Smallville 5.17: "Void"
Written by Holly Harold
Directed by Jeannot Szwarc
In which Lana becomes involved in secret experiments with near-death experiences, placing her life and others at risk, while Clark tracks down the possibility of Fine’s survival…
I’ve been less than pleased with the progress of the series since “Reckoning”, largely because there wasn’t any depth to the character exploration in the wake of Jonathan’s death. One episode with hints of darkness in Clark’s personality doesn’t really cut it, and several episodes with different versions of the breakup between Clark and Lana is really pushing it. But this episode, despite the “Flatliners” plot grab, actually engaged my interest.
I’m not sure I buy Lana’s motivations, since she’s been a lot stronger than this emotionally under far more difficult circumstances, but it’s fun to see her crawl through the mud for a little while. I love how they stripped away the glamour, because too often, Lana is presented as if she’s a model on assignment instead of a character with emotions. I wouldn’t call this an acting tour de force, but it’s a lot more range for Lana than usual.
I was almost fooled into believing that Clark wouldn’t be the one to save Lana from herself. It would have been a lot more interesting if Lex had been her hero for a change. Granted, he gave it a good shot, and there was a plot-driven reason for Clark to be there in the end, but it was still a bit too convenient. Sooner or later, the writers have to shake up the format.
The main point of this episode, beyond revealing Fine’s survival to Clark (which gave Lana more than enough time to self-destruct), was the plot device afforded by the NDE drug. Allowing the living to speak with the dead is a time-honored plot device, especially in the SF genre, and as usual, it provides some nice plot development opportunities.
I liked the fact that “Lexmas” was referenced, because in a lot of ways, that episode had been rendered useless by later events. There was no sense of a change in Lex or a consideration of consequences. Now he’s brought face to face with his mother, who challenges his decision not to change his ways and make amends. His description of the encounter, as revealed to Lana, speaks volumes. As usual, Lex and his descent is one of the best things about the series.
On the other side of the spectrum, Jonathan tells Clark what kind of man/symbol he’s destined to become. For all that it’s played to the melodramatic hilt, it was hard not to respond to Jonathan’s return. And this also provided Clark with a moment of doubt, which is what I’ve wanted. And when Fine returns in full force, he better play on all those doubts. If Clark’s doubts are never addressed in a meaningful way, Jonathan’s death would (like Lex’s vision) be rendered almost meaningless.
Writing: 1/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4
Final Rating: 7/10
Directed by Jeannot Szwarc
In which Lana becomes involved in secret experiments with near-death experiences, placing her life and others at risk, while Clark tracks down the possibility of Fine’s survival…
I’ve been less than pleased with the progress of the series since “Reckoning”, largely because there wasn’t any depth to the character exploration in the wake of Jonathan’s death. One episode with hints of darkness in Clark’s personality doesn’t really cut it, and several episodes with different versions of the breakup between Clark and Lana is really pushing it. But this episode, despite the “Flatliners” plot grab, actually engaged my interest.
I’m not sure I buy Lana’s motivations, since she’s been a lot stronger than this emotionally under far more difficult circumstances, but it’s fun to see her crawl through the mud for a little while. I love how they stripped away the glamour, because too often, Lana is presented as if she’s a model on assignment instead of a character with emotions. I wouldn’t call this an acting tour de force, but it’s a lot more range for Lana than usual.
I was almost fooled into believing that Clark wouldn’t be the one to save Lana from herself. It would have been a lot more interesting if Lex had been her hero for a change. Granted, he gave it a good shot, and there was a plot-driven reason for Clark to be there in the end, but it was still a bit too convenient. Sooner or later, the writers have to shake up the format.
The main point of this episode, beyond revealing Fine’s survival to Clark (which gave Lana more than enough time to self-destruct), was the plot device afforded by the NDE drug. Allowing the living to speak with the dead is a time-honored plot device, especially in the SF genre, and as usual, it provides some nice plot development opportunities.
I liked the fact that “Lexmas” was referenced, because in a lot of ways, that episode had been rendered useless by later events. There was no sense of a change in Lex or a consideration of consequences. Now he’s brought face to face with his mother, who challenges his decision not to change his ways and make amends. His description of the encounter, as revealed to Lana, speaks volumes. As usual, Lex and his descent is one of the best things about the series.
On the other side of the spectrum, Jonathan tells Clark what kind of man/symbol he’s destined to become. For all that it’s played to the melodramatic hilt, it was hard not to respond to Jonathan’s return. And this also provided Clark with a moment of doubt, which is what I’ve wanted. And when Fine returns in full force, he better play on all those doubts. If Clark’s doubts are never addressed in a meaningful way, Jonathan’s death would (like Lex’s vision) be rendered almost meaningless.
Writing: 1/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4
Final Rating: 7/10
posted by John Keegan | 19:12
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