Magnetic (Smallville episode)

"Magnetic" is the seventh episode in the third series of Smallville.

When Lana starts seeing a new guy, and begins acting out of character, Clark investigates. Clark's suspicions are confirmed when he discovers Lana's new boyfriend has magnetic powers that can move objects and alter human emotions. When he tries to free Lana from the magnetic hold, she tries to kill Clark. Lex discovers Chloe has been digging into Lionel's past and tries to get her to join him in his fight against his father.

Episode Guide

Lana and Chloe are enjoying a day out at a fair when Seth, one of the attendants starts flirting with Lana. He lets her win a prize, but another man takes exception to this and threatens him. Seth pushes the man out of the way, but the man pursues him and smashes a Kryptonite-infused glass ball over his head. Lana accompanies him to hospital, where an incident with an MRI machine triggers the Kryptonite that has seeped into Seth's brain.

Lex is still investigating the explosion that killed his grandparents, first discovered in the Relic (Smallville Episode) episode. The detective shows Lex a documentthat indicates Chloe Sullivan has been investigating his family history.

In the hospital, Seth has discovered his ability to manipulate metal. Lana and Clarke pay him a visit and Seth invites Lana out on a date. She refuses, but when he holds her hand, she changes her mind (after conspicuous green sparks pass between them). Clarke seems upset when leaving the hospital and Lana reminds him that they're no longer a couple.

Lex pays a visit to Chloe about her research into Lionel's past. She's flippant about the research, explaining that it's for an article she's writing about Lionel. However, Lex tells her that she may be getting in over her head.

Meanwhile, Clarke apologizes to Lana in The Talon for being jealous, but Seth arrives for their date. Lana tries to turn him down, but as her touches her shoulder, again she changes her mind. She immediately leaves with Seth and they go to the County Fair which has closed down. He explains that following his accident, he has powers over metal. Clarke - who has followed the pair - overhears this. Seth activates the fairground equipment using his powers for Lana.

Clarke accidentally reveals himself to Lana and Seth, and Lana's upset that Clarke is stalking her. The next day, Clarke and Seth have an argument and Clarke warns Seth that he knows he's manipulating Lana. Seth warns Clarke that he'd better stay out of his way.

Chloe helps Clarke investigate Seth's medical records,and they discover high levels of electro-magnetic activity in Seth's file. They're interrupted by a doctor and Chloe quickly kisses Clarke to provide cover for their being in the records room.

Lana visits Clarke at home. Clarke tells Lana of his suspicions about Seth manipulating her emotions, but she rejects this idea as jealousy on his part. She tells Clarke to stay out of her private business and let her go.

Chloe's office at The Torch has been ransacked and Lex Luthor's detective is in the room. He takes her computer away, saying that she wouldn't want the police finding out about it.

Lana and Seth are making out at The Talon. He suggests that they both leave Smallville together and Lana is stunned at first. However, he uses his powers on her and she is immediately delighted about the idea. As she's emptying the cash register, Lex arrives and asks her what she's doing. She leaves with Seth in a stolen car with Lex looking on.

Clarke arrives at The Talon just as Lex is calling the sheriff, and he runs off to apprehend Seth and Lana. Seeing their car approaching, he uses his heat vision to melt the road and as they drive into it, the car gets stuck. As the Sheriff approaches, Seth jumps out of the car and attaches himself to a passing truck. However, Lana ends up in jail, but the charges against her are eventually dropped. Clarke decides to track Seth down to his brother's house.

Chloe confronts Lex about the theft of her computer. He takes her to a morgue where the detective lies dead. While Chloe tries to deny she's investigating anything important, Lex persuades her that she's in over her head and offers to protect her, but Chloe walks away.

Back at the jail, Seth returns for Lana, whose story about Seth's brother was a smoke screen for Clarke. Seth helps her escape and the two leave the Sheriff's. Clarke is upset about Lana lying to him, but sets off with a compass to try and track Seth and Lana down. He finds them in a fairground ride where they're planning to wait out the night and then leave town. Clarke discovers them, but Lana pulls a a gun on him. Seth takes the gun and tells Lana that he'll finish it. However, Clarke fights him and uses electricity to demagnetize Seth.