Episode #217 - "Rosetta"

Original airdate: February 25, 2003

Written by: Al Gough & Miles Millar

Directed by: James Marshall

Act 1 Teaser

The opening shot is rushing through white clouds. Day. Soon the clouds part and we see rows of corn speeding past below. Then we get to a group of rocks with a hole that leads underground. The shot goes through the hole, takes a few turns through a rocky maze, and stops at the site of the ancient wall paintings, focusing on the circular painting full of symbols with the octagonal groove in the center.

In front of the painting we see Clark, floating on his stomach in mid air. He looks at the groove and floats closer so he can touch the symbols around it. He looks at one symbol in particular, a circle with a line through it and a diamond shape to each side. In his other hand, he is holding the octagonal disk and we see the same symbol engraved along the edge of it. He comes to an upright position and lowers to the ground. He looks at the disk again and puts it into the groove in the wall. Nothing happens. He slowly reaches out his finger and touches the disk, which causes a blast of energy and everything, goes white.

The white fades to a shot of Clark, sprawled on his back, barefoot in the middle of a deserted road. Night. He opens his eyes and sits up just as a car comes speeding up behind him. He turns around and holds up his hand as the car stops just inches from his face. Lex steps out of the car.

Lex: Clark?

Clark looks around, obviously confused.

[Opening credits]

Act 1 Scene 1

Clark enters his house, still barefoot. Day. He closes the door quietly and hurries to the stairs. He stops when he sees Jonathan and Martha waiting for him.

Jonathan: Where have you been, Clark?

Martha: We've been looking all over for you.

Clark: I've been out. (He starts up the stairs)

Jonathan: Hey, hey. Son, what is going on with you? You've been acting strange all week. It's like your mind's somewhere else. What's up?

Clark: (Sitting on the stairs) When I woke up this morning, I was in the middle of Route 8.

Martha: How did you get there?

Clark: I don't know. Lex almost hit me with his car. He gave me a ride home.

Jonathan: Lex.

Clark: I told him I was sleepwalking. But I'm not sure how much walking was involved.

Jonathan and Martha look at Clark questioningly.

Clark: I've been having this dream all week. Flying over Smallville. I always end up at the cave. It's like it's calling out to me, like it's trying to give me answers.

Jonathan: Answers to what, Clark?

Clark: I'm not sure. In my dream, I take the key and I put it in the slot in the cave wall. And there's this bright light...

Martha: And?

Clark: I don't know. That's when I wake up.

Jonathan: Clark, dreaming about putting that key in a rock wall is one thing, but we have absolutely no idea what would happen if you actually did that.

Clark: These dreams are getting more intense every night. Who knows where I'll wake up tomorrow?

Jonathan: It's too dangerous.

Clark: Dad, that cave could have all the answers I'm looking for. Why are you so afraid to let me find out?

Jonathan doesn't answer. Clark heads for the stairs again.

Clark: I gotta get dressed for school.

Martha and Jonathan look at each other.

Act 1 Scene 2

Frederick Walden enters Lex's study where Lex is sitting at the desk. Day.

Lex: Dr. Walden. I got a call this morning from the State Preservation Society. They heard a rumor that you plan on removing a section of the wall? Now, I of course told them that you wouldn't consider such a radical move without consulting me.

Frederick: It's a common archaeological practice.

Lex: Among 19th century imperialists. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were trying to cut me out of the process.

Frederick: You're paranoid.

Lex: Really. (He stands and walks up to Frederick) Give me one good reason why I shouldn't fire you right now.

Frederick: Because I'm on the verge of a major breakthrough.

Lex: Will this, uh, breakthrough finally allow you to translate these symbols?

Frederick: It's hard to say... now that I won't be able to get a sample back to my lab. Who tipped off the State?

Lex: The State is threatening to revoke LexCorp's custodial management of the cave. Another foundation is chomping at the bit to take over. If my instincts are correct, I believe my father is behind it. I don't need excuses. I need answers. You've got three days.

Act 1 Scene 3

Chloe, Lana, Pete, and Clark walk through the hall at school toward the Torch. Day.

Chloe: What a lame assignment. Family trees are so 20th century.

Pete: Just look at it as a mystery, Chloe. You never know what you're gonna uncover.

Clark: (To Pete) Why are you so excited about this?

Pete: Because it's gonna be a piece of cake.

