"Apocalypse" Review With Screencaps
Smallville's Alternature Universe scenarios always mean something and they're always both obvious and cloaked inside a mystery at the same time.
"Apocalypse" is no different. I'm pretty sure that we can deduce a lot of things that will happen in the future of the reality just by going on the events that happened within the AU. The "What" is all there, but the "How", the "Why", and the "When" are still up for grabs.
All I know for sure from the AU is that Nois = Penelope, that she will get shot by Lex (or, at least, the story demands it), and that things within the AU are not exactly what they appear to be.
Click on Images to Resize.
Clark Kent?
I really hope that Clark Kent takes something away from the whole experience in the AU and we get to see some REAL growth from him in the next few episodes on into next season. It's about time that they stop stalling with his character and really go for it.
I think seeing the world as HE knew it WITHOUT him was a HUGE wakeup call, but all in all, he handled it rather well. Once he realized that he didn't exist in their world, he adapted and played along with the fact that people wouldn't know who he was and he'd have to introduce himself and work within the history and time of their environment.
In the AU, Clark Kent is actually a blonde mortal (hence, the white t-shirt, versus the blue to complete the "super" look). Do I wish that they had used the "Chris" Kent instead? Yes. It would have paid homage to Christopher Reeve and the ComicChris and that would have been super cool. On a Chloisy level, it's funny that "Clark Kent" is blonde.
I wondered, though, if "Clark" was adopted by the Kents or if he was actually their biological son? The spoilers said that he was adopted, didn't they? But, the episode never really mentioned it.
The only reason Martha could get pregnant back in S2 was because of the ship's miracle, right? So, if there was no ship that landed in the Smallville field, then there would be no miracle? Am I thinking that through correctly? In going with that, I'm assuming that Martha would not have been able to conceive and therefore, "Clark" is adopted. But, boy, does he look like John Schneider...
Chlark
George Dean: Oh, shoot. I'll be right back.
Chloe: Okay. [Laughs] I'll be waiting for you.
Thank you, Smallville, for showing that Chloe can do better than Jimmy Olsen :)
When I first heard the Chloe Engagement spoiler, I thought, "Oh, please, make him hot" and well, they didn't disappoint because Mr. George Dean is a VERY attractive man. I'm sad that his name wasn't mentioned, again, because it fails to pay tribute to Supermen actors and "Apocalypse" being a Superman episode, it was upsetting that there was a missed opportunity there. I'm guessing family members didn't allow it? But, why not? It's honoring those actors for contributing to a great American legend. Oh well.
AUChloe went to SHS, was a reporter for The Torch, was never friends with Lana Lang (without the mutual friendship with Clark, they wouldn't have been), and is engaged to a police officer at the MPD (which is what NoirAUClark was), who wears a shield emblem on his chest, a jacket, is mild-mannered (Anybody else catch him say "shoot" instead of cussing? Heh.), and will be "waiting for" him outside of the shop.
George Dean, you are the AU's other Clark Kent. :)
Kinda makes me laugh because on LnC, THLois dates Agent Scardino who works for the government, who was kind of a Clark stand-in as well. THLois liked him romantically and she liked that he was after justice and trying to help people, but in the end, he was not the right man for her. Much like how Richard White in "Superman Returns" is a great guy, a newspaper man, a pilot (who flies), and acts in the manner of a hero (trying to save KBLois and Jason) being everything that KBLois needs...just not the right guy.
Allison plays Chloe very happy with George and I dug that a lot because well, she should be. He's a really sweet guy who is insanely good-looking, and treats her well. I don't think we've seen Chloe this happy since maybe "Thirst" (when she gets hired by Kahn at The DP) or even "Tempest" (going as Clark's date to the Spring Formal).
She's even got her HappyCarefreeChloeGirlfriendHair with the curls :)
I love that George not only comes up and touches her shoulder (which is very much done so that the engagement ring is exposed and Clark and the camera can see it), but he sort of massagers her neck/shoulder with his thumb. It's a little thing that really sticks out to me that shows how much he loves her and how affectionate they are to one another.
When George touches her, she immediately goes to reach for his hand, which I thought was really sweet (again, to show the ring, but still).
