Episode 504 - Aqua Review




"Aqua" Review

Written by Jilliene

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.

Aqua is the second episode in which Smallville introduces another DC Comics hero as a guest, this time a young Aquaman/Arthur Curry. Arthur Curry (or "A.C." as his friends refer to him) turns up in Smallville and makes quite a first impression when he saves Lois from an accident. Clark notices there's more to Arthur than meets the eye and finds out the real reason he has come to town. Clark also interacts with his new World History Professor at Central Kansas A&M University, Milton Fine. This episode had many comics references for fans. Overall, a standout episode with good performances from the cast and guest stars.

Tom's Performance: Tom Welling did a superb job, effectively portrayed concern, conviction, happiness, disillusionment and frustration. Tom looked gorgeous, especially during the opening scene at the lake shirtless. This episode showcases Tom as a young Superman-to-be.

The Good

Clark Kent: Although this episode featured another hero, Clark really shined. He proactively followed his hunches concerning Arthur. When he finds Arthur trying to blow up a lab, he intervenes by diminishing the impact of the bomb with his body. Upon finding out the reason behind Arthur's intentions, he then reasons with Arthur to try to confront Lex first before trying further extreme tactics. When Clark finds Arthur held captive in the lab, he helps him escape then teams together with him to stop Lex's Leviathan weapon. At first Clark defends Lex against Professor Fine's allegations. Upon seeing the truth behind the Leviathan situation, Clark decides to accept Milton Fine's job offer as a research assistant, to find and expose the truth about LuthorCorp.

Mythos References: There were several references to the comics and to Clark's future as Superman. For Arthur/Aquaman, mentions included being underwater most of life, his family beginnings and concern and love for the ocean and its inhabitants. Brainiac, who emerged from the spaceship in Arrival, is now introduced as Milton Fine, a nod to the comics character who was a Mentalist in which Brianiac possesses (and is later referred to in various comic versions). Arthur discusss starting a Junior Lifeguard Association with Clark, who responds he's not yet ready for the "JLA", a nod to the future "Justice League of America". Arthur refers to Clark as "Boy Scout" and as "Super" a couple times. In the last scene, Lois asks Clark how she will ever meet someone like Arthur again. He responds, "Lois, I promise someday, you'll meet someone even more special", a nod to their romantic future.

Special Effects: The special effects were excellent. The scenes showing Clark and Arthur speeding under water looked great. The Clark and Arthur underwater confrontation scene stood out, with the whirling wave effect of Arthur's underwater "ball" shots and Clark retaliating. The makeup used on Alan Richardson during his captivity scene was well done, with the pale, peeling scaly skin, making him appear as a parched fish out of water. It was also a nice change to have the lakefront scenery shown throughout the episode.

Clark and Arthur: While their methods and views were different, in the end they were able to work together for the common good. Clark was able to find friendship with Arthur and it was nice to see Clark enjoying the "brotherhood" the two seemed to share.

Clark and Chloe: Clark was able to share his concerns with Chloe about Arthur and she helped him find some background information on Arthur.

Clark and Lois: Tom and Erica play their scenes together well. The last scene in which she confides in Clark and he reassures her, with the dialogue pointing to their future, was one of my favorite scenes.

Clark and Lex Luthor: This is one of the first times where I felt we really got a glimpse of Lex acting like the future villain from the comics. Lex seemed completely ruthless when he was holding Arthur captive, questioning and torturing him by withholding the glass of water, only to ultimately poor it out in front of him. We see Lex working on a potential weapon for the government, not giving an afterthought to the destruction it may cause.

Tom and Michael are strong in their confrontational scenes. Clark boldly told Lex that "The days of me believing your lies are over." When Clark confronts Lex at the end, although their friendship has crumbled, he still cares about Lex's well being and asks him if he's given thought to where his life is going. Upon telling Lex about his professor comparing him to the devil, Lex is chillingly convincing when he responds smiling slyly, "You didn't tell him about my pitchfork, did you?!" Clark responds, "I defended you" and then strongly walks away from Lex saying, "Guess I was naive".

Arthur Curry/Aquaman: Alan Richardson was well cast as Arthur as he had the perfect look and played the role well. He was centric to this episode, but didn't take the spotlight completely away from Clark.

Continuity: It was a nice touch to have Clark wearing the bandage on his bare chest where the bullet wound from the episode Hidden would have been. While Clark was healed, this was effective for him to cover the truth and keep any one, especially Lana, from becoming suspicious.

Mixed Reactions

Milton Fine/Brainiac: James Masters is another well cast guest star in the role of Milton Fine/Brainiac. The idea of him posing as Clark's University Professor is fitting, given Brainiac's superior intellect. Fine's remarks regarding Lex and LuthorCorp to a class full of students seemed out of place and unprofessional. This played off as a plot device to draw Clark toward him. Fine was effective in the end, gaining Clark's trust and interest to help him in his project to expose LuthorCorp.

Use of Puns: Arthur provided the writers opportunity to use many fish and ocean puns in the dialogue. While many were entertaining, after a while, the use of them seemed to get old and silly. Sometimes less is more.

Clark and Lois Banter: While Tom and Erica play their scenes well, their teasing banter can become less effective the more it's used. Clark's joking response about smothering Lois seemed a bit out of place on the writer's end.

The Bad

Arthur and Lois' Romance: While Lois has a pre-established future with Clark, I found it unnecessary for her to have a quick fling with Arthur. Arthur could have just rescued her and they could have just been friendly instead. This storyline seemed extraneous, serving to further involve Lois in the storyline. It would have been sufficient to have the opening and swimming in the lake scenes, minus the romantic interest and flirtation. It also served as a plot device for Clark to appear jealous, while Clark is already in a relationship with Lana.

Episode pacing: This episode felt rushed. It could have been a two part special. Some of the scenes or story elements could have reduced to allow more development of the main plot. I would've loved to see Clark and Arthur taking out Leviathan from their perspective, rather than showing the events transpire on Lex's end.

I give Aqua a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

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