Chloe: Yeah, because your family's been in Smallville since the Jurassic era.

Pete: What are you so worked up about?

Chloe: (As they enter the Torch) There's just so many variables to take into account, like what if your mother abandoned you? Is that branch of your family tree technically cut off?

Lana: Yeah, and what if your biological father comes back into the picture? Which family do you claim?

Clark: What if you're adopted?

Pete: Hey, okay, I get the point. But is it my fault that I'm part of a nuclear family? Is it? Later. (He leaves)

Chloe: Unfortunately for the rest of us, the nuclear family was nuked years ago.

Lana: We should probably get together at the Talon tomorrow and figure out a game plan.

There is a sudden high-pitched, screeching frequency. Clark gasps and holds his head at the noise. Chloe and Lana don't hear it.

Chloe: Clark doesn't like that idea.

Lana laughs. The noise stops.

Clark: Did you guys hear that?

Lana: Hear what?

The noise starts again and Clark continues to hold the sides of his head. The noise stops.

Clark: That.

Chloe: Apparently, you're part canine because we don't hear anything.

The noise starts again and Clark groans.

Lana: Clark, what is it?

Clark: (Strained) I gotta go.

He runs out of the Torch.

CUT TO Clark entering the loft where the noise starts again. He follows it to the side of the loft where there is a cupboard, which he opens. He pulls out a tackle box and sets it on top of the cupboard. There is a lock that he breaks off easily and opens the box. A golden light shines out of it. He moves a few things out of the way and finds the octagonal disk at the bottom, giving off the glow. As soon as he picks it up, the glow and the noise stop. He closes his fist over the disk.

CUT TO Clark in the underground cave. He is standing before the circular wall painting and holding the disk in front of him, comparing the symbols on it to the symbols on the wall. He rotates the disk so that the symbols on the edges are lined up with the same symbols on the wall. The disk flies from his hand and directly into the octagonal groove in the wall.

He looks around to make sure nobody is watching and when he looks back at the disk, the symbols on it are starting to glow. The symbols on the top glow red, the ones on the bottom left corner are green, and the ones on the bottom right corner are blue. Then the symbols on the wall light up and start to rotate each circle of symbols in alternating directions.

The disk suddenly opens up through the middle. Clark leans closer to look inside and a stream of energy shoots out, striking Clark in the chest and coming out through his back. The stream continues as Clark rises in the air, trembling with his eyes and mouth wide open and that his arms spread out to each side. Everything fades to white.

The white fades to Clark lying unconscious on the floor of the cave. Lex shakes his shoulder and he wakes up.

Lex: Clark. Are you okay?

Clark: Lex. What happened?

Lex: I was hoping you could tell me. What were you doing down here?

Clark looks at the wall and sees that the disk is gone.

Clark: (Standing up) I was just finishing up some work for Dr. Walden. I figured I'd do it while it was quiet. The next thing I know, you're shaking me awake.

Lex: The guard said there was an explosion. You didn't touch any equipment, did you?

Frederick enters.

Frederick: I find it interesting that you managed to get around the guard in the first place. What's you secret, Mr. Kent?

Lex: Back off, Doctor. Can't you see he's been hurt?

Clark: I'm okay. I just need to get some air.

Clark starts to leave and Lex goes after him.

Lex: Clark, first I find you lying in the middle of the road and now here. I really think you should get to the hospital.

Clark: Lex, I'm fine. I just got to get home before my parents start to worry.

Lex: Okay. But until we figure out what happened, I don't want you down here by yourself.

Clark: I'm sorry I couldn't be more help.

Clark leaves.

Frederick: Why'd you just let him walk out of here? He knows more than he's telling us.

Lex: Probably. But you've got enough on your plate, Doctor. Let me worry about Clark Kent.

Act 1 Scene 4

Chloe is working at her computer in the Torch. Day. Lana enters.

Lana: Hey, my hard drive just crashed for the 50th time. I was wondering if I could borrow your computer. I need to get a head start on this genealogy assignment.

Chloe: Yeah, sure. I was just turning everything off. (Standing up) So what are you, a Lang or a Small?

Lana: Right now I'm committing to my mother's side of the family. (She sits at the computer)

Chloe: Well, knock yourself out. I'll see you at home?

Lana: Yeah. Chloe, you're a lifesaver.

Chloe: Of course.

