Ladies and gentlemen, not one but two meteor freaks get introduced this week.
Cast
as
Clark Kent
Kristen Kreuk as
Lana
Lang
Lex Luthor
John Glover
as Lionel
Luthor
Martha Kent
Erica Durance as
Lois
Lane
Allison Mack as
Chloe
Sullivan.
Written by Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer.
Directed by Michael Rosenbaum.
Original Airdate
Freak
originally aired on Thursday,
February 15, 2007.
Synopsis
A meteor freak with the power to identify other meteor
freaks seems to be connected with a series of abductions.
High Point
While it’s great to see Lana’s no longer treated as an
idiot, the intensity of the “how precise is it?” scene easily tops it.
Low Point
The similarity to “Heroes.” It wouldn’t surprise me at
all if the main similarity in the ideas started with Jeph Loeb before he
changed shows, but the difference in quality of the shows is highlighted when
a similar idea is handled so much better “over there.”
The Review
The low point reveals a lot about the
originality score. The mid-episode twist was definitely unexpected,
though. I find this a little hard to judge in some ways, as the final score
is somewhat dependant on the as-yet-unrevealed thought processes of one
character. (SPOILER: Was Lana convinced, as in any of
several dozen Silver Age stories, or did she realize Clark is something else
entirely?) I’ll split the difference and give it 4 out of 6.
The effects were very well done. The blind
effect was clear in its depiction, and still convincingly kept the blind guy
blind. The final sequence also looked great. I give it 5 out of 6.
The story introduced new ideas, moved the general
plot forward, and did it in a way that didn’t have the massive leaps of faith
a few of the other recent plots have needed. I give it 5 out of 6.
The acting was convincing. I don’t know if the
actor was actually blind, or if he used opaque contacts in all of his scenes,
but he really convinced me he was blind. The regular crew, including Mack and
Welling in the “precision” scene, also did good work. I give it 5 out of 6.
The emotional response was pretty
good. The twist was a surprise, and one that closed what seemed to be a
logical hole that they obviously identified and avoided. I give it 5 out of
6.
The production was the biggest surprise. If
I hadn’t read the credits, I wouldn’t have known this was Michael Rosenbaum’s directorial debut. I give it 5 out of 6.
Overall, this is another good episode, exceeding my usual mid-season expectations for the show. I give it 5 out of 6.
In total,
Freak receives 34
out of 42.
What?
What? Not even a hint of speculation about what Chloe’s power is/will be?
Chloeville
My guess is that Chloe’s power is the ability to hack. She has always been able to get into supposedly secure sites and computers.
Also, her fear that she will turn rogue is unfounded – the blind guy, the bowling guy, and the "Flash" are examples of those who did not.
The interChloe device would have to have been a radio, not a gps, which only receives. Also^2, if the bowler (Kim?) was killed by a car, then the "freaks" were not being killed internally, but externally, so she didn’t have to worry.
Anyway, WHAT did they do to her and the others? Just taking samples seems not enough.
I’m still disappointed that the "Justice League" a few episodes ago did not actually fight Lex’s army, but just blew up the building.
Nothing so far seems to be leading to Clark’s flying.
Martha Kent for president!!!
Re: Chloeville
I think I’m the only one who thinks Chloe doesn’t have any kind of power. When Tobias "saw" her, I assumed he was just seeing Clark. But I wasn’t paying attention to the entire show so maybe I missed something, but I don’t think Chloe has any ability.
Also, if I recall, Bart (Flash) wasn’t a meteor freak.
Re: Chloeville
Well, tracking device, DNA samples, and then can observe the freak in it’s natural element. Just like they do to any interresting critter on nature shows.
And I’m in the "freakishly good at breaking and entering" camp.
Also, I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: Chloe won’t survive the show. Now I’m thinking Lex kills her sooner or later.
Re: Chloeville
….And next week, we learn that Lana Lang has the kryptonite-induced power to survive multiple blows to the head.
Re: Chloeville
FTW!