Ep 2.17 - Rosetta

[Tabbymarie]

Clark places the octagonal disc into the wall of the cave, and is infused with knowledge of his Kryptonian heritage. He is soon contacted by Dr. Virgil Swann (Christopher Reeve), who offers more knowledge on Clark's origins...

Christopher Reeve played Clark Kent/Superman in four Superman movies between 1978 and 1988. This episode is the first time the planet Krypton is named.

[Welling_is_pretty]

This episode is the very first of Smallville that I watched. And I have to admit I watched because Chris was guesting. I sat in my sister's cold basement and was mesmerized by this episode. I nearly cried when Chris/Dr. Swann came onscreen and the moment moves me even more today now that he's gone.
I didn't watch more Smallville right away but this episode kept stewing at the back of my mind for a while and when I got the chance I checked out more (and became hooked, of course).
So Rosette has a warm place in my heart.

[smallvillerox05]

It goes without saying that this is among the best episodes of the series, for most people at least. Awesome casting, acting, story, and writing. All around awesome. :D

This is a direct translation of the message in the ship at the end: "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, for this is where your greatness lies. Made in Taiwan."

Not too many people know about the last part of the message. :lol: ;)

[vyperman7]

Definately one of the best. The episode kicks ass for the last ten minutes. The Superman score, CR guest starring, Clark finding out about his origins, and the great father/son interaction between Clark and The Duke as they see inside the ship and Johnathan tells Clark that he is a force for good. So cool. You also had the awesome flying dream at the beginning.

[Welling_is_pretty]

Originally posted by smallvillerox05
This is a direct translation of the message in the ship at the end: "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, for this is where your greatness lies. Made in Taiwan."

Not too many people know about the last part of the message. :lol: ;)

:rotfl: :lol: :)

[-|loner|-]

"but if you walk out that door, it will never be open to you again.....




and you'll never see the 2nd part of the message..."

[Jlandsw]

THE GREATEST SMALLVILLE EPISODE EVER!!!!!!

[greggbray]

One of my favorite episodes! I couldn't believe that THIS was how TPTB moved the mythos forward, while passing the torch. This episode REALLY turned it into a Superman story!

[OutlawAngel]

The episode is super great by it's self and the the comentaries on the dvd is too funny. Tom and Michael should do all the comentaries. They crack me up.

[jdot]

I am proud to admit that I become approximately 8 years old when Christopher Reeve shows up in this episode. I literally sit up on the couch (I like lounging better) and start to bounce and grin like a muppet on ecstacy (gotta love my friends for that particular mental image, :p). Watched it about seven times and I still get goosebumps when he starts talking about Krypton.

[Toppa]

Originally posted by smallvillerox05
It goes without saying that this is among the best episodes of the series, for most people at least. Awesome casting, acting, story, and writing. All around awesome. :D

This is a direct translation of the message in the ship at the end: "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, for this is where your greatness lies. Made in Taiwan."

Not too many people know about the last part of the message. :lol: ;)

lmao @ "Made in Taiwan."

[smallvillerox05]

Toppa, you do know I wasn't not serious, right?

[brainiacowen]

Great episode anyway, and then right after they introduce CHRISTOPHER REEVE!!!! they throw in the Superman theme....chills.

[ckfan]

Awesome way to have CR on the series. That whole scene between Clark and Swann is magical.

And the ending between Jonathan and Clark in the storm cellar is very full of feeling, very ominous and portrays the essence of the JK-CK relationship perfectly.

[watcher4]

Originally posted by ckfan
Awesome way to have CR on the series. That whole scene between Clark and Swann is magical.

And the ending between Jonathan and Clark in the storm cellar is very full of feeling, very ominous and portrays the essence of the JK-CK relationship perfectly.

My favorite SV episode with my favorite Jonathan/Clark scene!

[UpandAtom]

Chris Reeve's in it! 'Nuff said!!

[watcher4]

Yes! Christopher Reeve was wonderful in this episode! His presence gave so much credibility to this episode and to the series. The passing of the torch, so to speak.

[The Great Ymmij]

It was absolutely incredible. Extremely well directed, the actors gave awesome performances, and the writing was like none other. Very well done.

[D.C.]

Rosetta is by far my favorite episode. Too bad Christopher Reeves was only able to appear in two episodes.

[Keldaz]

you know... i hav enever said that i thought one episode is the best in any series but this one Just damn pwns!!!

THE BEST EPISODE THERE IS IN TV HISTORY.

This episode put the superman "Tale" in the smallville serie. God i love it.

What can i say more? Orgasmlike episode. haha, lol.

