Smallville (TV Series) Leech (2002) User Reviews

Best Episode of the Season?

[Jerique · 9/10 · 9 August 2010]

This could be the best episode of the season... Shawn Ashmore guest stars as Eric Summers, more popularly known as "Superboy". During a rainstorm, Eric and Clark are struck by lightning and Clark's powers seem to have gone. He begins to sweat, he has no speed, no strength. On the other hand, Eric has become super-strong, he's fast, and he's not sweating or getting nose bleeds, like Clark.

Lex's investigating with Roger Nixon over the bridge accident comes to a halt it seems, when he finds Clark out of breath and strength when building a fence for the farm. Lex's character shows that he's been playing chess with Victoria but she's been playing checkers. He's beyond clever.

Lana's relationship with Clark blossoms even more but then stops suddenly. Chloe's character is basically left in the dark in this episode along with Pete. Eric's antics force Clark to attempt to regain his powers.

This episode is great for all above mentioned reasons. But also, Eric being in special effects, instead of Clark, is a quite a fresh change of pace and it's not as easy to produce new special effects when they've been consistent for eleven episodes. It's impressive to see that the artists could perform them so well even on a new body and face.

Visual effects are cool and fun to watch, such as Eric lifting six hundred pounds with ease. I enjoyed this episode because it's just a wicked amount of fun and Clark is so much funnier when he doesn't have his destiny pulling him away from normal teen stuff. Clark's retort to Pete's dismay about losing a basketball game was just downright hilarious.

It's got everything that any regular episode of Smallville should have, and then some. It's beyond a normal episode. It strikes me as being in the category of epic, even though to most people it's probably just a filler or just a normal episode. It bodes extraordinary dialogue, plot, special and visual effects on top of pristine acting. A great, great episode, indeed!

What happens when Clark loses his powers?

[Brettyboy007 · 9/10 · 3 October 2014]

Pretty interesting episode. It tells what would happen to anyone else who gets control of Clark's powers, which happens. A kid from Clark's class Eric Summers gets Clark's abilities by a lightening strike and Clark becomes normal. But is it something Clark really wants?

Clark can play basketball without worries and can now be around Lana. But he is still compelled to save people. Eric is starting to become a hero to people as he does various things around Smallville, but then he starts to lose control. Eventually Clark has to step in and even though he's human, he gets his powers back.

Lex is still investigating Clark until he recognizes that Clark is just human. How long will it be before he just quits? That will be the downfall of their friendship.

'Leech' shows us a different side of Clark

[Rcwilkinson123 · 9/10 · 14 September 2007]

The most interesting part of this episode is Clark's reaction to losing his powers. He is not hugely upset or angry at his powers being transferred to someone else. In fact, he feels like a great weight has been lifted off his shoulders, and he enjoys the lack of responsibility and the opportunity to be human for the first time.

This loss of abilities happens when Clark attempts to save a boy named Eric Summers from falling off a bridge in a lightning storm. Clark and Eric act as conduits for a lightning bolt that strikes them on the bridge. This transfers the powers from one person to the other. Clark, not even knowing what his responsibilities will encompass yet, is relieved to be normal for once. But, unfortunately, when most people with powers that great are given to them, they abuse that privilege. This is what Eric does, going on a rampage and refusing to be tested by his father. Clark needs to stop him, which he does in a power plant which unleashes raw energy and fatefully transfers the powers back.

In addition, Lex escapes getting tricked into losing his business to Cadmus Labs, while certain investigators move closer to the truth of that fateful day when Lex hit Clark with his car.

This episode reveals a very interesting side of the future superhero. One of the best.

Personality and Character Are What Matters

[claudio_carvalho · 10/10 · 27 March 2006]

While in the woods of Smallville searching for ores in an excursion of the school, Clark Kent saves the troubled teenager Eric Summers (Shawn Ashmore) from a fatal accident near a waterfall. However, a lightning strike them both and transfer the Clark's powers to Eric. Eric changes his personality becoming aggressive, while Clark tries to help him. Meanwhile, Lex Luthor is betrayed by his girlfriend Victoria Hardwick.

"Leech" is certainly the best episode of "Smallville" up to now. The original story, with Clark Kent "releasing the world from his shoulder", acting like a normal person, but keeping his strong personality and character, is remarkable. In the end, an important moral lesson about human character and role of the parents to build the personality of a son (or a daughter). My vote is ten.

Title (Brazil): "Sanguessuga" ("Leech")

The Good 'Ol Switch-A-Roo!

[gab-14712 · 10/10 · 6 December 2021]

"Leech" has to be my favorite episode yet of this blossoming series. The producers played a switch-a-roo and turned Clark human...only if for an episode. On the flip side, we get to see him play basketball, grow closer to Lana, and work up a sweat/lose energy when building a fence. The episode still excels with its special effects, but it is a nice change of pace to have someone else take on these effects other than Clark. Michael Rosenbaum continues to murder it as Lex. He is still dealing with Victoria Hardwick. She is playing checkers...while Lex is playing chess. The end result? Lex figuratively blowing her to smithereens. He got the last laugh. While the teenage drama is all very interesting and relatable, it is Lex Luthor which elevates the series into a must-watch.

In this episode, Clark and a classmate Eric Summer transfer powers when struck by lightning with Summer holding a meteor rock. With Eric having Clark's powers, Clark gets to live a normal human life. When Eric's abusive father wants to have his son checked out in Metropolis, he goes on a rampage. Clark might need to take his powers back before too much damage is done. Victoria and her father have a plan to take over LutherCorp by asking Lex to join their business. Lex has a plan up his sleeve to turn the tables on them. Lex is still investigating Clark about the car crash, but Lex sees proof that Clark is human. Lana becomes more distant when she reveals her Aunt Nell plans to sell the floral shop.

