Episode 2.06
“Redux”
Redux was unique in one sense. The FotW was someone who absolutely had no connection to the meteor rocks whatsoever as she had been living since at least the early part of the century. But that’s the only unique thing about it. It was basically Smallville’s version of a vampire tale crossed with 90210. Does that sound horrible? Well it was.
There was some decent attempts at character development behind the scenes that worked at least alright, but generally was better left to Days of Our Lives.
In financial trouble, Martha suggests reaching out to her father, William Clark. We quickly learn that Jonathan and William have never gotten along since William refused to give his blessing to their marriage. The entire episode is spent with them bickering while Clark tries to reunite them, hoping to have his grandfather in his life. In a surprising twist, Clark’s matchmaking is not successful and the show ends with William leaving and still in bitter enmity with Jonathan. It’s certainly different and unlike the hollywood ending you would think so I appreciated that.
The other bit of drama involves Lana discovering a picture of her mother hanging over a man that was not her father at a time when they were still married. After some pushing and prodding she discovers that her mother and father split for a year before reconciling and before Lana was born. Lana realizes that with the timeframe, this man might be her father. It’s a nice small start at a little multi-episode arc for Lana and a nice tie in to Clark’s family story.
Then there are the other two portions to the story. First off is the filler involving Lex. The new principal arrives at Smallville High and he has a problem with Lex. Principal Reynolds taught where Lex went to prep school and seemingly lost his job due to Lionel’s meddling. Reynolds seems hellbent on taking it out on Clark when he discovers that Clark and Lex are friends. It’s a pointless tale to be honest, just there to fill up the episode.
The main brunt of the tale is Chrissy Parker who we discover is a vampire of sorts who survives by sucking out the life energies of students so she can eternally remain in high school. The only problem is that it is very sloppily done. First of all, it seems that at this point she needs a new victim very quickly and yet there are only a handful of sprees in the past that match her m.o. Ok so maybe it only comes in bursts, but it doesn’t make a lot of sense.
Secondly and more importantly, the first death, Smallville jock Troy disappears with Chrissy for a good luck kiss before a swimming match. He appears momentarily later seemingly fine until he gets on the block and dives in. It isn’t until he’s IN the pool swimming that he grows old and dies. Ok if that was how it worked, but then later we are shown differently. When Chrissy kisses Russell Burton, it is almost automatic as he grows really old while kissing and dies immediately. Why the difference? Plot.
The rest of the story is pretty elementary. Clark figures out what’s happening with help from Chloe and stops Chrissy.
Yawn.
D+
References:
William Clark’s home is mentioned as Coastal City — the one time home of DC hero Green Lantern.