Tyler Randall's mom is ill and suffering. She wants Tyler to help her die. With remorse and mercy, he suffocates her with a pillow. The hospital nurses call security. While pursued, Tyler falls 20 feet to his death. During the autopsy, the examining doctor finds a kryptonite stone from his bracelet embedded in Tyler's wrist. The doc removes it. Suddenly Tyler awakens, grabbing the doctor. Tyler's touch turns the doc to dust.
Clark and Martha meet Tyler; a new delivery volunteer at the Mobile Meals food bank for house bound senior citizens. The three visit ailing Mrs. Sikes' home to deliver food. Later at home, Clark tells Martha he's not anxious to go with his dad on their annual fishing trip. When he meets up with Lex at the Talon, Lex offers tickets to the Metropolis Sharks football game for a father-son outing.
Lionel Luthor has ordered an investigation of Lex's corporate finances. The accounting investigator questions Mr. Kent on why Lex would order an in-depth profile/investigation of the Kent family after Lex's crash. Later, Lex visits Jonathan, to ask about the football tickets. Lex shares that he is envious of the Kent family relationships. Lex vows that the investigation is closed and over. Taking pity on her suffering, Tyler promises to visit Mrs. Sikes and bring her a white rose. When he visits at night, her noisy little dog Pepper greets him. Tyler takes Mrs. Sikes' hand and turns her to ash. Suspicious of Mrs. Sikes' death, Chloe researches death by spontaneous human combustion. She finds out about the doctor's ashen remains, prompting her and Clark to investigate Mrs. Sikes' house. They discover Pepper's ashes and the white rose in a bedside vase. Clark realizes Tyler's involvement. Chloe gets the toxicology report on Tyler's autopsy and the meteor rock found with him. She also learns that Tyler's mom did not suffocate, but is alive and recovering.
Martha witnesses Tyler's "touch of death" and realizes his connection to Mrs. Sikes' death. Tyler touches the Mobile Meals director Hank Pond, turning him to dust. As Tyler approaches Martha, Clark comes to the rescue. Although touched by Tyler for a moment, the decay on Clark's face disappears. Tyler runs off.
Always protective of Clark's secret, Jonathan is upset when he learns that Clark knew of Lex's past investigation but didn't tell him. Clark feels he's being treated like a child and blurts out that he doesn't like the fishing trips anymore and only goes to please his dad. Hurt and stubborn, Jonathan avoids Clark. Martha encourages Clark to work it out, so he'll have no regrets like Jonathan has over the relationship with his own father.
Whitney's dad has had another heart attack. Clark accompanies Lana to the hospital to see Mr. Fordham. Whitney's dad asks why Whitney hasn't visited him in the hospital.
Clark talks to Whitney about his dad. Whitney hasn't because he's reluctant to see his dad ill and weak, preferring to remember him as the strong healthy man he was. Whitney meets Lana at the cemetery over her parent's grave. After sharing his feelings, Whitney leaves Lana alone and heads to the hospital to visit his dad.
Tyler meets Lana alone at the cemetery. Already warned by Clark, she's frightened by him. Tyler had overheard Lana and Whitney's conversation about his father, and tells Lana he can help. At the hospital, Whitney visits his father's room. Tyler arrives wearing gloves, pushes Whitney aside, knocking him unconscious. Tyler removes his gloves and approaches Mr. Fordham. Clark arrives in time to stop Tyler. Clark tells Tyler his mother is alive, and takes him to her hospital room. Tyler's relieved to see her. He admits to Clark that he thought he was brought back to relieve the suffering of others. Realizing what he's done; Tyler clasps his own hands together and turns to dust.
Later, with Mr. and Mrs. Fordham watching from the sidelines, Lex arranges a scrimmage for Whitney with the Metropolis Sharks to fulfill Mr. Fordham's dream for his son. Easy to arrange when your father owns the football team and Clark makes the suggestion. Lex collects a rare compliment from Jonathan on arranging the evening. Clark collects a kiss on the cheek from Lana for suggesting the idea to Lex for the Fordhams. Jonathan and Clark patch things up when Jonathan tells Clark the fishing trips were all about spending father-son time. He wanted them to enjoy their relationship, something Jonathan didn't have with his own dad. Father and son go off joking about how to catch more fish this year…x-ray vision!
Starring: Tom Welling (Clark Kent), Kristin Kreuk (Lana Lang), Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor), Eric Johnson (Whitney Fordman), Sam Jones III (Pete Ross), Allison Mack (Chloe Sullivan), Annette O'Toole (Martha Kent), John Schneider (Jonathan Kent)
Guest Stars: John Glover (Lionel Luthor), Reynaldo Rosales (Tyler Randall), Jason Connery (Dominic Senatori), Sheila Moore (Mrs. Sikes), Tiffany Knight (Nurse), Brian Drummond (Hospital Security Guard), Patrick Keating (Coroner), Rheta With An H (Rose Randall), Ralph Alderman (Hank Richards), Dale Wilson (George Fordman)
Written by Cameron Litvack
Directed by Terrence O'Hara