AUChloe turns Clark's invitation to help him location Lana, which is very different from RUChloe. RUChloe would drop ANYTHING to help Clark. But as I saw it? AUChloe already had her crimefighting life partner with George. She probably helps him investigate in his work for the MPD.
Clark tells AUChloe that he's happy for her, but something about that face doesn't seem to scream "happy" to me :)
And, how awesome is that shot of Chloe looking back at him? SO awesome. Vidding fodder.
Why does Chloe always have to come to Clark? Dude can superspeed. She shouldn't be wasting time and gas meeting up with him. That's some bad writing that comes out of her needing to be at the barn with Clark. But, I guess if she was at home, she wouldn't be too far away.
All of Clark's focus on stopping Brainiac is because of Lana and that royally upsets me. I know Superman wouldn't want anyone to suffer or be hurt, but come ON. I think it even gets to Chloe and that's why she tries so hard to get him to understand that the WORLD needs him, not just ComaLana up in the mental institution. I laughed about Chloe's "but, you have to stop Brainiac" because it's like, "THANK YOU!"
Chloe: ...Clark, look at what's at stake. You don't have a choice.
Clark: I do have a choice, Chloe, and I'm making it right now. Ever since I arrived, all I've brought is death and suffering, meteor freaks, phantoms, Brainiac.
Chloe: Clark, you've done so much good. You can't blame yourself for all the bad in the world.
Clark: It's not blame, Chloe. I'm taking responsibility for all the lives that I've ruined, including Lana's.
Chloe: Clark, this is not the time to be stubborn, okay? Don't do this! We need you! I need you!
Clark: Chloe, you'll be fine. Once I'm gone, you'll have no idea I was ever here.
Chloe: No! I'm not letting you off that easy! You're going back to Krypton now! Before it's too late.
Clark: This planet will be better off if I never existed.
I love that Chloe isn't going to let him sit around and have a pity party.
I love that she tries to get him to see the big picture.
I love that she reaffirms how much everyone NEEDS him, including herself. But, notice that she puts the world BEFORE herself.
I love that it's a reversal of "Cure" in that she was forcing herself to accept the idea of forgetting Clark as long as it would get her cured and someone would be around to help her remember and now, here? She DOESN'T WANT to be without him (or memories of him).
They hash it out and at some point, after Chloe makes her plea, she realizes that it's his decision to make, just like "Cure" was Chloe's decision to make and even though Clark didn't like it, he had to let her go. The way they make decisions together is very interesting to me.
When Clark comes back out of the AU, I love Chloe's combined expression of amazement, confusion, and happiness. She is SO glad that Clark doesn't fade away and out of her life that she has no response, but to throw herself into his arms and wrap hers around him. She truly does need him.
I'm sorry, but that mess? Is romantic.
Lana Lang Marries Pete Ross
Good call by meemalee on TWoP that Pierre Rousseau is the French version of Pete Ross.
The SV Production Team is so great in the amount of detail that they add to seemingly small pieces of props. The newspaper clipping isn't onscreen for very long, but it tells you everything you need to know about Lana's future with Pierre and their family (which, I think can also be applied to Lana's relationship with Lex):
After traveling extensively throughout Europe and Africa with Mr. Rousseau's research, the two decided to say their vows to each other.
"I found my Prince in my husband, Pierre. He is everything I dreamed a man could be. His intelligence and engagement in fighting world hunger, his unselfish motivation and drive absolutely melts my heart. He is very fortunate that he is capable of donating, not only his time and his education, but also his family money and strong reputation."
"I am very proud to have married Pierre. He has given me a purpose in life. We now have two wonderful children who have the opportunity to see the world through Pierre's eyes. I am overwhelmed by the life I am fortunate enough to have found in France. My previous existence in Smallville feels like another life. A life that was not mine!"
So many fun things to discuss from the newspaper interview!
1) Lana lives in France, which of course, is associated with EvilLana from S4 as well as her trying to get away from her problems in Smallville and her struggle to find her purpose, which she thinks may be found at the art school in Paris.
2) Lana calls Pierre her PRINCE, which is interesting, considering The Pilot and how she is dressed like a princess.
