Well, I'm glad it wasn't Christopher who was gone. But now I'm wondering if it was Jonathan who might have died just after the dance. In the original comics timeline, Clark left Kansas for Metropolis after Jonathan died, and in the original Superman movie, Clark left home after Jonathan (played by Glenn Ford) died of a heart attack. So even though Jonathan was alive in the series, it wouldn't be much of a stretch to see him depart this life in this story.
Of course, it could be any number of other candidates. Pop Pop is a good one, simply due to age and Clark's stated relationship to him. Or maybe it's some other older male relative, although whoever it is, the man was important to Clark. And it's telling that he feels the need to reach for his wife for comfort, even if he tells himself it's because she's such a good friend.
I really liked the kiss (and both sets of thoughts and reactions) at the pitching contest. And it was interesting to listen in as Clark compared enhanced strength to precision and told himself that one didn't necessarily translate into the other. Very nice touch, Carol.
It was also very nice to see Lois and Clark playing along so easily with Pete and Rachel. I doubt they could have pulled it off before Christopher's birthday and their true confessions to each other, so this seemingly small thing is actually a big step for them. Unfortunately, neither one quite realizes it at the moment.
I wonder if Clark will cry at the funeral. If he does, will Lois comfort him? Will she bond with him over a shared and common grief? If it's Jonathan who's gone, will Lois see the depths of Clark's feelings for this man who has been such a huge role model for him for so long and realize that his loss of a father is comparable to her loss of a mother? (They're not the same - two similar losses are never the same - but it might help both of them to grow closer even so.) Are they close to lying in bed together face to face and holding each other, even if it's "just for common comfort?"
And what's with the news media at the cemetery? Who are they covering, the funeral or one of the mourners? More mystery and suspense and potential WHAMs and delayed WAFFs! Carol, you are the master (mistress?) of the cliffhanger - or as I like to call them, "reader incentives." (Where's the "bow in recognition of genius" graemlin?)
