Season 4, Episode 4: Devoted

"Devoted"

Episode 4

Air Date: October 13th, 2004

I'm starting to understand this season a lot more as the writers have reached a point where they are definitely having more fun with the show and its characters when it comes to episodes like Devoted.  It's about time the show became more self aware about its repetitive and honestly laughable formula of pathetic meteor freak of week storylines.  I mean the past 2 episodes were some of the worst for the shows in terms of motivations, not to mention powers.  But here, writer Luke Schelaans's script is completely in on the joke of how dumb of a plot this is and just has great time with the usual trappings of the show making it into a humorous romp in the same vein as a teen comedy than rather a straight forward conflict that is too idiotic to take seriously.  I mean how else can you explain the almost whimsical undertone of the whole hour that sees brainless cheerleaders of all demographics coming up with a love potion that includes kryptonite to make their boyfriends their love slaves??? It's a genius way to focus more on the high school setting this season and having some entertaining purpose for it; like Season 1's priceless "Drone".  Not to mention, this is probably the first time I thoroughly enjoyed watching Allison Mack onscreen. Finally she's giving something really awesome to work with for an episode as she unluckily drinks some of the love potion and becomes infatuated with Clark.  I mean for the first time, Chloe being so obsessed with Clark is played for hysterical laughs like the barn scene where she comes on to him in his new jersey or her making a complete fool of herself while supporting Clark on the sidelines as an overzealous new cheerleader! HAHAHA!!!

But of course, the best parts of the episode are between Lois and Clark when Lois has to investigate the Stepford Jocks and their poom poom goddesses to find out what exactly is making the boys into teenaged worshipers.  Some hilarious banter between Lois and the cheerleaders for a quote leads to her finding out about the said love potion but it's not until she uses Clark to finally get more answers by having him come on to Mandy the headcheerleader in a scene that so brilliantly plays out like a teen rom com as Clark is stuck kissing Mandy while Lois tries to take her purse. HA!!! Of course, the story has some serious sides to it like when Jason unfortunately drinks a bit of the potion and almost blows his cover with Lana...not to mention, gets the other teammates to constantly sack Clark and then goes on to beat the living crap out of him in his barn.  Yeah, how did that happen??? Well, Clark accidentally drinks the love potion and of course, kryptonite fueled love potion makes him sick and vulnerable af.  But seriously, that beatdown Jason gives Clark is brutal! Jesus! Luckily, Lex turned out to be there and save him.

Speaking of Lex, we finally get a reconciliation between him and Clark during this episode as he tries to win back his friendship through his new football ambitions but ultimately wins Clark back by finally putting his investigation of him behind.  It's nice to see the two back together as friends and not yet sworn enemies at this point, but one wonders what exactly is going to make them oppose each other in the long run....hmmmmmm.  Also, I love that we get more plot development with Clark being on the team and having to deal with teammates that don't exactly like him because of his sudden starting position.  It leads to another wonderful heart to heart between Jonathan and Clark about his own football days and having to earn his teammates respect.  It leads to a awesome scene of Clark winning his first game alongside his teammates and becoming promising new athlete for the team that his follow players can feel comfortable in his leadership. Nice! Shame Lois is heading to college already! I miss her already.  Also, that last scene between Clark and Chloe is so sweet; finally giving her some validation in her feelings for Clark without making her look pathetic and psycho but vulnerable and sweet with Clark giving her a kiss on the cheek and promising to continue working for the Torch. :)  All and All, Devoted is a great time of a 40 minute ride of feel good comedy, funny teenage driven comedy and more awesome dialogue as the writers have fun with the show again instead of bogged down by the overt serious that turns into grating melodrama sometimes. O_O

Final Kryptonite: A