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Smallville: Absolute Justice

Lois: "Nice helmet."
Doctor Fate: "Thank you."

Dan liked it, for the most part. But I think it was out of my league, pun intended.

Costumes, costumes, costumes! Feathers, stars, helmets, leather... flying people with costumes! Smallville used to be pretty minimalist when it came to flying people with costumes, which is probably one reason why I found it easier to relate. Maybe they all stopped by to give Clark hints on color and style. Personally, I like the black with the subtle white S; I just realized that it's a callback to what Marlon Brando wore in the original Superman movie in 1978.

I'll give them big points for casting the wonderful Michael Shanks as Hawkman. He looked like he belonged on Smallville, he transcended the material as well as those stupid looking wings, and he made me laugh out loud several times, usually while ripping Oliver. I've always liked Pam Grier a lot, too, and I hope she returns.

And I'm very fond of Martian Manhunter, and was pleased that he finally got his powers back. He was even in his costume (or a subdued version of it) for the first time. (That was the first time, wasn't it? After nine years, let me tell you, Smallville is a great big mish-mosh in my head.) I also liked Chloe learning about what she was doing wrong as Watchtower (courtesy of Stargirl). Chloe was definitely getting too autocratic and losing her warmth, and I've been unhappy about the hints that she's going Dark Willow.

But Tess as Pam Grier's minion? Will they please stop giving Tess new roles in an attempt to make her character work? She's Lex! She's Lionel! She's helping Zod, no, she's trying to save the world! She's Oliver's love interest! She's not Oliver's love interest! I wish they'd decide exactly what Tess really is, and then promptly write her out of the show. No, forget the first part of that. Just please write her out of the show.

Dan, who knows comics much better than I do, thought the whole thing was a DC-gasm of old school spandex, and he wondered if they were actually going to bring in Darkside (okay, oops, Darkseid), which apparently is pretty major. Personally, I was a tiny bit cheered by the mention of Lex, since he was the reason I got into this show in the first place.

Finally, I should probably mention that this was the first episode with more than one word in the title. Does it mean anything? I have no idea. Probably that they already used the title "Justice" in season six.
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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.

5 comments:

  1. Hi Billie!

    "Absolute Justice" was a two-parter.
    The episodes are called "Society" and "Legends".

    MINOR spoiler (read it backwards): KCAB EB LLIW REIRG MAP


    As always: Thanks for the review.
    Only 11 more to go :(

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  2. Thanks, Daniel C W. But don't confuse me with the facts. :)

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  3. I enjoyed this episode immensely. It reminded me of Watchmen -- with the JSA of old -- and past and present heroes teaming up. I enjoyed the face off between Icicle and Stargirl, too. I just wish Heroes would take note. This is what a hero fight should look like.

    And it's taken me some time, but I'm finally ready to confess -- I like Tess! And... I like Lana too! Not so much that I want her back, but I really don't dislike her as much as the majority of the SV fan community. I have no idea what's wrong with me.

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  4. I like Tess too.
    But Billie's statement made me think about her. Her first major change in season 8 had a good reason (being under lex control). But after that she was all over the place, and thr recent reveal of her being an agent felt very random to me.
    (it could be used to explain her previous behaviour, though)

    And I had no problem whith Lana, either.

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  5. Icicle was kind of a badass. :D

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