Smallville 9x04 Echo
This was probably my least favorite ep thus far this season. There's nothing so terribly wrong with it, but if I'm viewing the eps purely through an enjoyability factor, then I'd rank 'Rabid' and 'Metallo', with 'Savior' following and 'Echo' sort of trailing behind. There were some parts I liked, others I didn't, but nothing I really loved and all together the various elements didn't seem to gel all that great. And worst offence of all for any ep - it was a bit on the boring side. Oh, and did we just get another glimpse of Not!Lex? Not cool, show. Not cool.
The telepathy ability, temporary as it was, just felt out of place and unnecessary, especially when it wasn't even used the way I had envisaged it would've been. So, ultimately, it not only felt jarring, but wasted too. Though some of the internal dialogue Clark found himself privy to was kind of funny. Case in point? "I don't care how cute he is, but I could get in to trouble for this." And some of Lois' thoughts appreciating the ample hotness that is Clark may very well have been us fangurls doing the talking, heh. There were a couple of times when I did think the telepathy angle was used well, and the scene with Clark putting fame!whore!hostage in his place was one of them.
The Clark/Jor-El scene, surprisingly didnt grate. Though, did it serve much purpose? Not really sure.
I liked that we saw the return of Toyman in this one and the actor is kind of a hoot. One of the parts of the ep I did appreciate that his story wasn't just cut off at the end, and there's not only a hint for him to return (and that's what Toyman can be, a pesky, recurring nuisance) but we also got a slice of continuity from 'Metallo' with the kryptonite heart.
Speaking of which, of course Tess maniplulated the situation perfectly to her needs there at the end. Kudo's. And her trigger!happy!badassery was also much fun to behold. Oh, and I was actively cheering her on in her confrontation scene with Oliver.
Who, continues on his downward spiral. He really is at this point fulfilling none of his responsibilities - neither those of the GA, and neither those of Oliver Queen: the businessman. Suffice to say I once again didn't care at all for his scene with Clark, where yet again we had Clark apologizing. Clark: "I haven't been paying attention to you lately", "I haven't been there for you, I'm sorry." Me: "Head? Meet desk." I get the fact that Oliver' remorse and guilt was actually played up here in this ep significantly moreso than in previous ones, and I appreciate that. But I will really need to see more in the way of him realizing what he did to Clark too. The Lex issue aside, Oliver practically left Clark for the dead in 'Doomsday.' I'm not even holding out for an apology, because frankly, if it didn't come from Chloe, why should I be naive enough to expect one from Ollie either. But if I can personally ever be expected to come back on board with his character, I need to see him really, really pull through for Clark and really, really be there for him. No more part-time, convenient 'friendship' from him anymore. But of course, as it stands, we seem to be nowhere close to that because Oliver officially hit rock bottonm, with the attempted suicide. ::shakes head:: I eill say though that I think JH did well, all through the ep.
Chloe was just sort of there in the ep. I liked her scenes well enough but was she really necessary in the ep, come to think of it?
I like that Lois' monster truck fascination, which is canon, is made canon here too. But her actually showing up in one? Really? It was so unnecessary and actually made her look more than a little silly. As was that whole outfit she was planning for the date.
I did like most of the Clark/Lois scenes though. So far this season, I've been very satisfied with how the relationship is being handled. I liked that they were investigating together and that moreover, from purely a Clark fan' POV, Clark is an equal, active partner in their investigations. The 'not-date' asking out part was cute, and through Clark' telepathy it was made once again obvious how much Lois really does still feel for Clark and just how much she's come to rely on him and his presence as this steady, constant in her life. This was especially reflected when she voiced out to Chloe, "maybe I don't have to carry the load all on my own. Clark and Lois vs. the world." And for me, this was all made sweeter by the fact that there wasn't any heavy, overt emphasis on the Blur/Lois angle this time. Finally, their last scene at the DP, while nice enough on its own accord, whatwith the flirting and the banter, was also really refreshing in a way. Unlike instances with other female characters in similar situations such as this - there were no snide remarks from Lois, no overt recriminations. Clark aplogized, Lois accepted in good nature and they were back in their groove. Angst avoided. For now at least, and I'm willing to take all the angstfree moments as I can, to be honest.
And as per usual, Clark/TW was GOHgeous, and that can never be said enough.