Season 3, Episode 5: Perry

 

"Perry"

Episode 5

Air Date: October 29th, 2003

It's always a great episode more than usual when the writers decide to delve head first into the Superman mythos and "Perry" does that superbly with two storylines that not only introduce the source of Clark's numerous abilities but also give us a peak at a future character that will be a major part of Clark's legend as Superman. Hard to believe we are seeing Clark's future boss aka Editor and Chief of the Daily Planet, Perry White, make it to Smallville, but it does a fine job in establishing their relationship prior to Clark making his way to the front door of the Planet looking for a job from Perry himself.  Micheal McKean, not to mention, Annette O'Toole's husband, does a more than excellent job as portraying the fast track, award winning reporter turned low life drunk struggling to obtain his next BIG story but resorting to tabloid, reality show trash to keep his career on life support.  Not surprising, that Lionel Luthor was behind his near career death sentence as it turns out Perry has history with both him and Lex, during a hilarious scene where Lex recalls when he tried to interview him as a teen and shot him down with a classic "Go to hell!" But Lex isn't the only one that Lex pisses off as he brings back tragic memories of Lana's`tragic childhood after losing her parents during the meteor shower.  They really do a fine job of establishing certain interactions between Perry and our Smallville characters, like Chloe revealing she use to idolize Perry before his career went practically down the drain. Tho I love it how it's Clark who literally chaperons with Perry around the town to try to lead hims down more of a rewarding, right path instead of the dirty journalist he has become. Which is saying a lot considering Perry is after Clark about the legitimacy of his otherworldy powers. Which brings us to the next Superman lore story of the episode.

The intense solar flares on the sun causing Clark to lose his power than increase out of no where was a wonderful way of introducing that power source of Clark's various powers.  While the effects of the meteor hitting the sun were a bit dodgy ( A LOT actually!), the effects of Clark's powers losing his powers before coming back stronger than ever led to some awesome shots of Clark superspeeding out of control or the moment he sends one of the trackers on the farm flying over the town before landing right in front of Perry White of all people.  Tho I always find it funny when someone is on the verge of finding out Clark's secret, his powers are temporarily gone for the moment.  How unfortunate for Perry that he was so close to the truth only to nearly kill him trying to prove Clark has some many incredible abilities at his disposable.  The rope burn/bloodly gashes were a nice touch, but wouldn't people at least question why Clark doesn't have bandages over his hands at least.  I mean sure Lana saw that Clark got hurt, meaning no need to suspect that Clark has powers or is meteor infect like she thought, but really??? You didn't see how well his hands healed like nothing happened??? O_o No? Oh let's talk more about their awkward relationship at this point for the thousandth time but at least we got a callback to Lana's parents' grave sight. Also, it was a pretty terrific ending with Perry giving Clark some advice on his journalism before telling him he owes him one if he ever heads to Metropolis....hmmmmm, maybe looking for a job perhaps??? Hmmmm.... ;)

But it's not Clark who takes a major leap in setting up his future as Lex's psychological deconstruction reaches a critical point this season where his psychiatrist Claire Foster is frustrated that Lex is wasting his sessions on just getting the psychological clearance to work at Luthorcorp instead of truly opening up to the doctor about his past scenes.  Seriously, Micheal Rosenbaum is seriously ramping up his already stunning acting with performances that are becoming out of this world.  Both scenes where Lex snaps on Perry White for information on his father in exchange for dirt on Clark and him getting into a shouting match with Claire are some of the best scenes of the show so far.  Truly this arc hasn't scratched the surface as Claire so profoundly says to Lex at one point but the continuous build up is tremendous writing throughout so far. It's because of his near psychotic outburst toward  Perry, that Lex realizes that opening up to Claire maybe his chance to escape his dark side instead of embracing it as he will one day. WOW!!! O_O Also, there is definitely some dark past of Lionel's that's being set up to be revealed in Lex finally won upping his father as we see with Perry briefly. Hmmmmm.... :) "Perry" is the series on an enormous high of storytelling and things haven't reached its most compelling or shocking yet but here lies why Season 3 will become one the greatest outings for the show yet. :)

Final Kryptonite: A