Episode 1.09
“Rogue”
Rogue continues along a better development. Without a FOTW to fall back on we get to explore different sides of the characters, which is certainly refreshing, although the problem with season one thus far is that there seems to be very little intent in the way of any overreaching story arcs, leaving viewers with a sense of filler.
Granted in the first season, you have to establish character first, but now is the time to start going a bit further than that.
We get to see Clark visit his future home of Metropolis, whereupon his secret is discovered by a rogue cop who of course wants to use Clark’s gifts for his own benefit. After Jonathan tries to get involved, Phelan uses anything he can to get Clark on his side.
This leads to some decent development between Clark and Jonathan as they war over how best to deal with Phelan.
The danger of Clark’s secret getting out is firmly established for the first time and at this point remains fresh.
In a subplot, Lex is visited by an ex-girlfriend who leads a similar life. Victoria Hardwick and Lex plot to destroy their fathers and merge companies. It’s good to see Lex the schemer come out a bit more as his slow slide to supervillaindom starts in an acceptable fashion given what we know of Lionel.
In the 90210ish side of things, Principal Kwan fires Chloe for consistently running meteor freak stories. When Lana attempts to fix things, Kwan makes her editor. Chloe of course takes that the wrong way and flips out. It’s an awkward moment all the way around, but it does serve to show Chloe’s flaws and vulnerabilities. The moments are brief enough to be both effective and not dragged down.
In the most important (in my opinion) aspect of the show, we see Clark and Lex’s relationship take a small downturn as Lex tries to help Clark with Phelan, but Clark has to be forcible so as not to let on his secret. Clark not telling Lex his secret is the subtle beginning of Lex’s downfall as well as Lex would do anything for Clark.
Overall I liked the episode. It sets groundwork for many differing relationships and fall back storylines. It’s nothing spectacular yet, but a definite step in the right direction.
B
References: Clark and Lex look at a breastplate of Alexander the Great’s with an S-like snake on its chest. Clark says he can’t imagine going into battle with anything like that on his chest.