This week’s Smallville was a twisty, topsy-turvy one — an hour that only seemed like a novelty respite from the series’ recent story lines. By the end, however, the episode titled “Luthor” had deepened the season’s themes.
In an alternate-Earth, baby Clark had been found [SPOILERS, OBVIOUSLY] in the cornfield by Lionel Luthor, and the kid grew up to be Ultra-Man, a super-powered murderer. Lois Lane and Oliver Queen were both engaged and united in their hatred for Clark Luthor and all he represented: greedy wealth and irresponsible power.
It all started in the “real” world of Smallville, where Tess discovered she’d inherited a mirror box, a Kryptonian relic. When clicked into place by Clark, it exchanged Clarks Kent and Luthor. “Our” Clark found himself at the mercy of his raging father, Lionel — John Glover, in a terrifically intense return to the series — and fending off the advances of his randy step-sister, the alternative-Tess. Meanwhile, back in the Smallville we know, Clark Luthor caused as much chaos and pain as he could.
The hour was all about the price we pay for trying to maintain family bonds, even when those we are bonded to harm us. For Tess, the dangers unleashed derived from the secret she’d been keeping from Clark Kent about the Luthor clone, Alexander, whom she thought was “the closest thing to family” that she’d ever have. For Clark, he saw in the alternate-Earth that the “Luthor blood is poison.”
All of this could have been ponderous — complete with a trite comparison to King Lear — were it not for the performances (especially Glover’s — his beating of Clark with a belt was powerfully painful to witness) and for Kelly Souders’ smart direction. Souders presented the alternative Earth in inky blacks and cobalt blues; menace hung heavily in the air.
By the end, the switch was reversed, Clark was back in the arms of his Lois, but in the final scene, we saw that Lionel had made the journey back with Clark. This leaves the door open for further misadventures with Lionel in Smallville. As the man said: Wouldn’t want to miss how it all turns out, do we?
Did you watch “Luthor”?
Twitter: @kentucker
The best episode this season. It was great to see Tom Welling playing the evil Clark and obviously having a great time doing it. And how great was it to see John Glover/Lionel again? Makes you realize some of what the show’s been missing. “I’d hate to miss how it all turns out”. Awesome shout out to fans.
By far the best of this dreary season which has swerved into romantic comedy zone too much for fans’ taste. But with 2 Luthors on the loose that looks like its over thankfully.
Speak for yourself. I was loving the ‘romantic comedy zone’. Now I don’t even want to tune for next week’s episode…..well maybe for just the beginning, because of the big event that has spoiled on other websites. After that I’m boycotting watching live for the rest of the season.
Yeah I don’t think I’m going to bother watching next week. This episode killed clois for me.
Dreary season??? You’re delusional! This is the best season in years with excellent episode after excellent episode!
I agree! This season has been boring. It’s about time something happens.
I agree. The best of the season. Tom’s acting was a treat. We all love Lionel. Tess, we worry about you. So much to come. Love it!
Different strokes for different folks. While this episode is not as stonkingly bad a Power or Doomsday, it ranks right up there as the worst of the entire series.
This was such a dark episode, but was also interesting! Tom Welling was amazing as AU Clark; he was dangerously sexy, and I couldn’t take my eyes off him! This again illustrates why I can’t wait to see Tom in other roles beyond Smallville.
Glover and Freeman also did a good job. The chemistry between Clark and Tess was HOT, and the scenes with Clark and Lionel were very intense.
Even though the Nature/Nurture theme was misleading (everyone is more than just their environments or their parents’ teachings), any episode that highlights Tom Welling’s acting is worthwhile!
And, I’m also looking forward to Lionel’s role in the remainder of the season. This episode was a very nice change of pace from the episodes so far this season. The second best episode so far, following “Homecoming”.
Talk about yin and yang. Homecoming highlighted that Clark would eventually become be the world’s greatest hero. Luthor pretty much highlighted that Clark could just as easily become a total douche. Superman versus Colossal Tool. And Colossal Tool comes across as more sexy. Excellent job at dumping all over the superhero Kelly Souders!
But doesn’t the fact that Clark chose to become the hero make him all the more heroic? To me it does. That potential for evil’s in all of us, just like the potential for good.
AMAZING EPISODE!
This was the second best episode of the season. Homecoming still holds the top spot.
I got chills when John Glover looked into the camera, in the final scene. I have already watched the episode twice. Loved it!
It was just teen junk, as Smallville always has been.
You’re teen trash, and you always have been.
No one forced you to watch. If you can’t criticize the episode constructively then you have no valid points to make.
@Roger Sterling, I agree. After the middle of the series, Smallville became a soap opera version of Lois & Clark. Booooring.
John Glover really brought it. Lionel Luthor is a complex character but I liked the emphasis on what a proud vain sociopath he is.
LIONEL LUTHOR! I’ve missed you.
GREAT episode! Almost as good as Homecoming and that says a lot!!! I loved John Glover but I think Tom as Ultraman stole the episode, he was just menacing in a way I’d never seen him before. Just plain amazing!
