Episode 5.18: Fragile

When a mute foster child, named Maddie, is made homeless after all the glass in the kitchen spontaneously blows up, killing her foster mum, she is taken in by Martha and Clark until the authorities can find a home for her. Maddie's foster mother was Martha's Chief of Staff. As Clark looks after her he manages to get Maddie to open up after realizing she can talk after all. But pretty soon after, both Lois and Clark discover that Maddie is able to control glass, so suspicion falls upon her for the death of her foster mother. But Clark is not convinced. With the help of Chloe he discovers that the person really responsible is Maddie's blood father, recently released from prison, determined to take his daughter away with him. In a final showdown Maddie exerts more power over the glass than her father but stops short of killing him thanks to the wise counsel of Clark. Meanwhile, Lana and Lex grow closer, and Chloe regrets trying to get between them.

This is the first episode to be directed by Tom Welling and I must say that he does a pretty good job of it. He gets a really good performance out of the child actor who plays Maddie. I wouldn't say that this was one of the best written episodes but in less capable hands it could have been terrible. Welling makes sure to focus on the chemistry and the relationship between Clark and Maddie. As a result I ended up caring about this little girl despite being able to see where the story was heading from a mile off.

Callum Keith Rennie is given the thankless task of playing the nasty father, but he is a very reliable actor and is therefore able to bring enough to the role to make it seem less one-note, which is probably one of the reasons he seems to appear on every show that's ever shot in Canada.

I love Lois in this episode. She could give lessons to a bull on how to charge around in a china shop. She has absolutely no tact whatsoever and it's ammusing to think that she might actually one day be the mother of Clark's children.

I'm surprised by how well Lana is being handled this season. I mean, sure, I didn't particularly enjoy what they did with her in the previous episode but, so far, her character arc and purpose has been much better in this season than it ever has previously. Tying her arc to Lex makes her feel much more integral than usual. I know a lot of people are not sold on the romance between the two but I really don't mind it. It makes sense to me that these two people who have been broken, as a result of knowing Clark, would somehow find their way into each other's arms. It's certainly not a healthy relationship prospect but I understand it.

I love how Chloe just walks into the Luthor mansion. I'm going to assume that Lex has already told security over the radio to let her through, as I assume he must do with Clark every time he bursts in to cast accusations. Chloe of course comes to tell Lex not to get any ideas with Lana. She is trying to protect her friend but she is going about it in the wrong way and she pays for that mistake. Lex comes back at her with a tongue of fire and makes her regret her entrance. Seeing the smile on his face and the glint in his eye as he spits venom is such a far cry from the man who once helped Chloe to fake her death in order to keep her safe from Lionel.

A really solid episode with some surprising direction from its main star.

8/10