Episode 608 - Static Review




"Static" Review

Written by Coleen

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.

Summary:

Clark heads to Seattle to investigate an atrocity committed by one of the Phantom Zone escapees. Lex is again the victim of a kidnapping, opening the door for Lana to realize her true feelings for him.

The Good:

The kidnapping storyline was actually pretty good; well-written and intriguing, if a bit of a ripoff of the movie 'Frequency'.

We are no longer in doubt that 33.1 exists, that Lex runs it, that he's holding people against their will, and that he's conducting questionable experiments that are potentially dangerous to mankind.

Clark: When Clark chooses to head to Seattle, rather than stay to find Lex, we are shown that his outlook has changed and become more global. There was a time, not so long ago, when Clark would have raced to Lana's side; but instead, when a surprised Chloe questions him about turning his back on Lex, Clark replies, "There are innocent people in danger." He has, at last, recognized his place in the world. And he has moved beyond Lana.

Chloe/Jimmy: They are adorable together, and worked great as a team in rescuing Lex. 'Jimmy the Infuriator' was really cute.

Clark/Chloe: Seeing Clark's preoccupation and unwillingness to talk about his Oreo-munching savior in Seattle, she attempts to get him to open up, saying "It's me, your most trusted friend and secret-keeper." Chloe understands more than anyone, except perhaps Martha, the weight of guilt and responsibility Clark carries around. "Sometimes even heroes need to be saved" is her reaching out to him to try and take some of that load off him. She is such a generous and loving friend.

Right before the scene between Chloe and Lionel at the Planet, there was a great, almost 'comic-book' looking shot of Metropolis at night, under a huge full moon and showing the Daily Planet building. Very cool.

The Bad:

Clark: Tom was conspicuous by his absence. The whole Seattle storyline effectively removed Clark from this episode. We didn't even see the scene where he was climbing the fence, a cap we've all been admiring in the photos thread all week!

And with no appearance by Martha, Lois or even Oliver, it was a cornucopia of Lex and Lana, with, thankfully, a bit of light relief from Chloe and Jimmy.

Lana: Lana is in serious denial about her boyfriend. And has she gone over to the dark side, saying she wouldn't blame Lex if there were a 33.1? Her whole demeanor was very chilling there.

Al-dar: Batista was hyped as a major player in this episode in the trailers we were shown, when in fact he was barely visible. Probably a big disappointment for many.

All in all, it was another disappointing episode of too little Clark, too much Lex and Lana. And so goes Season Six. Perhaps things will improve in the New Year, and Smallville will remember what this show is supposed to be about. Surely Clark Kent's story cannot be told in 7 or 8 minutes per episode.

Based on the utter lack of Clark in yet another episode, I give this week's show 3 out of 5 stars.

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