Ep 18. Fragile

Lana's life hangs in the balance in Smallville season 5 episode 18 titled "Fragile." The episode starts with a car crash that leaves Lana unconscious and trapped in her car, while a mysterious person watches from afar and seems to be the cause of the accident.

Clark rushes to the scene of the crash, but he is unable to reach her as there is a strong force field surrounding the area. Meanwhile, Chloe starts investigating the accident and discovers that whoever caused it was using a meteor freak's powers, which leads her to the conclusion that someone is after Lana.

As Clark tries to break through the force field, he is attacked by a group of teenagers who have also been affected by the meteor shower and have developed powers. He manages to fend them off but is then confronted by the Sheriff, who believes that Clark is somehow involved in the accident.

Meanwhile, Lana's condition deteriorates, and her only hope is to be transported to a hospital in Metropolis that is equipped to deal with her injuries. However, the force field still prevents anyone from getting close to her car, and time is running out.

As Chloe tries to track down the identity of the person responsible for the accident, she uncovers a conspiracy involving a pharmaceutical company that has been experimenting on meteor-infected individuals to develop a new drug. This leads her to suspect that the company is behind the attack on Lana, and that they might be using her as a test subject.

Throughout the episode, we see flashbacks of Lana's childhood and her struggles with her parents' death, which make her realize just how fragile life can be. This theme is echoed in every character's storylines, as they all grapple with their mortality and their understanding of what it means to truly live.

In the end, Clark is able to break through the force field and rescue Lana, who is then taken to the Metropolis hospital. However, her condition is still critical, and Clark realizes that he might have to use his powers to save her life. This sets up a tense cliffhanger for the next episode, as we wonder whether he will be able to save Lana before it's too late.

Overall, "Fragile" is a powerful and emotional episode of Smallville that explores the themes of mortality, loss, and the inherent fragility of life. With its tense action sequences and compelling character arcs, it is sure to leave viewers on the edge of their seats and eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.