Clark’s cousin has come by to visit.
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 Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer.
Directed by James L. Conway.
Original Airdate
Kara
originally aired on Thursday, October 4, 2007.
Synopsis
Clark meets his cousin, who was expecting him to be much younger.
High Point
The ricochet. That was a well done visual effect.
Low Point
The Lana “mystery” wrapped up far too quickly.
The Review
This wasn’t an original episode. They’ve had a Kara before, but this time, they used the actual comic book Kara, with the origin used most recently (as introduced in an early Superman / Batman story arc.) I give it 2 out of 6.
The effects were great in most cases. The hovering effects don’t seem quite right, but on the other hand, the superhearing effects were great. I give it 5 out of 6.
The story was fairly well done. At least there was some hint of aftereffect to the repeated head bashing that’s been going on. More importantly, we have reasons for Kara to stick around, for Lex to stay involved in Clark’s life, for Lois to start moving into her career, and for Clark to stay in Smallville instead of completing his training as originally planned. We’ve also got a hint of the story arc for the season coming, as well. I give it 5 out of 6.
The acting was generally strong. Durance and Vandervoort both had weak moments. Durance’s were as she was trying to convince people of her story, while Vandervoort’s were in her initial introduction and search for Kal-El. I give it 4 out of 6.
The emotional response was pretty good. The producers seem to have realized that simply letting Clark grow up may not hold our attentions very easily, and have moved into a more active “build the hero’s support structure with him” plan that includes the supporting cast, as well. I give it 5 out of 6.
The production was well done, particularly in the superhearing scene. I give it 5 out of 6.
Overall, it engaged me more than last week’s opener, probably due in large part to spending so much time building the season’s story arc. I give it 5 out of 6.
In total, Kara receives 31
out of 42.
Cast
Your cast list is no longer correct. Annette O’Toole is no longer in the credits and Vandervoort is.
Martha
Since O’Toole isn’t on the cast, I have to wonder if they’re going to stay in Smallville at all. Lois and Chloe both are commuting to the Daily Planet. Lex can flit back and forth in his helicopter like a run to the grocery store. You can only spend so much time inside the Kent house without it being really odd that Martha isn’t around, unless maybe they place her in an apartment in metropolis for her senatorial duties (or did they do that?)
Bring the tights & flights already
I have to wonder how much longer they can avoid the tights & flights. They’ve been moving all of the pieces into place for Clark to become essentially the Superman we know and love, but they’re running out of details to fill out.
I’m encouraged as every scene we get closer and closer to a version of the modern DC Universe. Last season’s JLA focus and this season’s adding Kara to the mix, not to mention keeping John J’onzz around for a fairly minor role already, seems to be bringing events to a point to where Supes will either have to take up the cape, or completely diverge and not become the leader and moral compass for the rest of the heroes of the DC Universe.
Avoiding tights & flights for the first years made sense, but I really hope that they let us see Clark grow into both some time soon.
Re: Bring the tights & flights already
I don’t know about the tights, but the flight sure seems to be coming this season. He’s got some training to do, and he already taught Kara to super-hear, so she owes him one superpower lesson.
Irritations
What bugged me was that at the end Kara suddenly tells Clark about the crystal that she clearly hadn’t mentioned at all or looked for after the ship blew up even though she knew absolutely that it would have survived the blast. It felt very contrived to have her mention it right at the end rather than in a more natural place.
Also Chloe was very irritating continually speaking for Lois. Somehow I can’t see her working for the Planet for much longer.
The flying effects are quite good though – I’m not sure about Kara leaving a trail, but she looks more like she’s ‘defying gravity’ as she put it when asking Clark why he can’t do it, instead of flying like she’s got some sort of invisible rocket thrusters.
Re: Irritations
As shown, Kara doesn’t fully understand her abilities. Strength and durability, I could see being easy to "discover," but I would expect one of the senses to be a more likely accidental discovery than flight.
Re: Irritations
She wasn’t an infant when she left krypton, and probably knew that she’d be able to defy gravity under the yellow sun. Knowing is half the battle. All that really holds Clark back is a mental block, after all, and an ever-weakening one. He’s known kryptonians can fly for some time now, he even knows first-hand that he can do it. He just needs to get over his reluctance and/or fear and just do it.