The mystery surrounding Chloe's death deepens as Clark and Lois investigate, discovering that Lex Luthor and Lois' abrasive and militarist father, U.S. Army General Sam Lane, are somehow involved. Meanwhile, Lana returns to Smallville after finding out that the symbol that appeared on her back in Paris is also on the cave wall. In prison, Lionel Luthor prepares for his murder trial and sends out a liquid-metal assassin to keep Clark and Lois from investigating Chloe's 'death'.

Without the approval of his father, Clark kicks off senior year by trying out for the Smallville High Football Team, who are now coached by Lana's new boyfriend, Jason Teague. Former acne-ridden nerd Abigail Fine returns from the summer looking beautiful after some Kryptonite powered plastic surgery that spells trouble for Lana and a former tormentor when Abigail discovers that the side affect makes people insane and delusional to anyone she physically kisses. When Lois investigates Abigail's history, her ruthless, plastic surgeon mother, Dr. Fine, decides to silence the curious but klutzy Lois by enforcing the surgery on Lois. Meanwhile, Martha accepts a job managing The Talon while Lois starts working for the school paper the Torch, and gets just a little closer to Clark.

Clark is far from impressed that Lois barely dares rebuke her kid sister's mean pranks on both of them, while squirming for each, even offensive, whim of Pa, full general Sam Lane, as their Thanksgiving guest. Clark firmly but politely hosts the Lanes, while reasoning against the general's support for a bill to make 'registration' compulsory for superheroes, an obvious trap given the congressional supporters' antecedents. While Oliver investigates them, Clark saves everybody from proponent Rick Flag's Machiavellian rocket attempt on the general's life. Only when Lois finally sides with Clark against Pa, he reveal his ulterior motive for exaggerated rudeness.