Episode 1.19
“Crush”
It seemed that even Smallville was tired of the FotW moments that in Crush we have a FotW that doesn’t even get a cool meteor background. I don’t know if they thought they had used every possible way the meteor could have influenced him or if they were just lazy but Justin Gaines got telekinetic powers after a hit and run. Damn. All I ever got was a backache.
With that, along with some bad O.C. acting by Adam Brody, there was some very decent character development behind the scenes. What is becoming a trend, the cohesive storylines are not important, but the backgrounds were.
In this case we got some background from Lex as we meet Pamela Jenkins, the woman who acted as nanny until she was fired by Lionel after his wife’s death. Pamela comes back into the picture asking for forgiveness for allowing Lionel to scare her away completely. Lex proves to be a better man than his father at the time and ultimately forgives her.
Clark on the other hand, has to deal with newfound feelings for Chloe after watching her hooking up with Justin Gaines. Now he is ultimately confused as to his feelings for Chloe and Lana. It adds a new twist to the relationship.
Just as Lana seems resolute to end the relationship with Whitney and perhaps finally make a move on Clark, Whitney breaks the news that his father has died, forcing Lana to stay with Whitney awhile longer. In a moving scene that could have been more moving if Whitney had been developed more we see Smallville gathered by Whitney’s side even as Lana looks longingly at Clark.
Oh and the main storyline. OK so telekinetic boy looks for revenge on his unsympathetic doctor and for the man who caused the accident in the first place..in this case, Principal Kwan or so he thinks. In a truly underwhelming storyline, it’s Kwan’s son Danny who actually drove the car. Blah Blah Blah, Clark saves the day.
Overall, once again, in this case the parts are greater than the whole…or in this case the hole that is Justin Gaines’ storyline.
C+
References:
- Danny Kwan to Clark: “I see you in a uniform flying.” – while trying to pitch the air force to him
- Chloe to Clark: “Most men are from Mars Clark, but you’re from some distant galaxy that I’ve never heard of.”
- Pete mentions an internship with a Mayor Siegel. Jerry Siegel is one of the creators of Superman.