Season 2, Episode 11: Visage

 

"Visage"

Episode 11

Air Date: January 14th, 2003

Well, at least we got closer on poor Whitney's story on the show, even tho he wasn't technically there to finish it up.  Of course, the catalyst of this episode is more a replay of this show's insensate obsession with Lana and needing to force Clark's involvement in her romantic life than an actual send off to Whitney.  I mean seriously, almost every scene is about Whitney arguing with Lana about her and Clark, her and Clark, I think at this point...I think I've come to accept the sheer insanity of this Lana focusing and Clark bashing to the point that while rolling my eyes during the episode, I realized I must come to accept this show for its strengths, not it's obvious weaknesses if I'm going to get through this.  I mean there's a scene of "Whitney" bring up Clark only to say to Lana "can we just stop talking about Clark" even tho he brought it up!!! Jesus, even soap opera's aren't so idiotically laughable in their obvious attempts at conflict. Seriously, Lana gets made a Clark once again for lying about Whitney when Whitney clearly comes off unhinged and more aggressive as they spend more time together but it doesn't hit her that something is amiss until they're two Clarks in front of her???!!! Yes, because it's not like Clark was right the last time you saw double right Lana??? Omg!!! -_-  Anyway, let me just stop talking about the worst of the episode and talk about surprisingly what worked and made the episode more above average than most.

For once, Eric Johnson takes full advantage of Whitney going all psycho ex-boyfriend and gives a performance that seriously makes the hairs on my body rise immediately...yikes!!! A shame they didn't give him more to work with as he is clearly a more capable actor than the character of Whitney had been for him.  I honestly felt scared for Lana everytime she had a scene with him and he seemed like he was about to explode on her in a violent rage.  Not to mention, when that navy officer stopped by and Whitney immediately starts bashing his head in as the blood sprays all over his face....ummm that was surprisingly dark for this show looking back.  Surprised the WB got away with something so graphic. Sure, you don't see his head getting bashed in but all that blood and the way Eric's face looks....almost some Stanley Kubrick type menacing going on there. O_O  But I also enjoy that it isn't just Eric who gets fun playing a darker side of Whitney, as we see other characters like Chloe and even Clark get to play psycho stalker in entertaining ways.  I especially loved the terrifying homoerotic scene between Lana and "Chloe" as she tries make Lana realize her feelings for Clark.  The way she comes behind Lana and touches her is seriously priceless and creepy as hell.  Great performance from Mack!

Seriously tho, the writers do a wonderful job with the constant Tina misdirection from Lana attacking Pete in yet another graphic, shocking scene to Jonathan having Lana's necklace he uses to capture Clark in the storm cellar.  Also, it was an awesome moment when the ship shockingly comes to Clark's rescue and makes the kryptonite in her necklace vanish.  Seriously, we need more development on that ship as it seems to have properties and a story behind it that's far more intriguing than just bringing Clark to Earth,  If the return of Mighty Morphin' Tina wasn't good enough, we get some actual friction in the Lex/Dr. Bryce relationship as he learns his father blackmailed her to stop seeing her but realizing she denied it despite him paying her anyway.  It's really just touching to see Lex fumble like this but trying so desperately to be a good man, It makes you really feel for him, not to mention awful knowing where he will ultimately end up in his journey.  But here, it's great to see his vulnerability and humanity as he pleads with Helen to give him another chance and her finally willing to work things out between them.  Ehhh poor Lex but at least he gets some hope here despite that.  But honestly, the best part of the episode is after the unfortunate news of Whitney dying in combat overseas, we finally, finally, FINALLY get a scene that's been long overdue where a grief stricken Lana confronts Clark in the caves and she apologizes for constantly giving him a hard time for his secrecy when he's been the only constant thing in her life after losing so many people in her life.  Saying "shes a bad friend" and "that he is always saving her"....WOW!!! If only this was a major turning point for these characters instead endless melodrama between them until even the show's 8th season....alas, I'll just take this little victory and acknowledgement of Clark's heroism and reliability as the character realize they suck and not the guy who's always there when it matters.  Anyway, "Visage" has some problems in its overacrhing narrative with Lana need to be the center of the story and Clark being treated like the untrustworthy farm boy with secrets but the Tina story has some genuine scares and moments of intense violence.  Not to mention, hear Tom deliver "I'm gonna kick your a$$ Kent!" is well worth the watch during that hilariously entertaining climax. Ha!

Final Kryptonite: C+