This was a surprisingly enjoyable episode, given how much focus was on Lana Lang.

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 Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer
Directed by Allison “Chloe Sullivan” Mack

Original Airdate

Power originally aired on Thursday, January 29, 2009.

Synopsis

Lana is gone, and her apartment ransacked. Clark, Tess and Chloe pull their information together to deduce her whereabouts.

High Point

Training with Carter.

Low Point

The return of the schmoopy. Further under spoiler guard: The main obstacle to the Clark/Lana relationship is now gone. She can physically keep up with him now. I really, really hope they’ve taken a page from Joss Whedon’s book of relationship writing and given them exactly what they wanted just before they take it all away forever.

The Review

This is an original path for this particular character and for the show in general. I give it 5 out of 6.

The effects were nicely done. There were a few new ones for the procedure, and some slightly modified ones for the conclusion, but all were nicely assembled. I give it 5 out of 6.

The story was surprisingly compelling for a Lana-centric episode. We finally fill in the blanks between the time she left the coma and her return to Smallville. It’s not what I expected. I give it 5 out of 6.

The acting was also better than expected. For the first time, I can almost see Kreuk as Chun Li in the upcoming Street Fighter movie. The rest of the cast did good work as well, including Welling, Mack and Freeman. I give it 5 out of 6.

The emotional response was better than this show has produced in a while. The early part of this season was enjoyable because of what it seemed to be setting up. This was enjoyable because of what it was doing right here and now. If not for those last few seconds, it might have had a perfect score. I give it 5 out of 6.

The production was a solid directorial debut for Allison Mack. The team consistently puts together a good looking series, and this week was no exception. Little details, like moving away from an off-screen sound to avoid a really, really long conversation to watch helped to keep things rolling. I give it 5 out of 6.

Overall, it’s a solid turnout. There’s enough backstory filled in to make it a good point to jump back onto the series if you’ve stopped watching it, too. I give it 5 out of 6.

In total, Power receives 35 out of 42.