Episode 1.2: Metamorphosis

After the cracking pilot episode Metamorphosis comes as something of a disappointment. However, it is far from being a bad episode. It's main problems lie solely on the villain of the piece. The actor playing the 'Bug Boy' does a fine job and there's certainly nothing wrong with his performance. But he is given awful pieces of dialogue to spout off about how he has become something of a superior being. It feels very clichéd.

On the plus point there are quite a few standout moments. We start to see the manipulative side of Lex, portrayed excellently by Rosenbaum, who pretty much charms the pants off all but Jonathan Kent. There is also a rather amusing scene at the beginning of the episode in which Clark appears to be flying.

What is certainly clear from this episode and the pilot is the x-files inspired direction in which the show seems to be heading with its 'freak of the week' formula. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. The reason for why there would be so many of these freaks in Smallville is established quite nicely. But that also means that the quality of each episode could hinge entirely on the quality of the freak. Applying that theory to this episode it is clear that the writers will have to do better than 'Bug Boy'.

Great character moments but flat and clichéd villain. 6/10