As Michael Rosenbaum's final episodes as a regular cast member wind down, the show's main focus shifts to him in "Descent". The opening scene between Lex and Lionel is so strong, so powerful, so shocking that you'd think it would be impossible to keep the momentum going. The fact is despite "Descent" including possibly the greatest openings scene in Smallville history, the episode just keeps getting better as the story progresses. Lex continues his journey to the dark side, which includes it's most dramatic shift in this episode, and will come to it's climax in the season finale. I really have to give credit to Gough and Millar for making the choice to slowly and patiently build Lex's character instead of jumping into things too quickly. It's only because of the brilliant 7 year development off Lex's character that his story in Descent plays so well. If this episode doesn't convince anyone of Rosenbaum's unbelievable contribution to the show, the following season without him (season 8 with Davis Bloome and Tess Mercer as the main villains) definitely solidifies Rosenbaum's place as the one great villain of Smallville.