Smallville Season 7, Episode 15: Veritas
"Ever since I was shot in Detroit, i've been having flashes of things I've forgotten" -- I have to admit that this does make me a bit excited because it really does make me wonder if they're going to have Lex remember what he saw Clark do in "Shattered". I do believe that by the end of this show, Lex will know who Clark really is. Also, I like that it seems we're coming full circle with the Clex relationship by bringing back things from earlier seasons. And on an unrelated note, I do love Lex's female minion. She's loyal, and isn't afraid to question what he says by inserting some logic.
I loved Clark's scene with Lionel, especially when he told Lionel (1) "You've already destroyed the life of one son, you don't get a second chance" and (2) "your own son hates you just as much as I do". I love it because Clark has finally cut Lionel out of his life, and there are no second chances this time. Like Chloe said, Clark's a forgiving person and always willing to see the good in people.no matter what, but there comes a time when your chances run out, and this is what happened to Lionel. Also, I love that Clark acknowledges what he learned in "Fracture" of how Lionel treated Lex. If there is one thing that Clark and Lex still have in common, it's their mutual dislike and mistrust of Lionel.
Another part of the Veritas storyline that I love the idea that everyone was destined to be there that day in Smallville. Even though I think it would've made previous seasons' storylines more logical had we already known about Veritas, I think it'll be interesting to rewatch the entire show knowing what we know now. It does add an interesting layer to the story and puts a twist on things we know or thought we knew.
I also liked Chloe's scene with Lionel at the Daily Planet. Lionel was clearly coming apart and acting totally desperate, yet Chloe still didn't believe him. Lionel thinks he's redeemed because he has supposedly faced his past sins and now begs for forgiveness. However, I just don't buy it. If Lionel truly felt guilty about his misdeeds throughout his life, he'd admit that he was a terrible father to Lex, a bad husband to Lillian, and a ruthless killer. I don't think Lionel can atone for his sins unless until he admits his wrongdoings.
Last, but not least, Clark. First of all, I'd like to say this: I don't understand why Clark is never allowed to be happy and is constantly kicked in the teeth by this show. And this season? It's totally off the charts. First off, his mother is gone, his cousin is now gone (again), his (former) best friend comes back to tell him how much it sucked to know his secret, he was kidnapped and held in a kryptonite-lined cage while being tortured, put on ice by Jor-el, had an evil twin seduce his girlfriend, finally gets to meet his biological mother and then loses her again, has seen his best friend die *twice*, goes inside his friend's mind and sees the person he could've been, Lionel's betrayed him, Brainiac's back, and to top it all off, Lana's now catatonic, in excruciating pain, and there's not a damn thing Clark can do about it. Clark's crying in the final scene, to me, was pretty much about every single shitty thing that's happened in the past year. I don't understand the need to make Clark's life so absolutely painful. It amazes me that he has completely broken down already. I can't help but feel so sorry for him when it just continually seems like he just can't win no matter what he does. Clark doesn't cry often, but I could understand why he is now.
And on another note, I know that some aren't particularly thrilled with Lana, and I can completely understand that. I can even understand totally apathy about what happened to her in this episode. What I cannot understand, however, is the idea that she somehow deserved what has happened to her. One of my worst fears is being trapped inside my own body and not being able to do anything about it or cry out for help. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy, and I certainly don't think Lana deserved that, regardless of my feelings about the character. And yes, I know some actually complained about Clark grieving for Lana and wondering why won't he just move on. And all I can say is this: That just isn't Clark. It's not Clark to just give up on Lana (or anyone, for that matter) and immediately pick and move on. No matter what we might want a particular character to do, we can't just expect that character to stop acting like himself/herself because of that. They have to remain truthful to whom they are.
I'm just going to sum up this episode in exactly one word: depressing. I understand that this show is trying to build up to something exciting and huge with the whole Veritas group, but must this show be so dreary and dark while doing it? I cannot remember the last time I laughed or smiled while watching this show. I miss that feeling.
The only positive things I can say for this episode is that I thought the acting, especially from TW, AM, and JG, was very good.
Overall, I'd give this episode a C+.
I loved Clark's scene with Lionel, especially when he told Lionel (1) "You've already destroyed the life of one son, you don't get a second chance" and (2) "your own son hates you just as much as I do". I love it because Clark has finally cut Lionel out of his life, and there are no second chances this time. Like Chloe said, Clark's a forgiving person and always willing to see the good in people.no matter what, but there comes a time when your chances run out, and this is what happened to Lionel. Also, I love that Clark acknowledges what he learned in "Fracture" of how Lionel treated Lex. If there is one thing that Clark and Lex still have in common, it's their mutual dislike and mistrust of Lionel.
Another part of the Veritas storyline that I love the idea that everyone was destined to be there that day in Smallville. Even though I think it would've made previous seasons' storylines more logical had we already known about Veritas, I think it'll be interesting to rewatch the entire show knowing what we know now. It does add an interesting layer to the story and puts a twist on things we know or thought we knew.
I also liked Chloe's scene with Lionel at the Daily Planet. Lionel was clearly coming apart and acting totally desperate, yet Chloe still didn't believe him. Lionel thinks he's redeemed because he has supposedly faced his past sins and now begs for forgiveness. However, I just don't buy it. If Lionel truly felt guilty about his misdeeds throughout his life, he'd admit that he was a terrible father to Lex, a bad husband to Lillian, and a ruthless killer. I don't think Lionel can atone for his sins unless until he admits his wrongdoings.
Last, but not least, Clark. First of all, I'd like to say this: I don't understand why Clark is never allowed to be happy and is constantly kicked in the teeth by this show. And this season? It's totally off the charts. First off, his mother is gone, his cousin is now gone (again), his (former) best friend comes back to tell him how much it sucked to know his secret, he was kidnapped and held in a kryptonite-lined cage while being tortured, put on ice by Jor-el, had an evil twin seduce his girlfriend, finally gets to meet his biological mother and then loses her again, has seen his best friend die *twice*, goes inside his friend's mind and sees the person he could've been, Lionel's betrayed him, Brainiac's back, and to top it all off, Lana's now catatonic, in excruciating pain, and there's not a damn thing Clark can do about it. Clark's crying in the final scene, to me, was pretty much about every single shitty thing that's happened in the past year. I don't understand the need to make Clark's life so absolutely painful. It amazes me that he has completely broken down already. I can't help but feel so sorry for him when it just continually seems like he just can't win no matter what he does. Clark doesn't cry often, but I could understand why he is now.
And on another note, I know that some aren't particularly thrilled with Lana, and I can completely understand that. I can even understand totally apathy about what happened to her in this episode. What I cannot understand, however, is the idea that she somehow deserved what has happened to her. One of my worst fears is being trapped inside my own body and not being able to do anything about it or cry out for help. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy, and I certainly don't think Lana deserved that, regardless of my feelings about the character. And yes, I know some actually complained about Clark grieving for Lana and wondering why won't he just move on. And all I can say is this: That just isn't Clark. It's not Clark to just give up on Lana (or anyone, for that matter) and immediately pick and move on. No matter what we might want a particular character to do, we can't just expect that character to stop acting like himself/herself because of that. They have to remain truthful to whom they are.
I'm just going to sum up this episode in exactly one word: depressing. I understand that this show is trying to build up to something exciting and huge with the whole Veritas group, but must this show be so dreary and dark while doing it? I cannot remember the last time I laughed or smiled while watching this show. I miss that feeling.
The only positive things I can say for this episode is that I thought the acting, especially from TW, AM, and JG, was very good.
Overall, I'd give this episode a C+.