While I initially thought that I’d be skipping over this latest Internet trend, I finally succumbed to temptation and trend (pun!) by joining the Twitter-verse. So, be sure to follow me (@caseofthetwit). In addition to my latest blog entries and television reviews, I’ll also be posting some random thoughts and observations. I’d really appreciate the support, so give my page a visit!
Moving on. Every now and again Smallville reminds me that they are indeed on the CW. Example: Attempting to threaten somebody by telling them you’ll shut down their Twitter and Facebook accounts. I mean, really….
I have to admit, when I read that Smallville was going to introduce us to the Wonder Twins, I was skeptical. Really skeptical. But at the end of the day, it was handled pretty well. Actually, it went a long way in showing us how much Clark has grown over the past couple of seasons. In fact, portraying Clark as a mentor or idol to them was the absolute right decision. In many instances, classic DC heroes are brought onto the show, but they appear to be more powerful (or, at the very least, more powerfully mature) than Clark. And in a lot of ways, it actually emasculates the future Superman. I couldn’t help but shake my head when Clark met the Legion, and they’re flying around all over the place, almost mocking the Man of Steel because he’s still grounded. I was legitimately worried that Zan and Jayna would be presented as misguided, but ultimately more in-tune with their superhero selves than Clark. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case.
One thing that did disappoint me about the episode, though, was that I would have liked to have known more about the Wonder Twins. Are they aliens? Do their powers come exclusively from their rings? If so, where did they get their rings? How long have they had them? Admittedly, I was a bit distracted while watching the episode, so I may have missed a crucial part of their backstory, but this felt like borderline stunt casting. They just assumed we all knew the Wonder Twins, and thus tossed them into the episode as a “wink, wink” to the audience. I’m not saying we needed an hour’s worth of history, but a little information about the origins of their powers would have gone a long way.
I’m glad they resisted having Lois find out Clark’s secret, although they do need to be careful not to resort to the old “Lois finds out, then gets tricked into believing she’s wrong” formula, as they run the risk of making one of their sharpest characters look like a real idiot. I also enjoyed the revelation that Lois is seeing a therapist. After putting some thought into last week’s episode, I was a little off put by the fact that she up and ran after kissing Clark. It seemed like such an uncharacteristic thing for the normally strong and independent Lois to do. It made me a bit worried that we’d see a redux of last year, when Lois strangely left town for a million weeks to sit at Jimmy’s bedside, when Jimmy’s own wife was still hanging around Clark. This particular discovery, though, made it clear that Lois is just THAT thrown off and confused by what is going on here. It was a nice way of reminding us that while Lois is strong, she’s not indestructible.
I love how, slowly but surely, we’re beginning to realize that Chloe is using all of her technological resources in questionable ways – and that she has a quick justification for all of her actions. I’m not suggesting that the character is heading in this direction, but in a lot of ways she’s beginning to sound like a certain bald billionaire. She seemingly has constant surveillance on Clark – unbeknownst to him – and she seems to have an excuse handy whenever he uncomfortably questions her about it. And when his discomfort intensifies, she manages to divert the attention away from what she had done, instead focusing on the good that came from her actions.
Anyway, this was definitely a “lay low” episode in between what will likely be two of the more significant ones of the season. As such, there’s not a whole lot else to say. Well, except that you should be following me on Twitter!
Matt Basilo has been writing for Inside Pulse since April 2005, providing his insight into popular television shows such as Lost, 24, Heroes, and Smallville. Be sure to visit his blog at [a case of the blog] and follow him on Twitter.
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Matt, nice review but I think you missed a few things that were important to take from this episode regarding important character development. This episode was not filler as many expected it to be. On the contrary, it was the calm before the storm giving us a close look at Clark and Lois’ emotional and mental state.
There was a nice parellel in this episode between how Chloe wanted Clark to handle the District Attorney and how Lois ultimately chose to handle it. Chloe wanted Clark to let the DA smear his name and remain in the shadows. Lois recognized that the shield was beacon of hope for the city and she came forward to defend Clark in public and begged the city to leave him alone. Utimately, Lois’ plans were closer to where Clark’s heart is right now and she did the right thing.
