Episode 708 - Blue Review




"Blue" 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.

Sometimes, it's difficult to use logic when writing Smallville episode reviews. A two-part mythos episode (Lara & Blue) was split up, with a filler episode (Wrath) placed in between them. Viewers are led to believe that the events in Wrath must be relevant somehow. But no, in Blue, viewers are instead asked to basically ignore the events in Wrath. So, Wrath was a total waste of valuable screen time, when this show should be focusing on the important Clark Kent mythos storylines now. Is it too much to ask for character development and progression for Clark, the main star of the show? Hopefully, the writers do have a plan and are trying to wrap up some entire storylines from past seasons, and there will be some type of payoff for long-term Clark Kent fans soon.

The Good:

Clark Kent: Tom did a great job in this episode, and he is the best at portraying emotional vulnerability, while also portraying physical invulnerability. It is this unique combination that helps to make this version of Clark Kent so interesting. And, Tom always looks gorgeous doing it too. His eyes were such an incredible shade of blue, when he slipped on the blue Kryptonite ring. And, it was very heroic of Clark to go to the FOS without his powers, to do battle with Zor-El. Clark could have died in that battle, but he didn't back down in order to defeat Zor-El. However, Tom did look a little bored in the barn scene with Lana. How many actors would not get bored with repeating the same scenes for over seven years now?

Clark Meeting Lara: It was nice to see Clark meet his birth mother, Lara. It's always good to have mythos-related storylines on the show, in relation to Clark's heritage, even though Clark was again put into a no-win situation. Since this show is about the future Supes, it's interesting to learn more about his background, his heritage, and about Krypton. However, there's no reason to add arbitrary angst triangles into the mix to accomplish this goal.

Clark & Chloe: As usual, the Clark and Chloe scenes were done well by both Tom and Allison. Chloe is the person Clark goes to for support, and she is there for him. Unfortunately, Chloe was underutilized in this episode, and it would have been interesting for her to meet Lara instead of Lana. It would have been a nice parallel to Clark meeting Chloe's mother in an earlier episode. And, maybe Chloe could have returned the favor, by telling Lara a little about Clark too, the way Clark told Chloe's mother about her.

Mixed Reactions:

Grant As Julian Luthor: The jury is out on this plot twist. How can Julian be the real deal, when viewers watched a flashback scene where Lillian smothered him with a pillow, when he was just a baby? Did the baby somehow survive? How is that possible? Or, is this Julian a clone? If so, how did Lex get access to the real Julian's DNA? This is confusing, because Lex and Lionel's relationship has been defined to some extent on the events surrounding Julian's death. Until this is explained further, it's difficult to see it as either positive or negative.

The Bad:

Jor-El: This version of Jor-El is a cruel, sadistic birth father for Clark. So far, Jor-El has branded Clark; imprisoned him in a cave wall for months; used both Jonathan's body and a human girl Lindsay (whom he referred to as Kara) for his own purposes; and has basically lectured Clark with cryptic, contradictory messages. Jor-El continually berates Clark for his emotions, and his love and compassion for humanity. Ironically, these are the very things that help to define Clark as Superman. In essence, Jor-El is telling Clark to NOT be Superman, and to not care about the human race, because emotion and compassion for humans are just a sign of weakness.

This AI version of Jor-El needs to be explained very soon. This episode should have been used to explain Jor-El's inconsistent actions instead of ending with another threat to Clark. And, Jor-El really has no right to "threaten" to "punish" Clark, or even to sacrifice innocent humans in an attempt to try to force Clark to do his bidding. Clark is an adult, is not his slave, and should be allowed to make his own decisions, in regards to his own life. Perhaps Zor-El or Brainiac was able to "infect" this Jor-El AI version with a virus, because this Jor-El is not the loving, kind, supportive father to Clark that he is in some mythos versions. Instead, this Jor-El is portrayed as inconsistent, cruel, unfeeling, and a horrible role model for Clark.

At least, this time Clark speaks up and challenges Jor-El, telling him that he knows that Jor-El is different in the FOS than he was on Krypton. And, Clark demands to know why. How could Jor-El be a pacifist on Krypton and be so violent on Earth? At this point, Clark should not submit to any further "training" by this Jor-El at the FOS, or blindly follow Jor-El's "orders", until he has some answers.

Lois & Grant: Lois Lane was one of the first famous career women in popular modern fictional literature. Her identity has been associated with her career as a journalist at the Daily Planet (DP) in all major mythos versions. To suggest that she is having a romantic relationship with her boss at the DP destroys her credibility as a professional reporter. Chloe's advice was right: getting romantically involved with your boss is never a good thing. People will lose respect for you, and it can destroy your career. And to make matters worse, Lois lies to Chloe about ending the relationship. As a young professional woman, I find this plotline to be sexist, totally offensive, and unnecessary.

Clark "forgiving" Lana/Lana Not Held Accountable: Of course, Clark should try to see the best in people and try to help them. But, it's beyond ridiculous for Clark to say that Lana made a few "mistakes", after everything Lana has done. Embezzlement, torture, kidnapping, attempted murder, and framing innocent people for murder are not simply "mistakes". Are you kidding? This is violent criminal behavior, and Lana should be held accountable for her actions. It is no different than what Lex has done in the past, and he is the villain of the story. To try to sweep Lana's actions under the rug and to excuse them in this manner, is an insult to any intelligent viewer. It's not possible to just "pretend" that Lana's behaviors in all of season six, and the first half of season seven just didn't happen.

At the very least, show Lana getting therapy to control her anger. These 180's in regards to Lana are giving this viewer whiplash. But, you're right about one thing Lana: you're not good enough for Clark! And, the scene with Lara and Lana having tea together has to be one of the strangest scenes ever on this show so far.

Kara and Jimmy "Surfing": Coast City is located in California in some comics. Kara and Jimmy are now dating, and went on a trip together? This just seemed random.

Kara: She has amnesia and is lost on the streets. Sorry, just not that interested.

The Jor-El/Lara/Zor-EL Triangle: Another pointless angst triangle. 'Nuff said about that.

Chloe Talking About Dead People: Chloe informs Clark that his mom, Lara, is dead, and that he can't bring people back from the dead. Chloe needs to inform the writers about this, because so far, Clark, Lois, Chloe, Lana, Lex, Lionel, and now apparently Julian have all risen from the dead on this show in some manner.

My rating? I give "Blue" 3 out of 5 stars, for another average, anticlimactic episode.

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