norwich36 | Smallville: Veritas

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Smallville: Veritas

Wow, they wrote that one as if they might not have been coming back after the writer's strike, didn't they? I mean, it felt very much like a season finale to me.

I don't know who directed this episode (and my internet is being PAINFULLY slow tonight, so I'm not going to imdb to look it up), but I thought they made some interesting choices. The look of the opening, in particular, was really different and creepy--it didn't, at first, seem like I was watching SV at all. And they really ramped up the feeling of horror in the teaser, which seemed very appropriate to this episode.

Continuity porn

Holy, holy crap this episode was wonderful for the continuity. Even if it is retroactive, it works. How amazing of them to make that headline about the Queen's death have so much resonance. Someone (

latxcvi, maybe?) called this in their review last week, and this episode confirmed it: the paper he was reading in the Pilot was more than just a throwaway to comics fans; it indicates that Lionel not only had the Queens killed, he knew precisely when the traveller was coming.

I am very squeeful about what this could potentially do for fanfic, because suddenly season 4 has been redeemed in a pretty amazing way, at least in my perspective. In fact, I think I want to sit down and rewatch season 4 again in the light of this new knowledge, especially that Jason and Lex used to play together as boys. I wonder what Jason thinks about Lex not remembering him? And this also really complicates the Oliver/Lex backstory in interesting ways.

And while I remain furious that they killed off Patricia last week, at least they made her death meaningful this week. Not only does it set off a fascinating chain of events--if anything, isolating Lionel more than he's ever been isolated before, as I'll discuss below--but it makes so much more sense now that we know about Lex recovering his memories.

And DAMN. How much do I love it that the events in "Fracture" weren't just a way of ~~ensuring that Clex is forever~~ explaining why Clark will always hold out a little hope for Lex, but that they actually led to Lex recovering dangerous memories that are actually going to lead him to cementing his destiny? SO MUCH LOVE for this plotline--not the least because that actor playing little boy Lex is so damn cute I just want to squish him. And yet his memories are going to be the ultimate spur for patricide. DAMN.

Lionel
I had to use my Lionel icon today, because it's clear (even if I hadn't seen the preview for the next episode) that Lionel is not long for this world. And I am just flabbergasted by the marvellousness of this storyline, because watching him unravelling onscreen is a wonder to behold. He's been the master of lies all his life, and now in the end, he can't get anyone to listen to his truths. Maybe because he's always been the wolf before, he ignored the story about the boy who cried wolf?

And watching him reduced to begging, even knowing that he was telling the truth and that Clark and Chloe are probably going to regret not listening to his warnings--watching him actually FALL TO HIS KNEES to get Chloe to listen to him, and her complete dismissal of him? Damn. Just DAMN. Emotionally? One of the most satisfying scenes of the show for me, EVER. That's called KARMA, Mr. Luthor. Something not even the mighty can escape.

I will miss your magnificent bastardness when you're gone, but it's such a pleasure to see you fall.

Lex
You've come a long way from that cuddly apple-cheeked little boy, haven't you baby? Look at you, with your competent sexy minions (hinting they want to have sex with you, even--and who wouldn't?) and your complex problem solving skills, all ready to access that superweapon Swann hid, whatever it was.

And what else have you remembered? I'm dying to know.

Lois and Jimmy

LOIS! I missed you! And you and Jimmy are absolutely adorable, sleuthing around in your little green polo shirts. I'm just sad that you're probably not going to be able to break this front page story about Lex ordering Patricia Swann's hit while working at the paper he owns. Does this mean you'll get booted from the Planet? Will you care, when you're busy covering Lionel's inevitable murder?

Kara
Kara, I've sort of hated most of your storylines this season, but I really liked where they took you tonight. It's kind of sweet to see that you've inherited the El family guilt complex, blaming yourself for what Brainiac did to Lana and sacrificing yourself and all. Just as dumbly (yet sweetly) heroic as Clark--I really hope Fine's plans for you don't involve, you know, the destruction of Earth or anything. Still, it was absolutely adorable watching you try to give Clark flying lessons. And I really liked the cowgirl look you had going on in the beginning of the episode.