[ajwsmallville]

Great episode! Christopher Reeves was amazing! I loved it!

[BlueStinger]

Apart from the last 5 mins when you actually see Chris Reeve i thought this episode was boring.
Sorry:)

[fresh prince]

I loved this episode mainly cause of the late great christofer reeves guest starred in this one of my favorite parts was at the end when they were reading the message from the ship and they think clark was came down to be a ruler I llaughed at that part

[tallville]

I think this episode is overrated. Its good but nowhere near good enough to be called the best of the entire series, or even of the season. It had a few great moments but that was it.

[Detorio]

Originally posted by ckfan
Awesome way to have CR on the series. That whole scene between Clark and Swann is magical.

And the ending between Jonathan and Clark in the storm cellar is very full of feeling, very ominous and portrays the essence of the JK-CK relationship perfectly.

Aye i agree. It was one of the best ending to a Smallville episode i reckon also the music during the final scenes was excellent. The whole episode was simply amazing. Finally Clark got to know more about himself, his origins, about Kal-El plus having Christopher Reeve himself in the series was the icing and cherry on the cake. Trully it is Smallville's top 10 best episode ever for sure.

[TheOriginalKal-el]

One of it's best. Season 5 would learn a lot watching this episode.

[Jlandsw]

Originally posted by OutlawAngel
The episode is super great by it's self and the the comentaries on the dvd is too funny. Tom and Michael should do all the comentaries. They crack me up.

"These symbols could be father, or mother, or they could just be chicken scatch." lol

I love when the director is talking about the hay and he says that they make the one's that Jonathan lifts out of real hay and the one's that Tom lifts out of styrofoam. Tom's like "You Do??" lol

[clark4lana]

This was such an unbelievable amazing episode for so many reasons!

Christopher has always been a favourite of mine, not just an actor but as a very courageous and amazing human being.

For him to give CK the information that he so much desires was an awesome scene for me, as hard as it was to watch Chris as he was, even though I have admired him throughout his tragedy,it so fitted for his character to tell Clark who he was.

When the Superman music started playing, I was in tears!

The atmosphere on set must have been so intense and electric! Tom is such a fitting actor to have filled Christopher's shoes and is a truly gifted actor.

The scene's with Clark and Jonathan in the storm cellar were also highly emotional.

Definately an episode which really gave Smallville a turning point in its highly successful season.

[kalel2008]

This Episode Was Truley Awesome It Was Like The Torch Been Passed From One generation To Another.

[blaze88]

Not too much more that can really be said.... this is definitely one of the best episodes of the series.

However, I really didn't like the message from the ship and the whole storyline it created about Clark possibly being sent here to conquer. That message wasn't very consistent with the two he got from Dr.Swann so I think Clark should have known better (he can be soo dumb at times..... lol).

[Alexius]

One of the best episodes ever, couldn't avoid a few tears at the end. Bravo for CR and the whole cast!

[jaaron]

I have a question about this episode. Did Clark misread the ship's message? If so, is it ever found out what the ship really said?

[SlickSyck]

i hope i am not the only one here who thinks that dr. swan's computer message display screen thingy that he showed clark would make an amazing screen saver. does anyone else agree? does anyone here know how to make something like that into a screen saver?

[tibbit78]

What did I think of Rosetta? I liked Rosetta for several reasons:


1) Favorite Clark Kent line (to Chloe): "I'd like to thank you for turning our farm into Area 51."

Clark (I loved Tom Welling's smile as he said this): "You think the aliens wrote it? I'd keep that to yourself, Lex."

Jonathan (to Clark): "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 (to Jonathan): "You can't protect me forever!"

Jonathan (to Clark): "I'm not ready to give that up yet!"

Favorite Chloe Sullivan line: "Because I decided that my family wasn't about the people that didn't love me. It's about the people who do love me. No matter what. My friends."

Best Frederick Walden line: "I find it interesting that you managed to get around the guard in the first place. What's your secret, Clark?"

Favorite Clark & Lana line:
Clark: Can I tell you a secret?
Lana: That would be a first.

Best Lex Luthor line (I love this line, because he mentioned the title of this episode, which is Rosetta): "Put your extravagant ego aside and work with the boy. He may be a fraud, Doctor, or he just might be the Rosetta Stone we've been looking for."


