Episode 621 - Prototype Review




"Prototype" 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.

While Prototype was complete fiction, in its portrayal of Lex and Lionel, this episode represented the unfathomable and staggering depths of evil to which real people have descended throughout human history. For all it flaws and implausibilities, Prototype strongly demonstrated our world's need for a real Superman, or at least, our world's need for the values, humanistic morality, self-restraint, and altruism that Superman represents.

The Good

The Dichotomy of Good and Evil: The Prototype episode was presented as a dichotomy, which contrasted Lex's heinously evil plans with Clark's efforts to stop him. At first it seemed like a Lex-centric episode, and that Tom was going to be shortchanged of screen time yet again, but the episode was effective in cutting back and forth from scenes in which Lex tested the prototype of a mind-controlled, invincible warrior to scenes in which Clark ran around trying to uncover his plot and save his victims. The result of this juxtaposition of scenes was one more minute of screen time for Clark (roughly 15:50 to 16:51 minutes for Lex & Clark, respectively).

Two Exceptional Scenes: Two scenes demonstrated the quintessential difference between Lex and Clark. In the first scene Lex told his scientist, "What you're being asked to do is to help protect the world, Doctor. Unstable criminals with dangerous powers are becoming more and more common. Humanity's only chance of surviving the onslaught is this project." This conviction rings true and is a laudable goal. However, the audience, which is well aware of the 70-year-old Superman mythology, already knows who the bad guy is. If we didn't know them so well, both Lex and Clark could sound similarly altruistic and both could appeal to the noblest intentions of protecting humanity. If we didn't already know them both, all we could judge are their actions, the means by which they (attempt to) achieve their intentions. For Clark, human life and human well-being are the highest values, and are to be protected above all else. The ends do not justify the means; he could never do evil in order to bring about a good (at worst, he would choose between the lesser of two imminent evils). We already know that Lex does not adhere to any morality that holds that human life has intrinsic value. This scene showed how Lex warped the truth and pressed it into the service of his own accumulation of power, rather than serving truth itself.

Clark's values shined brilliantly in the second scene where he tried to convince Martha to accept the governor's appointment to the U.S. Senate. He appealed to the core principles that she and Jonathan had instilled in him and that had given their lives meaning and purpose: "You and Dad always taught me about putting other people first, to use my abilities to help those in need. You have the chance to affect so many people, to change so many lives [for the better], if you go to Washington. That's where you need to be if you really want to make a difference, Mom. And it's where people like Wes need you to be." Simple and humble morality from the heartland (yeah, and the building blocks of a Superman!). Tom's delivery was genuine, compelling, and convincing. Even if Clark hadn't invoked his dad twice in his exhortation, Jonathan's presence was almost palpable. In the place that Jonathan should have occupied stood Lionel, looking on as Clark spoke; the camera twice cut to his face smiling knowingly. Nice touch by scriptwriter, Steven DeKnight—it made my skin crawl!

The Bad

Wes Keenan Deserved Better: No human being should have ever been subjected to the unspeakable crimes Lex had perpetrated on Wes, but Wes was already owed a debt for his unselfish and valorous service. Clark should have tried to save Wes at all cost as he lay dying in the former Army base warehouse. Lois was out of danger and she had already seen Wes as Ares appear and disappear. If Clark had tried to superspeed in and whisk Wes away to a hospital, Lois would not have been aware of Clark's presence.

Lana: When Clark wanted to know why Lana reverted to marrying Lex, she replied "We all have our secrets, Clark. Sometimes we have to keep them to protect the people we care about." Now that was a veiled revelation! It was practically a confirmation that there was more to her original story that she changed her mind about marrying Lex, again, and it was encouragement for Clark to keep digging for the truth. It just didn't make sense for her to have done this to Clark. If she really intended to protect him, she should have done so nobly, rather than trying to make herself out to be some kind of hero or martyr. Her egging Clark on to keep searching for the truth would seem to undermine her intention of protecting him!

That "almost kiss". Please just stop it already with all this meshugas!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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