3) The Rousseaus, apparently, have a similar lifestyle as the Ross'. Strong reputation? I associate with Pete's JudgeMom. Money? The Ross' have a Creamed Corn business that might not have been messed around with by the Luthors in the AU.
4) A "life that was not hers"? Hmm. Don't know exactly what to make of that, but I think the article and the mention of Pierre is telling us that Lana is not meant to be with Clark, that the life of his girlfriend and the love of his life is not hers to live.
Sheriff Adams!
How much do I miss this chick? Oh, so much.
I always kind of felt like she was the representative of the South, in some ways, just with her accent and the way she operated.
I think it's interesting that the same episode that brings back Sheriff Adams, who was always the one to encourage Clark to look into a career in law enforcement ("Mortal" / "Lockdown"), there is a Clark Kent stand-in (Chloe's fiance', George Dean) who is actually ON the force.
I feel like her character or the character she "represents" (in the RU, it could be someone else since, well, she got killed in S5; would it have been Vanessa from "Sleeper"?) could be integral at the end of this season. We know in the AU she is working for the government and she is working with AUNois on something (is it the memo signed by Milton Fine authorizing the false report that AUKara gives AULex?) the big that leads to AUNois' arrest.
Couple of things that could be interpreted out of that:
1) If AUNois' future is reflective of RUChloe's (which it is, considering both are in trouble with the DDS and get arrested), does that mean that a government employee will give RUChloe information that sends her to jail? Is that how it happens or is it still related to Chloe's actions in "Sleeper"?
In "Sleeper", Jimmy says this...
Jimmy to Chloe: You were sitting on enough classified information to start a nuclear war!
Interesting that the classified information that Sheriff Adams gives to AUNois in "Apocalypse" is a memo authorizing a false report that ends up convincing Lex to launch his nukes.
2) Is some government employee going to hand RUNois some piece of evidence that will get her motivated to go after Lex and get her in trouble? We know Nois could randomly have government agency contacts (mostly, military-related) that get pulled out of thin air like they always do, so I don't see it as much of a stretch, but not sure what the evidence in the envelope is about.
Jimmy Olsen
They definitely did a Superman: The Movie moment with AUNois and AUJimmy with him playing with his focus while on her, which yes, is Iconic, but at the same time, only something I really associate with MKLois. And, even in this situation, she's not posing for it in a fun way, she's just walking around while he sort of stalks her :)
Jimmy is an established reporter, who from what we can make out of the dialogue, has quite a reputation, but still needs to work on his "focus issues", according to his female editor (No Perry?). If there is no Perry White at The Planet, does that mean that because Clark didn't exist in the AU, that Perry never got over his alcoholism and destroyed career?
Clark: Nice bowtie.
Jimmy: Oh, thanks. Yeah, it's um, [looks around for AUNois] it's a present from an old girlfriend. She mighta taken my heart away, but she left me with a sense of style.
Maybe this is stretching, but instead of Jimmy talking about Chloe (which, I think most of the audience thought he was, considering "Crimson"), what if he was actually talking about AUNois? I just kinda got the feeling about that since he was looking around for her while addressing the "old girlfriend". It could make sense as to why AUNois rejects him as a photographer and knows where he lives.
Just throwin' that out there, but I think we are supposed to associate the bowtie with Chloe. Although, we have no confirmation that they even know each other in the AU, so...
It's probably their attempt at showing Jimmy Olsen with a crush on "Lois Lane".
Jimmy works at RUChloe's DP desk.
Not sure what to make of that, but it definitely seems as if AUChloe is not in the basement anymore or doesn't work there at all. We were told in spoilers that both AUNois and AUChloe would be star reporters, so not sure when that was dropped.
Jimmy: Don't be so hard on him, he just found out that his old flame is doing the "Last Tango in Paris" with a French Philanthropist.
Oh, Jimmy, don't say "tango".
President Lex Luthor
I'm glad they finally went back to the "Hourglass" prophecy. When Lex lost the state senate election to Jonathan Kent in S5, I thought maybe that was going to be the extent of Lex's political involvement and that the President thing wouldn't come to pass, even though it should have.
AUPresidentLex: All I ever wanted was for mankind to reach its highest potential.