Clark and Lana
OUCH. If all the rumors about KK's reduced appearances this season and next are true, and this is Lana's ultimate fate? How heartbreaking for Clark. I have to say, again the art direction is beautiful--that final scene with Clark and Lana was so beautifully shot. I loved the angel looming over their farewell which echoed the similar angel that presided over their first real conversation in the graveyard in the Pilot. Oh, Lana, I really hope this isn't the end for your character.

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I don't know who directed this episode
It was directed by the wonderful James Marshall.

Thanks for the info!

Mmmm, James Marshall, mmmmm....

James Marshall is rubbing himself on the microphone!

LOL. (And at your icon!)

Hee!

*starts petition for the release of the directors cut of all of James Marshall's episodes*

*signs*

Someone (latxcvi, maybe?) called this in their review last week, and this episode confirmed it: the paper he was reading in the Pilot was more than just a throwaway to comics fans; it indicates that Lionel not only had the Queens killed, he knew precisely when the traveller was coming.
Eep! I mentioned that (http://isilweth.livejournal.com/15196.html#cutid1). I LOVE this retcon - it makes Lex's future obsession with Supes that much more personal than it already is. I've been obsessing over it all week and haven't yet found a contradiction. There's been speculation Lionel has known since "Red", but this is a whole other level of deviousness and manipulation.

watching him actually FALL TO HIS KNEES to get Chloe to listen to him, and her complete dismissal of him? Damn. Just DAMN. Emotionally? One of the most satisfying scenes of the show for me, EVER.
I got goosebumps watching that scene. Allison was great in that scene, but John Glover was riveting. I look forward to repeat viewings of this episode just to see the subtleties in that scene.

If all the rumors about KK's reduced appearances this season and next are true, and this is Lana's ultimate fate? How heartbreaking for Clark.
My daughter's a big Lana fan and she cried during that scene. I had to reassure her with Lana's comics fate and KK making a few appearances next year. I liked the symmetry with the art direction and the menace of BrainIAC (who's infected humans in the comics), but I hope that isn't Lana's ultimate fate in Smallville.

Lovely review as always. :)

Ah, so you are the brilliant and insightful one! And I agree with you--they've done a great job with this retcon. If only they'd introduced it a bit earlier (like, say, SEASON FOUR!!)

And I agree with you that rewatching this episode is going to be fun--though I'm a little worried that Chloe and Clark are going to live to regret not listening to Lionel's warnings.

Is it actually confirmed that KK is returning next year? I know there have been talks about her coming back for a few episodes, but I wasn't sure we had actual confirmation of that.

*blushes* Thanks!
If only they'd introduced it a bit earlier (like, say, SEASON FOUR!!)
No kidding! Season four was such a jumbled mess with the overall arc's (lack of) tying into the mythology. I appreciate that Chris Reeve's death and Jensen Ackles Supernatural gig threw them curves they weren't prepared to handle, but they could've been a little more graceful about it. I'm glad they've finally attempted to repair it, though.

Is it actually confirmed that KK is returning next year?
K-site (http://www.kryptonsite.com) quotes her facebook (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1040880231&ref=ts) as saying, "I will return for a undetermined, although small, number of episodes in season 8." So apparently she has confirmed it, but AlMiles have not yet.

I want to sit down and rewatch season 4 again in the light of this new knowledge
I want to re-watch from the Pilot, on, if we now know that Lionel knew the whole shebang, all along!
Jeez, I never thought of him knowing about Clark ~~even before Lex began tapping that butt~~.

I wondered by Clark and Kara didn't just team-up against Brainiac - don't you think that might have done the trick?

It was nice to see Chloe and Clark not be 'fooled' by Lionel one more time, but, no, I'm more upset that they are wrong to doubt him, now. I hope that Clark doesn't get messed-up by a nasty!Lex.

I'm kind of interested what the supposed reasoning would be for Lionel to send 21-yr-old!Lex to Smallville to run the crap-factory - was it an excuse for Lionel to pop back in to check-up on his li'l alien bambino? I'd rather think that Lionel would do anything possible to keep Lex away from his big seekret.

