3: Smallville Season

: Clark returns to Smallville burdened by immense guilt, only to find his relationships fractured—especially with Lana Lang, whose fear of "Kal" leads to the pair ending their romantic relationship once again. Luthor Family War

: After surviving a plane crash and a desert island, Lex Luthor becomes obsessed with exposing his father's crimes. Smallville Season 3

Season 3 opens with a bang as we find Clark Kent living a hedonistic, crime-filled life in Metropolis under the influence of Red Kryptonite. This version of Clark, often referred to as "Kal," is a stark departure from the wholesome hero of earlier seasons. : Clark returns to Smallville burdened by immense

: The season's emotional peak, "Memoria," provides a tragic look at Lex’s childhood and the "particular brand of parenting" that shaped the future villain. Reviewing Smallville (Season Three) - Fandom Factory This version of Clark, often referred to as

: To bring his son home, Jonathan Kent makes a dangerous deal with the AI version of Jor-El to gain temporary Kryptonian powers for an epic showdown.

Smallville Season 3 is widely considered one of the show's best and most consistent runs, famously shifting from "freak of the week" procedural episodes to a deeper, darker exploration of Clark Kent's mythology and the escalating conflict with the Luthor family. The Dark Descent: Clark and the Red Kryptonite

: Lionel retaliates by convincing the world Lex has had a psychotic break, eventually institutionalizing his own son and using electroshock therapy to wipe Lex’s memories.