I loved that line because that is so reflective of Lex's goals for humanity in Lex Luthor: Man of Steel (which is one of my favorite comic stories):
Lex to Superman: Those red eyes, I'm sure they look right through me, like I am nothing more than a nuisance, but when I see you? I see something no man can ever be. I see the end. The end of our potential. The end of our achievements. The end of our dreams. You are my nightmare.
I love Lex Luthor: Man of Steel because it truly lays out a reason for Lex to hate Superman because Superman is something nobody else can live up to. That he is the best the world can offer. That no matter how much money Lex makes or how much power or influence he has, he can never top that.
I think it's interesting that the prophecy of Lex being President only seems to come true, only when there is no Clark Kent to stop him.
PresLex is evil, y'all. He wears a black glove (seriously, they should have addressed it for non-comic fans), the white suit, and is literally and symbolically, playing games with the world. The fire/hell/devil imagery returns from "Descent".
AUPresidentLex: Great leaders are defined by the difficult decisions they make.
Brainiac: Mr. President, history shall forever remember your name.
"Apocalypse" emphasizes that people will remember Lex's name, while conversely, "Descent" hit on the fact that nobody would remember Lionel's name.
I noticed a couple of folks on TWoP saying "why did Lex initiate the launch before he was safe?"...
Well, from what I can tell, it's because he gave himself 29 hours to get to safety.
Clois or Chlois?
I think it's funny that for an episode that seems so full of CNois on the surface, there were a lot of interesting Chloisy bits to factor in.
AUNois shared some traits with RUChloe.
Instead of typing them all out, I'll document them in visual comparison...
A few more things:
- talks about "meteor freaks" which, of course, is Chloe's terminology; she makes the connection from the meteor shower to the weird things that happen in SV and has her Wall of Weird
- bosses Jimmy around like NoirRU
- Nois talks just like Chloe
- AUNois is arrested by the DDS, just like RUChloe was investigated by the DDS in "Sleeper" and will be arrested by them in "Arctic"
- AUNois talks about how she knows all about "unrequited love" (very much a Chloe thing, well, until Clark wakes up, anyway)
- AUNois bumps into Clark at The DP, very much in the same manner as AUChloe did in "Noir" with Jimmy watching, except there is no cute breast pat :)
Nois = Penelope, for realsies.
If you didn't believe it or see it by now, "Apocalypse" made it abundantly clear. Credit to Massena, Marta, and Chi for making the connection of Clark getting shot, while wearing the "Lois Lane" badge.
Clark goes undercover with glasses and business attire, much like Nois in "Action".
AUPresidentLex uses a very Devilicus-y gun. Credit to the TWoP Chlois Thread for catching the similarities in the guns.
Shot right before the bullet is fired, there is focus on the bullet coming out of the gun, like something monumental is happening. I think it's also possible that in "Apocalypse", the shot is there to show us that there is a Green K bullet in the gun, but...I think the similarity of the shots is intriguing because in the WA #5 scene of Penelope's death, there is a panel of the bullet coming out of Devilicus' gun as well as a moment during the filming of the Devilicus/Penelope scene in the movie version, so it's part of the foreshadowing and it definitely indicates this was a Devilicus/Penelope encounter in "Apocalypse".
AUPresidentLex strikes a Devilicus pose.
Clark, wearing "Lois Lane's" Daily Planet press pass (so, the name doesn't mean all THAT much, does it?) is shot in the stomach, which is ComicPenelope's wound location.
Clark, while still wearing AUNois' press pass, is shot in the left shoulder, which is the same wound RUNois gets in "Descent".
Nois even wears Penelope Blue in the reality.
I just don't see how it can be argued that Lex is not meant to shoot ED's character. The only combination left is for him to actually shoot her. They've been teased around each other with guns in 4 episodes now. It has to happen, storywise. And, now that MR is not coming back for S8? It has to happen THIS season for the set up to get a payoff.
I'm not trying to get my hopes up, but I think there is a lot of potential there for Nois to get shot in "Arctic", just out of needing to make good use of Rosenbaum before he checks out.
Brainiac: Baby Killa
Brainiac: Not every boy grows up to be a hero.
