Reviews for "Smallville" 7x03-Fierce and Supernatural 2x02- The Kids are Alright
Another day, another night of "Smallville." Sorry this is so late. Possible spoilers ahead!
Three Female Thieves: So we get mean girls "Smallville" style. Lead by the evaliscious Eva of "America's Next Top Model" fame. Granted they were the standard mutants of the week. However, I liked that they weren't crazy, just your average greedy thieves, looking to score. It was a nice change. I also adore Clark's turned on look when they promenaded on the scene. For that look alone, I would have dug them. Also "Smallville" gets mucho points for the racially diverse background during said stroll. I was beginning to think that Pete, and Lex's newest minion were the only people of color in the state of Kansas.
The Barn Scene: I really loved the use of light throughout the whole episode, but none more so then in the opening Clana scene. When Lana stands in the barn door illuminated by sunlight. Where taken back to who Lana was at the start of the series. Once again she's the fairy princess high on her pedestal. A blank canvass, young and untried. It's a skillful illusion. For just as the door marks both the exterior and the way into the interior of the structure. Lana's guise of being the same girl she was at 15 lies only on the surface, a remnant of the past, that allows you to see into her present and her future. As Lana journeys father into the barn, the light changes. She becomes bathed in both light and shadow, showing her truer nature. Her walk thru the barn symbolizes both her journey thru life and her character growth from season 1 to the current season. Its also a direct parallel to traveling deeper into her inner psyche. Unlike the light filled entrance, Lana's nature is now one of gray. She's no longer that pure fairy princess, the idealized dream. She's now the mid point, the center, between Clarks white, and Lex's black. She's been touched by darkness and strife and even though she didn't fall, she will never see the world in the black and white way that Clark and Lex (To a certain extent. After all if your not with Lex your against him. There's no middle ground with him.) , ever again. On a completely shallow note both KK and TW looked gorgeous in all that golden light and the look of disbelief then relief on Clark face, followed by that lovely hug.......*sigh*. You'd have to have a harder heart then mine not to feel the love and passion they have for one another.
Kara: For blowing up the kryptonite alone I would worship her. Why oh why hasn't Clark ever done that. I'm beginning to think the crack Kara made about the "yellow sun burning Clarks brains out" is true. It's either that or Clark likes flopping around like a dying fish in the presence of kryptonite (I knew he was kinky). It's official, I pretty much love her and the fact that she's turning into the bratty little sister, to Clarks older brother/guardian. Inducting her into the Kent family by way of flannel was just so Clark. His expression when Kara came out in that bikini, a mixture of put upon "why me" aggravation, "oh know she isn't going out like that" outrage, and bashful, unwilling attraction "of damn my cousin is hot" was classic. He's determined to protect and guide, unfortunately this mean channeling Jonathan Kent which leaves Kara feeling stifled and unappreciated. I love how she snarks back to him, and doesn't let him get away with being a hypocrite. That comment about Clark being captain of the football team, when he was going on about not standing out was gold. As was her line about refusing to live Clarks life of suffocating repression. I laughed so hard, it's not even funny. Kara's smart and snappy, and Clark has to step up his game to keep up with her. This is good, since not many people challenge his decisions or his way of thinking. This is especially true of his Kryptonian side. I love that Kara is bringing up all the ways Clarks is different from humans. Her point about his life span in relation to humans, is something that hasn't really come up since Cassandra. Not only does this represent another chink in Lana/Clark getting together. But it also shows just how much in denial Clark is about who he really is. Until he's willing to face and accept his differences he'll never be able to make that leap to becoming Superman
Chloe: Anyone who reads my journal, knows I'm not the biggest Chloe fan. My reasons are legion, but one of the biggest is the writers tendency to use her as exposition fairy and all around super Chloe. Therefore I am cautiously optimistic of Chloe's current story arc. I love that the writers are addressing, that although she incessantly bangs the drums of truth in journalism, Chloe is actively involved in one of the biggest cover ups of the millennium. In an effort to protect Clark secrets, and get away from her meteor freak beginnings, she's squelched much of her own inherent curiosity, and drive and this has lead to her stagnation. While Lois unburdened by Clark's secrets, is free to let herself see all the possibilities that Chloe has not allowed herself to be aware of in years. The writers have managed to show that there is no rivalry between her and Lois, only Chloes conflict with her own instincts and inclinations. When she allows herself to see and then report the truth, she gets the recognition she craves. Which set's up an interesting dilemma of just what Chloe is willing to sacrifice to protect Clark. Its a nice parallel to Pete's quandary. Where his life was in danger from knowing Clark secret, Chloe's way of life is what's at risk. A death of the body vs one of spirit.
Lois: You weren't even in the episode and you still rock. Love that you've barley kicked the door in at the Planet an already your on assignment trying to wrangle perks out the company expense account and being considered for international stories in Rwanda. Rock on Lois, rock on.
Agent Carter: Not a big fan of small talk, what the hell are you doing in "Smallville," talk is all they do. Whether its Luthorian prose, or long winded exposition, or emo, heart felt confession. Its all talk, talk, talk, talk, talk. All day and all the time. Perhaps I might interest you in an Arnold Schwarzenegger film, circa late 80's early 90's.
