Episode 914 - Persuasion Review




"Persuasion" 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.

"Persuasion" was a very important, even pivotal, episode because it dealt directly with some of the developments in Earth's hellish future that were revealed in "Pandora." It gave me the sense that we had finally resumed the main storyline of the season and had gotten back on track. The episode was both well-rounded and Clark-centric, unusual for a SV episode. It dealt with a broad scope of issues revolving around Clark's life, such as his development as a hero and his role in saving Earth from Zod. It was about his relationships, primarily with Lois, but also with Chloe, the Kandorians, and others. It was about his feelings and values. The episode had me either in taut suspense or laughing my head off throughout the hour, and left me anxious to find out what happens next.

What's SV without a little meteor rock madness? (Formerly known as "freak of the week.") In "Persuasion's" subplot Clark became infected with yet another form of kryptonite; it gave him the "power of persuasion" over others by simply stating what he "wants." At first he didn't realize the persuasive power of this pulverized form of kryptonite that was used as pixie dust or "pixie k," but it had a very nasty recoil. When he revealed to Zod that there were times when he "wanted" vengeance, even to the point of killing, Clark "persuaded" himself into a mentally altered state in which he nearly assassinated Tess.

Tom's Performance: "Persuasion" required Tom to demonstrate some of his wide ranging acting skills: Clark as romantic, sensitive, comedic, emotional, confident, heroic, wrathful, powerful, and "altered": some of his best work is when Clark "isn't himself." His performance was absolutely brilliant and versatile. In his "Valentine scene" with Erica, he was utterly sweet, romantic, and caring. When she became "Donna Reed on crack," he did a delightful job presenting us with the bewildered and bemused Clark. He was terribly cute and endearing. And when Lois was crying and drenched with her own mascara, Clark was so consoling and reassuring.

Tom delivered a very powerful performance in his scene with Callum. He portrayed Clark with both emotional intensity and restraint. He was strong, angry, but in control, an outstanding and engaging performance. As an altered Clark drugged with pixie k, he was downright scary in that ring of fire with Cassidy. It's one of the highest compliments I can pay Tom to say that his portrayal of Clark epitomizes how a man should be both strong (on so many levels) and sensitive.

The Good

Clark: "Persuasion" presented us with substantial character development for Clark. It's so good just to see him happy for a change, and not tortured. He is being written as strong, confident, and proactive: Clark now knows Zod's intentions, knows not to trust him, and has exhibited true leadership in devising a comprehensive plan to stop a Kandorian take-over of the Earth, primarily by destroying the solar towers, but also by integrating the Kandorians into human society. His concern for the Kandorians is genuine: He intended not only to draw them away from Zod, but also to offer them an opportunity for a fulfilling life here. (But what took him so long to destroy those towers! The night before they were to open? That's cutting it close.) He has a vision of a positive future for Earth and the values by which to bring about that future. He's decisive, but not inflexible. He has taken a firmer stance with Chloe, especially when told her to simply watch his back. He would "take care of the rest of the planet." He is self-assured, romantic, and kind with Lois, concerned with putting their relationship before their work and spending more time together.

Tom has given us an absolutely outstanding and exceptional portrayal of Clark Kent; he has proven himself well up to the task of portraying the larger than life iconic figure who represents some of our most basic humanistic values: goodness, truth, justice, and compassion.

Cinematography: "Persuasion" was impeccably shot in just about every scene. There were gorgeous close-ups and headshots of Tom in his scenes with Erica, Chloe, Callum, and Cassidy. There were times when Tom "struck certain poses" that were stunning, but there's one image that will remain indelibly in my memory: Clark Kent as the darkly-clad hero confidently poised high above the city, his trench coat slightly billowing in the breeze, and the solar towers burning in the distance to the sound of drums and heavy metal bass guitars. Humanity is safe once again and in very good hands. What an awesome shot!

Mixed Reactions:

Lois: The whole pixie k subplot was just a little inane and problematic. First there was the misinterpretation of the word "traditional:" Clark told a romantically gun-shy Lois (who is incapable of even saying the word "Valentine") that he would like a more "traditional" relationship. That was merely in the context of their recent inability to connect. There was a bunch of "cross text-messaging" going on, and he simply wanted to talk to her without the technology getting in the way. She understood a "traditional relationship" to mean that she should end her career outside the home, even though she doesn't share a home with him. Besides, how "untraditional" is their relationship now anyway? There's even a name for the good, ole fashion kind of relationship they have; it's called a courtship! Moving in together (albeit in separate bedrooms) is far less "traditional." That premise just made very little sense.