I was bummed they copped-out on the Clark-flying bit - when is he gonna shake a leg? If they put it off till the series finale, it will be so cheap, because everyone and their ghostly Kryptonian mother can up and away, but Clarkie's just so babyish about it. It's clear that flying would be an advantage against any foe - is it a final bit of humanity that he hates to discard?

watching him unravelling onscreen is a wonder to behold
This was glaringly amazing last week when the first time I'd seen Lionel look like he was thinking, "Oh, totally Fuck!". He looked distraught - he almost looked like a different actor, reminiscent of his other roles, but, surely not the MB! I was frustrated that he lost it so bad he couldn't manage to tell Chloe the basic story in the time it took for his to do all that begging. All he had to do was blurt the gist of it out - it's so annoying when plots use that device to keep people ignorant of something the audience is privvy to.

this is Lana's ultimate fate? How heartbreaking for Clark
I hate to think of Superman springing from all this heavy guilt-tripping. I mean, not only are people dying all over the place to protect Clark's secret, but now he can absolutely beat himself up for not protecting Lana from her fate. sux I'd rather Superman's genesis was from joy, of helping others.

With Lex snuffing Lionel, well, it would have been more satisfying back at the end of S3. Luthor pere has been a hybrid since having hosted Jor-El: he's been 'helpful' to Clark while at the same time still being shitting to Lex (gotta keep stepping on that spirit) and is able to snatch Clark to trade him for incriminating evidence. That Thanksgiving scene still makes me sick to my stomach.

These last two eps are just fabulous and i'm eager for the rest of the season.

Well, it would certainly be interesting to rewatch from the Pilot and see how solidly this retcon holds up to what they actually showed us. Your point about Lionel sending Lex to the crap factory is a case in point. If he knows for sure there's a "traveller" in Smallville, it seems like a dumb decision.

I agree with you that the plot device that Lionel can't talk fast enough, or something, to actual get the warning he needs to give Chloe and Clark out in time, is kind of frustrating for viewers--but it was so well acted I'm willing to cut the writers a break on this, if only because of the Cassandra-esque air it lends to Lionel. (I mean, of course, the original Greek Cassandra whose prophecies weren't believed, not the Cassandra from Hourglass).

Like you, I am eagerly anticipating the rest of the season.

Your point about Lionel sending Lex to the crap factory is a case in point. If he knows for sure there's a "traveller" in Smallville, it seems like a dumb decision.
I'm thinking "Lineage" could give us adequate fanwank material for that. Lionel knew he burned his bridges with the Kents (well, Jonathan at least) with the blackmail to get his foothold in Smallville. He also strongly suspects Clark is the 'traveler' because of arranging his adoption (and the spaceship in the back of the pick-up), and clearly remembers the boy's affection for his son in that pick-up truck. Lionel's patient, remarkably adept at anticipating human behavior and manipulative. He sent Lex to Smallville to get an inroad to Clark believing they'd be drawn together - and he was right.

*bows to superior wanker*
:0)

*curtsies* Well, I do spend a lot of time wanking... ;P

Cassandra-esque air it lends to Lionel.
Beautiful point - now I don't mind it as much!

Wow, they wrote that one as if they might not have been coming back after the writer's strike, didn't they? I mean, it felt very much like a season finale to me.
Yes, Craig/KryptonSite had just come back from interviewing on-set in Canada when the strike was still 'on', and he said that Lionel capturing Clark was the planned Finale if there were no more eps in the season.
There! I've been busting with this info because I was sworn to ~~goddamn#$PO@#")~~ secrecy! Ha!

I really, really loved this espidode and was sort of disappointed when I went to TWOP. Everyone was so busy obsessing over Lana that they missed how good the epi was. Including the Lana parts.

You know it occurs to me that for all their saying that Goughlar is obsessed with her, they are equally on the path. And I even found Clark and Chloe weeping over Lana (or Chloe weeping at Clark's pain) true to character. Whether we as a viewing audience like Lana or not she is a central part of their lives. Of course they would mourn if anything happened to her! That's realistic.

Lionel was uncomfortably desperate and crazy. You know, I sort of know that he's getting what he deserves but damned if I didn't just want someone to stop and listen to him. Also love? Evil Lex. Own it bitch!

You are very brave, I think, for even reading the TWOP boards. They raise my blood pressure so much; it's been over 6 months since I read anything there, I think.

I agree that someone needs to listen to Lionel before it is too late--I was halfway hoping it would end up being Lois, honestly, except I guess she's not going to get to learn Clark's secret, and she would need to know it for Lionel to confide in her--but on the other hand I love the irony that the master manipulator has lost all of his skills. It's about freakin' time people started ignoring him!