Chloe leaves and Lana clicks on Download File. It opens up a list of files and she moves her mouse to the file called Genealogy Assignment. Higher on the list, she sees a file called C.K. She hesitates for a moment and then clicks on the file. The screen fills up with pictures of Chloe and Clark from the Spring Formal.

Chloe: (Reentering) Did you give up on genealogy or is my personal life more interesting?

Lana: I-I was just looking.

Chloe: So you decided to snoop around.

Lana: (Standing up) Chloe, I'm sorry.

Chloe: Don't look at me like that.

Lana: Like-- What way?

Chloe: Like I'm some lovesick loser who's trying to hang onto something that she's never even had.

Lana: Well, if you have feelings for Clark, maybe you should just tell him.

Chloe: This isn't about me and Clark, Lana. This is about you violating my privacy. This office and everything in it is now off limits.

Lana gets her things and starts to go.

Chloe: Oh, and by the way, I did tell Clark how I felt. I poured my heart out to him when he was sick. And in his delirium, the one name he called out was Lana.

Chloe closes the door in Lana's face.

Act 1 Scene 5

Clark loads bales of hay into the back of the truck outside the barn. Day. Jonathan comes outside.

Jonathan: Wow, you're up early.

Clark: Don't worry, Dad, I woke up in my own bed this morning.

Jonathan: No dreams?

Clark: No, I think whatever it is passed.

Jonathan: (Starts to load hay) That's good. I'm taking your mother into town for a checkup. You want a ride to school?

Clark: No, Chloe's gonna pick me up.

Jonathan: Great.

Clark: How's Mom feeling?

Jonathan: Pregnant. I still can't believe it.

Clark: How soon can we start telling everyone?

Jonathan: As soon as your mother says she's ready. Don't worry, Clark, this is one secret we can all be very happy to share.

Clark: Yeah. The baby's lucky.

Jonathan: (After a pause) Hey, son, I didn't mean for it to sound that way. Look, having this child is gonna be a big adjustment for all of us, but it doesn't change the way we feel about you.

Clark: I know that.

Jonathan: I'm just glad things are back to normal.

Martha comes outside.

Martha: Jonathan, we're late! We gotta go!

Martha comes down the stairs and Jonathan goes to join her. Clark picks up another bale of hay and suddenly the high-pitched frequency starts again. He drops the hay and grabs the sides of his head. His eyes light up with fire and he starts involuntarily blasting the barn with his heat vision. The heat whips his eyes in every direction and the barn wall quickly starts to burn.

Martha: Jonathan!

Jonathan turns around to see what is happening. Clark's heat vision stops and he looks around. He sees the hose across the yard and runs for it. He grabs it as Jonathan turns on the water.

Jonathan: I'll get it! I'll get it! Go on!

Clark runs back to the barn and sprays the fire with the hose.

Jonathan: Clark, what happened?

Clark: I don't know!

Martha sees Chloe drive up. Chloe quickly gets out of her car and runs to Martha.

Chloe: What happened?

Martha: We came out, and it was... on fire.

Clark has put out the fire and Martha steps closer to the barn, shocked at what she sees. Jonathan and Clark step away, also shocked. Chloe takes out her camera and snaps a picture.

Burned onto the wall of the barn is the symbol of the circle with the line through it, the same symbol that is on the wall of the cave and the disk.

Fade to black.

Act 2 Scene 1

Jonathan finishes nailing boards over the symbol burned into the barn. Day. Clark and Martha are still there, but Chloe is gone.

Jonathan: Well, that ought to keep the looky-loos away, at least till I have a chance to patch it up better.

Clark: A couple of boards aren't gonna be able to cover up anything anymore, especially after Chloe publishes her pictures.

Martha: Well, I-I think I convinced her it was a prank. You can't beat yourself up about this. You're abilities are still developing. You can't always control them.

Clark: There's nothing uncontrolled about that drawing. It's a symbol from wherever I'm from. It means hope.

Martha: How do you know that? Since when can you read the symbols?

Clark: Since I put the key in the cave wall.

Jonathan: Wait a minute. Since you did what?

Clark: Dad, it was calling out to me. It led me to where you hid it.

Jonathan: Clark, I told you not to do that.

Clark: I know, Dad, but it was like I didn't have a choice.

Martha: Where is the key now?

Clark: I don't know. When I put the key in the wall there was-- there was a blinding light and I blacked out.

