Smallville Review – “Blue”

Ladies and gentlemen, another new Kryptonite.

Cast

Tom Welling as Clark Kent
Kristen Kreuk as Lana Lang
Allison Mack as Chloe Sullivan
Erica Durance as Lois Lane
Aaron Ashmore as Jimmy Olson
Laura Vandervoort as Kara
Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor
John Glover as Lionel Luthor

Written by Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer.
Directed by Glen Winter.

Original Airdate

“Blue” originally aired on Thursday, November 15, 2007.

Synopsis

In an homage to Donner’s original “Superman,” Clark answers a call from the crystal and brings it to the north pole. The crystal creates duplicates of Lara and Zor-El, along with blue kryptonite.

High Point

Lionel’s attitude.

Low Point

The coincidental entrance to Lionel’s office. Seriously, given the time frame involved, what are the odds?

The Review

This was somewhat original in it’s building of strong family ties across the board. The new kryptonite and most other elements were recycled from the past. I give it 4 out of 6.

The effects were well done, with set lighting tying nicely into the eclipse effects. They rarely fail in this category. I give it 5 out of 6.

The story did its job well, reminding us of Oliver Queen, establishing family relationships, setting up implications for Clark and Kara, and revealing the nature of the relationship between the Daily Planet editor and the Luthor family. Too bad the critical scene in Lionel’s office required such coincidence, and that Clark still hasn’t learned that putting strange crystals into Jor-El’s machines or wearing rings with brightly coloured rocks are bad ideas. I give it 3 out of 6.

The acting wasn’t terrible, but Zor-El and Lara lacked enough depth as written to give the cast enough to work with. It came out as repetitive and derivative. I give it 4 out of 6.

The emotional response could have been better had they found new ways to get the players in the field. There was too much that we’ve seen before. I give it 4 out of 6.

The production was solid. With sharper, more creative writing, this team would have really delivered, instead of only somewhat delivering. I give it 5 out of 6.

Overall, it’s another episode that does more for the big picture than the little picture. If they keep spending this much time building, they’d better be sure they’ll have one heck of a payoff. I give it 4 out of 6.

In total, Blue receives 29 out of 42.

7 replies on “Smallville Review – “Blue””

  1. Plot holes?
    Stuck ring? Try soap and water.

    Also, how did Clark get to the Fortress if he was still wearing the blue? And if he wasn’t wearing it, how did he handle the green?

    Combine those with the coincidental timing Fiziko points out, and it felt like sloppy writing to me.

    -cb

    • Re: Plot holes?

      Also, how did Clark get to the Fortress if he was still wearing the blue? And if he wasn’t wearing it, how did he handle the green?

      I didn’t mention this one because we saw him with the octagonal key to the teleporter in the caves which he used to get there originally, and which Chloe has also used to get there. Essentially, that part was explained. They also did show the ring’s ultimate fate matching that of the two "living" constructs.

      • Re: Plot holes?

        I didn’t mention this one because we saw him with the octagonal key to the teleporter in the caves which he used to get there originally, and which Chloe has also used to get there. Essentially, that part was explained. They also did show the ring’s ultimate fate matching that of the two "living" constructs.

        Your eyes must be better than mine. I saw them open the book with the octagonal cutout, but I didn’t actually see the key and thought it was missing (and then forgot about it). I also didn’t observe the ring disappear, but it does make sense in the story.

        Thanks.

        -cb

  2. Didn’t see Julian coming…
    Remember how totally destroyed Lex was due to thinking he was responsible for his brother’s death? I expect he’ll be looking to take revenge on Lionel for abandoning his brother.

  3. Where was old busybody?
    With all that went on in the fortress, where was Jor-El?

    Also, Kara seemed to have gotten over her anger at Clark about the crystal too quickly.

    Also^2, why did the ring have to be put on to take effect? Is that why it didn’t affect mommy?

    For these and other reasons, I felt that this was one of the most unsatisfactory episodes this season.

    Also^3, when will Clark fly?

  4. paging Mr. Smithers…
    Maggie was the one who shot Zor El!?
    That ought to teach him not to try to steal her candy!

  5. Unconcious…again
    Maybe I’m remembering it wrong, but didn’t Lana get knocked out…again…this episode? When Zor-El came to get Lara and threw her across the room. It’s no wonder the girl has gone wacko. She must be suffering from brain damage. That has to be the most overused (and played out) thing that happens in this show. It’s not like she had to be prevented from learning some major secret here. Sigh…

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