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Smallville: Perry

Chloe: "Wise decision coming inside. Weather service expects a shower of threshing machines, followed by a drizzle of combines."

A comet smacked into the sun, and Perry White, tabloid television reporter, arrived in Smallville... just in time for Clark's powers to go kerplooey because of solar flares.

Introducing Perry White so early was quite possibly screwing with the Superman mythology, but I think they made it work. Michael McKean was just perfect as Perry White; spot on casting. He irritated everyone in town, and saw Clark being super over and over again – while drunk. And they followed it with a literal cliffhanger, with Perry doing just what Lois Lane did in Superman II: jumping off a cliff, and expecting Clark to save him.

This episode had some of the best sight gags they've had in this series, at least so far. Clark accidentally throwing the tractor into the air was just classic. Having it land in pieces in front of a half-lit Perry and him reacting by pouring his booze onto the ground was cliched, but I loved it anyway. I also really loved Clark losing control of his superspeed, and having to come home from Colorado by bus.

And now Perry is on the wagon, and heading for the Daily Planet. And he owes Clark a favor. I'm ready for more Perry. Couldn't we move the whole show to Metropolis soon? Yeah, yeah, I know. No flights, no tights.

Bits and pieces:

— Clark now knows that he gets his powers from the sun.

— Perry, like Chloe, is a Lionel victim.

— Lex, who actually didn't have malaria, was doing his best to blow off the company shrink. Unfortunately, it looked like Lex might be on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

— Upset about Perry pursuing her for a story with "Little Miss Meteor," Lana went to Lex for help. Not Clark. I sort of like the way Lex takes care of Lana.

— Perry crashed his car into a telephone pole; one point. Clark tossing the tractor was also one point, but I loved it enough to give it a dozen.

— Another uncharacteristic white tee-shirt for Clark.

Quotes:

Perry: "You know, your high school paper has developed quite a rep in the bug-eyed monster circles."

Martha: "You sound intrigued."
Clark: "Actually, it's a relief to be researching a cosmic disaster that has nothing to do with me."

Perry: "'Principal Authorizes New Gym Mats,' by Clark Kent. I know I was riveted."

Shrink: "Lex, if you don't let your demons out, they could consume you."

Perry: "Memories fade, but a Google search never forgets."

Really wonderful. Four stars,

Billie
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Billie Doux had a love-hate relationship with Smallville, which is why some of her reviews are briefer than they should be.

1 comment:

  1. I love when anyone from the mythology enters this world and Perry White is no different. This show had quite a few laugh out loud moments, and those don't happen a lot.

    Lex in therapy? Scary!

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