They're much better thanks, Laura
They picked up some virus that's going around... typical winter bug.
Madame Ex is another Lois-centred episode and I guess it had to be after the end of season 1, but so many characters were affected by Luthor's crimes and his death and it feels like they got glossed over. I felt sorry for Clark... as you said, he had the burden of guilt of not being able to save Lex and then Ariana's manipulations just compounded it