Episode 502 - Mortal Review




"Mortal" Review

Written by Carol

DISCLAIMER - Please remember that this review does not represent the opinions/viewpoints of everyone; it is the personal opinions of the reviewer only. Thank you.

In Mortal, Clark's dream of having a normal relationship with Lana comes true and he must work to save his loved ones, using only his intellect and the technical props he has at his disposal. Also in this episode, Chloe steps into her new role as his secret protector, confidante and side-kick; Lex sets a dangerous trap to catch Clark using his superpowers; and Clark and Lana consummate their love.

Set against the back drop of the rebuilding effort that is taking place in Smallville after the 2nd meteor shower, the theme of this episode is putting the past behind and starting over with a new beginning. Clark to Lana: "Maybe this time it's different. Maybe it's not the end of something, but a new beginning, a second chance . . . whatever we've both done is in the past now. The past can't hurt us anymore."

Tom's performance: Tom was outstanding in his portrayal of a young man in love who is excited about having a new beginning and is filled with wonder about all that lies ahead. He was equally convincing as a young hero determined to save his family and the girl he loves; and he was heartbreakingly poignant at the end as the young man who realizes that life as a normal human being is not what he thought it would be like. Tom brilliantly transitioned Clark from one scenario to the next.

The Good

Clark: Clark learns a lot in this episode. He learns that Level 3 is not a myth and his growing suspicions that Lex can not be trusted are finally confirmed. He also learns that "sometimes it's easier if you just turn off the power." I loved seeing Clark, sans superpowers, triumph over obstacles and still save the day. His abilities make him super-powered but it's his inherent nature that makes him a hero. He also learns that "you can never be certain what's going to happen tomorrow," a lesson about enjoying the moment and an ominous foreshadowing of where this season will take Clark and us along with him.

Clark and Lana: This is not the first time Clark has lost his abilities and has experienced what it's like to be "normal." We saw him enjoy playing basketball with his friends and feeling tired and sore afterwards in "Leech." But it is the first time since the Pilot episode, where we saw him looking up at the stars and dreaming about being with Lana, that Clark has had a chance at a fairly normal relationship with the girl of his dreams.

I was delighted as he and Lana playfully made their way up the hill to the Kent Farm (nice foreplay) and I also loved the sweetly sexy way in which they realize that they have the barn all to themselves. Clark is so tender with Lana and wants to slowly savor his "first time" with her. I couldn't help but think of the last time he was in a similar situation with Alicia and how rushed and impulsive he was under the influence of the Red K necklace he was wearing. This time is different. He is in full control of his faculties and is able to appreciate the enormity and specialness of what they are about to do. They both confide that they haven't been with anyone before and he assures Lana that she's the only one he's ever really loved. And when he says, "It's only been you, Lana" I melted right along with her.

Chloe: Having just learned that Clark is an alien, Chloe now has to accept that "presto, chango, he's just your average Kansas farmboy." Although she believes he's destined for much more, she's willing to abide by Clark's wishes to let it go and she's truly happy for him to finally have what he's always wanted. I have never loved Chloe more. She is, at this point, a true best friend to Clark. She's loyal, supportive and giving. She's not telling him what he should or shouldn't do or trying to control him to suit what she wants. She trusts Clark to make his own decisions and she looks up to him.

Clark and Chloe: I thought the collaborative effort between Clark and Chloe while they were breaking into Level 3 at LutherCorp was fun and entertaining; and the scene with Clark crawling through the air vent system, where Chloe finds out that Pete not only knew Clark's secret but also saw his spaceship, was really cute and funny. Both Tom and Allison played that scene well and the comic timing between them was perfect.

Clark and Lex: When Clark finds out that Lex was behind the scheme that put his loved ones in danger, he boldly confronts Lex. Because of his superstrength, he's always had to restrain his physical actions so we rarely get to see Clark throw a punch at someone. But without his powers, he feels free to punch Lex out. It was great to see Clark in action and to see Lex get what he deserved. Clark has always stood up for Lex and given him the benefit of the doubt, which Lex has always counted on. In this episode Clark finally accepts that Lex is not a true friend and there is no more doubt. Lex sees that Clark's lip is bleeding and realizes his scheme has backfired on him. It was a tense emotional scene and both Tom and Michael played it well. This scene also serves to temporarily throw Lex off his suspicions of Clark.

Sheriff Nancy Adams: Camille Mitchell brings just the right amount of small town hokeyness, comic relief and seasoned law enforcement experience to her portrayal of Smallville's quirky sheriff. As a result, she's a favorite recurring character of mine. She picks up right away that things are not as they seem at the Kent Farm and I loved her comment when one of her officers asks her what is going on. Without missing a beat, she answers, "Another day in Smallville."

Ending Scene: When Clark returns to Lana's apartment after his confrontation with Lex he is weary of the day's events. Their earlier scenes together were light and carefree. In those scenes, Clark was like the young innocent boy he was with Lana in the earlier seasons. Now it is night and the apartment is dimly lit with candlelight. There is a sense of heaviness as Clark tells Lana "I thought I knew what my life would be like now. I thought it would be easier."

As they slowly undress one another and lower themselves onto the rug in front of the fireplace, the background music of Coldplay's "The Message" builds in tempo with the passion in their kisses and the refrain is heard, "you don't have to be alone." The camera pans out the window and upward on the star filled sky, reminiscent of that ending scene in the Pilot as Clark looked longingly at the stars and dreamt of being with Lana. Except this time, the innocent boy is gone.

Mixed Reactions

Escapees From Belle Reve: Lex manages to bump into a threesome of Belle Reve meteor freaks who are being conveniently transferred from one section of the hospital to another. Somehow he unlocks the handcuffs on a guy named Lee who has the ability to manipulate electricity. Lee then knocks out the guards and frees his fellow side-kick freaks: two albino twins who are able to create a force field by placing their hands together. They escape Belle Reve and head to the Kent Farm where they kidnap Lana, Clark and his parents.

Lee and "the Wonder Twins" are addicted to a Kryptonite-laced serum stored in Level 3 and they want Clark to break into LuthorCorp to steal it for them. Clark asks them, "I've seen what you can do, why do you need me?" They don't. We find out later that Lex had hidden a video feed in the carrier signal to the vault where the serum was kept and had been watching Clark and Chloe.

Secrets and Lies: Although Clark is now able to be with Lana without having to hide his abilities, he is still not able to tell her about his Kryptonian origin and how he arrived on Earth. Lana is troubled about what she's done in the past and wants to talk about it but Clark stops her and tells her they need to put the past behind them. It's a fatal flaw in any relationship when you can't be completely honest about who you are and you don't want to see the truth about your partner.

Overall, I give Mortal a 4.5 out of 5 rating.

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