Dr. Virgil Swann was a supporting character in the TV series Smallville. He was a brilliant and wealthy scientist dedicated to communicating with other planets and would play a key role in shaping Clark Kent's destiny as Superman. He was portrayed by Christopher Reeve.
History[]
Early life[]
Dr. Swann's work focused on astronomy and satellite communication. In 1965, he met with Genevieve Teague to help her decipher her strange, recurring dreams. He also shared with Genevieve a theory that meteors can hold transmissions as well as his intention to record and translate the "messages from the stars."
By 1977, Dr. Swann was considered a top astronomer and pioneer in the field of satellite communication, but around the time of the first meteor shower that struck Smallville, he donated his millions and became a recluse, devoting his life to studying life on other planets. Specifically, his largest body of the study was the planet Krypton.
A Manhattan-based astronomer, Dr. Swann dedicated a good portion of his life to studying the skies and searching for life beyond Earth. In 1978, he was chosen as Time Magazine's Man of the Year for 1977.
A pioneer in the field of global communications, Dr. Swann used his SWANNSTAR satellites to explore extraterrestrial communication. He donated a major portion of his company's profits toward the U.S. space program and in return was given unprecedented access to extraterrestrial findings. Dr. Swann was a quadriplegic, depending on a series of breathing and mobility devices to stay alive and move around. He once had a relationship with Dr. Bridgette Crosby.
Veritas[]
Based on his belief that one could receive messages from outer space, Dr. Swann formed a theory that a "Traveler" was coming to Earth and founded a secret society for influential families called to study and wait for the Traveler. The group included Lionel Luthor, Edward and Genevieve Teague, Robert and Laura Queen, as well as Bridgette Crosby. They had meetings in Virgil's mansion in 1987 in which they discussed the purpose of the group and their intended role in the Traveler's life.
Some members believed in protecting the Traveler, while others were concerned with controlling him and possibly defending Earth against him. Apparently, Dr. Swann's point of view was cautious but open-minded: he seemed to believe that the messages pointed to a threat or invasion, but upon actually meeting the Traveler himself, he decided to protect him and his secret. He even founded companies such as S.T.A.R. Labs in order to help The Traveler learn more about himself and the planet around him.
By the time Dr. Swann translated the Kryptonian message, it can be presumed that Veritas had disbanded because Dr. Swann claimed to Clark Kent that he did not reveal the message to any of the other members. However, Lionel eventually learned the Traveler's name was "Kal-El" and realized that Kal-El, the Traveler, and Clark were one and the same.
Season Two[]
Dr. Swann made his first appearance in the episode "Rosetta." In 2003, Swann saw coverage in the Smallville Torch of a mysterious symbol burned into a barn of a Kansas farm belonging to Jonathan and Martha Kent. He recognized it as a Kryptonian symbol, then discovered that the Kents had an adopted child. Dr. Swann contacted Clark Kent by tracking down the photographer, Chloe Sullivan, then through a series of e-mails and instant messages, he persuaded the boy to visit his Manhattan observatory.
When Clark came to see him, Dr. Swann revealed to Clark the truth behind his origins. He played the message he had intercepted and explained that the planet Krypton was no longer visible in the night sky and shared with Clark his speculation that Krypton had been destroyed. Although Clark was reluctant to learn more about his alien origins, Dr. Swann told him that he would protect his secret.
Season Three[]
A year later, in the episode "Legacy", Dr. Swann received a visit from Lionel Luthor, who offered conservancy of the Kawatche Caves in exchange for a translation of the symbols. He lied and told Lionel that he could not translate the symbols. Lionel explained about Clark's octagonal disc and asked Dr. Swann to speak with Clark on his behalf. Dr. Swann refused but knew that Lionel was dying. When Lionel admitted that he was willing to accept any risk to place the key in the lock, Dr. Swann agreed to an arrangement.
When Clark learned of Dr. Swann's involvement with Lionel and confronted him, Swann expressed his disappointment with Clark's behaviour since informing him of his Kryptonian origins, saying he only informed him of his origins because he thought he was ready. On the subject of Lionel, he claimed to be working in Clark's best interests. He was also able to divulge a new message that originated not from space, but from Earth: "I am waiting." However, he told Clark that he believed this message was not meant for him. When Jonathan Kent took the disc to the Kawatche Caves, it inexplicably merged into the cave wall after it fell out of his pocket during a fight with Lionel and was somehow obtained by Dr. Swann.
Season 4[]
In the episode "Sacred", Clark receives a package from Dr. Swann. Inside is the octagonal disc that Swann had recovered from the Kawatche Caves. At that same time, Jonathan and Martha are watching a news report on television stating that Dr. Swann has passed away. The cause of death is not stated but, in all likelihood, was the result of respiratory complications due to his condition.
Trivia[]
- Virgil Swann was portrayed by Christopher Reeve who had previously starred in the Superman film series.
- Dr. Swann was portrayed as a quadriplegic since his actor, Christopher Reeve, was also quadriplegic by the time Smallville began. Reeve had suffered severe spinal injuries after a horse-riding accident in 1995.
- Swann's off-screen death was due to Christopher Reeve's passing.