Lana/Clark: Lana to Clark, "Maybe you don't know me as well as you think." Truer words have never been spoken. It's obvious that Clark loves Lana, it's also obvious that Clark doesn't know Lana. Maybe he never did. His image of her is stuck on the girl next door, that started the series. He doesn't see the changes the life and Lex have wrought in her. Clark to Lana, "Nothing could ever change the way I feel about you." Poor Clark he's in for a rude awakening. He sees Lana's strength but none of her ruthlessness, and this is going to cause problems later on. Thank you writers for ending Clana the right way. Not thru some contrived gimmick but thru their moral incompatibility.
Lex/Kara: Whoa, that scene was intense. Kudos to Michael, because he owned that scene. He ran a gauntlet of emotions, from flirty, to demanding, to frenzied. I also give him props for straight out confronting the elephant in the room. Last time Lex tried to coax Clark's secret, while investigating him behind his back (In the Luthor mind this is an acceptable form of courtship, while even the alien from another planet knows that's messed up). This time he's going for a more direct approach. As much as I applaud this more honest overture, Lex is still demanding answers to questions he has no right to ask. Its still all about his ego and his needs, and that's not how relationships work.
Lex is under the misconception that someone can save him, when he's the only one in charge of his salvation. It's rather painful to watch him believe that this time it'll be different. This time he'll be saved. Lex's sense of desperation in that scene was both palpable and scary. Kara's response to him, was played just right. Part coquette, a bit unknowing innocent and a whole lot highly disturbed. Then there's that line he made about how he would have protected others if they'd only told him the truth. God, could Lex be anymore in love, yet still not get it. This is why Lex is the villain. He never learns from his mistake. There's no growth with him only more bitterness and discontent. His fall is sad but inevitable.
Lana/Lex: I feel like I'm a parrot I've been saying this so much this season, but the Lexana scene was awesome. It was like watching a game of chess between a master and the newest prodigy. Lana the White Queen is trying to use Lex the Black King as her personal pawn. Making him come to her, giving her the seeming advantage. Lex appears as the supplicant assuring Lana that he's fixed things with the DA, then apologizes again for what he did out of love. He appears penitent and probably believes himself to be, but both we and Lana know better. The Black King has plan within plans, and nothing with him is ever what it seems on the surface. The White Queen refutes his apology and Lex again seems to yield. His offerings a pending divorce and settlement. Lana imperious and proud proclaims she neither needs nor wants his money. This is when the Black King begins to show his hand. For Lex wryly proclaims that he assumes her distaste for his money excludes the 10 million she embezzled from him. The White Queen is still proud but now it's tinged with embarrassment and defensiveness. Lana argues that she took the money only to escape him. The Black King soothes that he's not admonishing her, he's proud of her resourcefulness. A praise and a jab all at the same times, how very Luthor. Lex begins to leave seeming to concede victory to the White Queen only to observe that Clark probably won't feel the same. Check! He then mentions his interest in Clarks cousin, and how he can't wait to meet her. Checkmate! I along with the rest of the viewing audience now needs a cigarette. Why the hell didn't Lexana have this amount of tension, heat, plotting, and bitter repartee when they were actually a couple. Now that would have been must see TV.
Supernatural
It's the second episode of the season and I'm revving to go. Its your standard monster ep, the inference on fairytales instead of urban legends this time. Maybe it's me or maybe I'm just spoiled but a bunch zombie kids asking for their mummy was done first and better by Dr. Who. Not that it didn't have it's moments. The scene with one of the mother's cowering in the bathroom while her changeling child tried to get in was particularly evocative. But for my money the most intriguing parts were those that concerned how Sam and Dean were coping with the aftermath of last season. It's also interesting how Dean and Sam were separated for most of the show. First Dean at the party, while Sam was in the diner talking to Ruby, then Dean in the park with Mini!Dean, while Sam investigated the mysterious deaths in the neighborhood. They only to came together, to find the children and kill the mother changeling. Even then Sam was upstairs while Dean was downstairs freeing the children. This is unusual since usually you can't pry Dean away from his baby brother. Could this possibly be Dean's way of preparing Sam for when he will no longer be there? Or is this a new theme for the third season. Where Dean and Sam, travel on separate paths but parallel journeys. After all, their both grappling with questions of who they are, and what their place in life is. Their also both dealing with Deans impending death, only their means and methods are disparate.
Dean: I especially enjoyed Dean's search for life meaning thru him possibly having a child. It's certainly possible given the amount of casual sex Dean's had and I enjoy when a show use the character's traits to push and inform the storyline. The kid who played Mini!Dean had his speech and mannerism down. Which made it easier to see why Dean bonded so quickly with him. It also shows once again what a nurturer Dean is at heart. When Dean finds out that no Mini!Dean is not his you can feel his crushing disappointment. His need to leave something of himself before he goes. It shows, that despite appearances Dean is not without regrets about dying.
The Women at the Party: Ha! BestSexEver!Dean is now his new name. Canonically, he is the man. The man who if he isn't careful will find himself tied up naked to those women's bedpost for life. Not that I can blame them.
Ruby: You know I've been pretty disparaging of Ruby!TheFauxDemonHunter. After her whole Not!Angel cryptic routine, I was all ready with the snark. Then I saw her eyes fade to black, and she suddenly became way more interesting. I don't think she's seeking redemption by helping the helpless. She has a strategy, one that currently coincides with helping Sam. I can't wait to find out what she really wants, and what will happen when she no longer needs Sam.