“X-Ray”

Already the series is stuck in FOTW, at least this episode delves into a bit more than what we’ve seen thus far.  As can be gathered from the title of the episode, we see Clark develop a new power in his repetoire.  That is part of the appeal of the episode.  As we started the series, Clark had super strength, and super speed.

This episode, he discovers accidentally, that he has X-ray vision when he begins seeing skeletons through people.  This happens the first time when Lex Luthor supposedly runs the bank.

But it’s not Lex, it’s Tina Greer, the FOTW, who can shapeshift.  Tina is losing her mind and spirals out of control as she tries without much success to get close to Lana, before going the ultimate state in obsession, trying to be her.

It certainly wasn’t a very cohesive episode, but it did give us good looks into various character lives.

Clark’s story is the main one of course, and his development of this power is well played.  From accidentally seeing into the girls locker room and watching Lana change, to the sequence with his father when Jonathan tries to get him to see what he’s holding in his closed hand.

The story of Lana is still intriguing as she discovers more of herself through learning of her mother’s true past which reinforces her desire to see the world and become much more than the cheerleader.  In a poignant moment, she tries to search down the graduation speech that her mother gave, and Chloe, investigative journalist extraordinare, does her best to obtain an audio copy.  Through all of this, Whitney is getting increasingly margianlized.  It’s almost as if his appearances in this episode, was merely to remind us that he was around.

Much like Pete Ross.  His role is very tenuous on this show.  He serves no real purpose. His role as Clark’s best friend is often very forgettable and forced.  He needs to learn Clark’s gifts or he will become obsolete.

Lex’s role is somewhat reduced this week and surprisingly the show didn’t suffer.  Lex showed his potential for evil though when he took a blackmail threat and manipulated it so well that he had the blackmailer working for him by the end.  It’s a great development for Lex and a good starting point.  A man who will do anything to get what he wants, but also seems very loyal to those he chooses to befriends.  Almost as if he’s balancing on a beam, and Clark is a grounding point keeping him from falling off.

The only real problem with this episode is the fact that the events that lead to the endpoint is a little unbelievable.  I know it’s fiction about an alien who looks human having superpowers and meteor-induced powers popping up in people,  but with that in mind…

Tina can portray her mother so well that none of her close friends will suspect?  When the police come to ask her to bring Tina to the station, they obviously don’t show and what is the result? I have no idea.

So the story is decent, the characters are good, but there are certainly some sacrifices made to get the story out.  The most important thing is that we are starting to go beyond the usual FOTW, even if it is side by side with the FOTW storyline.

B-

REFERENCES:

1. Lex states early on, “I promise you I’m not a criminal mastermind” wink wink nudge nudge.

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