Smallville Season 7, Episode 12: Fracture
Where to begin?
The Clex: "Trust me, Clark. You're my best friend" -- I think a part of Lex has never really given up Clark as a friend, and Alexander represented that side of him. And I liked that Clark got to see first hand the abuse of Lionel (and I'd even say Lillian) during his childhood. I think Clark's always figured Lex had a rough childhood, but he never really understood that until tonight. I also liked Clark running back to save Alexander instead of going for the red door. Clark's willing to risk his own safety to try and save whatever good remains inside of Lex by saving Alexander. Also, the final scene between Alexander and Clark was a thing of beauty. It's what so many fans have been waiting to hear, and I thought they delivered. Clark is finally getting a chance to say what he wants to say to Lex, and it reveals so much about what Clark thinks about Lex. Clark wants so desperately to see the good side of Lex again and wants Alexander to promise he'll see him again. Also, I loved it when Clark called him his friend because that part of Lex? Is why Clark and Lex were friends in the first place; he saw the good in him. Clark wants this side of Lex to keep fighting to come out because he thinks there's still hope. Clark telling him that he's there for him just seemed so sad to me because by clinging to the good, he's waiting for that side of Lex to come out again. It's just so bittersweet because as an audience we know it's not going to happen, and it just kills me. You could even say that Clark beating up bad Lex at the end was supposed to symbolize Clark wanting to stop the bad in Lex. I also liked the final Clex scene at the mansion mainly because Clark tells Lex that it's not him who's Lex's voice of reason; it's Lex himself. For me, it all goes back to Lex ultimately being responsible for the choices he makes, and that as much as Clark wants to see the best in Lex, he's not the one who can prevent Lex from going down a path of darkness. Only Lex can do that. Clark finally realizes that "there's nothing that's lost that can't be found again" in this episode. Another thing that stood out to me is Lex's "I grew up" line in response to Kara asking why they stopped being friends. I thought it symbolized that Lex's friendship to Clark reminded him of his childhood years since he never really had a friend when he was younger. It was like a wish fulfillment, and now, it's over.
The Chlark: Chloe saving Clark and Clark waiting for 18 hours at Chloe's bedside is really touching. I felt for him when he said he's been thinking about what he'd say at her funeral because Chloe dying really is one of Clark's worst fears. It's been awhile since Clark and Chloe have discussed Chloe's power, and I think they handled it well. Clark really does want to know if Chloe will use power again even if it means risking her life, and I think Chloe's confusion is a totally understandable feeling. Her power is amazing, but at the same time, it's been proven very dangerous. For Chloe to automatically choose to save Clark and Lex really shows that she wants to do good things with her powers. I also liked her questioning why she has this power, and I hope we'll see why before the season's over.
I think everyone gave good performances this episode, especially TW, MR, and the actor who played Alexander. Meyer, Septien, and Caroline Dries did a very good job with writing the episode because it felt like everyone was behaving true to his/her character, and that has been sorely lacking for parts of this season.
Overall, I'd give this episode a B.