SV totally stole the "villain goes back in time to kill Baby Kal-El so there is no Superman in the future" bit from LnC and Tempus. I can understand why, though...because it's awesome.
As a Christian, it reminds me of how King Herod tried to rid his kingdom of babies who could potentionally overthrow him because he was jealous and fearful that it could happen.
Brainiac wears all black and is basically going to sacrifice baby Kal.
Baby Kal-El covers his eyes with his blankey. Too cute!
I do like that the villains get control over the government. That Brainiac is pretty much responsible for Lex's election victory. They know that the REAL power is through the Presidency.
I think Brainiac's laugh while Kara tries to destroy him (by the way, she picked up a boulder and threw it on him, heh) is a haunting sign that we haven't seen the last of him and that he has something up his sleeve.
Kara Kent
Kara was sent to Earth to kill Kal-El? What?
Even in the AU, Kara's ship still gets submerged in Reeve's Dam, just like it happens in the reality. Lionel dies guarding HER secret from the world (not only is that sort of true in regards to Lionel's protection of Clark, but also of Jonathan's death to protect Clark).
I loved that even though Kara was working under EvilPresidentLex's administration and rounding up meteor freaks, she was still Supergirl. She wore an American flag pin and talked about protecting the country, standing up to Lex which she thought something was out of line.
PresidentLex manipulating and using Kara's alien powers is much how I think RULex would take advantage of Clark if he knew Clark's true identity and secret.
Maybe it's just me, but I laughed at Lex's admonishment to her when he says "Look at me!". I don't know why, but that was funny.
Kara gets shot in the left shoulder, like Clark. What is it with the left shoulder business? Geez. Smallville, are you trying to make me relive all my shoulder issues? It's been almost a year and a half since my last dislocation and I just celebrated a year since my surgery, so yes, that makes me cringe :)
But, give it up for the symbolism of Kara being shot and agonizing in pain over the Presidential seal on the floor.
Kara is given a Green K bracelet again.
Clark: We can't change the past, Kara. We can only affect the future.
Kara: Whatever that future is, I want you to know that I'll always be there. [Touches Clark's hand.] I'm here for you.
Love the cousin love and I think it's interesting that like Chloe, Kara is there for Clark.
Sweet Home Krypton
Fans has been wanting to see more of Krypton and its destruction on Smallville and this season, TPTB really delivered. Although, I think it went by way too quickly in "Apocalypse".
I really liked seeing the Red Sun.
A lot of the qualms I have with the Krypton / Time Travel stuff are what I think a lot of people have already spoken about on the boards:
- Has Clark changed his memory and replaced his parents with himself?
- How is it okay for PresentClark to see PastClark and not have any consequences?
My only real experiences with paradoxes in storytelling are mainly from Back to the Future, the Time Turner stuff from Harry Potter, and the little bit I know from Heroes and Lost and the commonality that I get from all of that is that you're not supposed to run into your other self. They make a big deal about that in Back to the Future and in HP because it could screw things up or make you go crazy.
Not sure if that matters in the Smallville timeline, but I just found it odd.
Although, I did laugh about PresentClark holding PastClark because I felt like he was thinking "man, I was a cute baby!' :)
Iconic shot of Baby Kal-El's ship flying away from a Krypton, blowing up. Very LnC-ish.
Cool Shots
I really enjoyed these 2 shots, immensely.
Props to the DP, the CGI folks, and Director, Tom Welling.
It wasn't a shot, but an audio transition, but I just wanted to add that I liked the voice effect going from Brainiac to Jor-El.
Overall Thoughts
Did anyone even use the word "Apocalypse" during the episode? I know AUNois says "Armaggedon", but I thought it was strange that nobody actually said the title.
I actually liked "Apocalypse" because I think it's mysterious and will hopefully serve as a way for Clark to open his mind that the world needs him. I think that was the theme of the episode and I would like to see some evidence in future episodes that Clark is coming to grips with that.
"Apocalypse" could be interpreted several different ways, but I think that's the point. I think it throws out different scenarios to keep us guessing from which one will actually come to pass.
One thing I definitely know, is that this AU is not what it appears to be on the surface.
