Ep 13. Recruit

Smallville season 4 episode 13 titled "Recruit" is a riveting episode that kicks off with Clark Kent and his friends returning to school after winter break. At the same time, Lex Luthor is having a hard time with the police investigating his recent involvement with the Plant Explosion. Clark begins to notice that the school football team is starting to go down an unusual route in their training and conditioning practices as the only way to win a game is by not playing completely fair. This immediately sets Clark off.

However, while Clark’s school is facing off against a ruthless adversary in the form of the Coach Arnold, Lex Luthor is facing off against a different kind of threat. He is grappling with determining who he can trust and who is working to bring him down through false allegations. With Lana and her friends firmly in Clark's corner, the budding superhero and his team must find a way to put an end to Arnold’s foul play in the football field without giving in to the pressure of cheating.

Meanwhile, Lionel Luthor continues to work his way into the lives of Clark and his friends. He continues to manipulate those around him, spreading lies and sowing discord for his own selfish purposes.

The theme that resonates throughout the episode is morality. Clark is faced with a difficult choice: either allow his football team to cheat in order to win or lead them to victory while still playing fair. The pressure and expectations of the victory lean towards cheating, but his moral values hold greater importance to him. In the end, Clark chooses what he believes is the right thing.

In the final scene, Clark has a conversation with his father, Jonathan Kent, in which they talk about the importance of always doing the right thing, even when it is difficult. This conversation culminates in a mom-and-son hug that wraps up the episode on a heartwarming note.

Overall, "Recruit" is an episode of Smallville that showcases the importance of doing the morally correct thing, even when it is tough or when there is great pressure to do otherwise. Through Clark, the episode tells the story of a hero that learns how to be true to himself and those around him. The episode's strength lies in its portrayal of Clark as a compassionate and selfless hero who will always put others above himself, no matter how challenging it may be. Smallville season 4 episode 13 is a must-watch for fans of the show and for anyone looking for an inspiring message about morality and character.