Episode 521- Oracle Review




"Oracle" Review

Written by Babaluwee

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.

The Good

As someone who is still deeply mourning the screen departure of John Schneider, one of the best parts of this episode was seeing John again, even if he was clearly not Jonathan Kent. It was wonderful to see John and Tom, as well as John and Annette, in such amazing scenes together!

SV fans have become accustomed to the top-notch performances from all the cast, particularly led this week by Tom Welling, John Glover, and Erica Durance. Oracle's script called for Tom's acting to be subtler and more understated than in other episodes. This was especially evident in the birthday party scene where Clark opened the birthday card from his father. Tom's finely honed acting skills were up to the task of presenting this poignant scene deftly and movingly. The subtlety was also evident in the scene with Michael when Lex told Clark, "I didn't take Lana, you lost her all by yourself." Tom's facial expressions depicted a range of emotions almost all at once that was painful to watch. On the other hand, the scene in the barn with Schneider and Glover called for much more intensity and emotional display (rather than subtlety), as it was the moment of truth for Clark to decide not to murder Lionel and that the ghost could not be his father.

The writers are portraying Lois in a much better light, as a woman of substance. Whereas I think they had done a disservice to the beloved Lois Lane character at times by portraying her in an undignified, unfavorable, and demeaning light, in Oracle she comes across as a caring, wise, and helpful friend, both to Lana (What's with that 3 hr talk?) and especially in the final scene in the barn with Clark. That heart to heart talk deepened their friendship and allowed him/us to see more of the real Lois. Clark discovered that Lois knows him better than he thinks she does. She was quite perceptive to tell Clark to "trust his gut," & that he broke up with Lana for a reason.

The Bad

Perhaps "The Bad" may best be presented in a collection of baffling questions that frustrated my complete enjoyment of the show:

How would Fine-disguised-as-Jonathan know to say, "I'm sorry…I couldn't be there to see the kind of man you're becoming"? That there would be "no more lessons…I can't help you anymore"? Those are the kind of things Jonathan would say, but Fine could not have been a witness to their intimate father-son relationship, as if he were one of the show's viewers.

How did Fine know that Lionel "had something to do" with Jonathan's death?

Why did it take so long for Clark to realize that the apparition who intended to send him on an assassination mission could never have been his father (even if he had communicated with his father's spirit in Void)? Wouldn't Clark demand an explanation of how innocent people would be killed, in order to find a moral way to save them? Why didn't Clark resist him more, especially in the forceful barn scene where the ghost was encouraging him to "avenge my death"? Did Clark really need reminding from Lionel that "Your father would never make you a murderer"?

Why are the writers portraying Lionel as a benevolent and honest character, now the Oracle, when we know this evil, murderous, and odious character tried to manipulate Martha with that blackmail set-up? Are we really supposed to believe that he wanted to help Jonathan, to be his ally? Why is he being made part of the inner circle with Clark, Martha, & Chloe? If Lionel is the Oracle, why did he schedule a meeting with the Inquisitor's top reporter & with the Pentagon?

Why would Lex involve a teenage girl like Lana in his project of importing the deadliest viruses, thereby exposing her to danger from Fine/extraterrestrials, the CIA, the U.S. Government and its enemies, both foreign and domestic? Lex just needed someone to talk to? Why would he risk exposing Lana to the deadliest viruses by bringing her to the lab?

What is wrong with Lana? How could she possibly trust Lex? How dare she sic Lex on Clark to scold him for searching Lana's room? Is she trying to create more enmity between them?

My Rating? I give "Oracle" 3 out of 5 stars.

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