4.07, Jinx
The story starts off with Chloe putting a bet on the football game to Mikhail Mxyzptlk* - a foreign exchange student who has the power to control the odds. Chloe puts her money down on Smallville to win, citing that she "never bets against Clark Kent" even though she hates to admit it. Mikhail uses his powers to make Clark trip on the field and almost loose the game - he does make Clark tackle and nearly take out an opposing team member; it brings up the issue of steroids and questioning Clark's ability to play with other people.
Mikhail comes to visit Chloe the next day, claiming that he should of seen it coming that Smallville's whistleblower would come after him, especially late in the season. Chloe is flattered that he called her "notorious" and says she likes the sound of that; she promises him that the article would be front page news if he handles the situation correctly. Chloe recommends that he change professions; Mikhail retorts that his weakness is "pretty girls with infectious smiles." Chloe still intends to write the article - until Mikhail promises to show her the real side of the bookie business on a Sharks game by letting her shadow him for anonymity. Chloe relents, wanting a full behind the scene tour, and picks up her winnings, telling Mikhail that her dad is unemployed and the cash is going towards textbooks and tuition.
Smallville, Episode 4.07: ChloeMikhail is waiting for Chloe in the Torch the next day; she took 10% off her winnings for fun and notes that she hadn't had so much fun on a couch "since Johnny Rosenblatt in fifth grade." Mikhail tries to flirt her out of the article, but Chloe protests that it's getting "juicer by the minute" and that it was going to press that night, no matter how cute he was. Mikhail says he could give her so much more dirt, and Chloe points out that it's an attempt to stall the article. He says that he always gets what he wants and uses his power to force her to kiss him. He tells her to drop the article "whether [she] wants to or not."
Later that day, Chloe runs into Clark in the Torch - and says that he can stay, she'll just hope for his "Mr. Jeckyll" side today. She notes that he's watching and re-watching his trip - and Clark explains about how he felt he had no control over his body. Chloe puts the pieces together about Mikhail - and runs off to search. She ends up finding that his name, backwards, belonged to a tribe near the Balkans that could control the hand of luck and were taken out by plagues of locusts. Clark thinks of another way to stop him - citing that Lex brought Mikhail over as an exchange student.
Smallville, Episode 4.07: Chloe and MxyzptlkMikhail attacks Clark in his barn, saying he knew Chloe would talk to someone - but not to Lex; "She's too proud." Mikhail decided that Clark was the common factor, and uses his powers to choke Clark; saying that he will make Clark throw the game unless Clark wants more of his friends hurt before the game on Saturday. Chloe is working at the Torch before the game and she runs into Clark in the hall; Chloe didn't find locusts but she did find information about them admitting a radio frequency that helps them swarm together - and once jammed they are blocked for good. She even says she has a way to simulate it if they can find Mikhail. Clark assures her that Mikhail will be there; he tells her he has to go and she wishes him luck.
Chloe sneaks down to the audio room of the field, with a transmitter in hand; she hooks it up to the com system and turns it on, waiting out the game. Her plan works - Mikhail can't control anyone and only he can hear the buzzing; Mikhail eventually does find her in the com room where he rips out the device. He tries to use his powers on her, but Chloe nails him in the face citing that it "kind of sucks when you have to play fair." Mikhail holds her up at knife point.
He then goes to confront Clark on the field, holding Chloe's press pass. He tells Clark that if he doesn't throw the game, Chloe's dead; if Clark leaves the field, Chloe's dead. Clark goes back on the field using his x-ray vision to see where Mikhail is holding her hostage and makes the throw. Clark races through the stands, reaching her, untying her, throwing the knife away, knocking Mikhail into the opposing wall, and racing back to get tackled. The Crows win the title when his team mate catches the ball, and Chloe stars at the handcuffs that are now broken around her wrists.
I hear your quite the hero tonight Clark Kent.
She visits Clark at the farm after his victory party. Chloe tells him that her punishments never stick, and that he's "quite the hero tonight, Clark Kent." Clark brushes off the compliment saying "if it wasn't for [her]" he wouldn't be. Chloe defers the compliment to her Uncle Sam who gave her the transmitter. Chloe agrees with Clark that it's awesome that Mikhail is stopped, and admits she doesn't know how she got untied. She admits that she got suckered into more than anonymous tips - but Chloe says they all have their weaknesses.
Superman v2 #011, cover
Superman v2 #011, page 02We find out that Lex has saved Mikhail from jail, and points out a key similarity to the beginning of the episode -- like Chloe, he bet on Clark Kent.
* Mxyzptlk is one of the most known Superman rogues - in traditional Smallville fashion, he is no longer an imp but has the same powers; however unlike their versions of Parasite (Eric Summers in Leech) and Conduit (Jeremy Creek in Pilot) Mxy actually retains his name. Additionally, writer Mark Warshaw says that Pete Ross was supposed to originally appear in this episode as well as the guy in the other team. Sadly, that fell through. Additionally, Iron Age Lois got hit on by Mxy in the 90's