark learned his from you.

Dad!

Dad!

What are you doing?
You're not thinking!

It's the only way that I know you're safe.

Unless you want to explain to the police
why you illegally raided my farm...

you had better let me walk out of here.

Back off.

Sir...

you better take a look at this.

The key's in the wall.

It must be.

Where is it, Clark?

I don't have it.

Hi.

I know you got a lot going on right now.

I think we left things
in kind of a weird place.

I know the way I've been acting
is kind of hard to understand...

but, Lana, my feelings for you
have never changed.

I guess a part of me knows that.

But, you know, it's like Lex says...

a person isn't who they say they are
in any one moment.

- They're who they've always been...
- Lex?

What does he have to do with this?

I trust him. I trust his advice.
He only wants what's best for us.

Lana, how many times have we been
standing here avoiding what we both want?

That's because every time
you've let me get close...

it hurts that much more
when you leave.

You can't keep changing the rules.

I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you.

- But I promise, I'm not leaving this time.
- Maybe I am.

You know what your dad said
about looking back...

and feeling as though
he'd missed something?

Clark, I have been so focused on you...

waiting to see if we could
ever get back together...

that maybe I'm missing out
on some opportunities.

- Like seeing other people?
- No. No, I mean everything.

And until I figure that out,
I can't keep doing this.

It's not fair to either of us.

Clark.

Lana sure didn't stay very long.

No.

- You all right, son?
- Yeah.

Dad, we're going to have to talk
about what happened down in the cave.

I know.

You always tell me to be so careful
around Lionel Luthor, and then you just...

- Why'd you go down there with the key?
- I'm not sure. I was just drawn to it.

It's the only way I can explain it.

Dad, I know it's the deal you made
with Jor-El.

I thought you sacrificed your health to bring
me home, but it's more than that, isn't it?

Clark, look, I've done a lot of things the last
few days I'm not particularly proud of...

but it wasn't Jor-El who did them,
it was me.

What's Jor-El waiting for?

How do you know about that?

Dr. Swann.

- Dad, what did you promise him?
- That's none of your concern, Clark.

Dad, if it wasn't for me, you never
would've gotten involved with Jor-El.

Come on, why don't you let me help?

I've always told you to take
responsibility for your decisions.

Now let me take responsibility for mine.

Because now we're both
in Lionel's sights...

and what are we gonna do
when he gets that key out of the wall?

The key is not in the wall, Clark.

- You took it.
- No.

But it's still out there somewhere.