question about 3.2

[lmdv07]

so just finished watching (yet again) season 3 episode 2 and had a question about the showdown between Clark and his dad. When he went to punch his dad but instead punched the pillar and the red ring broke... his dad lost the powers Jor-el gave him and Clarks branding on his chest was healed... was that just because the ring was destroyed? or was that because Clark in his own mind decided not to punch his dad but instead destroy the ring and come home? just curious as to the unsaid details of what went on there... thanks!

Lindsay

p.s. does anyone else randomly love watching old school smallville??? :)