Episode 710 - Persona Review




"Persona" Review

Written by Cherry

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.

Persona was an interesting episode that left a few of the characters in a quandary. This wasn't one of the best episodes of Smallville, but it certainly wasn't the worst. It had some very poignant , redeeming qualities.

The Good

Tom Welling: Oh my goodness! Just when I think Tom couldn't get any better as an actor, he proves me wrong! The differences in Bizarro and Clark were subtle, yet glaringly obvious as only Tom Welling can portray. The deeper voice of Bizarro when he didn't have to 'be Clark' was sexy as all get out! Tom is always sexy, but he was more so as Bizarro.

Bizarro: Bizarro was an interesting mix to me. I think there was more to explore here. It's a shame they killed him off.

I do think he was still the criminal villain he was in the first episode of the season. He wanted Clark's life and was willing to do whatever it took to convince every one he was Clark. It was interesting to watch the change in Bizarro when he was with Brainiac versus his behavior with Lana.

Bizarro and Chloe: The scene between these two when Chloe knows something is terribly wrong with Clark was very well done. Chloe immediately picked up on his odd behavior and the fear on her face was justified when he grabbed her arm. Bizarro has a short fuse apparently.

Bizarro and Brainiac: I absolutely loved this scene. The easy laughter from Bizarro was a sight to behold. I had to go back and replay those parts several times. The voice of Bizarro was deeper and his face more relaxed, but yet intimidating. Not that Brianiac was intimidated. His behavior was VERY un-Clark-like.

Clark and Dax-Ur: This scene gave a few clues into what Clark was thinking. When Clark introduced himself as Kal-El, he stood with pride and confidence. This is something I have not seen in Clark in a long time. The look on Clark's face was endearing as he watched Dax-Ur with his family. Hope and joy filled his expression. I'm thinking Clark had a revelation that he didn't have to be alone, that is was possible for him to have a family.

When Dax-Ur asked what her name was when Clark wanted to know if he had anymore blue kryptonite, Clark didn't answer. His reaction was one of displeasure and irritation. It was interesting that Clark clearly didn't want to talk about the lady in his life. His main focus was to take care of Bizarro.

Clark and Chloe: This scene was so sweet. I loved how Clark reassured Chloe that it was him. There was more emotion and love in this scene with Chloe than in the earlier scene with Lana.

Fortress: This set always amazes me. I loved the special effects of Jor-El de-icing Clark.

Ending sequence: This is Smallville at its best. From Lex being identified as the person who had Grant killed to Clark and Lana in bed with a chasm as wide as the Grand Canyon between them. Clark was given a lot to think about with Lana sleeping with Bizarro and not realizing it wasn't him as well as Bizarro's word to him that he was lying to himself about loving Lana. It will be interesting to see what happens next in the longest breakup in history.

Lex: Lex took a leap over the edge of the dark side in this episode and he is clearly having a few qualms about it...or not! He has been dangling over this cliff for quite some time, but never really committed to being completely evil. I think he has slipped a little further into the abyss. Excellent portrayal by Michael Rosenbaum.

The Bad

Grant Gabriel: This story line should have ended in Gemini. Grant's scenes were anti-climatic with everything else that was going on in the episode. If they wanted this to have an impact on the viewers, I'm sorry to say it didn't.

Jor-El: I was not happy with the fact that Jor-El was the one responsible for encasing Clark in ice. They better come clean soon on whether or not this is really Jor-El, because the mixed messages are too many to keep going as they are. The 'punishment' or reason for Jor-El doing this was not clear at all.

Lana versus Chloe: Lana's jealousy for Chloe was brought to the fore in this episode. It seemed petty and contrived to me in light of previous episodes. Lana mentioning to Bizarro that Chloe isn't the only one able to use a computer and then telling Chloe she needed to let go was very childish and condescending. I felt this was very out of character for Lana even with the mutilation of her character so far.

Clark's bedroom: It looks like Clark's bedroom has been Lana-ized. Wonder if that happened before Bizarro or after.

Lana not realizing she isn't sleeping with Clark: Okay, I could sort of believe that Lana might not know it was Clark until they slept together. Come on! Lana has slept with Clark before, you can't tell me it wasn't different with Bizarro...not to mention the fact that Clark wouldn't even attempt making love with Lana because of his powers. HELLO! Wake up! As much as I love seeing Tom in such a sexy situation, it was hard to suspend belief on this one.

Lana killing Bizarro: I didn't like this one bit. I thought Clark should have been victor over Bizarro. I also think Bizarro telling Lana he loved her when she did such a thing to him wasn't convincing. Bizarro, up to this point had not changed from the vicious criminal he was based on his conversations with Brainiac. I think the "I love you" was a last second ploy to drive that wedge deeper between Lana and Clark. If Bizarro can't have Clark's life than he was going to do everything he could to destroy what Clark has. The revelation of Bizarro's feelings were matter-of-fact during the entire episode. He was never emotional in any sense of the word.

Shirtless Tom: Okay, I'm not sure about anyone else, but when we get shirtless Tom, we don't want most of him covered up with a comforter where we can't see anything. However, I did enjoy what view we did get.

I give 'Persona' 3.5 out of 5 stars.

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