Season 3, Episode 22: Covenant

 

"Covenant"

Episode 22

Air Date: May 19th, 2004

If there one thing you could always count on Smallville for was that its season finale would be an epic showcase of the series at its most epic and intense.  "Covenant" was one of those landmark hours of the show that really cemented Season 3 as the darkest season yet! What Al and Miles set up here is truly exciting, shocking, sometimes even riveting....especially the last minute cliffhangers that are some of the most gripping moments of television I have ever witnessed. But before you're left speechless by the compelling climax of the season, Covenant does a remarkable job to building to said ending as character arcs are wrapped up, overarching villains meet the justice that has been eagerly waiting for them all season and we finally find out just what the hell kind of deal Jonathan made to bring Clark home.  I remember back when this episode aired, a lot of people were shocked by the arrival of Kara aka Supergirl when Clark wasn't even out of high school yet.  While it's pretty obvious she isn't exactly who she says she is, I have to say Adrianne Palicki really is breathtaking in the role. O_O Not just because of how naturally gorgeous the actress is but how she has such a strong presence everytime she's in the room.  Her performance is pretty inspired, aimlessly wandering around the Kent Farm like a ghost; forcing Jonathan to reveal the deal he made with Jor-El and trying desperately....yet so gently to convince Clark to come with her to their home where Jor-El is waiting for them.

This really brings up some obvious tension in the family, especially Martha feeling hurt and betrayed that Jonathan would make a deal like that without her.  Not to mention, "Kara" having more power and control than Clark does.  Yikes! Of course, all isn't what it appears to be and it turns out it was all a clever ploy to get Clark to willingly come to Jor-El by using a dead girl as an archer to draw Clark to his destiny.  It's really harsh and manipulative!  Not to mention, he forces Clark to come with him at the last minute by trying to kill Jonathan.  Seriously, it's moments like this that it's no wonder there were fan theories that "Jor-El" was really "Zod" the whole time.  I mean, Terrance Stamp voicing the A.I. doesn't help already.  It just seems that Jor-El's methods for Clark to begin his destiny are done so malicious and deceptively when Jor-El was usually more inviting and heartwarming even a super advanced machine meant to guide and train his son in his absence.  I guess one could say he made the A.I. heartless and tough to really be there for Clark but it just alienates his son more and down the line, it becomes even more absurd how Jor-El treats Clark just so he can fulfill his destiny.  Just a big too sinister for the biological father of Superman! O_O

But where we also get this episode is Lionel's last words before heading to jail and of course, John Glover alongside the too impressionable Micheal Rosenbaum carry each scene with such powerful ease; knowing their dynamic so well when playing father and son.  The best scene in particular is when Lionel tearfully tells Lex about his liver cancer and begs for him to not let him rot in prison....only for Lex to play along before mocking his last minute woes of regret and mercy as some performance that he sees right through.  God, I LOVE these characters and the actors that bring them to life so well.  Of course, that was Lex's mistake, as Lionel has one card left play by sending Clark a mysterious key that leads him to that secret room Lex showed Helen last season.  You got to admit, how would you feel if you're best friend who said he stopped investigating you had a whole room dedicated to you with pictures, video playbacks and your weakness of all things.  Lex had it coming but you still feel bad when Clark finally has it and ends their friendship abruptly. Also, Chloe is in the middle of Lionel's trial and hopes that she will finally get under Lionel's clutches after being threatened by him so many times.....oh Chloe! :( And of course, our little Lana is off to Paris, but Clark doesn't get a chance to really say goodbye since Lex is with her.  Of course, we get a melodramatic moment of him speeding off when Lana knew he was there...and picks of a white rose he dropped.  Awwwwww....seriously tho! These two......I'm just glad next season gives us a break this non-sense soap opera insanity between them!!! *Vomit*

But honestly, that final sequence of Lionel getting his hair cut in his cell while he seemingly gets revenge on Chloe and Lex is by far one of the most haunting and well edited scenes I have ever seen from a series.  That incredibly flawless use of Mozart's Requiem as we see Chloe and her father arriving at the safe house only for it to explode seconds later with them in it??? Lex drinking his favorite drink but has been poisoned!??? Not to mention, Martha frantically running outside to see a large fire form a Kryptonian symbol on their farm???!!! And all that's left for Lionel to say at the end, with his head completely shaven and almost knowing he has won in the end by simply saying, "Thank You." with such a content smile on his face. I am literally speechless! Every. single.  TIME!!! The CW shows of today could use this type of experimental and breathtaking filmmaking that feels so fresh and inventive for the show.  And after all that, we see Clark floating in a enormous dark space; inside a floating forcefield that eerily resembles the Superman shield while Jor-El takes him away to tell him, "Kal-El. My son. Now you shall be reborn." ........Just so much praise and applause here. A tremendously wonderful hour in execution, action, suspense and set up for what's to come for the series moving forward.  Poor Jonathan is left to die in the caves while two other characters may have been killed off!??? Doesn't get any better than this episode right here! A marvelous end to a truly spectacular year for the show! :) 

Final Kryptonite: A+(+++)