Clark: "I'll never let that happen!"
The continuing drama with the Kandorians and Zod has really been a bore. Add in Checkmate and the overly done mysterious element, and you have a season that doesn't work. Bring these two dysfunctional plots together, and suddenly there is cohesion... who'd a thunk it. Still the largest chunk of this episode took place in the Watchtower, continuing the slightly suggestive interplay between Chloe and Tess.
Call me insane but I think they have real acting chemistry, which may even be romantic. Tess is a character they have effectively driven into the ground. But somehow interacting with Chloe has brought out the best in the character. I'm reminded of the beloved exchanges between Lionel and Lex firing off witty banter. Mind you they aren't quite at that level, but if the writers keep at it they might get close. That is if they keep Tess through season ten.
The rest of the arc revolved around Zod, and the loyalties of the Kandorians. Happily enough there was some intriguing drama towards the end, with Zod killing Faora and his unborn child. There was also the seeming destruction of Checkmate by Zod as well. I see a great CGI battle sequence in the future, to resolve those plot threads. How much do you want to bet that Zod blames Clark for it somehow? This feels almost like a soap opera... with superpowers. Except I can't quite call it that, maybe because I want to keep watching.
Bits:
Justin Hartley (Oliver) wrote this one. Kudos to him for delivering one of the better episodes of the season.
I had to use IMDb to remember who eye patch boy was (Agent Campbell). Turns out he was Tess's hacker minion shot by her in the episode "Pandora."
The elevator scene was really cool.
Who doesn't have backups for that kind of data? Really, Chloe, are you just losing brain cells by the minute?
Oliver got the drop on Zod. It was a very Batman like moment. Then he ruined it by turning his back on Zod to call Clark about his success, which allowed Zod to escape.
Faora, Tess and Oliver all made a major sacrifice in this episode. Although Faora really got the short stick.
I enjoyed the way Tess woke up a la Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction. The scene felt really effective to me, and further cemented my opinion that Tess and Chloe should run away together.
Callum Blue nailed the "Kneel before Zod!" line finally. I almost got shivers.
& Pieces:
Clark: "I let myself in."
Oliver: "Terrific. You, uh, hop up to the helipad or just superspeed past security, Clark?"
Clark: "I used the elevator."
Chloe: "We got three minutes of air left. You think Checkmate will find us before then?"
Tess: "Asphyxiation or firing squad."
Chloe: "Damned if we do, damned if we don't."
Tess: "Just damned. I just wanted to save the world."
Chloe: "That's funny. Last time I checked, you were just trying to get rid of everyone in it."
This successfully brought together elements that have been ineffective all season. It wasn't quite a four, but it was a solid 3-1/2 out of 4 destroyed CGI cryogenic canisters that cause a total mainframe meltdown.
Samantha M. Quinn spends most of her time in front of a computer typing away at one thing or another; when she has free time, she enjoys pretty much anything science fiction or fantasy-related.
I am so over these whiny sentimental villains. I don't understand the Zod appeal at all. Bring back the unapologetic villainy of the Toymaker. On the other hand, it was good to see Stuart back in some capacity. I actually did remember him immediately, surprising myself since I didn't like the buddy-adversary thing he had going on with Chloe
ReplyDelete