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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 (![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
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.
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
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
:0)
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no subject
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!