Smallville 5.19: "Mercy"
Written by Steven S. DeKnight
Directed by James Marshall
I’m not sure what the difference was this time, but I really felt like this was the right kind of episode for the series. From what I understand, it borrowed the central concept from the recent “Saw” horror films, but since I find needless gore and blood tedious (violence needs mature context to be potentially interesting), I haven’t seen those films. Regardless, I like the idea at the heart of this episode: Lionel must face the demons of his past in a very personal way.
Lionel has always been chasing after Martha, so the recent twists in his relationship to Clark have been very interesting indeed. Particularly, I like the fact that Lionel, through his connection to Jor-El, has taken it upon himself to step in as a father figure for Clark, in his own peculiar way. Clark, of course, isn’t buying it, and we finally get to see some darkness in Clark. I like it when a situation challenges Clark’s morality, and as I’ve said before, Jonathan’s exit should lead to moments where Clark questions how to respond.
Of course, it’s made so much better by the fact that Lex gets to watch the whole thing, and it burns in his gut like nothing else. Lex might have gotten the feeling that he won Lana from Clark, but on some level, he must know that he’s taking advantage of Clark’s mistakes, not winning on his own merit. Now he sees Lionel treating Clark as something special, a surrogate son, and he has to be wondering why he wasn’t deemed as “special” as Clark.
In essence, this gives Lex another personal reason for discovering what Clark has that he doesn’t have. One of the underlying themes of the series has been the pursuit of power. Clark began with inherent and almost spiritual power, and Jonathan taught him to understand himself and view that power as a means of helping others who are powerless. Lex had power as well, but it was artificial and material, and Lionel taught him that the acquisition of power was paramount over all else.
This is a huge turning point for Lionel, though he’s unlikely to reform completely. Martha serves as a redemptive figure for Lionel. He continues to find reasons and ways to live up to her faith in his ability to change. Did he know that the gun was empty? Possibly, but it plays better if Lex comes up with that on his own, as if he’s casting for some way to explain away Lionel’s apparent selfless act.
As much as the scheme at the center of the plot is a nice nod to continuity, it isn’t nearly as satisfying as it could have been. For one thing, who remembers that whole Apex deal from the earlier seasons? I can’t even remember when it took place; the back and forth between the Luthors has been going on for so long that the sequence of events is now just a jumble. It might have been better if it was a more recent victim of their struggle, but considering that it was a solid episode for once, I’ll take what I can get.
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4
Final Rating: 8/10
Directed by James Marshall
I’m not sure what the difference was this time, but I really felt like this was the right kind of episode for the series. From what I understand, it borrowed the central concept from the recent “Saw” horror films, but since I find needless gore and blood tedious (violence needs mature context to be potentially interesting), I haven’t seen those films. Regardless, I like the idea at the heart of this episode: Lionel must face the demons of his past in a very personal way.
Lionel has always been chasing after Martha, so the recent twists in his relationship to Clark have been very interesting indeed. Particularly, I like the fact that Lionel, through his connection to Jor-El, has taken it upon himself to step in as a father figure for Clark, in his own peculiar way. Clark, of course, isn’t buying it, and we finally get to see some darkness in Clark. I like it when a situation challenges Clark’s morality, and as I’ve said before, Jonathan’s exit should lead to moments where Clark questions how to respond.
Of course, it’s made so much better by the fact that Lex gets to watch the whole thing, and it burns in his gut like nothing else. Lex might have gotten the feeling that he won Lana from Clark, but on some level, he must know that he’s taking advantage of Clark’s mistakes, not winning on his own merit. Now he sees Lionel treating Clark as something special, a surrogate son, and he has to be wondering why he wasn’t deemed as “special” as Clark.
In essence, this gives Lex another personal reason for discovering what Clark has that he doesn’t have. One of the underlying themes of the series has been the pursuit of power. Clark began with inherent and almost spiritual power, and Jonathan taught him to understand himself and view that power as a means of helping others who are powerless. Lex had power as well, but it was artificial and material, and Lionel taught him that the acquisition of power was paramount over all else.
This is a huge turning point for Lionel, though he’s unlikely to reform completely. Martha serves as a redemptive figure for Lionel. He continues to find reasons and ways to live up to her faith in his ability to change. Did he know that the gun was empty? Possibly, but it plays better if Lex comes up with that on his own, as if he’s casting for some way to explain away Lionel’s apparent selfless act.
As much as the scheme at the center of the plot is a nice nod to continuity, it isn’t nearly as satisfying as it could have been. For one thing, who remembers that whole Apex deal from the earlier seasons? I can’t even remember when it took place; the back and forth between the Luthors has been going on for so long that the sequence of events is now just a jumble. It might have been better if it was a more recent victim of their struggle, but considering that it was a solid episode for once, I’ll take what I can get.
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4
Final Rating: 8/10
posted by John Keegan | 07:54
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