Season 1, Episode 17: Reaper

 

"Reaper"

Episode 17

Air Date: April 23rd, 2002

Sad how everything else in this episode outside the main plot works so well and is in fact interesting, plot moving and character/relationship developing but that writers just have to force some meteor freak dilemma here just cause the show needs some superpowered threat for Clark to foil.  One of the other things I thoroughly enjoyed about the episode was the father/son thematic presence within the story.  You have Clark and Jonathan having their first onscreen blow out as Clark feels he's outgrown the family tradition of their annual fishing trip just as his father finds out Lex had been investigating the Kents because the crash that Clark saved him from.  Tom does...a well enough job here especially working off Schneider as both Clark and Jonathan work through their issues as Martha tries to make Clark understand his father's traditions are much deeper than just spending time together.  Seems his relationship with his father was tumultuous and a lot wasn't said before Papa Kent died which is a great development to help elevate the necessity and strength with the Kent men relationship.  Both are stubborn but is is essential in not only Jonathan getting a chance to NOT repeat history by building a solid bond with his son but for Clark to realize just how special he is to have such a loving father.  I really enjoyed the scene of Lex reminding Clark of that and how compared to his father, he has nothing to complain about and that values Clark's father is teaching are essential in raising a great man....unlike Lex and his father.  

The two once again come to corporate blows as Lionel continues his close eye on Lex after last episode by having one of his workers, Dominic (played by Jason Connery) look over his work in Smallville and make sure his son isn't making too much progress.  I find it funny how Lex toys with Dominic, seeing him as just some scum lackey of his father trying to intrude on his potential greatness by re-sending his father's offer and staying in Smallville.  Tho I feel him telling Jonathan about Lex's investigation was a bit forced, just there to stir up more conflict between Lex and Jonathan, but that scene between them in the barn was just so well acted.  The last bit in particular where Jonathan tells Lex "he hasn't shown him anything else" when Lex tells him all he sees in him is the name "Luthor" is just crushing. You really do feel for Lex here more than ever just trying to be as good of a man as he can despite how he's been raised but Jonathan just pushing the dagger in deeper.  Luckily, there is a bit of breakthrough at the end of the episode where Jonathan finally gives Lex a break and actually compliment him.  Definitely overdue! :)

Back to the Lionel as the episode also concludes with Lex showing his father just how ruthless he can be, especially after making viewers think he might have poisoned him. Yikes!!! Glad we're not that far in Lex's journey yet cause that moment was far darker than I'd expect at this point for the super villain to be.  But the saddest part is after showing his father not to press him with his work in Smallville, that all Lionel can do is tell him "well done" instead of truly complimenting his son is a loving, nurturing way. Poor Lex! Always just set up to fail in the eyes of his father even when he succeeds. :( Lastly, we have Whitney and his father as Mr. Fordman's condition worsens; leaving Whitney to be strangely absent from his father's bedside.  While it is a touching story, the writers just really don't got a hold on this character as you sympathize with him but not empathize.  Whitney has come off as mostly as a jerk all season and now this storyline is just dropped on us to feel from him but it isn't really developing him as a character.  He's still being a jerk to everyone around, especially when Clark gives him some insightful advise about taking advantage of the time he has with his father over the potential of him not being there in the future.  I feel more bad for Eric Johnson having to work with a barely 2 dimensional character who only serves to remind us he is standing in Clark's way of being with Lana and being the football jock, sigh. Even the cemetery scene between him and Lana fell a bit flat and didn't make me feel much more for Whitney but at least he got to live out his dream of his father seeing him play for the Metropolis Sharks???? Ewwwww!!!

I guess with that out of the way I have no choice to talk about the main plot which seems so much more superfluous compared to the other more compelling plots between Clark and Jonathan or Lex and Lionel.  Tyler is suppose to be this sympathetic character but his motivations are pretty forced.  Just cause he was resurrected from the dead and can turn people into ash thanks to the kryptonite, he thinks he's meant to come back to kill sick people on the verge of death??? Meh! It's a real shame as I felt more connected and invested in the story when Tyler's mom told him to kill her and after so painfully doing so, falling to his death.  As soon as he "rises", his character is just a walking bore, looking ready to breakdown at any moment.  Also, I find it hard to believe Tyler can just return to Smallville without much or any suspense after attempting to kill his mother and literally coming back to life.  Even at the end, when Clark brings him back to see his mother who made it instead of dying, the fact Tyler just kills himself after realizing he wasn't chosen to send people to their death is just....I don't know.  Too hollow and soapy for my tastes.  Not much work with in the character for poor guest star Reynaldo Rosales but some of these meteor freaks don't need to be the constant antagonists for an episode. Oh well..."Reaper" suffers from a terribly contrived main storyline while only being barely supported by the wonderful weight of Kent family drama and the clashing of the Luthor men. *Shrug*

Final Kryptonite: D+