Smallville Season 7, Episode 14: Traveler
I really liked Clark's final scene with Lionel -- mainly because I liked what Clark said about the Luthors, and how it acknowledged a couple of truths about Lionel ever since knowing Clark's secret. It shows that knowing Clark's secret ultimately didn't make a difference in saving Lionel. Yes, Lionel, out of some warped since of protecting Clark, had him kidnapped in order to "protect" him, but Lionel *killed* in order to have the traveler all to himself. Even though Lionel likes to believe he's changed and is doing these things in the name of good, he is ultimately still the same, selfish person he was when we first met him. Lionel does what serves him best as Clark rightfully pointed out, and he has a history of doing this over the entire course of the show. Patricia's return reinforced the idea that Lionel couldn't run away from or change his past. Lionel's had that cage ready ever since around late s5, and the excuse of "it's for other Kryptonians" doesn't fly for me because why wouldn't he tell Clark about the cage or the danger he was in? Clark knew that Lionel's excuse that he would run out trying to find these people doesn't work, and it shows to me that Lionel was truly terrified of letting Clark out of his sight. Also, Lionel may have tried to pin the kidnapping on Lex, but it didn't work because Chloe had enough sense to double-check Lionel's story and because Pierce double-crossed him. It's funny to me because I couldn't see this happening with the Lionel of the earlier seasons, but I could easily see this happening with the Lex of the earlier seasons. Now, contrast that with how even though Lex may have lost Kara, he still gained something ultimately useful while Lionel didn't come out with anything at all. Instead, all he has done is lose Clark. The tides have definitely changed; Lionel's the one who is sloppy.
And I liked Clark's scene with Kara -- Also, in this scene, I didn't mind that Clark said both of the Luthors are a lost cause and that they don't do anything that doesn't ulitmately benefit themselves. I didn't view it as Clark forgetting what he learned in "Fracture" because (1) he did acknowledge that he and Lex were best friends at one point and (2) Unfortunately, Clark can't treat Lex as though he is doing good things again even though he knows "Alexander" is still in there because he has to go off by *how Lex acts*. When Lex decides to let "Alexander" influence his actions, then they'll be a change, but until then, Clark must treat him accordingly. Not to mention that he was talking to Kara at the time, and defending Lex at that point would've seemed odd since she knows that Lex did try to take advantage of her amnesia in order *to benefit himself*. There's being an optimist and willing to see the good in people, but that's totally different from having *blind faith and/or loyalty* to someone. Clark is the former.
Patricia Swann -- I really liked her. She seemed very interesting, and I really liked what she told Clark in their scene together. She had this sense of self-confidence and a smartness about her, and I was very sad to see her killed.
Clark -- Oh, Clark. I truly felt sorry for him, and it pained me to see him in that cage. You could tell that Pierce tortured him the entire time he was in there. Clark didn't ever break, but you could tell that he was suffering so much. However, he never, ever gave up. And boy, did I love the confrontation between Clark and Lionel. TW played Clark so well in that scene, showing that he hasn't forgotten who Lionel truly is, and he isn't buying what he's saying at all. TW is definitely showing how Clark becomes the Superman we all know and love, and the strength that the character has. It's easy for the audience to say that he doesn't need to worry since we all know who he ends up being, but to Clark? The idea that so many people have put so much faith and time into him starting from his arrival on this planet and have all of their expectations, hopes, and dreams riding on the idea that he is going to achieve greatness is something so, so huge that he is terrified of letting everyone down. Yet, he takes it in stride and tries to remain confident in the face of it all. It's a *huge* thing for Clark realize, and I think we're beginning to see the wheels turning in his head about who he is truly meant to be.
Chloe -- I loved Chloe through this entire episode. She displayed such an incredible amount of strength and perserverance throught this entire episode, and she handled everything so well. And I cannot express how much I love the FOS scene. She displayed bravery in wanting to face Jor-el and ask for Kara's memory back despite knowing what he is capable of. And I loved it when, in her plea, she told Jor-el that she loved his son. To me, that was such a monumental moment because she hasn't said that in a long time about Clark. Also, when Chloe makes her declarations of love, they tend to be memorable because she rarely does it. And I think their relationship is totally beyond saying "I love you" each and every moment. Actions do speak louder and words, so when she says things like this, the words are just icing on the cake. AM was definitely on in this episode.
Also, JG gave one of his best, if not his best, performance on this show ever. He was magnificent as someone who was clearly coming apart as the episode went on, and he was fascinating to watch. Excellent actor.
Overall, I'd give it an A-.