Truth
I really enjoyed Truth. It is without a doubt one of my 3 favorite episodes.
The writing was good, the cast was on and we finally get a FOTW premise that is actually a clever plot device for the larger story arc.
I'm still pondering the meaning behind the choice of the title "Levitas" for the project. The Latin meaning of levitas is lightness, fickleness, or inconstancy. I would have thought "veritas", which means truth, would have made more sense. Hmmmm ... hidden meaning or meaningless factiod?
Other Truth Thoughts
This story grabbed me right from opening sequence at the plant. Great pacing in the opening and throughout the story.
JG and MR just keep pulling out some fine acting. The interactions between their two characters is so layered and just fascinating to watch. I used to feel the underlying familial vibe in their interactions, real from Lex - fake from Lionel, but I don't anymore. They have passed a point of no return where they can't even pretend anymore.
I thought Martha's talk with Chloe was both poignant and funny. Again, a great plot device to give us further insight into Jonathan's recovery and the Kent family dynamics. Her expression was priceless when she realized what she had said.
Unlike most people, I don't think that Chloe's glee in her new powers reflected any real meanness of spirit. Teenagers are just immature. If I was sixteen and could make people tell the truth, I think I'd probably have some petty fun with people I knew lied or were really fake. I'm not particularly proud to admit it, but at that age you don't always think about the repercussions of your actions. Also, for someone who believes that truth is the ultimate goal, the cosmos just handed Chloe what seems to be the greatest gift in the world. Chloe's pride in uncovering a good story and her sense of accomplishment at exposing "the truth" blind her to the cost of her actions.
I'm a little puzzled over Clark's behavior toward Lex in their first scene together. Doesn't he know that the fake Feds weren't Lex's fault? Lex knows the story about the open door is bull and Clark knows Lex knows but its like Clark just doesn't care. I'm glad Lex stomps on his BS. Lex is obviously getting tired of it and tired of not being trusted yet expected to tell the truth when he's asked. In the last three episodes I have seen barely a flicker of real warmth from Clark for Lex. Has the Friendship of Legends died so quickly or is it just being poorly written lately? And how many times lately has Lex all but begged Clark to trust him? My poor woobies.
I'm not so sure a meaningful Lex/Lionel parallel can be drawn over the Levitas project. Lionel's level three projects where done for profit and power without full disclosure to the people involved and with no concern for their welfare. Lex's project has nothing to do with money or power. He doesn't test it on anyone and decides ultimately that there is too much risk involved and pulls the plug. We see Lex cross a line here but he isn't Lionel. In fact I don't think Lex can ever become Lionel. Lionel is a sociopath, Lex is not. Lex may become evil but he will be a different flavor of evil than his father.
The Chloe/Lana scene rocked! I think the girls did a great job with it. Chloe and her Dad have been great to Lana and I do think she owes them her loyalty. Her honesty though is another matter. I can see how Lana would be uneasy about Chloe knowing certain things. Chloe has hurt her in the pst and has a tendency to act first and regret later. Lana saying she doesn't trust Chloe is a probably a little strong but I think the writers were trying to get a point across. Lana said some things that Chloe really needed to hear. Again, I'm loving the truth mutant plot device!
I have no comment on the Pink Painter in Paris. Lalalala ... can't hear you.
The Lex/Chloe scene! Ba-Jebus can I love Lex any more? Can I wrap him up and take him home and make Clark give him loving for a millennium? I died when he said he wanted his father's love. He is the UberWoob. From a different perspective though, all this compassion we are being led to feel for Lex (1) is being banked to keep him sympathetic during his upcoming descent into evil and (2) has also led to an, I believe, unintended backlash toward Clark. Its as if TPTB think that just being Clark Kent is enough reason for us to like him. Don't get me wrong, I really do like Clark. I just think the writers sometimes get lazy with him and it hurts the character.
I loved the Pete lip smacking action! Finally they use Pete in a believable way.
You must admit that Chloe has more balls than she has a sense of self preservation.
I loved Chloe in her hot pink bra!!
The final Lex/Lionel scene was incredible. Lex admitting to himself that he will never have his father's love. Is this the beginning of a kind of closure for him? We will see. Man can MR act.
I felt the anvil being dropped on my toes during the final Chlark scene. Chloe's whole speech about pushing too hard one day seems like major forshadowing. This was the scene however, that most puzzled me. Why can Clark forgive Chloe but not Lex? Someone please explain this to me because I just don't get it.
Snarky Moments
Snarky moment 1: Ya, and we all know that when you go to the hospital a nurse, a doctor and a wheelchair magically appear to wheel you right into the exam room. Man, I want her insurance.
Snarky Moment 2: Don't care what Chloe calls it, it was the Loeb bridge.
Snarky Moment 3: Don't these character know better than to get into their cars during the last 15 minutes of the show?
Snarky Moment 4: What is with the epic sounding, quasi-religious choral music at the end? I kept expecting Darth Vader to leap out and fight the Emperor.
