Season 4, Episode 6: Transference

"Transference"

Episode 6

Air Date: October 27th, 2004

Hard to believe in just 3 seasons, Tom Welling has come beyond a long way since his very off performances of the first season. If there's one thing you notice as the series goes down the line is how much Tom not only improves immensely as an actor but shows just how talented and crafty he can be when playing the more self assured villain than the adolescent superhero in training.  I'm saying this because "Transference" is an episode completely depending on how strong Tom's performance is and it amazes me more than ever rewatching this episode how eerie his portrayal of Lionel Luthor in Clark's body is.  The mannerisms, the way he delivers his lines, the smugness, the arrogance, etc.  My God, it really DOES feel like Lionel has in fact switched places with Clark and watching him torment his family and friends as he discovers Clark's powers is a remarkable treat.  Every scene that "Lionel" is masquerading as Clark and interacting with likes of the Kents and especially Clark's friend, is not only a tremendous display of Tom's impeccable precision in learning John Glover's masterful cadence as Lionel but especially how he coldly he dismisses Chloe and comes on to Lana like such a entitled jerk. I really felt so uncomfortable and extremely intimated during these scenes knowing Lionel was right there will all of Clark's abilities but rather use mind games to entertain himself than use Clark's brute force....well....not yet anyway.

Meanwhile, John Glover plays Clark and he does.....a fine job, but it does make you realize how boring of a Clark is when someone as incredibly talented of an acting vet like Glover feels so restrained and underutilized.  His best scene is definitely when Martha comes to visit him and "Clark" must frantically tell her of a time as kid when he lost control of her powers.  It was so genuine and touching; making me believe more than ever that our young Clark was powerless in the body of former corrupt billionaire turned dying convict.  But like I said, this is Tom's moment and he sells every scene, every gesture feels more and more commanding than the previous as Lionel grows more agitated and power hungry in Clark's body.  That kitchen scene with Jonathan in particular is pretty terrifying as you think he might actually be murdered by "Lionel"!!! AHHhhhhh!!! Tho it sucks that once things are back to normal, Clark has to get all this unnecessary anger and antagonism thrown at him when Lex knew what happened, how come they couldn't have known he wasn't really him??? At this point, after all the bizarre and unexplained things they've seen in Smallville the past few years, they think they'd give Clark more of the benefit of the doubt instead of using it as a moment to project their relentless insecurities of Clark's secrecy and unexplained behavior when he has constantly saved their lives the past 3 freaking years. Seriously! -_-

Oh and Clark finds out that Lana and Jason are together in the most heartless of revelations. Jesus, no wonder Clark becomes such a morbid, aimless character bounded to the farm during the show's middle seasons. Give this guy a break! Like they're trying to make him more depressed and angsty than Zack Snyder's version of the character.  Anyway, we also get some plot progression with the stone search arc as Lionel uses one of the 3 relics to cause the body switch but unfortunately Clark is unable to get it and ends up in the hands of Bridgette Crosby by the end of the episode.  Hmmmmmmm!!! Also, I enjoyed the hilarious J.P. Manoux as Edger Cole who becomes Clark's side kick him prison and informs him about what Lionel has been up to even behind bars.  I like how he helps him set up Lionel to switch back their bodies; not to mention it appears that's Clark's unnatural essence has some how healed his liver disease but conveniently has lost all memory of being in Clark's body. Definitely an unforeseen development that does change the direction of where the writers take the character from here on out.  But Transference stays as Tom Welling's breakout performance and one of the best of his career bar none.  Everything else is just an added bonus in this tour de force acting showcase of a star realizing his full potential as a cinematic performer. WOW! Another series highlight! :)

Final Kryptonite: A+