Smallville Review – “Bloodline”

The Phantom Zone is back. Still to come today: the digital disk picks and a comic review.

Cast

Tom Welling as Clark Kent
Allison Mack as Chloe Sullivan
Erica Durance as Lois Lane
Aaron Ashmore as Jimmy Olson
Cassidy Freeman as Tess Mercer
Sam Witwer as Davis Bloome
Justin Hartley as Oliver Queen / Green Arrow

Written by Caroline Dries
Directed by Mike Rohl

Original Airdate

Bloodline originally aired on Thursday, November 6, 2008.

Synopsis

The crystal with what’s left of Jor-El is anonymously sent to the Kent farm, where it promptly sends Lois and Clark to the Phantom Zone. Kara is there, and they manage to send Lois back, though a phantom comes through with her.

High Point

Giving additional backstory to David Bloome.

Low Point

There are only so many times people can be knocked out before it does start to do long term damage. Have you ever tried to hold a conversation with a retired boxer? This is even worse than the Green Arrow’s secret identity saying secret.

The Review

This wasn’t an original episode. In fact, aside from moving the stories forward for Davis and Chloe, even the characters recognized the similarities between these effects and the last time they went to the Phantom Zone. I give it 3 out of 6.

The effects were well done, though we’ve seen them all before. I give it 5 out of 6.

The story was done well enough, with things holding together. It felt more like a means to an end than an end in itself, revealing information that will come into play more in the future than it does now. I give it 4 out of 6.

The acting was on par with the norm for this show. I give it 5 out of 6.

The emotional response was mild. I like the implications, but the execution is all stuff they’ve done before. I give it 4 out of 6.

The production was strong, as usual, particularly with the distinctive look of the Phantom Zone. I give it 5 out of 6.

Overall, it was decent, and not particularly bad or good. I give it 4 out of 6.

In total, Bloodline receives 30 out of 42.

5 replies on “Smallville Review – “Bloodline””

  1. I was a bit bored, but it wasn’t too bad.
    Did anyone address ‘Who sent the crystal?’ Like, it seems like no one cared, or maybe I zoned out and missed it…

    • Re: I was a bit bored, but it wasn’t too bad.

      Did anyone address ‘Who sent the crystal?’ Like, it seems like no one cared, or maybe I zoned out and missed it…

      The only mention, I believe, was Clark saying "Huh, no return address". So they still don’t know who it was.

      • Re: I was a bit bored, but it wasn’t too bad.

        Did anyone address ‘Who sent the crystal?’ Like, it seems like no one cared, or maybe I zoned out and missed it…

        The only mention, I believe, was Clark saying "Huh, no return address". So they still don’t know who it was.

        And for a bunch of reporters, they don’t seem to care.

        "Someone with access to both Kryptonian technology, and the postal system, who wants at least Clark trapped in the Phantom Zone? What’s interesting or odd about that?"

        • Re: I was a bit bored, but it wasn’t too bad.

          And for a bunch of reporters, they don’t seem to care.

          "Someone with access to both Kryptonian technology, and the postal system, who wants at least Clark trapped in the Phantom Zone? What’s interesting or odd about that?"

          I’m not entirely sure that whoever sent the crystal to Clark intended for him to end up in the Phantom Zone, unless it was their intent for him to find and rescue Kara.

          That said, it could go either way.

          I’m still at a loss for who (or what) "X" might be. Lex would be too obvious.

        • Re: I was a bit bored, but it wasn’t too bad.

          "Someone with access to both Kryptonian technology, and the postal system, who wants at least Clark trapped in the Phantom Zone? What’s interesting or odd about that?"

          Chloe. They’re leading up to her being taken over by braniac. I guarantee.

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