Episode 1.13
“Kinetic”
“Kinetic” is at it’s heart a tale of how those down on their luck can make bad choices and it’s up to them to decide whether or not they are going to sink into a mire they can never truly return from or make the choice to redeem themselves no matter the cost.
This episode is the first starring role for Whitney whom we have seen recently on the outskirts of the episode having issues which have been leading to Clana to develop. We learn that Whitney has lost his football scholarship to Kansas State and that he hasn’t confided in Lana yet.
Meanwhile at Luthor mansion, while Clark and Chloe are interviewing Lex, three men rob the mansion displaying the ability to phase through solid objects. What’s interesting is we start the episode with the FOTWs already having gotten their abilities rather than get treated to (or dragged through depending on your perspective) another origin tale. They toss Chloe out of the second floor, while Clark feels the effects of meteor rock though he can’t trace where. Chloe is hospitalized and Clark feels guilty for not being able to protect her.
It turns out these guys are people just like Whitney. They were Smallville High sports elite with their tickets out of Smallville cancelled due to reasons out of their control. They’ve sunk into crime and despair and they threaten to take Whitney with them. We learn that the source of their powers is that they are tattoing themselves with meteor rock.
How they discovered this? No idea. BUt I guess it’s not important. But it is a source of laziness truly.
In the world of Lana, we learn that Nell has sold the Talon to Lex. Lana makes an impassioned speech to Lex to save the Talon, but it is for pure sentimental reasoning and Lex won’t listen to that. In truth he wants to challenge her to meet him on his mark and give him a real reason to save. She eventually does coming up with a business proposal for turning the Talon into a Smallville hot spot and Lex gladly supports her.
Meanwhile after Whitney gets too far in and the gang tries to blackmail Lex, he decides wants out and confesses all to Lana and Clark.
Clark tries to help and eventually of course does. Lex is gracious enough to allow Whitney an out and he has redeemed himself at the end
Overall, it’s a nice break to see Whitney as something other than Lana’s troubled beau. Unfortunately, Smallville at this point is not developing any kind of long term storyline which is what it is desperately calling out for.
C+
References: Chloe: “Clark Kent, investigative reporter, has a nice ring to it.”