SV: Phantom

[norwich36]

So, am I correct in assuming that the rumors about someone leaving the show refer to Annette O'Toole? She was the only one given an actual send-off in this episode, so my money would be on her. I can't imagine that Lionel is going to die at any way other than Lex's hands, so it won't be him; I'm pretty sure they didn't go to all the trouble of making Chloe a mutant just to kill her off; obviously they can't kill Lois; and I'd have a lot more faith in Lana's death if that postal truck hadn't swerved in front of the explodimobile at a very convenient time. In fact, the only question I have right now is whether Lana faked her own death (both to frame Lex and to be free of him, or at least give herself time to run) or whether it was all part of Lionel's plan.

And speaking of Lionel's plan....if J'onn J'onzz wasn't a mind reader, I'd be very suspicious of this idea that Lionel is once again Jor-El's avatar. Of course, he could be acting for Jor-El using Luthorian methods (or maybe El-ian methods? I can't wait to hear bop_radar and supacat's take on this)--but he seems to not only have forced Lana to marry Lex but also (apparently) faked the pregnancy? At least, my initial reading of Lex in that Lex-Lana confrontation scene was that he was genuinely surprised at Lana's accusation. I really liked that scene a lot, in part because when Lana told Lex "you aren't capable of love, Lex. You never were," it felt very Lillian-ish to me. Did anyone else get that vibe? It reminded me of angry Lillian in "Void," berating Lex for not taking her advice. I wonder if that was a deliberate choice by KK or the director?

I want to rewatch that scene to pay closer attention to Lex's reactions, like I said above I really thought he was surprised by her accusations about the fake pregnancy. If it does turn out to have all been Lionel, I think that will be the catalyst for Lex actually killing him. Already he's informed Lionel that he crossed an uncrossable line with his "gentle nudge" to get Lana to marry Lex. If Lionel really did fake the pregnancy too, he destroyed any hope of happiness Lex might have ever had, since Lex really is convinced he loves Lana, and it was the fake pregnancy that killed off the last of her feelings for him. All this to get someone on the inside? That's really a diabolical thing to do to your own son. I don't care if technically Lionel is on the side of the angels--if Lionel did all that, I'll be cheering when Lex kills him (and you all know how much I love Lionel). I want to see what other people's readings of that scene were, though. Maybe Lex was just fooling me with his faux sincerity?

Lex's other scenes were awesome. I loved when he strode into that exorcism (and what the HELL was that, anyway? Suddenly we're in a bad horror movie where the Quebecois are medieval peasants or something?); I loved him being all sexy and evil in the lab; and I laughed out loud when he pushed the doctor toward the phantom. (Yeah. Just one more reason why I'm no longer a Lexian minion--it really shortens your lifespan! I still admire the sexy, though). And I loved the look on his face when he got arrested.

I'm really, really hoping it was Lana who staged her own death, because (A) it would be cool and (B) it would be FRICKING AWESOME. Ok, slightly less awesome if Lex really didn't fake the pregnancy, but he is still a threat to her, and it is wonderfully Luthorian of her to ensure her safety by framing him for her death. With no body, he probably won't go away for it, but it buys her time, and it also gets her out from under Lionel's influence.

I suppose there is a slight possibility she is actually dead, but I find that really hard to believe. It is true she got her own kind of goodbye with Clark in the loft, and he did tell her his secret, which has been the kiss of death in the past, but the parallel to "Reckoning" is precisely why I think she's not really dead--it's a little too obvious. I loved that Clana scene, to be honest. KK has never looked more gorgeous, and I really love any scene where Clark reveals himself. And I liked the kiss.

I also really loved Lois in this episode. Could they have done ANYTHING more to show her tenacity? Not only does she stick to the story despite Chloe's warnings about the dangers of messing with Luthors, but she figured out Wes' final message all on her own, found the secret facility, came up with a plausible excuse for the guard, kung fu'd him when he got aggressive, and still held on with a knife in her gut! Damn! THAT'S canonical Lois Lane!!! (Though, just for future reference, Lois, you're not supposed to pull those out before calling for medical assistance--it just aggravates the injury). When Chloe found her and was ineffectually trying to rouse her with a pep talk and then started crying, I lost it, I have to admit. I love the relationship between Lois and Chloe a lot. And I found it interesting that Chloe's healing (resurrection?) ability works through tears, and leaves her unconscious (dead?) Like I said at the top of the review, I very much doubt Chloe is really dead, but it is a nice cliffhanger to leave us with.

And finally, I loved that we got to see J'onn J'onzz again (I squealed like a little girl when he came onscreen), and this new SV version of Bizarro we ended up with shows real promise. I *love* it when TW goes evil! I think it will make the season 7 opener a lot of fun. (And gee--do you think they'll show the 5 minute version of "previously on Smallville" before that episode too?

I'm sure I'll have more to say on this episode later, but first I want to go see what everyone else had to say.