Holy, holy crap this episode was wonderful for the continuity. Even if it is retroactive, it works. How amazing of them to make that headline about the Queen's death have so much resonance. Someone (latxcvi, maybe?) called this in their review last week, and this episode confirmed it: the paper he was reading in the Pilot was more than just a throwaway to comics fans; it indicates that Lionel not only had the Queens killed, he knew precisely when the traveller was coming.

Alas, I didn't have that wonderful insight, but it doesn't surprise me at all to realize that Lionel knew when the Traveler was arriving. If it's retroactive continuity -- I could go either way in terms of thinking TPTB planned it vs. they're clever after-the-fact fixers depending on my mood *g* -- then it adds a whole other layer to Lionel's interest in the Kents and in his efforts in the early seasons to discourage Lex's interest in them.

And DAMN. How much do I love it that the events in "Fracture" weren't just a way of ~~ensuring that Clex is forever~~ explaining why Clark will always hold out a little hope for Lex, but that they actually led to Lex recovering dangerous memories that are actually going to lead him to cementing his destiny?

You know, even before I saw the trailer, I found myself quietly horrified and moved by that moment in the flashback where Lionel asks wee!Lex if he's ready to go on an adventure to Smallville. I mean, if Lionel knew what was coming and took Lex with him and Lex remembers that? From Lex's POV, what a horrible betrayal. His father actively placed him in harm's way when he was nine all for the sake of some mythic creature. Lex's outburst in the trailer that Lionel never looked at him the same way after that day is the truth, and to realize that it happened because Lionel deliberately brought him to Ground Zero of the sky quite literally falling? Because Lionel put his interest in the Traveler ahead of Lex's -- his own son's - well-being? That's going to be an incredible kick in the teeth to Lex, especially because Lionel's spent so much time in the intervening years reminding Lex of all the ways Lionel finds him lacking.

Talk about the proverbial chickens coming home to roost. DAMN, indeed.

SO MUCH LOVE for this plotline--not the least because that actor playing little boy Lex is so damn cute I just want to squish him.

Isn't Connor Stanhope absolutely precious? And he's got what all truly great child actors have, which is the ability to be cute without being cloying or overly precocious. In fact, I loved all of the wee ones. Excellent casting because they looked like they could grow up to be Michael Rosenbaum, Gina Holden, Justin Hartley and Jensen Ackles, respectively.

And yet his memories are going to be the ultimate spur for patricide. DAMN.

I KNOW, RIGHT?

And I am just flabbergasted by the marvellousness of this storyline, because watching him unravelling onscreen is a wonder to behold. He's been the master of lies all his life, and now in the end, he can't get anyone to listen to his truths. Maybe because he's always been the wolf before, he ignored the story about the boy who cried wolf?

And watching him reduced to begging, even knowing that he was telling the truth and that Clark and Chloe are probably going to regret not listening to his warnings--watching him actually FALL TO HIS KNEES to get Chloe to listen to him, and her complete dismissal of him? Damn. Just DAMN. Emotionally? One of the most satisfying scenes of the show for me, EVER. That's called KARMA, Mr. Luthor. Something not even the mighty can escape.

I will miss your magnificent bastardness when you're gone, but it's such a pleasure to see you fall.

I had to copy it back word-for-word because you speak true, G. You speak true.

LOIS! I missed you!

Me, too! And I loved the whole undercover arborers thing she and Jimmy had going. Too cute.

I can't even think about what happened to Lana. It's the single most actively disturbing thing I think the show's ever done.

I'd like to think that if TPTB had Veritas in mind from the beginning, they would have dropped more breadcrumbs earlier. I do think they've had this retcon in mind since before season 6, though--possibly in coming up with their own backstory for Oliver Queen. But I agree with you that in some ways it doesn't matter; it still creates amazing layers to the earlier story, especially Lionel's interactions with young Lex.

I found myself quietly horrified and moved by that moment in the flashback where Lionel asks wee!Lex if he's ready to go on an adventure to Smallville. I mean, if Lionel knew what was coming and took Lex with him and Lex remembers that? From Lex's POV, what a horrible betrayal. His father actively placed him in harm's way when he was nine all for the sake of some mythic creature.