Agreed! Tom is underrated as an actor. It always surprises me that so few people acknowledge his talent. Based on the history of other actors, its seems like gorgeous men just have to prove themselves over and over again.
Hello Alan,Great lonoikg display, that was a hell of a find and wonderful for displaying your momentos. Great collection. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Talk about a fantastic hour of television! I have no complaints about this episode at all. [I kept thinking, how can the producers of the new Superman movie not give the role to Tom Welling? The man is AMAZING as Clark, and the few times he's played a baddie, he has proven to be very convincing.] Ken, you are right about John Glover’s intensity, nailing Lionel Luthor’s pure evil. Everyone did a stellar job tonight. I loved it! On that last scene, I was sure that Lionel was coming to get me. Season 10 keeps delivering week after week; Smallville is going out with a BANG!
I love the show but I never really thought Welling a good actor until this season.
Everything about him now just says Superman, the way he looks, acts, talks, everything.
I’ve been a fairly committed viewer of Smallville since about season 3 or 4. I have always enjoyed it, but often in spite of its sometimes cheesy and hammy tendencies. One thing I’m really enjoying about this season is that everyone involved seems to be really maturing, on and off camera. Last night was a perfect example of this — I loved the untold story of Ultraman in CK’s universe. The moment of ultimate reckoning that our Clark stumbled back into (all those Kryptonite arrows about to take him out!) skillfully hinted at the chaos and struggles faced by Ollie, Lois and Tess, but trusted that the audience could imagine it for ourselves. Very cool, mature writing. If a Metropolis series could promise this kind of production, I’d be on board…
This series should have been canceled a long time ago.Tonight’s episode was stupid.
then why did you watch it and post on a site about it? get a life loser
its called freedom of speech. deal with it. loser.
I’m afraid, tigersmurfette, that you’ve just lost this one. Freedom of speech addresses opportunity, but his question was one of motive.
No seriously; why watch a show you hate, and then come here to post that you don’t like it…are you being forced to watch it? Are you trapped in some alternate universe where people are forced to watch the opposite of what they really want to watch? Cuz you might want to say you are, instead of looking so very dumb.
Smallville is just getting better. This just can’t be the last season. With the growing amount of fans and viewers , Smallville needs to have a spinoff and call it Metropolis. That would not only satisfy the viewers but the writers would be able to have a clean slate to work with with their abstract creation of their modern day superman.
Actors have to move on. I admit I wish it wasn’t the last season, either, or at least that there would be a new show… “Metropolis” “Superman” etc., which carried on the series with a new/old concept more similar to “The Adventures of Superman”… I guess you could also call the series “Action”, or if you brought in the Batman Character, “Worlds’ Finest” if you are keeping Green Arrow, “The Brave and the Bold…” (inside joke for my fellow comic readers…)
I hate to see the show end as well but I have to agree, the actors need to be able to move on. I don’t want them to be typecast however, I can’t deny that Tom Welling would be excellent as Superman in the next motion picture. I love Christopher Reeves and if anyone can come behind Chris, its Tom. Also, what do you all think about a Justice League series?
I agree with Brody (i have been saying this on forums for ages) they should have a spin off with the justice league…the show was origianlly about clark and lex and yet it has grown into much more than that with various other superheroes and villains appearing in the series. If not a full spin off, perhaps “smallville: heroes” could be an appropriate title, that way we can keep, clark, lois, ollie and tess but bring back AC, black canary, martian manhunter,zantana, impulse back full time and explore there own little universes…just how amazing would that be!!!
I don’t agree. Too many super heroes will muddy the combination of action and romance we have with the Superman saga. Metropolis or take it to the big screen where these actors and characters belong!
Fantastic episode. How incredible would the last episode be with a Clark/Lex/Lionel showdown? I can’t help but think they’re leading up to that. Hopefully it will be Michael Rosenbaum playing him. That would end the series the way it was meant to be.
Great episode, just like the rest of this season has been. One of my favorites and the only nitpick I had was that I wanted to see more of Clark Luthor.
Oh and I agree this season has been great, best yet in my books because its more mature and adult compared to the teenage mope fest early on, makes me wish Lex were around now doing battle with adult Clark, too bad this show never transitioned in S7 towards a more mature storyline involving Clark, Lex, Lois oh well. Season 10 still rocks regardless.
I share your nit!
I also wanted more scenes with AU Clark! IMO, the scenes with Oliver and Lois could have been shorter, because the main storyline should have been about Clark, Lionel, and Tess in both worlds.
I loved loved this epi… I have missed lionel sooo much… I agree with a lot of peeps on here that getting to see clark luthor more would of been awesome… they should of made it a two parter and i hope the series finally is a two hour one and goes out with a bang… Luv you Tom Welling you are in fact a God among men…
Great comeback and epic episode, how Smallville should be…epic…best regards!
