Smallville Review – “Prodigal”

The Luthors have never failed to entertain.

Cast

Tom Welling as
Clark Kent
Kristen Kreuk as
Lana Lang
Michael
Rosenbaum
as Lex Luthor
John Glover
as Lionel Luthor
Sam Jones III as
Pete Ross
Allison Mack as
Chloe Sullivan
Annette
O’Toole
as Martha Kent
John
Schneider
as Jonathan Kent

Written by Brian
Peterson
and Kelly Sounders.
Directed by Greg Beeman.

Original Airdate


Prodigal
originally aired on Tuesday, February 11, 2003.

Synopsis

Lex finds his half-brother in Edge City.

High Point

The billiard ball scene.

Low Point

The setup in the basketball scene didn’t wash for me.

Also, I hereby rescind my choice of Low Point for Insurgence.

The Review

This felt original. Usually the long lost sibling is brought
on as a surprise, so it is nice to see this one come out a few months
after the first hints. As for the content, Lucas added a whole new
dynamic to the show, and kept it feeling fresh. I give it 5 out of 6.

The effects were few, but well done. The bullet thing is old
hat, but the melting part was new, as were some of the basketball
stunts. I give it 4 out of 6, hurt because the bullets still look
like CGI, even after all of this practice.

The story was solid, like a radish, or a potato. The
Luthor-centric stories are always great, and all three were in fine
form. There were no places that really bothered me, or struck me as
terribly implausible, either. I give it 6 out of 6.

The acting was very good. They know how to cast for the
Luthors, that’s for sure. I give it 6 out of 6.

The emotional response was strong again this week. They’ve
got a great dynamic here, and they’re playing with a storyline not
bound by comic book events. They grabbed my attention in the teaser,
and held it easily throughout. I give it 5 out of 6.

The production was excellent. The teaser was shot very well,
given the location constraints. I give it 5 out of 6.

Overall, a great episode. I give it a 6 out of 6.

In total, Prodigal receives 37 out of 42.

4 replies on “Smallville Review – “Prodigal””

  1. Let there be sight
    Well, it looks like Lionel can see again. The money question is since when? He obviously knows/suspects something about Clark from what he said to Lucas after the attack by the guy on the motorcycle, but is that from his investigations, or from Insurgence. I’m thinking Insurgence, which means Lionel also knows about the kryptonite-induced weakness, which could have ominous consequences in the big scheme of things.

    I’m also enjoying the fact that they’re moving away from the whole kryptonite-induced villian of the week, hopefully for a good, long while (this is what, the fourth week in a row without one? I think that’s a record). The one thing about this episode that irritated me was how blase Lana was with Clark. She got screwed over pretty hardcore last week, and was fairly angry with Clark then (note the rose in the wastebasket) and yet was fairly civil, if not downright warm towards him throughout the episode. I was with Lucas, she should have fired him for being late – he gets to school on time, he should be able to show up for a job on time as well, it’s not like speedy transportation is a big worry with him.

    • Re: Let there be sight

      I’m also enjoying the fact that they’re moving away from the whole kryptonite-induced villian of the week, hopefully for a good, long while (this is what, the fourth week in a row without one? I think that’s a record). The one thing about this episode that irritated me was how blase Lana was with Clark. She got screwed over pretty hardcore last week, and was fairly angry with Clark then (note the rose in the wastebasket) and yet was fairly civil, if not downright warm towards him throughout the episode.

      What I want to know is: What the meteor necklace did to Lana, and what it did to her late boyfriend (who will come back from the dead, eventually…).

  2. why?
    What Was The Point Of That Whole Scene That Lex And Lucas Staged At The End? Why The Elaborate Ruse? Asides From Making Lionel Really Off Kilter, What Did It Accomplish?

    • Re: why?

      What Was The Point Of That Whole Scene That Lex And Lucas Staged At The End? Why The Elaborate Ruse? Asides From Making Lionel Really Off Kilter, What Did It Accomplish?

      Well, it got Lex back LexCorp, taught Lucas that his Father wouldn’t hesitate to kill him, and pretty much showed everyone that Lionel’s sight was back.

      Plus it let them use the set for Lionel’s office again, which means that we’re probably going to see a lot more action in Metropolis now (which I believe is going to start happening next week – Christopher Reeve being guest star and all).

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