Family secrets abound as Martha goes behind Jonathan's back to ask her father for money after the family's bills pile up; and Lana finds pictures of her mother with another man that were taken after her parents were married. Meanwhile, a healthy high-school student dies of old age shortly after kissing his girlfriend; and Clark has a run-in with the new school principal.

Clark rescues a teenage mind reader from a laboratory where a maniacal scientist performs cruel cognitive experiments on the youngster. Meanwhile, Lex crosses swords with the corrupt mayor of Smallville over a potential business deal.