Smallville Review – “Arrow”

Oliver Queen assumes the mantle of the Green Arrow. He could probably use a better mask, though.

Cast

Tom Welling as
Clark Kent
Kristen Kreuk as
Lana Lang
Michael
Rosenbaum
as Lex Luthor
John Glover
as Lionel Luthor
Annette
O’Toole
as Martha Kent
Erica Durance as
Lois Lane
Allison Mack as
Chloe Sullivan.

Written by Kelly Sounders and Brian Peterson.
Directed by Michael Rohl.

Original Airdate

Arrow originally aired on Thursday,

October 19, 2006.

Synopsis

The Green Arrow makes his first public appearance in a manner very similar to Robin Hood.

High Point

“Call me.”

Low Point

The sheer idiocy of Lois. Archery just isn’t common enough for her to not put things together after last week. Perhaps this Lois really will be fooled by a pair of glasses…

The Review

There is one main original perspective in this episode. Clark has met others with superpowers before, and convinced them to turn from the wrong path to the right one. In this case, it may have happened the other way around. We also get more development of Lois’ reporter side, as well as the introduction of a nastier side of Lana. I give it 5 out of 6.

The effects were well done, with some smooth switching between CGI and physical arrows.
There was a really nice moment in slow motion, too. I give it 6 out of 6.

The story was well done, with enough lack of information and distribution of doubt to make newbies wonder who Lois is dating, while making those with some comic knowledge wonder how they’d turn things around. They did a really nice job introducing the moral ambiguity while laying foundations for the conscious creation of the Justice League. Wheels are in motion for major events among the Luthor clan, as well. I give it 5 out of 6.

The acting had its usual stellar work from the Luthor boys, with some forced moments from Hartley and Durance. I give it 5 out of 6.

The emotional response was great for me, and I’m not that much of a Green Arrow fan. I give it 6 out of 6.

The production was quite well done, with some great lighting and camera angles when dealing with the Luthors and the elevator scene. It takes planning for the camera to be looking up at Kristen Kreuk, but they did it in that elevator. These guys definitely took their cues from Citizen Kane when they tied the camera angles to the character dynamics this week. I give it 5 out of 6.

Overall, it’s a fun episode that’s putting interesting plotlines in play for comic geeks and regular fans alike. I give it 5 out of 6.

In total,
Arrow
receives 37

out of 42.

10 replies on “Smallville Review – “Arrow””

  1. yes
    Interesting prolog to a JLA.

    How come Clark was so willing to show Arrow his powers?

    For a change, Clark didn’t rescue someone.

    How will Clark explain how he got the necklace?

    Green Arrow has always been a populist hero. I enjoyed seeing him trying to convert Clark.

    • Re: yes

      How will Clark explain how he got the necklace?

      Even though The Green Arrow was giving him the choice of what to do. I got the impression that we was going to return the necklace to its rightful owner instead of to Lionel. They probably left it ambiguous on purpose.

    • Re: Green Arrow Spinoff…
      Heck, yeah! I was opposed to an Aqua Man spinoff, but Green Arrow has the potential to kick ass. He’s Batman, but with arrows. How cool is that? And they’ve got the perfect guy to play him, too.

      • Re: Green Arrow Spinoff…

        I haven’t seen every ep this season (or any season), but I’ve been watching the last few weeks. Has there been any reference to Oliver being stranded on a desert isle, or can we suppose they’ll be discarding that origin?

      • Re: Green Arrow Spinoff…
        I have to agree, he’s great.

        I loved the moral questions in this episode, and for that reason put it as one of the top episodes in the series, but I still have a real problem with Martha Kent in public office. The "National Inquisitor" is going to be going after someone so apparently squeaky clean with a fine toothed comb, making it nearly impossible for Clark to come out unscathed.

        • Re: Inquisitor going after Clark
          Not if Chloe is doing most of the actual investigating.

          So far, Lois is an enthusiastic but not yet competent reporter – she still needs Chloe’s help.

          Also, I sure hope Chloe doesn’t get killed off by the end of the season.

      • Re: Green Arrow Spinoff…

        And they’ve got the perfect guy to play him, too.

        A GA with some facial hair would be better.

        • Re: Green Arrow Spinoff…

          And they’ve got the perfect guy to play him, too.

          A GA with some facial hair would be better.

          Facial hair isn’t too hard to grow. ;-)

          Anyway, unfortunately, I’ve missed both the episodes with Green Arrow. Have we seen the Boxing Glove Arrow yet?

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