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Smallville 7.18: "Apocalypse" |
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Thursday, 08 May 2008 |
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By John Keegan
Visit Critical Myth for an archive of John's TV Review archives, with more than 1100 entries.
| This episode is yet another alternate reality story for “Smallville”, this time playing a rift on “It’s a Wonderful Life”. The story itself was somewhat mediocre, serving the current season arc more than demonstrating its own merits. This episode was all about laying out the consequences of not stopping Brainiac in the future, which logically speaking, is hardly necessary. Even Clark should realize that dying on Krypton would have serious long-term consequences, since all the other Krypton-related incidents would have still taken place.
It is fun, however, to see “what might be”, however inconsistently the possible future is depicted. I found it all too easy for Clark to negotiate his way through a world where a “real” Clark Kent was already alive. For example, how large is a graduating class at Smallville High that Chloe wouldn’t know whether or not a “Clark Kent” graduated with her, especially considering her role as editor of the Torch? And if the world is so oppressive under President Luthor and the presence of the DDS, why did was it so cheery and carefree most of the time?
I did like the alternate versions of Jimmy and Lois, as they seemed to be more thought out. Lex was generally his current self (not counting the odd and contradictory final scene regarding Lana). The most jarring exception was Lana as “Linda Danvers”, head of the DDS. Setting aside the odd notion that the head of any authoritative security organization would be so active in the field, Laura Vandervoort was completely out of her depth. Every time she tried to act tough and capable, it came across as disingenuous. It pulled me out of every scene with her character.
Overall, the season still feels fragmented and unfocused. The main season arc was originally Lex’s desire to use Kara to uncover Clark’s secret. I wouldn’t say that the thread has been lost, but it was buried somewhat under the return of Brainiac and the long-awaited revelations regarding Veritas. It hasn’t been completely terrible, but it’s been scattershot.
Between the loss of so many high-profile cast members and producers and the looming SAG strike, I’m also very concerned about Season 8. It’s beginning to look a lot like the final season of “The Dead Zone”, which had some interesting moments but felt unnecessary. It could be fun to see the show go out on an unusual note, but it could just be the very, very long road to the anticipated series finale.
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