(no subject)
A couple weeks ago I inadvertently came across the spoiler that Tess is a Luthor. Back then I wasn't quite sure what to make of it, but watching it - I have to say, it adds a layer to her backstory that I actually think makes perfect sense. Because as much as I have grown to appreciate and value Tess as a character over these past couple years, frankly, I always found her introduction itself to the show very clunky. An all powerful character who pops out of nowhere, whom Lex apparently knew closely all these years, enough to warrant him leaving his entire empire in her name should anything happen to him. And we'd never even heard him mention her ever. Yeah, right. Of course, like I said, luckily for us, Tess grew into a fascinating character and CF' portrayal also had a lot to do with it but my general reaction to her introductory premise still holds. Until now. Because now the pieces all fit together for me. Of course Lex would leave his empire behind for her, his sister - Lena Luthor. I'm choosing to skip Lutessa, heh. No, but yeah - her connection to the Luthors just clicked for me here, and I'm now glad they went this route. One could argue that it muddles up her backstory, but I don't find that's the case at all. In fact, I think it simplifies it somewhat by giving us some context. Nor do I think this is a retcon, or that it contradicts any previous info we've had on her - Tess is still the same girl who was passionate about marine biology, still the same girl who was betrayed emotionally and found herself under the tutelage of Lex, still the same woman who found herself recruited by Checkmate. Still the same woman who found a new life purpose trying to protect Clark, and seek redemption through it. The only thing that has been added on is that missing first piece to her story. And now we have it.
This was CF' ep, and she nailed every scene, and how. The opening scene was creepy as hell, and her realization in getting to that end scene was quite powerful to watch, particularly her expression right there at the end - which, I don't quite know what to make of it, but I do know that it intrigued me. I liked the fact that this twist or revelation was woven in with introducing some key players in the Darkseid storyline, such as Granny Goodness, the furies and Desaad. GG was appropriately disturbing, and quietly menacing - very well cast. It was also good to see the furies, not just in context of the overall Darkseid storyline, considering the integral role they play there, but also in context of the Tess reveal - an unsettling look at where she was bound to end up. And Desaad - finally. I like the actor already. This is still probably the least interesting of the three main storylines (the other two being clone!Lex, and SS) to me, but with the introduction of these characters, and that final scene of theirs with Godfrey, it has picked up some promise.
While I liked the reveal therefore, and the intro of more Darkseid minions, I feel as if the ep overall, still didn't quite work. There were certain elements I found were off, such as just not feeling as if there was enough Clark in the picture. I don't know, I could be totally wrong, but his scenes felt too sporadic. Either that, or there was some wierd editing choices being employed, I'm not sure. It's not that I didn't like what we got - I did. I especially liked the use of Clark' powers in this one for instance, from the superhearing at the steps to the superbreath in captivity. I also appreciated how capably and confidently he maneuvered around at the WT. And of course, his words of support to both Lois and Tess were great too. I suppose, perhaps more than a lack of his presence even, it was his presence in the FOS/Jor-El part of the storyline that didn't quite work for me. I liked how in the beginning he corrected Lois by reaffirming that the FOS Jor-El, the AI, is just that, a machine. Not his father. Which is why I was disappointed that he seemed to regress on that notion towards the end.
Quite honestly, that entire part of the ep did very little for me, and in parts, annoyed me. Like Lois' suggesting in the beginning that it was Clark who cut ties with the AI, when in fact it was the other way around. Or the fact that a holographic image of his bio parents is suddenly supposed to make Clark, and us forget whatever shit the AI' pulled, thus far. Shit, which he continued to pull in this very ep too - what was up with hanging Lois in the air like that? What purpose did it possibly serve? Except to once again reiterate Jor-El' asshole-ish tendencies.
Because I really don't get what Lois, and the ep was trying to achieve here. Was it to show us and Clark how caring and loving the El' were? But that, we already knew. Not only did Clark, way back in 'Memoria' discover just how much his mother cared for him, but he also meets her later on, where he discovers just as much warmth. And by hearing a dying Jor-El tell him, himself how much he loved Clark in 'Kandor', Clark also knows that his father was not the maniacal piece of shit the AI is. So then where was the newsflash?