YES. I had the same thought. Though to be fair, I don't think Lionel knew a meteor shower was coming--he has enough self-preservation that I think even if he felt the need to be on the ground in Smallville, if he knew there was a meteor shower he would have be in a more fortified place than an open field. But still, he obviously thought that the Traveller posed a threat, so he was, effectively, putting Lex in the line of fire, and that is SO damn creepy.

Re; Connor Stanhope: he is cute as a button. I may be guilty of watching that scene with the 4 kids over and over again, because the cuteness is just too addictive.

And yeah, the Lana storyline is really disturbing.

bagheera_san has a good critique of that aspect of the episode in her review (http://bagheera-san.livejournal.com/103510.html)/

The look of the opening, in particular, was really different and creepy--it didn't, at first, seem like I was watching SV at all. And they really ramped up the feeling of horror in the teaser, which seemed very appropriate to this episode.
That was exactly my reaction as well. It didn't feel like SV! And for me that signalled 'BIG EPISODE' because recently all the big eps--like last season's season finale--have started unconventionally.

I love the term 'Continuity porn', btw. I picked up on the paper last week (I've always wondered if it would come back to play a part) and I was in heaven when they fleshed it out this week.

not the least because that actor playing little boy Lex is so damn cute I just want to squish him. And yet his memories are going to be the ultimate spur for patricide. DAMN.
I KNOW! Smallville's twisting the thorn in our sides so badly.

I risked your mention of the preview and I'm ok that I did. I don't need to see the preview to tell the clock is ticking for Lionel. At least John Glover's going out in amazing fashion--his acting was incredible this week.

loved the angel looming over their farewell which echoed the similar angel that presided over their first real conversation in the graveyard in the Pilot. Oh, Lana, I really hope this isn't the end for your character.
Mmm, I loved it too but the hark-back to the pilot was actually almost too much for me to bear. Clark was her angel then--or that's how it seemed--but in the end his existence may have damned her to a living death.

It's hard, given Smallville's many fake outs, to believe she's really gone for good, but being near the final endgame for this show (surely!) makes it a bit more likely.

Oh, I'm glad you braved the spoilers On the other hand, that spoiler itself might be a fakeout--I'm sure Lionel will die before the end of the season but maybe not that soon.

I guess whether or not Lana is gone for good depends a lot on whether or not KK signs for next season--which makes that ending creepily possible.

Yeah, I thought Lionel!death would be saved for season finale. But hey, I'm also cool with them doing it earlier and us getting to see more of Lex post-patricide. ;)

I thought KK was coming back, but I guess it's not confirmed... it does leave it creepily open, and only confirms my own view that Al&Miles are tragedy junkies who intend to take everyone to a pretty dark place before the end.

And DAMN. How much do I love it that the events in "Fracture" weren't just a way of ensuring that Clex is forever explaining why Clark will always hold out a little hope for Lex, but that they actually led to Lex recovering dangerous memories that are actually going to lead him to cementing his destiny?

Sometimes I think on SV they kind of just let plotlines dangle but they're definitely maxamizing this one. Like you said later on in this review what else is he going to remember. I'm kind of scared. LOL

He's been the master of lies all his life, and now in the end, he can't get anyone to listen to his truths

And

And watching him reduced to begging, even knowing that he was telling the truth and that Clark and Chloe are probably going to regret not listening to his warnings--watching him actually FALL TO HIS KNEES to get Chloe to listen to him, and her complete dismissal of him?

My favorite scene of the night. Oh my god. I could not believe what I was seeing. Glover was on point. I'm going to miss him as well.

shot. I loved the angel looming over their farewell which echoed the similar angel that presided over their first real conversation in the graveyard in the Pilot. Oh, Lana, I really hope this isn't the end for your character.

This whole scene was so beautifully shot and god Lana. Wow.

Great post like always.

Thanks!

I really, really will miss John Glover when he's gone, but plotwise I'm actually pretty surprised he's stuck around so far. I was really expecting him to die as far back as season 5, in a kind of parallel to Jonathan.

I get quite choked up when I think about what happened to Lana (and Clark by proxy). :(((( I truly hope that is not her fate...

If that were the end of Lana, I would be completely furious!

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Smallville: Veritas

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