Overall, this episode is a winner. I would not necessarily classify Eric (played by Shawn Ashmore, whose brother would later be an important member of the cast) as a villain, but as a rather misunderstood person. There is just so much praise to be bestowed among Lex. His storylines are always riveting. Sorry Gene Hackman, I think Michael Rosenbaum is making the power moves to be the best Lex Luthor of all time.

My Grade: A+

the best

[lisaweaver · 4 March 2006]

This is, without a doubt a truly great episode. Clark gets to experience a "normal" life free from restraint and secrecy, we see the effect his powers have in someone else's hands, Lex's investigation comes out into the open, and the bonds between all central characters deepen, including those between Clark and Lex.

whoever came up with this plot,(rehashed or not) deserves serious congrats. not to mention the commendable casting of Shawn Ashmore (famous now as Iceman) as the recipient of clarks super-human abilities.

this episode proves once and for all that abilities and gifts are not all that matter and who you are is not limited to what you can or cannot do. the ending is fabulous and I at least will not be the one to wreck it for you.

this is hands down a 5 out of 5 stars episode.

Normality and Superpowered

[hellraiser7 · 9/10 · 11 February 2021]

Warning don't read unless seen episode.

This is an honorable mention in my book. It's two kinds of stories as you have a depowered superman story and misuse of power story on another and both of them are done right. The story on the character Eric is done well you could even say predates a little of the film "Chronicle". It's ironic considering actor Shawn is a live action comic book alumi as he was Iceman from the "X-Men" movies and the actor's brother Arron comes to the show playing Jimmy Olson.

Anyway, the character he plays is sympathetic at first as we see him as just your typical geek that has unfortunately been a target for bullying and worst of all abuse from his lousy father. After the incident which transfers Clark/Superman's powers for a person in his standing this would seem like a blessing. And at first, he uses his powers for good when he stops a thief, and of course we see a little nod to the "Super Boy" comics when the Torch gives Eric the title.

Unfortunately, he starts power tripping when he starts to misuse and abuse those powers when he starts to go after the girl Holly he desire's. Granted the guy isn't a peach (seriously what the Hell do girls see in these guys) as he bullied Eric but were not sure if the punishment really fit the crime as the latest encounter the bully he backs away after Eric's warning. Also, Holly is still in a relationship with the guy, so he can't force or steal her away; who she decides to go out with and love is her choice.

After the punishment is delivered, we see the Holly not wanting anything to do with Eric no more as he almost killed her boyfriend. Though also almost killed Clark whom in a way was Eric's only friend or would-be friend; whom did nothing to him. When Eric threw Clark into a car for no reason or no-good reason, that crossed the line for me. That scene just goes to show that even with great power you're not always going to get everything you want but also that Eric has become the very thing he hates.

However other than that story to me, it's really the story with Clark that is the strongest. I really like how he reacts to being depowered; just like with every new power he receives he's once again treading on foreign territory. I know being depowered wouldn't seem like much, but the thing is when your so use to doing things a certain way every day you sometimes have a hard time imagining doing things different. And when change comes your way, there is a lot of adjustment which always takes a lot of work to get comfortable and understand.

Like one scene where we Clark discovers when powered he can get chores done in about half the time or mere minutes, but depowered it took him about two hours straight to get a certain set of them done; makes me tired just thinking about it as there are always tons of chores in farming.

But also, we see Clark discovering the joy in it, from playing a Basketball game in which he lost but he didn't mind, it was just a game after all. When you think about it being super powered in sports wouldn't be much fun because that provides less challenge, her Clark gets to meet that challenge. Another joyful aspect is the fact that he can finally get physically close to Lana without that damn Kryptonite necklace; you could also say its metaphor for Clark own fear of letting Lana into his life and now as his powers are gone, so is his fear.

The episode is also about what it really means to be a hero as well as having good Jedi masters/mentors to guide you in using it and living out life right. There is a contrast parallel between both Clark and Eric.

As we see Eric looks like he has the correct upbring from a clean house, high education everything. But unfortunately, the household is anything but warm as we see his father is always constantly giving Eric the third degree, expressing disappointment and even flaunting his own ego which is worth jack squat. We even see once they see Eric has powers instead of coming to understanding and beginning to teach him the ways of the force, the father just sees Eric as an opportunity to bolster his own ego, despite all he already has.

Clark's parents succeed because they were able to teach him the ways of the force and the ethos of life, but most importantly showed him kindness, understanding and love. Which is part of why Clark then does what must be done, even though his powers may 'be gone his sense of honor and ethos is intact. The final conflict with Eric is decent, in a way is sort of a David vs. Goliath, battle and Lana's Kryptonite necklace is the stone to cast.

Really love what Clark says at the end about his parents which was touching, which express part of the reason why Clark/Superman is the hero we know him today, but also shows that powers are not what defines a hero.

Rating: 3 and a half stars

Stupidest episode of the season

[JiS87 · 5/10 · 27 May 2020]

Seriously, how lame and unoriginal can you get, Clark tranferring his powers to some random kid? The whole point that he GOT his "powers" is cause he IS the Son of Krypton, the Man of Steel due to our yellow sun, no one else is!! You can't just create a Kryptonian out of human out of nowhere!

Yeah, you see him adapting to his normal human life for a first and he's happy the kryptonite doesn't affect him, and yes, he still managed to be the hero, but on the other hand, the idiotic kid doesn't deserve those powers at all. Clearly.

Ugh, lame, lamer, lamest writing....just started to watch this show, almost 20 years too late, but I sure hope it gets somewhat better after this! And please, cut down on the emo-teen songs. At least A BIT.