2) Funniest Clark Kent Moment: I have a few of them. They are:


I thought it was funny when Clark told Lex "You think the aliens wrote it? I'd keep that to yourself, Lex." Tom/Clark made me laugh, when he said this to Michael/Lex. Especially when Tom laughed about it.
During the Rosetta Commentary, when Michael Rosenbaum made jokes about Frederick Walden saying these words "chicken scratch", this part makes me laugh whenever I hear Frederick saying, "These characters are similar. But there's no way to verify their accuracy. See, these symbols could be "mother" or "father" or they could just be chicken scratch."
The last funny moment is when Clark says to Lana & Chloe, "Did you guys hear that?" Lana asks Clark "Hear what?" Clark answers "That," and clever Chloe always has a way with her words, says to Clark (which I thought was funny), "Apparently, you're part canine because we don't hear anything."

3) I only wish that Clark would have been truthful to Chloe, the way he was with Pete. (I understand that he didn't know whether or not to trust her, because she was the editor of the Torch). I also wish he were truthful to Lana about the paper when she asked Clark, "Is that your family tree? Clark, what's wrong?" He just answered, "Nothing. I gotta go."

4) What do I like about Tom Welling's performance? I loved the Clark & Jonathan scene at the end of Rosetta, it was one of Tom's best performances. Both, the Christopher Reeve scene and the scene with John Schneider.

I loved John Schneider's performance at the end of the scene, because that was one of his best acts, also. I liked how Michael Rosenbaum was praising John Schneider's acting abilities in Rosetta, especially when Michael said in the Rosetta Commentary, "Watch Jonathan Kent's face and look at the doubtful look on John Schneider's face, as they are hugging each other."

Allison was an excellent actress in this episode, especially the part where Chloe said to Lana Lang, "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.'"

5) Favorite Clark related Moments: (I have 2 of them. One with John Schneider, and the other one with Christopher Reeve). I'll start with the Christopher Reeve part (but I'll shorten it):

1) Clark: Hello? Hello, Dr. Swann? What am I doing here?

Swann: Looking for answers, I assume. Hello, Clark. I've been expecting you. You're probably wondering why a billionaire scientist works in the back room of the planetarium.

Clark: The thought had crossed my mind.

Swann: Well, I find it peaceful. Besides, I own the building. Activate screen. 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 the 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 found 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: 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 3 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 seeking the truth. I need to know I'm right. Once I do, it'll never leave this room. 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.

2) Jonathan & Clark

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: 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 up.

Clark: In a minute. I figured out what this is. 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. It's hard to believe you were ever that small. 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." I think I was sent here to conquer. What kind of a 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: Because I am your father. I raised you, and I know you better than anyone.

[Shinzon2004]

I agree that this was one of the best Smallville episodes,and I wish that CR could have stayed as a series regular.His premature death is something that this day we all regret,he was really a true Superman.This episode marked the essence of Superman and his roots.

[Clark/Lois-fan]

One of the best episodes from the series!! No doubt about it.

Like many have already wrote: It was the passing of the torch, to have CR in this episode was magic... I always get teary eyed when he is on Smallville now...RIP CR.

Clark learning about his origins was great. The flying dream sequence in the beginning, Clark putting the key in the wall- & we see a yellow, blue & red light from the key..him reading the Kryptonian language- AMAZING

I LOVED all the scenes between Clark, Jonathan & Martha. I LOVE that relationship he has with his parents.

Clark says something along these lines : You can't protect me forever!
Jonathan: I'm not ready to give that up yet

Again- I get teary eyed....

[MeLois]

Okay, so I have a question about the DVD set. It says that there are two commentaries for this episode in the set booklet, but on the actual dvd there is only the one by AlMiles. Is this a mistake or is my DVD messed up?

Anyone actually have the commentary by Tom, Kristin, Michael, James Marshall and Greg Beeman?

EDIT:

Okay...wow, I'm an idiot. Helps to hit the little arrow for 'next'. *pfft* Just ignore me.

[Clark/Lois-fan]

Okay...wow, I'm an idiot. Helps to hit the little arrow for 'next'. *pfft* Just ignore me.

Hey, I've done the same thing :D

[WellingFan]

Greatest Episode of all time.:D

[Sunny8]

Although I liked that Christopher Reeve was used in this episode, I think that Dr. Swan did nothing but use Clark to get information about his unanswered questions. Clark could have gotten all of the knowledge about his past from his ship. He did not need an outside person to do that. I felt that he was taken advantage of because he was so young and I think that his parents were right not to trust Dr. Swan.

