Sleeper

So, I've heard that not a whole bunch-a people were thrilled with this episode. Reasons probably being (1) Little bits of Clark here and there (2) Not a lot of Lois (3) Vanessa was soooo ugly I almost hurled when she came out in her "little red dress" (4) Lana still isn't back from her journey of pain.

I enjoyed the episode though I had a problem with only 1 of the 4 problems above (try and guess which one it was in today's poll). On to the discussion for today.

I'm going to start my review with a character I never thought I'd start with: Jimmy! He's been the underscore in all but one other episode. As a lackey, a forgotten boyfriend, a Kryptonian's love interest, and finally an over-excited photographer for Lois Lane, Jimmy's never been the center of attention. However, Jimmy got a big problem to handle this time around. When it appears that Chloe is working for a "terrorist" (known as Clark to rest of us) Jimmy get trapped by the Secret Service into trying to catch Chloe and offer proof that doesn't exist. Jimmy gets to do some major spy stuff. He crawls through air ducts, wears a super cool tux with a tricked out camera-bow-tie, and even tangos with Chloe in an awesome "Dirty Dancing" remake scene. Jimmy did it all, he even got to scare Clark by making Clark think that he knew "the big secret". Shawn did a good job.

Chloe: She was accused, betrayed, captured, and beat-up all because she hacked into some government files. Her ability to back-fire Jimmy's little espionage game shows that she's smarter than she looks. But, when taken prisoner by ugly Vanessa, Chloe bled really bad after getting pimp slapped by the little witch. Chloe's an easy bleeder. Allison's job was hard this time, but as always she played the secret-keeping, back-stabbing, espionage-lover Chloe role very well (you'd think she had practice!).

Clark: He was really just the back story this time. He found a little clue as to where Lana is and where Kara is, but it was pretty far out there. To think that a hole in the time space continuum would really open up to the perfect time before Clark's journey and the end of the little red planet is highly unlikely. But it is Smallville. PS: Next week we see what life would be like without CK. Tom is great, even when he's just the back-story. (Anyone notice that last week he was worry/determination in his first scene, now he's just worry? I like!)

Lois: One scene, One line, boring! Put her in the next episode WGA! Poor Erica.

Lex: He found his dad's info for his Swiss bank account (which said "Dad" not "Lionel Luthor", low budgets stink). He also used it and found and empty box, with a hidden door, and a little envelope and then a fake compass in an envelope, the compass doesn't tell direction but turns like a fancy little puzzle, ooooh! Read again to understand what just went down. Michael is great at being dark but, while he had a small moment to shine, Michael didn't rock the bad side very much this time.

Shout out to the music composer! I watched a couple scenes (director's cuts) without audio and they weren't near as cool or exciting. So, good work to you who make the music.

Overall, this was a cool episode. Kind'a James Bond meets Smallville. I'd give this episode 4 out of 5 tricked-out-camera-bow-ties.

Descent

Warning: I will be giving out major spoilers without talking about the story in the order of events. If you haven't seen the episode don't read this, and if you hope to hear the story line don't expect to get all the pieces in chronological order... or any order...

Boy was this a good title for this episode. This one dealt with Lex's descent into the dark-side. To quote Lois, it was "creepy".

I'll begin with the obvious character, Lex. He was darker than ever this time around. His actions and words showed this very well. I couldn't believe that Lionel died at first. What does this show have against the old guys?! After much thought I decided it was rather necessary. After all, his character didn't have much room to develop, and his place in the story of Superman was beginning to get too complex and out of line with Superman mythology. (Not that I'm an expert in that area, but I saw the movies!) Lex killing his own Father was a great way to make Lex that much more evil. Seeing Alexander die at the hands of Lex brings up two realizations.

1: Lex has now truly conquered any good left within him in his pathetic attempt to become stronger.

2: The writers may have brought in the good side of Lex in the form of Alexander with the idea to kill him off later. If so, props to the writers it was definitely "creepy".

Lionel: He had one scene but played this scene well. John's been good at this role for as long as Smallville's been on the air, but his leave is bittersweet. I have to say his character was a confusing one. Half evil half good, half hatful half loving, half mad half completely sane. John must've thanked God every day that his character wasn't really him.

Clark: Lex brought up Jonathan's death with Clark and it hit like a slap to the face. The words were hollow and untrue in a way, but Clark couldn't help but let the words get under his skin. Tom had a lot of scenes with tough emotions. No one wants to look broken, even if they're acting. Clark especially puts on his tough facade to hide his inner sorrow often. But Tom's face always has the odd ability to relay two messages, for almost the whole episode it was strength and sorrow. I loved how he hesitated in his first scene when he was forced to choose between Lionel or Lana. Perfect acting.

Chloe: Another of my favorites from the wild world of the writer's minds. Chloe probably won't be around for the whole show, but I hope they kill her off with the season 8 finale. I'd hate to sit through an episode without the witty and sarcastically-hilarious comments of Chloe Sullivan. Chloe has some hesitating in her first scene too, she felt the same as Clark. Lana or Lionel? She chose and forced Clark to do the same.

I hate that she was fired. I knew it would happen, but I didn't want it to. This makes me wonder what she'll do next in order to help Clark save the day. Perhaps work at the Isis Foundation? Give comfort to her fellow "genetically enhanced individuals"? I think it could happen.

Lois: Erica's acting was weak sauce. She got shot in the shoulder and never sad "ow", never grunted, never showed signs of pain. She merely flopped onto the floor and shouted "You SHOT me?!" I know Lois is fearless but she ain't Superwoman! Though her lines with Jimmy were fun. I like to see her embrace the sides of Lois we get from the movies and comics.

Random Note: WHO THE HAY WAS THAT GUY WITH KILLER PEPPER SPRAY?!! I like the fact that Lex's snooty business partner bit the big one after discovering Clark's secret, but who did the honors? He looked like Nick Fury from the Marvel Comic universe. What's up? We'd better find out next week.

Jimmy: He tried, he worked, he failed. Jimmy tried to get the picture, he tried to help Lois and himself get away from Lex's P.I.C. (figure it out), and he tried to help Lois get warm in the meat locker used for files. But in the end, he learned that you just have to leave the "save the world" stuff to the heros. Poor Jimmy.

Crew: the lighting on every Lex scene was awesome! Lex was in shadow all the time, with just a hint of yellow light coming in on his bald little head. The funeral for Lionel wasn't as dramatic as the one for John, but I loved the sunlight coming in at the end. I also liked the decision to have Lex walk off and Clark put the first small amount of dirt on top of Lionel. I found it odd to have a cemetery right by the Daily Planet, it was as if Lex wanted keep an eye on his dead father. Or keep in sight the first major act of villainy from him. Either way, it was "creepy".

All things considered this episode gets 5 empty Veritas lockets out of a possible 5.

Take part in the poll!

This episode bring up my next question: Who's your favorite baddie?

Please vote, the results could be surprising.

(FYI, this question wont be posted till 4.22.08)

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Here to come I will talk about Smallville and what I think of the episodes as they come out. I will ONLY post here after each episode. So don't check here too often, just the thursday or friday night after a NEW episode has aired. (coming up THIS THURSDAY! WHOO-HOO!)

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Thanx again!

PEACE!