Season 2, Episode 23: Exodus

 

"Exodus"

Episode 23

Air Date: May 20th, 2003

Well the proverbial "sh!t" has hit the fan as the second season of this Superman origins series ends with us (as well as Clark himself) finally being introduced to Clark's real daddy aka Jor-El himself as he speaks to his son from the spaceship as it glows bright and morphs into the Earth to tell Clark of his impending destiny on Earth.  I always find is hilarious how Terrance Stamp himself was chosen to the voice of Jor-El or at least the Jor-El AI that helps to train Clark to become Superman like in the original Donner films. It's just funny hearing him as Jor-El when he still has that iconic voice of Zod from Superman II. lol Also, this is where the long and frankly terrifying at times relationship between Clark and his father Jor-El literally forcing Clark to do what he stays but Clark disobeys starting her in favor of staying Smallville when his father tell him must leave before the sunset tomorrow.  Of course when Jor-El shows him a vision of the people he loves and are leaving behind, Lana is in FRONT of his parents as if she's more important than they are.  Oh this fixation of Lana being Clark's world is only beginning people, you haven't seen anything yet! HA! *Crazy thoughts* Anyway, our boy Clark is understandably beyond shakin' up when he tells his parents the next day what happened.  We get yet another heartwarming and moving Kent family scene where Martha and especially Jonathan reassure him that he makes his own destiny no matter what his real father tells him.

Of course, Clark tries to do what his parents tell him and treat today like any other but clearly meeting his father in ANY form and hearing such a message has him thinking desperately, especially when he's alone and romantic with Lana. I got to admit, Tom and Kristin have pretty good chemistry...not to mention, the way Tom kisses her....Jesus dude, are you eating her mouth??? Calm down there! O_o  lol Anyway, in other couples news, things finally come ahead with Lex and Helen when Lionel stops by the mansion to make things more uncomfortable between them.  Luckily, Lex tries to fix the situation by finally coming clean about stealing the vile of blood but it only makes Helen appropriately break things off between them.  Ouch! I know Lex was finally trying to do the right thing, but after the creepy Kent room, the back and forth between him and his father, not to mention vandalizing her office and stealing from her.  Ole Lexy had it coming, even if he excuses it because of his father's raising of him as well as his Luthor bloodline.  

Meanwhile, let's talk about Chloe and get this ungrateful teenage hag out of the way! Like I said, last episode she was all gung ho for staying loyal to Clark and hilariously declining Lionel's offer with a funny remark...but low and behold, she's back to her extremely evil, backstabbing self when Clark and Lana try to figure out how to tell her about their relationship. Because Chloe MUST know and MUST be told because they owe to her for breaking her poor little heart instead of being happy for her alleged roommate/new sister and best friend!!! Haahahahah....WOW!!! Chloe just doesn't give Lana any flack or anger for hiding the truth from her but oh my god, when she finally sees Clark she lets him have it like never before; uttering the worst writing for a character I have ever seen! WOW! Chloe is beyond disgusting and despicable! She's the alien, NOT Clark because what human would act like this toward someone they apparently have feelings for??? Clark tried to date you but he were all defensive and called it off. Clark wants to be with Lana again and you yell at him every-time to stab him in the back as a friend; making him feel guilty and ashamed when he's NOT YOUR BOYFRIEND!!! Clark and Lana try to talk to you about your feelings for Clark, constantly apologize, try to be as sensitive and understanding to you completely demented mentality and you even push your feelings away when Lana wants to go on a date with Clark but clearly it bothers you because Clark always, always, always gets a hard time from you for NOTHING!!! I'm not surprised that Tom played the scene like Clark didn't have time for this while Allison delivered one of the most horrendous teen angst monologue I have EVER heard. I'm surprised she didn't come back during the end of the episode to make it all about her before Clark desperately leaves his home after his family tragedy and that explosion on his farm. Because no one and I mean, NO ONE doesn't care like Chloe freakin' Sullivan.

Alright enough about the blonde death child of Satan, let's get back to our leading mean when Jor-El contacts Clark again and freakin' brands his chest with a Kryptonite symbol! Jesus, no wonder Clark doesn't say anything the next day and keeps it a secret from his parents. Not to mention, he's still a scared and confused teenager that rather takes things into his own hands than tell the people he loves so much about it.  The kryptonite key that Lionel creates and shows Clark is thankfully convenient, not to mention leads to probably the best Pete Ross scene for the show when he confronts Lionel about what he did to his family just so Clark can take the key without anyone noticing.  You can tell Sam Jones III LOVED this scene and that last line he delivers to Lionel was pretty exceptional.  Seriously, Sam/Pete deserved better! Meanwhile, Helen surprisingly returns and decides to still marry Lex after everything.....hmmmmm.....so they end up getting married, sans Clark, and head out to their honeymoon...with things seeming a little too perfect! But the real tragedy is when Clark finally uses the key to destroy the ship, which not only looks disturbing but causes a massive explosion throughout the county that seriously injures his mother.  Ehhhhhh, that hospital scene is.....brutal man.  The guilt from Clark, the anger and disappointment in Jonathan's voice.....the death of the unborn child......YIKES!!! Suddenly the finale becomes delivers one of the most depressing and morbid series of cliffhanger.  Darth Chloe gives into Lionel's offer and looks all evil doing it (he REAL appearance finally showing it), Clark is filled with some much pain and guilt that he steals a red kryptonite ring and puts it on as Lana cries and pleads with him to stay (really touching, great acting from both!) and Lex wakes up.....alone in his jet about to crash into the ocean.  Jesus, the writers may suck at the teen stuff like I said but they sure know how to keep their audiences beyond shocked and sticking around for the following season.  "Exodus" is pretty slow at times, but has some truly powerful moments toward the end of the episode, especially as Clark rides off toward Metropolis with Jor-El speaking to him still......AMAZING ending! And there you have Season 2's finish and leaving A LOT for me to say in my recap review! :)

Final Kryptonite: A-