Review of Smallville episode "Abandoned" - Trip Down Memory Lane with Guest Stars Galore!
You know what it's hard putting two screencaps into one, so I really don't think I did those scenes justice. For me the final season of Smallville continues to impress, and last night's episode was no different. I laughed, cheered, fangeeked, fansquealed, and cried throughout the whole episode. Episodes about parents will always bring the waterworks lol. "Abandoned" is truly one of my favorite episodes from the final season. It fulfilled so many fanwishes, confirmed several speculation theories, and progressed several storylines for the second half of the final season. In this episode Teri Hatcher (who played the 1990's Lois Lane from the tv show Lois & Clark) portrayed Lois Lane's deceased mother Ella Lane through the means of videotapes. Helen Slater (who played Supergirl in the 1980's) and Julian Sands returned to the show, together for the first time, as Clark Kent's biological parents Lara-El and Jor-El in the form of a holographic message in the Fortress of Solitude. These facts alone had me excited for weeks lol. Going into this episode there were a lot of expectations, and for me it was delivered.
Sooner Than You Think: Clois - When I saw the engagement ring and Ella Lane's wedding message to daughter I literally fangeeked out
. I wouldn't be surprised if Clois' proposal will be hinted until the mid-season finale lol. No matter the case I'm lovin' the foundation set-up to the proposal. The engagement ring is BEAUTIFUL!! I loved how supportive Clark and Lois were in regarding their parents. Clark knew Lois had to see those tapes, and she shouldn't feel guilty for not going to the hospital. Cut to the tape Ella reveals that she wouldn't allow her young daughter to see her anyways. Knowing the relief it feels hearing from a parent Lois knows that's exactly what Clark needs to hear from his own biological parents. Jump to the Kent farm, after listening to message, Clark looked so at ease as well. The emotional void and angst Clark has been feeling since "Lazarus" has now been lifted. A lot of individual character growth for both of these characters, and they did it together.
The Luthor Family Tree Continues to Grow: Tess' Background Reveal - I KNEW IT!! That was my first pick in E!Online's Spoiler Chat
. Great continuity with Lex's nanny from S1 "Crush". Pamela also has red hair just like Tess too. Lionel has a thing for red heads lol. In the recent comic books Lex Luthor also has a sister named Lena Luthor (Tess' biological middle name). Tess seems to be a blend of Lena Luthor, Lex's foster sister, and Mercy Graves the most. 'Cause comic book Lex has a foster sister who had an abusive foster father just like Tess. Tess' flashbacks were completely haunting, and they chose the perfect actress to portray young Tess because looked just like Cassidy. The Luthor reveal opens a whole bag of worms within the backstory, such as where was Tess for the first nine years of her life. Was she hidden from Lillian and Lex? Since Tess cried for Lionel as he left it makes it seem that Lionel would visit his daughter from time to time.
It's in character for Lionel to make sure his children were taken care for because both Lucas (everytime I see Paul Wesley's Stefan Salvatore on The Vampire Diaries I'm going to think of Tess now too lol) and Tess were to a degree, however; they still got the short end of the stick. Lucas' mother Rachel Dunleavy (S2 "Lineage" -- also a redhead lol) was forced to give him up for adoption only to never be adopted, and spent majority of his life in an unstable foster care. While Tess was given to an orphanage, and later to abusive father in the swamps of Louisiana. If Tess wasn't a child prodigy, then I can only imagine where she would end up. Sadly, Tess' biological mother Pamela Jenkins died of cancer so if Tess survives this season will she later get it herself. What I find amusing is how all of the Luthor children Lex, Tess, Lucas, and Julian (well Clone!Julian) were quick witted. They can all think on their feet quickly. Lex and Lucas are malipulative, greedy sociopaths whereas Tess and Clone!Julian followed their father's lead in redeeming the Luthor name. I'm curious to see where this storyline is going, and how rest of the Justice League will react not only to Clone!Lex but also Tess' family background.