I also wasn't entirely comfortable with Lois taking it upon herself to find the key and go to the FOS. I love how close her and Clark are and that Clark has chosen to share his heritage and roots with her completely, but it still felt intrusive to me. But maybe that's just me and my wierd privacy issues, and I've shared a home with someone now for years and years, heh.
I actually think it might have been best if this FOS part hadn't taken place at all. Clois could have had their first scene, followed by that lovely moment of Lois watching her mothers tape (a scene in which I thought both ED ad TH were very terrific), and then it could have been bookended by their scene at the very end. With all the Tess/GG/Furies taking place in between, being expanded a little. I think I would've liked the ep a lot more if it had gone this way.
But oh well.
Oh, and now we know officially it was an engagement the question at the end of last week' eps was referring to.
This was CF' ep, and she nailed every scene, and how. The opening scene was creepy as hell, and her realization in getting to that end scene was quite powerful to watch, particularly her expression right there at the end - which, I don't quite know what to make of it, but I do know that it intrigued me. I liked the fact that this twist or revelation was woven in with introducing some key players in the Darkseid storyline, such as Granny Goodness, the furies and Desaad. GG was appropriately disturbing, and quietly menacing - very well cast. It was also good to see the furies, not just in context of the overall Darkseid storyline, considering the integral role they play there, but also in context of the Tess reveal - an unsettling look at where she was bound to end up. And Desaad - finally. I like the actor already. This is still probably the least interesting of the three main storylines (the other two being clone!Lex, and SS) to me, but with the introduction of these characters, and that final scene of theirs with Godfrey, it has picked up some promise.
While I liked the reveal therefore, and the intro of more Darkseid minions, I feel as if the ep overall, still didn't quite work. There were certain elements I found were off, such as just not feeling as if there was enough Clark in the picture. I don't know, I could be totally wrong, but his scenes felt too sporadic. Either that, or there was some wierd editing choices being employed, I'm not sure. It's not that I didn't like what we got - I did. I especially liked the use of Clark' powers in this one for instance, from the superhearing at the steps to the superbreath in captivity. I also appreciated how capably and confidently he maneuvered around at the WT. And of course, his words of support to both Lois and Tess were great too. I suppose, perhaps more than a lack of his presence even, it was his presence in the FOS/Jor-El part of the storyline that didn't quite work for me. I liked how in the beginning he corrected Lois by reaffirming that the FOS Jor-El, the AI, is just that, a machine. Not his father. Which is why I was disappointed that he seemed to regress on that notion towards the end.
Quite honestly, that entire part of the ep did very little for me, and in parts, annoyed me. Like Lois' suggesting in the beginning that it was Clark who cut ties with the AI, when in fact it was the other way around. Or the fact that a holographic image of his bio parents is suddenly supposed to make Clark, and us forget whatever shit the AI' pulled, thus far. Shit, which he continued to pull in this very ep too - what was up with hanging Lois in the air like that? What purpose did it possibly serve? Except to once again reiterate Jor-El' asshole-ish tendencies.
Because I really don't get what Lois, and the ep was trying to achieve here. Was it to show us and Clark how caring and loving the El' were? But that, we already knew. Not only did Clark, way back in 'Memoria' discover just how much his mother cared for him, but he also meets her later on, where he discovers just as much warmth. And by hearing a dying Jor-El tell him, himself how much he loved Clark in 'Kandor', Clark also knows that his father was not the maniacal piece of shit the AI is. So then where was the newsflash?
I also wasn't entirely comfortable with Lois taking it upon herself to find the key and go to the FOS. I love how close her and Clark are and that Clark has chosen to share his heritage and roots with her completely, but it still felt intrusive to me. But maybe that's just me and my wierd privacy issues, and I've shared a home with someone now for years and years, heh.
I actually think it might have been best if this FOS part hadn't taken place at all. Clois could have had their first scene, followed by that lovely moment of Lois watching her mothers tape (a scene in which I thought both ED ad TH were very terrific), and then it could have been bookended by their scene at the very end. With all the Tess/GG/Furies taking place in between, being expanded a little. I think I would've liked the ep a lot more if it had gone this way.
But oh well.
Oh, and now we know officially it was an engagement the question at the end of last week' eps was referring to.