Episode 512 - Reckoning Review




"Reckoning" Review

Written by Scarlett

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.

Reckoning Review

How much can be crammed into one episode? In Smallville, rushed storylines have become an art form. Reckoning, the much-hyped 100th episode, promised that things will never be the same for Clark Kent again. The death of a loved one and the reveal of his secret to Lana were advertised. In some respects, the episode lived up to the hype; in other respects, it left fans feeling frustrated.

The Good:

The most powerful episodes are the ones with Clark at the center, with all the other characters in peripheral roles, in relation to how they impact his life and his journey. Rosetta is a good example, and this was also one of those episodes. Whether or not one agrees with the plotline, the writing was top notch. There were no wasted scenes, and the dialogue was realistic. The snowy, bleak background helped to illustrate the isolation and sadness that permeated much of the episode.

All the actors stepped up and gave really good performances, especially Tom Welling and Annette O'Toole. Tom was incredible, and his range of emotions was powerfully and convincingly conveyed. Tom and Annette are always wonderful in their scenes together, and this was no exception. The scene with Clark helping Martha with her pearls was especially poignant, since Jonathan had been shown doing the same only a few hours earlier. It spoke volumes about the bond shared between Mother and son.

The ending funeral scene was ethereal, haunting, and very well done visually, including the choice of music. The body language and positions of the actors symbolized the characters' relationships. Ironically, some of the best scenes on Smallville have contained no dialogue. Lana taking Clark's hand, and letting it drop said so much about their wounded relationship. Chloe and Lois were shown leaving, looking at Clark from a distance. Lex was shown in the background, watching Clark surrounded by family and friends. Lionel walked up behind Martha, almost like a vulture circling its prey. And, perhaps most significantly, Martha quietly walked away from Clark, leaving him standing there alone. I saw Superman in that scene, and the angel statue behind Clark completed the effect.

The Bad:

Jonathan's death was bittersweet, but not that unexpected, given his past heart problems. However, it felt rushed. This should have been a significant event in Clark's life, worthy of the focus of an entire episode. Instead, the second "death" somewhat diluted the impact of Jonathan's death. Hopefully, the writers will follow-up regarding Clark's grieving for his Father in future episodes.

The secret reveal also felt rushed and superficial. There was no exploration of both Clark and Lana's feelings. Clark sharing his secret with Lana has been building up for nearly five years, and was hyped for this episode. Parts of the scene were very romantic, such as Clark crushing the coal into a diamond, and leaping up in the FOS while carrying Lana. The secret reveal by itself is a significant event, and although romantic, the proposal was superfluous.

But why hype an event like this, only to reverse the outcome? The "time travel" seemed contrived, and only for the purpose of reversing the secret reveal. Again, Clark was put into a "no-win" situation. In order to save Lana, he couldn't alter fate by telling her again. Or, it could set another chain of events in motion. Clark makes a sacrifice: he saves Lana's life, but also loses her in the process. Lex "saved" Lana's life in "Lexmas" out of his quest for power and greed; Clark saves Lana's life as an act of selfless love. But Lana is unaware of both incidents.

However, if Lana is not Clark's romantic interest or confidant, then what role does she play in Clark's life? It felt like a cop-out by the writers to not let Lana remember the secret. Was this plot device used to set up yet another "triangle" on the show, this time between Clark, Lana, and Lex? To hype the reveal, only to reverse it, left some fans feeling cheated and manipulated.

My rating? I give "Reckoning" 4 out of 5 stars.

Please join in the discussion of "Reckoning" by clicking HERE