As the citizens of Smallville pull together
to rebuild after the meteor shower, Clark begins to settle into life as a
regular Joe, feeling tired from a hard day's work and enjoying life
with Lana. That is until three superpowered meteor freaks, recently
escaped from Belle Reve, show up at the Kent farm looking for him.
They've heard what he can do and now they want him to use his powers to
break in to Level 3 and steal a serum that is vital to them. But as
things spiral out of control a hostage situation ensues. Clark must use
his wits alone to defeat the three men. When he does so, he learns that
it was Lex who let them escape, hoping to learn Clark's secret by
testing him. When Clark confronts him they come to blows, showing that
their friendship is truly over. Meanwhile, Lionel stands where Lex once
stood, in a straight jacket behind the two way mirror of a cell in Belle
Reve.
I friggin' love this episode. Clark and Lana are properly together and, most importantly, seem to be very happy together. Makes a change from the usual pining and melancholy that comes from one or the other as a result of them not being able to be together.
I love episodes based around hostage situations, whether it's season 2's Insurgence, or episodes from other TV shows altogether, such as The X Files episode, 'Duane Barry'. They have become a staple of movies and television when it comes to creating tension and drama and they usually work pretty well. Maybe it's because they are mostly tied to one location that can get quite claustrophobic once you have opposing agendas going head to head. And there is often a sense of empathy that can be produced in relation towards the hostage takers. Even here, where the villains remain utter douchebags right up to the end, you can still empathize with their predicament of needing medication that they are not being provided.
The standout scene though has to be the moment where Clark has finally had it with Lex, after finding out he is responsible for freeing the three meteor freaks from Belle Reve, and the two of them exchange punches. This isn't like Onyx, or any other episode where one of the two men is not quite themselves. No, this is actual Clark and actual Lex trading blows, which makes it all the more electrifying and, ultimately, tragic. It's been a long time coming but, for now at any rate, the two former friends are absolutely enemies. Though as a side note I do have to say that, even without his powers, it's hard to imagine Lex being able to get back up again after taking two hits like that from Clark.
This episode does of course put Clark into the position of being able to show Lex, or Lana for that matter, that he is "just human" after all. You could say it is very convenient that Lex decided to set up this test for Clark at this particular time. But convenient or not it makes damn good television.
The sheriff, a character I've always liked, also makes an appearance here. She has a funny moment where Jonathan is desperately trying to get her to leave but, like Columbo, she keeps finding reasons to stay. I like that she acknowledges the wierdness of Smallville too because sometimes I wonder if the only people aware of it are Clark and friends.
Another part of this episode I really like is when Clark breaks into Luthor Corp with help from Chloe. When Chloe opens the boot of her car it makes for a rather amusing discovery that would make the Hardy Boys proud.
A truly great episode.
I friggin' love this episode. Clark and Lana are properly together and, most importantly, seem to be very happy together. Makes a change from the usual pining and melancholy that comes from one or the other as a result of them not being able to be together.
I love episodes based around hostage situations, whether it's season 2's Insurgence, or episodes from other TV shows altogether, such as The X Files episode, 'Duane Barry'. They have become a staple of movies and television when it comes to creating tension and drama and they usually work pretty well. Maybe it's because they are mostly tied to one location that can get quite claustrophobic once you have opposing agendas going head to head. And there is often a sense of empathy that can be produced in relation towards the hostage takers. Even here, where the villains remain utter douchebags right up to the end, you can still empathize with their predicament of needing medication that they are not being provided.
The standout scene though has to be the moment where Clark has finally had it with Lex, after finding out he is responsible for freeing the three meteor freaks from Belle Reve, and the two of them exchange punches. This isn't like Onyx, or any other episode where one of the two men is not quite themselves. No, this is actual Clark and actual Lex trading blows, which makes it all the more electrifying and, ultimately, tragic. It's been a long time coming but, for now at any rate, the two former friends are absolutely enemies. Though as a side note I do have to say that, even without his powers, it's hard to imagine Lex being able to get back up again after taking two hits like that from Clark.
This episode does of course put Clark into the position of being able to show Lex, or Lana for that matter, that he is "just human" after all. You could say it is very convenient that Lex decided to set up this test for Clark at this particular time. But convenient or not it makes damn good television.
The sheriff, a character I've always liked, also makes an appearance here. She has a funny moment where Jonathan is desperately trying to get her to leave but, like Columbo, she keeps finding reasons to stay. I like that she acknowledges the wierdness of Smallville too because sometimes I wonder if the only people aware of it are Clark and friends.
Another part of this episode I really like is when Clark breaks into Luthor Corp with help from Chloe. When Chloe opens the boot of her car it makes for a rather amusing discovery that would make the Hardy Boys proud.
A truly great episode.
10/10
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