Martha: Are you all right?

Clark: Yeah, it didn't hurt me. But everything's jumbled up. It's like it downloaded me with the language from the cave wall.

Jonathan: Did anybody see you?

Clark: I don't think so, but Lex and Dr. Walden found me. I don't think they have the key. I think it disintegrated.

Jonathan: You're not 100% sure? Clark, we understand you wanting to know more about your origins, but you're putting your own life in danger here.

Clark: Some things are worth the risk.

Act 3 Scene 5

Jonathan, Clark, and Martha sit at the dining room table. Day.

Jonathan: Clark, this whole thing is very suspicious.

Clark: He could give me some answers. He knows how to read the language.

Jonathan: According to you, he does. I mean, how do we know that you're even reading it right? We have no idea what that cave did to you, son.

Clark: Mom, help me out here.

Martha: Clark, we don't know anything about this Dr. Swann.

Jonathan: For all we know, the whole thing could be an elaborate plan just to get to you.

Clark: (Standing up) Now you're just being paranoid. Did you ever think for a second that maybe he just wanted to help?

Jonathan: (Standing) No, Clark, I haven't. When it comes to protecting you and your secret, all I've ever seen are people who want to exploit you for their own personal gain.

Clark: You can't protect me forever!

Jonathan: I'm not ready to give that up yet!

Pause.

Martha: Clark, we're not trying to keep you from learning about your past. We just don't want to see you get hurt, either.

Clark: I have got all these questions, and I can't leave them in the storm cellar anymore. Why did my parents put me in that ship? What was so bad they had to send me away? I have to do this.

Jonathan and Martha look at each other with tears in their eyes.

Jonathan: Then let's go together. We'll go as a family.

Clark: Dad, I have to go alone. It's the only way.

Martha stands and takes Clark's hand.

Clark: No matter what I find out, it is not gonna change the way I feel about you. You're still gonna be my mom and dad.

Martha hugs Clark and Jonathan hugs them both.

Act 3 Scene 6

We see a shot of New York, New York from the sky. Day. Clark enters a room that is filled with globes, statues, and dozens of other scientific objects.

Clark: Hello? (He looks around) Hello, Dr. Swann? (Quietly) What am I doing here?

Clark starts to go and the voice of Dr. Swann stops him.

Swann: Looking for answers, I assume.

Clark comes back and walks slowly toward the end of the room. It is cluttered with bookshelves and he can't see Dr. Swann. He finally gets to the end, where Swann is seated at a desk in a wheelchair with a tube running out of his neck.

Swann: Hello, Clark. I've been expecting you. You're probably wondering why a billionaire scientist works in the backroom of the planetarium.

Clark: The thought had crossed my mind.

Swann: Well, I find it peaceful. Besides, I own the building. (Toward a microphone on his desk) Activate screen.

A screen in front of the wall beside the desk lights up with rows of the alien symbols, each row traveling in opposite directions.

Swann: Does any of that look familiar?

Clark: What is it?

Swann: It's a message from the stars, Clark. All my life, I've been staring out into space wondering. Wondering is anybody else out there? And then 13 years ago, I got an answer.

Clark: The day of the meteor shower.

Swann: One of my receiving stations picked up a faint signal. It took me years to decrypt it. And finally, I discovered a mathematical key that was built into the transmission.

Clark: Can you read it?

Swann: Yes. It says “This is Kal-El of Krypton. Our infant son, our last hope. Please protect him and deliver him from evil.”

Clark: (Touching the screen) Kal-El. Krypton.

Swann: I've always wondered what happened to that child, if he survived the journey, if he lived among us. And then three days ago, I saw the symbol for Hope burned onto the side of a barn in Smallville, and I found that the farmer and his wife had an adopted son.

Clark: So you think I'm Kal-El? I'm just Clark Kent.

Swann: No, no, no, no, no, I'm not trying to expose you, Clark. I'm just... I'm just seeking the truth.

Clark: I'm sorry, Doctor. The truth is, I'm not who you think I am.

Clark starts to leave.

Swann: If you can live with that decision, so can I. But if you walk out that door, it'll never be open to you again. And you'll never know the second part of the message.

Clark stops and looks at Swann. We hear the theme to Superman start playing in the background.

Fade to black.

Act 4 Scene 1

Clark and Swann in the backroom of the planetarium. Day.

Clark: Tell me something, Doctor. Why are you doing this to me?