The scene on the rooftop was very important. Lois was willing to give her life so that Clark could remain a beacon of hope for the city. Clark, for his part, gladly would have jumped after Lois and outed himself to the cameras if she had fallen. Luckily, the wonder twins provided the cover of the fog so that Clark could save Lois without having to out himself. Lois has proven that she would die for him so the fact that he’s keeping his secret from her is not about trust. The problem is that she WOULD give her life for his secret and I think that’s what scares him. He doesn’t want her put in that position.
The last scene in Lois’ therapy session was very important. Lois admitted that she as fascinated by the heroics of the Blur. But her thoughts kept coming back to Clark. He is the man that she loves above all else. That was a big realization on Lois’ part.
Again, the last scene between Clark and Lois in the copy room was adorable and important. Clark revealed the famous glasses and he rather touchingly admitted to her that he wished he could be two people for her. Little does she know…. This time Lois was the one who got over her fear and kissed him so that he was clear on how she felt about him. Then of course she had the seizure.
You also missed talking about the opening scene from Lois’ dream of the future. Clark and Lois waking up in some kind of abadoned building after making love and there’s a red sun in the sky….that was important.
I’m not criticizing because I always think you do great reviews. I just think there was some important character development that was very important in this episode that you missed in your review. As much as I love action packed episodes I also really appreciate it when Smallville takes the time to really get inside their character’s heads. This was a very important episode in that respect. I loved it.
I thought your comments on Chloe were spot on. The ends do not justify the means. She’s been out of line several times this season. I’m intrigued as to how it’s going to play out.
Thanks for your review! Hope you don’t mind my comments.
Mary,
Thanks so much for the great comments! You made a lot of great points, much of which I’ve discussed on my blog. I don’t quite have the space to copy and paste, so please check it out:
http://acaseoftheblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/i-have-some-insightful-readers.html
Thanks again!
Hey Matt! Thanks for the shout out on there. I appreciate it. Honestly, I think you do a great job reviewing the show. This was one of those episodes that I wasn’t expecting to love….and it totally took me by surprise. I really appreciate that the show took the time to do so much character development.
The funny thing about Clark and Lois is that in a weird way I think they have always sort of “spoken the same language” and gotten each other. Even back in Season 4 and 5, when they were driving each other crazy (actually, they still drive each other crazy. haha) or fighting you would always catch these moments where it seemed like they just understood each other in a unique way that slipped by everyone else. For me, it was always a subtle but necessary indicator that these two people still had a lot of growing to do but that there was “something” that bonded them. For me, it’s been a huge treat to see that unique “language” between then slowly manifest into reluctant friendship, to true friendship, and finally to love. Lois does put forth a tough bravado but deep down she’s actually a lot like Clark in that she just wants to be loved. You’ll notice that Lois is really the only person in Clark’s life (other than Jonathan and Martha Kent) to ever really ask what Clark NEEDS. Everyone else in Clark’s life is always telling him what he needs to do, that the world needs him (that was Lana’s fav phrase) or how he needs to handle a situation a certain way. On several occasions now, Lois has made it clear that she just wants to love him and that her biggest concern is what HE needs as a person, first and foremost. She was willing to sacrifice her life up there not because she wanted to die a hero or be a hero herself (ahem, Lana) and not because she was trying to control the situation while keeping Clark in the dark(ahem…Chloe running off with Davis last year) but just for the sheer reason that she loves Clark and she understood that it was essential for him to remain a beacon of hope for the city. She had no ulterior motives…which is rare on this show.
I thought this episode was a real treat because it gave us so much insight into where Clark and Lois are right now with each other. Yeah, that last moment in therapy was really touching. Her heart belongs to Clark.
Anyway, thanks for the shout out. Can’t wait to read your review for next week!