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James Whitlark’s article, “Superheroes as Dream Doubles” articulates “that contemporary superheroes are more psychologically complex” (108). As a result of this complexity the superheroes show double identities the person “.... is divided into two selves: one ineffectual, the other heroic” (107). This idea of superheroes with dual identities is prevalent in “Heat” an episode from the Smallville television series. Throughout the episode the viewers see the main character, Clark Kent struggle with controlling his unconscious thoughts which are brought on by Desirée Atkins who also happens to have a doubling side. Though hers is predominantly evil. Throughout the episode the viewers get to watch Desirée try to spread her evil ways on Clark and it is up to him to be able to control his unconscious thoughts and expose Desirée’s secret.

As the episode begins Smallville is in the middle of a heat wave. All the students and faculty are covered in sweat. As the students were waiting for their biology class to start, out walks a young teacher, Ms. Adkins, who happens to be wearing a really revealing dress. As the movie on animal reproduction is playing Clark can’t seem to stop staring at her. Demonstrating Whitlark’s idea of “.. Golden Age superheroes sublimated everyday desires for sexual reproduction.. (108)”. When Clark makes a valid attempt to ignore his unconscious thoughts of Ms. Adkins he accidentally sets the classroom on fire with his newly discovered heat ray. As everyone is evacuating, he saves Ms. Adkins life and puts out the fire. This allows the audience to view the responsible and troubling sides of Clark Kent. The responsible part of Clark tried to ignore his suppressed thoughts of Ms. Adkins however his troubling side b...

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...chokes her father telling him to say where the discs are. Her father tells Clark that he can kill him if he wants, but is never going to tell him. Normal Clark would never get overly aggressive with someone for a million dollar reward. However this new Clark made it obvious that all he seem to care about is money.

At the end of the episode Pete shows Clark green rocks that make him weak and Mr.kent smashes the ring containing the red rock in thousands of pieces and Clarks alter ego goes away and things are back to normal. He apologized to his parents for everything and the very last thing he said was “it’s like I have two identities the real one and me”.

This episode was a great example of James Whitlarks suggestions that some superheroes doubles may be represented as the “id” or alter ego when there is psychologically complex superheros.