The writing was good, the cast was on and we finally get a FOTW premise that is actually a clever plot device for the larger story arc.
I'm still pondering the meaning behind the choice of the title "Levitas" for the project. The Latin meaning of levitas is lightness, fickleness, or inconstancy. I would have thought "veritas", which means truth, would have made more sense. Hmmmm ... hidden meaning or meaningless factiod?
Other Truth Thoughts
This story grabbed me right from opening sequence at the plant. Great pacing in the opening and throughout the story.
JG and MR just keep pulling out some fine acting. The interactions between their two characters is so layered and just fascinating to watch. I used to feel the underlying familial vibe in their interactions, real from Lex - fake from Lionel, but I don't anymore. They have passed a point of no return where they can't even pretend anymore.
I thought Martha's talk with Chloe was both poignant and funny. Again, a great plot device to give us further insight into Jonathan's recovery and the Kent family dynamics. Her expression was priceless when she realized what she had said.
Unlike most people, I don't think that Chloe's glee in her new powers reflected any real meanness of spirit. Teenagers are just immature. If I was sixteen and could make people tell the truth, I think I'd probably have some petty fun with people I knew lied or were really fake. I'm not particularly proud to admit it, but at that age you don't always think about the repercussions of your actions. Also, for someone who believes that truth is the ultimate goal, the cosmos just handed Chloe what seems to be the greatest gift in the world. Chloe's pride in uncovering a good story and her sense of accomplishment at exposing "the truth" blind her to the cost of her actions.
I'm a little puzzled over Clark's behavior toward Lex in their first scene together. Doesn't he know that the fake Feds weren't Lex's fault? Lex knows the story about the open door is bull and Clark knows Lex knows but its like Clark just doesn't care. I'm glad Lex stomps on his BS. Lex is obviously getting tired of it and tired of not being trusted yet expected to tell the truth when he's asked. In the last three episodes I have seen barely a flicker of real warmth from Clark for Lex. Has the Friendship of Legends died so quickly or is it just being poorly written lately? And how many times lately has Lex all but begged Clark to trust him? My poor woobies.
I'm not so sure a meaningful Lex/Lionel parallel can be drawn over the Levitas project. Lionel's level three projects where done for profit and power without full disclosure to the people involved and with no concern for their welfare. Lex's project has nothing to do with money or power. He doesn't test it on anyone and decides ultimately that there is too much risk involved and pulls the plug. We see Lex cross a line here but he isn't Lionel. In fact I don't think Lex can ever become Lionel. Lionel is a sociopath, Lex is not. Lex may become evil but he will be a different flavor of evil than his father.
The Chloe/Lana scene rocked! I think the girls did a great job with it. Chloe and her Dad have been great to Lana and I do think she owes them her loyalty. Her honesty though is another matter. I can see how Lana would be uneasy about Chloe knowing certain things. Chloe has hurt her in the pst and has a tendency to act first and regret later. Lana saying she doesn't trust Chloe is a probably a little strong but I think the writers were trying to get a point across. Lana said some things that Chloe really needed to hear. Again, I'm loving the truth mutant plot device!
I have no comment on the Pink Painter in Paris. Lalalala ... can't hear you.
The Lex/Chloe scene! Ba-Jebus can I love Lex any more? Can I wrap him up and take him home and make Clark give him loving for a millennium? I died when he said he wanted his father's love. He is the UberWoob. From a different perspective though, all this compassion we are being led to feel for Lex (1) is being banked to keep him sympathetic during his upcoming descent into evil and (2) has also led to an, I believe, unintended backlash toward Clark. Its as if TPTB think that just being Clark Kent is enough reason for us to like him. Don't get me wrong, I really do like Clark. I just think the writers sometimes get lazy with him and it hurts the character.
I loved the Pete lip smacking action! Finally they use Pete in a believable way.
You must admit that Chloe has more balls than she has a sense of self preservation.
I loved Chloe in her hot pink bra!!
The final Lex/Lionel scene was incredible. Lex admitting to himself that he will never have his father's love. Is this the beginning of a kind of closure for him? We will see. Man can MR act.
I felt the anvil being dropped on my toes during the final Chlark scene. Chloe's whole speech about pushing too hard one day seems like major forshadowing. This was the scene however, that most puzzled me. Why can Clark forgive Chloe but not Lex? Someone please explain this to me because I just don't get it.
Snarky Moments
Snarky moment 1: Ya, and we all know that when you go to the hospital a nurse, a doctor and a wheelchair magically appear to wheel you right into the exam room. Man, I want her insurance.
Snarky Moment 2: Don't care what Chloe calls it, it was the Loeb bridge.
Snarky Moment 3: Don't these character know better than to get into their cars during the last 15 minutes of the show?
Snarky Moment 4: What is with the epic sounding, quasi-religious choral music at the end? I kept expecting Darth Vader to leap out and fight the Emperor.