Secondly, Lois' transformation was a little problematic. That doesn't detract from the fact that Erica Durance gave an unquestionably hilarious performance as "Donna Reed on crack," complete with pearls and bouffant hairdo. Her bridezilla dance all around the Kent farmhouse was a riot, and perhaps worth this pixie k subplot. But there was something vaguely troublesome about her transformation. Was her depiction a putdown, a caricature, of women who choose to work in the home? Was the humor found in having the iconic career woman "reduced" to homemaking?

Other than the fact that she was an inept cook (Clark and Shelby's reactions to that burnt pot roast were terribly funny), I think it was more in her misunderstanding of what a "traditional" woman is, i.e., one who is subservient to her man. There were things that Lois said that made me cringe, like, "A traditional woman should be at home taking care of her man;" "Anything for your career;" "I'll be your ball and chain;" I should "never let you forget that you're the man;" and "make an honest woman out of me." She equated a "traditional" woman, not only with one who dedicates herself to the domestic arts, but also with one who subordinates her own personhood to a man.

The Bad

A Missed Opportunity: While the scene between Clark and Zod was a very powerful one, it was a missed opportunity for some moral clarity. Zod told Clark that, as the firstborn son, only he can seek retribution for Jor-el's death. It's the Kryptonian way. (This was an advanced alien culture?) All Clark could muster in reply was, "I can't." That was it. It made him sound weak. He looked momentarily troubled and at a loss. This is where Clark should have asserted unapologetically that he has chosen a higher law, and murder is not his way. Beyond "Kryptonian ways" and human laws, he is a man of conscience. Instead, he laid bare his emotional desire for justice, vengeance, even wanting to kill: that's fine. It's good that he is aware of these feelings that arise naturally, but he should have asserted then and there why he doesn't act on them, why these feelings toward violence don't control or govern his behavior. They don't determine who he is. This was the moment to affirm some humanistic values, that the urge for retribution must be tempered with reason, weighed with deliberation, and restrained with mercy. An offense should be investigated with diligence, and the accused should be afforded a defense and due process to insure the certitude of guilt. Now that's the beginning of justice rather than vengeance. As it turned out, although Tess was indeed a murderer, she was innocent of Jor-el's death.

Chloe: Although Clark did rescue Chloe from the wrong end of Tess' gun (and again, not a word of thanks to him), it was particularly irksome that, ultimately, Chloe had to save Clark yet again. I would not want the relentless portrayal of women as helpless and in constant need of rescue (that has never been one of SV's flaws), but let Clark be the unqualified and consummate hero of the show. (That's not to say he should never need help or saving, especially by women.) Furthermore, it was irritating for Chloe to say that Clark needed saving from himself. He wasn't himself at all when he was threatening Tess' life! Chloe saved him from the mind-altering effects of pixie k.

Who's Your Daddy? When Clark confronted Zod about Jor-el's death, he repeatedly referred to Jor-el as "my father." Jonathan Kent is the only father Clark has ever known. Jor-el was his biological father, praiseworthy for sending Clark to Earth, but Clark never knew him (the F.O.S.'s corrupted computer program of Jor-el notwithstanding). The Jor-el who recently appeared on Earth was a clone of his biological father. The honorable and simple appellation of "my father" rightfully belongs to Jonathan alone.

Inconsistencies and Problems: A mind-altered Clark went to Tess to avenge Jor-el's death, but among all the grievances he spouted at her, in between the fireballs, he never once even mentioned Jor-el?

Zod said that Jor-el was like a brother to him and would never have taken his life, yet he admitted to beating Jor-el to a pulp and torturing him for information on Clark? Even when Zod tells the truth, he lies, under the power of persuasive kryptonite, no less! The guy has a forked tongue.

When Chloe held aloft the green kryptonite in Clark's general direction, how did it eliminate the pixie k? Green k was once used to weaken Clark physically until the red k could be removed from him, but how did it work in this case? And how did the green k work from such a distance? Chloe wasn't even near the ring of fire. How did Lois, Chloe, and Emil recover from the pixie k's influence?

Did Tess see how Chloe brought Clark down? Does she now know about his vulnerability to green kryptonite? Whose side is Tess really on? She talked a good game, telling Zod that Clark will be a "savior," and will "show mercy to this planet." So she understood the values he represents, yet in "Pandora" she shot a technician in cold blood. She told Chloe that she had lost faith in Zod, yet she did not come clean to Clark whom she knew is everyone's only hope. If she had reformed, she knew that Clark would have given her a fair chance to earn his trust.

Rating: I give "Persuasion" 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Please join in the discussion of "Persuasion" by clicking HERE