Episode 2.13
“Suspect”
“Suspect” is a classic whodunnit shoehorned into a Smallville episode. It is well done enough that the case is solid and the twist isn’t entirely predictable except for the fact that you know it’s not the people the episode sets up as suspects.
And that’s where it fails for me. But that is purely personal. I prefer a show to offer me 3-4 suspects including the real perpetrator and let me figure it out. Beyond that they also decide to take out a long recurring character in the deal…but that rings as a cheap ploy to make you almost care about who it was since it wasn’t Jonathan or Lex.
Clark is quite different than usual. That can be explained that his father is being charged with murder, but it still seems quite over the top as he rips into Lex without mercy and without letting him explain. It is just too early to see Clark go this negative towards his friend.
There is some sloppy writing as well. Ethan Miller always seemed so together that it is hard to believe that he would make the mistake of trying to kill Clark who is on the case. Yes Clark is snooping, but there is literally NO evidence that Clark has truly uncovered. Yet trying to kill him makes it quite clear that someone has indeed framed Jonathan.
Overall it’s a mediocre episode. It’s good in it’s way certainly, but there are just too many flaws.
C+
References: None.