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By John Keegan
Visit Critical Myth for an archive of John's TV Review archives, with more than 1100 entries.
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Of all the characters on “Smallville”, the one that has brought me back week after week is Lex Luthor. Clark Kent/Superman has always been too perfect a hero for my tastes, and the supporting cast has been generally weak (with the notable exception of Chloe). Lex, on the other hand, has been following a slow and torturous path into the darkness since the first season. All of that is coming to fruition in this episode.
Despite inconsistent writing over the years, Michael Rosenbaum has managed to portray Lex with just the right level of subtlety. That shines through in this installment, especially in scenes where a simple shift in facial expression speaks volumes. The final scene at the cemetery, in particular, communicates the distance between former friends. Lex looks more mature and determined than ever.
The confrontation between Lex and Clark earlier in the episode also did much to bring the past seven seasons into focus. The torch has been fully passed to the next generation with Lionel’s death, and Clark must find his own answers. What I like about Lex’s set of justifications is the fine line he treads; his rationale (protection of the human race from alien threats) is reasonable, but his methods are reprehensible.
While some may disagree with the decision to focus so much on the Luthors lately, I think it is justified. Clark’s development as a hero is directly proportional to Lex’s development as a villain. Lex takes the final step towards evil in this latest arc, so one would expect that this will inspire Clark to take the step that Oliver Queen, Pete, and so many others have suggested.
Clark being Clark, it’s not going to happen overnight, and he’ll need to adjust to standing completely on his own. I would expect this to be the last major Lex arc for the series, given Rosenbaum’s limited appearances in the eighth season. But I’m all right with that when episodes like this come along. Unlike some weeks, where I find myself wishing for the end based on a lack of clear direction, I felt a sense that the story was working towards its own logical conclusion. And honestly, after such a long run, that’s the only reasonable expectation. |
