This week’s episode was significantly better than the last few. It’s also completely devoid of Clark/Lana shmoopiness. Could there be a connection?
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
Guest starring BSG’s Aaron Douglas as Pierce and Flash Gordan’s Gina Holden as Patricia Swan.
Written by Holly Henderson and Don Whitehead
Directed by Glen Winter
Original Airdate
Traveler originally aired on Thursday, March 20, 2008.
Synopsis
Clark is held prisoner in a Kryptonite cage by Lionel Luthor. Thankfully, Lana and Chloe figure this out soon enough to mount a rescue, beginning with the restoration of Kara’s memory.
High Point
The elimination of white noise from the soundtrack in a scene near the end, right at the moment Clark decides to stop listening.
Low Point
As much fun as it is, this felt like yet another reset button. If not for Kara and knowledge of Clark’s secret, the character positioning is pretty much like it was four or five years ago.
The Review
This doesn’t feel original, but that doesn’t mean it’s not interesting. It seems we’ve finally hit the plot thread that will carry us through the rest of the season, and it’s a good one. As plot threads go, we’ve seen it often here and elsewhere, but some ideas are used a lot because they work well. I give it 2 out of 6.
The effects were restricted to a few moments near the end. One had a CGI cage that didn’t quite mesh with the room it was in, but the rest looked good enough. I suspect it’s another sparse episode because next week’s will be effects heavy and expensive. I give it 4 out of 6.
The story got a little predictable, but somehow overcame that. I give it 4 out of 6.
The acting was solid all around, with some others taking up the mantle of heroes and rescuers this time around. I give it 5 out of 6.
The emotional response was stronger than it should have been with such a derivative and predictable plotline. I knew where it was going, but I still wanted to see it get there. I give it 5 out of 6.
The production may have had a lot to do with my enjoyment this week. There were a few little nuances like the High Point that brought the episode together for me. I give it 6 out of 6.
Overall, it was more entertaining than it really should have been. I give it 5 out of 6.
In total, Traveler receives 31 out of 42.
Too little too late?
OK, the story seems to be moving again, but is it moving enough and in the right direction? It’s a serious relief to see Clark not get suckered in by Lionel again, but it seems to me that this should’ve happened a long time ago. Like, this whole season so far should’ve happened one or two seasons ago.
I’ll watch this series until it’s over. I’ve watched the whole thing up to this point, I might as well go all the way.
Re: Too little too late?
I’m waiting for the Bureau to tell me if each ep is worth it.
I watched this one, it wasn’t bad, I’m glad b42 is there to weed out the crap for me :)
Re: Too little too late?
To use an X-Files analogy…
Sometimes you just have to tough it out through a Hell Money to get to a Jose Chung’s ‘From Outer Space’
:-)
The high point…
I just don’t get the high point. Anyone care to explain? Am I missing something obvious?
I have always enjoyed Lionel heavy episodes, that guy is just awesome. Loved him in Brimstone too. I never quite know how to take Lionel.
Re: The high point…
As follows: When Clark confronts Lionel in the office in Metropolis, there’s the same background hum they have for white noise in that location. (Each urban location has its own white noise.) When Lionel is arguing his case before Clark, claiming he is a changed man, there’s a point where the camera is right on Clark and the white noise in the soundtrack goes mute, just before Clark says "No, you haven’t." The white noise picks up again when it cuts to a floor-level shot of Clark walking away, ignoring Lionel’s pleas.