Smallville Review – “Requiem”

Smallville is going back into reruns for the next few weeks. In its absence, I’ll be reviewing Joss Whedon’s “Dollhouse” instead, starting with its premier on Friday, February 13.

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 Holly Henderson and Don Whitehead
Directed by Michael Rohl

Original Airdate

Requiem originally aired on Thursday, February 5, 2009.

Synopsis

Winslow Schott, a brilliant man who makes bombs out of toys, attacks Luthorcorp when Oliver Queen announces his takeover, killing everyone on the board but Oliver. Clark, Lana, Chloe and Oliver run different investigations with different goals, and get some unpleasant outcomes.

High Point

Have they finally put a stake through that particular set of hearts?

Low Point

For a sole survivor, he’s in pretty decent shape. It would have been more plausible if others had lived, too, thanks to his warning. Close runner up: when is Metropolis General going to hire some freaking security?

The Review

This has several original elements for the series. They’ve taken a relatively laughable villain and made him into a threat, and covered new ground with Lex, Oliver, and the Clark/Lana relationship. I give it 5 out of 6.

The effects were well done, and many were new to the series, including that from a concluding moment. The only thing that irked me was the location of the first blast; we’ve got a meeting of a board of directors for a famously arrogant company. Would they really meet in a board room that far from the top floor? I give it 5 out of 6.

The story was well assembled, tying together many of the threads that have been presented since the show returned from winter reruns. I give it 5 out of 6.

The acting was solid, and actually quite effective in the final act, and not just from Kreuk and Welling. I give it 5 out of 6.

The emotional response was surprisingly strong, considering the amount of Clark/Lana schmoop involved. The resolution of that thread was actually a little depressing, though that was soon overwhelmed by a celebratory feeling for the direction the show may take from here out. I give it 5 out of 6.

The production was well designed, with a truly creepy feel to the Toyman and his environment. I give it 5 out of 6.

Overall, it’s a nice closing chapter for this portion of the season. I give it 5 out of 6.

In total, Requiem receives 35 out of 42.

One reply

  1. Glasses and Dead Horses
    While I thought most of the effects were good, I thought the effect where we saw the reflection in Schott’s glasses as the model burned was quite bad. Not sure what they were thinking with that one.

    I really hope the Clark/Lana dead horse has finished its latest round of beatings. Eventually there will probably be a "cure" for Lana, but hopefully Clark will have moved on by then, or perhaps the series will be over.

    Once Lana’s suit absorbed the Kryptonite I knew exactly where that was heading and was quite happy to see it really happen.

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