[monel49]

Just watched this again and wanted to weigh in with all the others who place this as one of the best episodes of the series. I believe #100 Reckoning is the best, but this is right up there with the top three. The writing was superb and what makes it click is not only Christopher Reeve who was excellent, but once again, the great family relationship between the Kents, especially Jonathan and Clark. Kudos to JS who deserves all the praise he gets--he really is foundational for this show and brings a depth to it that it could not have without him. Pa Kent is great. And TW does wonderfully here as well. I remember when I first saw this six years ago the chill that went up my spine when the original superman theme music played. Archtypal episode. Really wonderful.

[SGuthrie27]

Yeah, this is definitely one of the finest episodes of Smallville, ever. Christopher Reeve as Dr. Virgil Swan made this episode one of the best of the series, and it featured fantastic writing, acting, character moments and revelations, and nods to the Superman mythos. It also, ironically, ended up helping turn me into a diehard Chlarker with what Lana was doing which was WAY uncool of her.

--SGuthrie ><>' :)--

[IHeartClois]

Amazing Epi! Loved the Reeve and Welling scene!!

[jpfort1957]

Having Christopher Reeve on Smallville was great!!!!!!!!! If he had lived up to now, and had been able to appear more often, I wonder where SV would be now.

[lois346]

This was the best. I haven't watched this for like four months! I'm watching it tonight!

[6157]

Not many television series of this nature (reboots, different POVs etc) go to these lengths to connect the generations or "pass the torch" and that I think is what has set Smallville from most television series as a top tier series.

Edit: Is it fair to say this was the true beginning of the Superman "saga" in the series?


Although I liked that Christopher Reeve was used in this episode, I think that Dr. Swan did nothing but use Clark to get information about his unanswered questions.

I thought that was readily obvious, especially how he manipulated Clark by dangling "the second part of the message" carrot when Clark was about to leave.

And now for the 16 year old boy in all of us: has anyone notice the amazing amount of cleavage Chloe displayed this season? That should make it everyone's favorite, alone, IMO.

[Young Superman]

One of the best episodes ever.

[wendelboe]

Liked the episode alot, the only bad thing is that this is the episode where Clark begin to be afraid of the word destiny. Just one misunderstanding of the message in the ship was enough to prolong the series maybe 3-4 seasons extra where Clark very slowly learns that destiny is not a bad word.
(Just to note it, there was no use of the word conquer in the ship's message - that was just Clark's interpretation of what the message means)

[Nimkong]

A good episode but again not on my top.The key in the wall was crazy,dr.waldens part was awsome,christopher reeve!! and clark clark clark all about clark is the best ever

[Ron_Who]

I've been watching repeats of Smallville on HDNet, and they showed this episode today. I totally forgot out epic and rather "historic" this episode was. Did anyone get goosebumps whenever they played the "Superman theme" during the Christopher Reeve (a.k.a BEST SUPERMAN EVER) and Tom Welling scene? And also in the end...

[supercatmom]

Rosetta and Red are two of my alltime favorite episodes of SV.

[KneelBeforeSmallville]

One of the best of the Series, the best ep of season 2. I shure do miss Reeve! I know he would be proud of Tom!

[DC Fanboy]

In 5-10 years when I look back to Smallville, Rosetta will be the episode to come to mind. This is the undisputed best episode the series ever had.

[Aficionado]

Definitely a keeper.

[Supsfan]

One of the best of the Series, the best ep of season 2. I shure do miss Reeve! I know he would be proud of Tom!

I know I probably am the minority view on this but Rosetta was an good episode but nothing spectacular. I think if Dr Swann was played by a different actor it wouldn't get as much praise personally.

For the most part I liked the episode but I hated the final scene(it was sort of the setup for the terrible Calling-Exile arc that I hated). I think that last scene brings down the episode a couple notches for me, they should have ended the episode with Clark talking to Dr Swann and save the angsty stuff till the next episode

[vantheman77]

If there's a highlight to the second season, it's clearly this episode Rosetta which sums up what the series is all about - Clark's journey towards his grand destiny as Superman. It's also the passing of the Superman torch from one generation (Christopher Reeve) to another (Tom Welling). Clark learns about where he came from and learns to read Kryptonian. Meanwhile, Lex interacts with a scientists concerning the Kryptonian symbols on the cave walls and there's friction between Lana and Chloe over her own secrets. However, Clark's storyline involving Dr. Virgil Swann is the centerpiece and AlMiles have topped themselves with this episode.

[Welling_is_pretty]

I've been rewatching my DVD's and this was one I was particularly looking forward to, though a bit trepidatious about as well. Seeing Chris again made my heart sore but watching his spectacular performance was worth it.

I love the commentary (I'd always wondered why Clark looked so 'made up' in those scenes with Swann?) as well. "Give Tom a hose and he's happy" never fails to make me smile.