Episode 3.19: Memoria

When Lex is found by Lana standing on the edge of his rooftop balcony, screaming the name 'Julian', she tells Clark out of concern. Clark learns that Lex has been undergoing treatment with Dr Garner, at Sommerholt, to retrieve his missing memories. Fearing this might help Lex to recall his secret Clark goes to Lionel to have him do something about it under the guise of protecting Lex from the dangerous procedure. But Lionel betrays Clark, luring him into a trap, so that Dr Garner can use the machine on him and discover the secrets of his origins. Whilst in the machine Clark has a memory of his birth mother, Lara, while Lex eventually remembers the truth about Julian and, ultimately, the reason for why his father has never truly loved him.

WOW! What a bloody brilliant rollercoaster ride of an episode. Not only is Memoria my favourite episode of the third season, it might just be my favourite episode, period! The unfolding of Lex's history, particularly the final reveal about what truly happened to Julian, is jaw dropping and very emotional. Rosenbaum's performance is incredible throughout and by the time we get to the end I've probably never felt more sympathetic towards his character.

Glover is on form as Lionel as well. He makes a pretty sharp observation about Clark's motives for helping Lex at one point. Sometimes, Clark's drive to protect his secret really does outweigh his better nature, but it shows us that Clark is definitely more human than he cares to acknowledge.

Lionel realizes his mistreatment of Lex for so many years was all based on a lie. It is a really tragic moment. But if he'd have known the truth from the beginning it's pretty clear that nothing would have been different between him and Lex. Instead, he would have had Lillian killed and Lex would hate him for it. Either way, the evil nature of Lionel would always be the source of division in the Luther family.

Clark learns that his birth mother's biggest fear was that nobody on earth would love her son. It gives him a new perspective on his natural parents, who have so far been very alien to him, particularly with the demands that Jor-El has been placing onto him over the past year.

This is a stellar episode that really deepens the characters and enriches the mythology of the show.

10/10