Swann: We all have our windmills, Clark. I need to know I'm right. Once I do, it'll never leave this room.

Clark looks at him for a long moment.

Clark: Show me.

Swann: Second screen.

The symbols on the screen disappear and it fills up with another set, also moving in alternating directions.

Clark: (Reading) “We will be with you, Kal-El, for all the days of your life.” What does this mean?

Swann: I'm not sure, but one thing I've learned about science is the value of patience.

Clark notices a picture of outer space on the wall with an area circled.

Clark: Is that where Krypton is?

Swann: No, that's where Krypton was. I followed the signal's path billions of miles out into space. I was hoping to discover its origin but instead, I found nothing.

Clark: Planets just don't disappear. What do you think happened to it?

Swann: Oh, it could be any one of a million different scenarios. War, famine, disease. I mean, look at the world around us. Is it really that hard to believe?

Clark: Well, I can't be the only one. There must be others like me.

Swann: There was only one message.

Clark: Why me? There must be a reason why I was sent to this planet.

Swann: You won't find the answers by looking to the stars. It's a journey you'll have to take by looking inside yourself. You must write your own destiny... Kal-El.

Act 4 Scene 2

Clark stands in the storm cellar looking down at the ship. Day. The door to the cellar opens and Jonathan enters.

Jonathan: Your mother told me you were back. Clark, I know that whatever Dr. Swann told you must be... overwhelming, but... if you need to talk about it, your mother and I are always here.

Clark doesn't answer and Jonathan starts to leave.

Clark: Ever since you told me about this ship, I wondered if there were others out there like me. Now I know there's not. I'm totally alone.

Jonathan: Clark. You are never alone, son. This is your home, and we love you very much. Come on, let's go back up.

Clark: In a minute.

Jonathan starts to leave again and Clark turns around.

Clark: I figured out what this is.

Clark is holding the rectangular piece of metal that was found along with his ship the day of the meteor shower.

Clark: It's the ship's heart.

Jonathan: Really? Have you used it yet?

Clark: I didn't want to do it alone.

Jonathan: Let's do it together.

Clark puts the octagonal disk into the slot and the ship rises into the air. The pod opens completely. Clark and Jonathan look inside and see the indentation of a small child in the bottom.

Jonathan: It's hard to believe you were ever that small.

Clark puts the rectangular piece of metal into a slot at the front of the ship and the inside of the ship lights up with circles of rotating symbols.

Jonathan: What is it, son?

Clark: It's a message from my biological father. I'm sure I'm reading it wrong.

Jonathan: Why? What does it say?

Clark: “On this third planet from this star Sol, you will be a god among men. They are a flawed race. Rule them with strength, my son. That is where your greatness lies.”

Clark walks away from the ship.

Clark: I think I was sent here to conquer. What kind of planet am I from?

Jonathan: Maybe you did misread it, Clark. But even if you didn't, it's you who decides what kind of a life you're gonna lead. Not me, not your mother, not your... biological parents.

Clark: What if it's part of who I am? Is that the kind of person I will become?

Jonathan: Clark Kent, you're here to be a force for good, not a force of evil.

Clark: How can you be so sure?

Jonathan: (He puts his hands on Clark's shoulders) Because I am your father. I raised you, and I know you better than anyone.

Jonathan puts a hand on Clark's face and nods at him. Then he pulls Clark into a hug. Clark looks over Jonathan's shoulder at the floating ship, worry creasing his brow. Jonathan's expression is also worried.

Clark fixes his gaze on the ship.

Fade to black.

[Public Service Announcement]

Tom Welling and Christopher Reeve sit side by side.

Tom: Please help us conquer paralysis.

Christopher: Call the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation at 1-800-225-0292.

Tom: Or visit the CRPF web site at christopherreeve.org.

Christopher: Thank you.

Tom: (To Christopher) Thank you.

Christopher: No, no, thank you. Very much.

Tom: Oh. Thank you.

Christopher: (Quietly to the camera) Please? Please call.

We hear a group of people start laughing and Tom laughs too.

************************************************************************

This Episode of Smallville featured music by:

"The Scientist" by Coldplay

"Satellite" by Kid Lightening

"Leaving Town Alive" by Pancho's Lament

"Nuclear" by Ryan Adams, Smallville Soundtrack

************************************************************************Transcribed by: Kerrplop