A Case of the.... Smallville - Episode 10-5

Over at my blog (which you should be visiting, by the way), longtime reader Javier had this to say:

Another thing that I took from this episode was the amazing job Erica Durance as Lois Lane does. She is perfect for the role and I fell in love with her all over again. That final scene where they profess their love for each other was sweet and heart warming. I frankly do not understand why they don't let these amazing actors play these characters on the next Superman film. Tom Welling IS Clark Kent. Erica Durance IS Lois Lane, and while we haven't seen him in a while Michael Rosenbaum IS Lex Luthor. It would be amazing to see this become a reality but we know better.

I completely agree. With the Superman reboot coinciding with the Smallville series finale, why can’t they interconnect these two events by having one story lead into the other? Sure, you might say that it’s a bit risky using a CW series to launch a multi-million dollar movie franchise, but a recent poll on the Entertainment Weekly website indicated that over 50% of people wanted to see Tom Welling portray the Man of Steel in the new Superman movie. So, clearly, the mainstream interest is there. Plus, people like Tom Welling, Erica Durance, and Michael Rosenbaum are far more talented than they are given credit for, and receiving such a break is definitely most deserved.

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Anyway, every season, Smallville has a series of really powerful, very significant episodes, and then lighten things up a bit with a filler episode, before getting back into high gear with the season’s big story arc. Until the last few seconds of this past week’s episode, I was ready to write it off as “filler.” However, that final scene really catapulted this episode into one that will be remembered as we look back at the series’ most memorable moments. Through the years Smallville has featured many “coming out” moments, where Clark in one way or another comes clean about his abilities. With Pete, it seemed like a desperate plea to maintain his friendship. With Chloe, he simply admitted what she obviously already knew. With Lana, it was a heat of the moment confession (and in many ways, an act of desperation as well). With Lionel, it was a reluctant admittance. In order to save his mother, he had to openly display his abilities. Then there’s Tess. After months of playing games where she would make knowing claims, Clark just gave up weakly denying the truth. A dire moment occurred and he rather matter of factly acknowledged that he does indeed have abilities.

But this scene with Lois seemed different – somehow, more special. I really didn’t know how it was going to play out, as both seemed to have second thoughts about their previously rehearsed speeches. Lois was halfway out the door, and I expected both of them to put off this “moment” for another time. But then Clark softly said, “You’ve had a lot of questions about the Blur…..and it’s me.” He then turned to her and repeated, “I’m the Blur.” And it occurred to me that this was perhaps the first time that Clark told somebody his secret without any threat of losing them (which was the case with Lana and Pete) or without the knowledge that they already knew (which was the case with Chloe, Lionel, Lex, Tess, and virtually everybody else).

But with Lois, it was something he wanted her to know. She expressed why she understood Blur needed to conceal his identity, and Clark reiterated why the Blur can’t reveal his secret to those close to him. But then, when it seemed like he had an “out,” he decided to pull the trigger and tell her anyway. And while the sight of her leaping into his arms could have come across as ridiculous, I found it to be a genuinely sweet moment. Honestly, it did seem romantic, and it did seem like something they’d both look back on and celebrate.

As far as revelation scenes go, this one certainly ranks high on my list.

As far as the rest of the episode goes, to be honest, I don’t have a whole lot to say. I thought the stuff with Tess was nice and sweet. I liked the idea that Clark and Oliver view her as a soul that can be saved through kindness and trust. In turn, Tess believes that by genuinely loving Alexander, she can prevent him from turning into Lex. One thing I can’t help but worry about, though: Is that the “end game”? This clone growing up into the Lex we all know? Because if so, no actor (whether it’s this child or a teenaged version) will EVER be able to do this degradation into darkness as well as Michael Rosenbaum (who did it over a span of 5 or 6 years, and not 20 episodes).

Another thing: I could really do without Oliver going on and on about how much he and Chloe loved each other. I have no doubt that they cared deeply for each other and that they brought each other great joy, but let’s not rewrite history here. They basically began sleeping with each other because they were so depressed and miserable, and then, as luck would have it, they discovered they actually enjoyed each other’s company. I understand that they want to add some substance to their relationship, but does he really need to go on and on about her every single time he’s on screen? Chloe didn’t even talk this much about Jimmy (her husband) after he was murdered. I mean, enough already.