Those Who Are Gone Are Not Forgotten: Jor-El, Lara-El, and Ella Lane - Those two scenes were just plain outstanding! That's Smallville in stellar form.It was nice to finally see Jor-El and Lara-El in the same place. My heart just melted seeing Lara kissing Jor's face *sniff*. Even though Helen Slater and Julian Sands never worked together, for me at least, I felt that House of El love between them. Their message was exactly what Clark needed to hear. Not from a machine or being told by a third party. In this specific situation Clark truly needed to hear from his biological parents. It's something Clark knew deep down, but it's completely different when you actually hear it. That's what I love about video and letters from loved ones. You know it's from them. I love that Jor-El noted his flaws, something Zod never admitted, and to say no matter what the machine says or does that his biological father would never lose faith in him *sniff*. That it does not include his emotional characteristics. To add to that saying that Clark has the strengths of both Lara-El and Jor-El. They were the Kents of Krypton
. This is the third time we have seen an emotional Jor-El (i.e. S3 "Relic" & S9 "Kandor"), so I wasn't surprised at the emotions Jor-El showed in the message. The continuity of living Jor-El whether it be in his early twenties or even as a clone were kept true once again.
Ella Lane's videotape to her eldest daughter....gawd.....
. My mother and I were in utter tears during the whole scene. It was beautifully written, and as my Mama said "everything Ella stated is true Mel"
. I'm still speechless over that tape. Teri Hatcher and Erica Durance did an exceptional job. It was a lovely good-bye, and it fulfilled a few fanwishes I have been dying to see since season four
. These two significant scenes were so pivotal for Clark and Lois' individual character growth thus allowing an amazing ride in the second half of the final season.
Darkseid's Unholy Trinity & Coming War: Granny Goodness, Desaad, and Gordon Godfrey - The moment Granny Goodness told Tess of the "coming war" and picking sides I couldn't help but fangeek a bit lol. Since I always been a fan of war stories in my sci-fi/fantasy stories I can't wait for the second half of the season to start. Granny seemed tone down to me compare to the other versions I am used to, however; she was just as creepy and the writers kept her iconic in her orphanage setting. There were moments where the facial expressions were quite similar to the other versions of Granny Goodness. Her female furies weren't in the episode a great deal, but I loved how they showed how twisted they got due to Granny's ability of 'clearing' their minds. Mad Harriet, played by Justin Hartley's wife Lindsay, was pretty decent especially in her torture scene with shirtless Clark (*drools*). I thought they did the female fury Lashina perfectly from her whip to her moves.
Desaad and his voice are quite sexy, but I would have liked to see him introduced at his club in "Supergirl" rather than in "Abandoned". I'm glad they remembered to note his fetish clubs for general viewers. Meanwhile, Godfrey is no longer possessed and continues to break people's spirit. I like the idea about the Unholy Trinity because it gives a clear objective of what has to be accomplished in the second half. In retrospective the war has already begun through the means of propaganda and psychologically. Two key elements in how questionable, unstable world leaders gain control in their countries.
References & Inside Jokes Galore! - My favorite reference and inside joke had to be young Tess writing the show's theme song "Somebody Save Me" on the wall lol. I just got a kick out of that inside joke hehe. CW Network President Dawn Ostroff was on Granny Goodness' Wall of Female Furies as well lol. The writers acknowledged the comic books left and right through the means of Granny's orphanage, Lashina and Mad Harriet's weapons, and the long history of Lena Luthor through the means of Tess Mercer's background. The background of Tess Mercer's name alone goes into the comic book stories of Contessa and Lena Luthor. Never will get tired of these comic book references.
Overall, I throughly enjoyed the episode due to closing off loose ends for Clark and Lois, fulfilling fanwishes, and setting up the second half of the final season. Looking forward to Aquaman's return in next week's episode "Patriot", and seeing some of the Justice League working together once again.