Great episode
I rlaley couldn’t care less about horror film sequels. No matter how many sequels or ideas they come up with, it’s always terrible & always for money. Horror writers don’t think thoroughly. Writing a sequel has to be very well planned & careful. That’s why many great movies usually don’t have sequels. It always has to be a better story line than the first, that should be the very first rule for planning a sequel screenplay. It’s very risky. That’s why I hate horror films/ horror screenplay writers.The only brilliant scary movie I’ve ever come across to was The Exorcist. The thought that demons are truly real makes the movie horrifying. Another one is Silence of the Lambs, although it falls in the Mystery/Drama genre. No man with masks, or guns. The spine chilling Hannibal Lector is scary enough. A mere doctor, who doesn’t just kill people, he EATS them. These films, are worth being called true horror films.References :
I’m just incredibly pleased to see Lionel Luther back in the fold after a nigh unwatchably tedious season so far. What a terrific actor. I wish John Glover did more TV work. Having said that, I also think Tom Welling excelled himself as Clark Luthor, having pretty much coasted woodenly through the role of Clark for the last few seasons. It was nice to be reminded that the guy can actually act.
Are you kidding me? Tom Welling always does a great job. He portrays Clark Kent just as he should.
I agree Carrie.
I also agree Carrie! Even Glover himself said that it was very tough to portray Clark Kent onscreen (read about Transference). And, Tom does a great job as Clark! He is my generation’s Superman.
Actually, Clark said BEFORE he went to the AU that the Luthor blood is poison. In the AU an adopted Luthor (AU Clark) was more evil than Lionel’s biological kids who he had already disowned (Tess and Lex), so Clark realized it was Lionel and not Luthor blood itself that made people evil (duh, Clark!). Which was why having the Lionel Returns scene right after Clark says this to Tess was so WOW!
Thanks for pointing that out. The mistake in the recap/review was bugging me, because the whole nature vs. nurture thing was a HUGE plot point. Oh, and nurture wins, at least for now.
At least someone else understands what is happening on Smallville cause Ken seems clueless.
True Jessie, but that is still misleading. Lionel can’t “make” anyone evil. Everyone is more than their environments. It still comes down to personal choice, as was pointed out in “Homecoming”.
This episode didn’t do a very good job of reinforcing that fact.
But the way you’re raised will affect the choices you make. Yes, Clark Luthor still had a choice, but he chose evil instead of good because of the way Lionel raised him. That’s the point of the episode and a major theme that’s run through the entire series via Lex and Clark’s different choices on things thanks to being raised by Lionel or the Kents, respectively.
Also, Clark has made mistakes even with his Kent upbringing and Jor-El said that Clark has darkness in his soul. It’s why he cut ties with him this season. So I don’t think it’s a stretch to think that Clark Luthor could become completely corrupted, despite any innate goodness he may have (it’s nature AND nurture, not one or the other, IMO). It’d be completely unrealistic, unrelatable, and boring to me if Clark were totally good no matter what changed around him. He’s not a god, just an alien who was raised by humans, so he’s not perfect, just like the rest of us aren’t.
Brian, I agree that the way a person is raised affects his life and some of his choices in life. And, of course, Clark has made mistakes.
But, IMO, Clark would not be a murderer. And, it wasn’t necessary to go to this extreme in this episode. His innate goodness was not acknowledged at all, and thus the AU Clark was mostly a one-dimensional character.
It would have been a much better episode, if it had focused on an AU Clark who was morally ambiguous, struggling with the “teachings” of Lionel, and his own individual beliefs (such as not killing another person).
Instead, it did a disservice to Clark. JMO
And, the “darkness” as referred to by the AI Jor-El was NOT about Clark being evil. It was about his focusing on the past, and his insecurities about his future.
Again, this was explained in “Homecoming”. Clark doesn’t have “evil” in his soul, so the term “darkness” is also misleading.
Again, just my opinion. I’m a big Superman fan, and the SV writers need to have more respect for the way this iconic character is written sometimes on this show (even if it’s an AU – Clark should never purposely kill anyone).
The “darkness” in Clark’s soul was also about that pride that he had after catching the globe and saving Lois. He shot back to the Fortress all proud of himself and overconfident, which is part of the reason Jor-El shut him down in addition to his insecurities about the past.
I think, on Earth 2, Clark Luthor had already had that struggle with his inner goodness, and Lionel’s corruption won out. It’s the same situation as coming into the movies where Clark’s already Superman, rather than seeing the battle to get there. We also saw that struggle with Lex on the show, so we can extrapolate to assume that Clark Luthor fell down a similar path.
I’m a huge Superman fan too, but it’d be one-dimensional for him to never change with his surroundings, IMO. If Jor-El was afraid that Clark would become humanity’s greatest enemy, I have to assume that would include killing and enslaving people, so yeah, I think that the right circumstances could lead Clark to evil, just like they could anyone.
First let me say, this is very similar to Fringe and what they’ve been doing all season long.
I loved this episode and wanted to see more of bad boy Clark Luthor. Wondered if his cousin Kara ever came looking for him?
I was so excited to see John Glover back on TV and the door open for a return appearence. I almost squealed for joy, lol!! :p