Season 4, Episode 19: Blank

"Blank"

Episode 19

Air Date: April 27th, 2005

Blank has always been a fan favorite amongst the fandom as it really has a hilarious charm to it as well as terrific chemistry between Allison Mack and Tom Welling as Chloe finally gets a chance to not only finally be in on Clark's secret with his for the first time but help him navigate his various abilities when he loses his memories of who he is.  This is Clark's episode but it feels just as much as a Chloe episode as the writers build on her awareness of Clark's powers by making him his link to his past while also finding out just how numerous said powers are as well as how hard it is to be a secret keeper of this magnitude.  I'm just glad that Allison Mack's terrific acting gets to be well utilized by being more than just Clark's side kick like Pete was the last two seasons.  They make Chloe knowing Clark's secret fun, entertaining as well as very heartwarming in not only developing their relationship but herself as character.  Not to mention, the irony of Clark finding out Chloe knows his secret when he loses his memory is played for just enough laughs to explore the potential of such a turn of events.  But also, we see that a memory vacant Clark is a lot more trusting and honest with the friends around him like Chloe, showing a side to him that we have never seen before.  A Clark who is willing tell people the truth, wondering why he kept his powers such a secret and not caring what people think.  Of course, we the audience know it's not just his powers but his origins and physiology as whole but I really love how Chloe makes him realize why he would be afraid to tell people considering how hard it is to cover for him, especially when he is humorously revealing his powers around her.  The premature combustion when he sees Lana is just priceless and I just love Chloe's reaction being a mix of intrigue, awkwardness and genuine disgust! lol 

Speaking of Lana, while we get a brief moment between her and Jason to remind us that this stone search storyline is dead and buried, we see Clark's heart remembers her and reveals his feelings for her par the usual.  Honestly, I'll take it consider post- the high school years, the eternal suffering that is the relationship drama saga between Clark and Lana will only get worse!!! So there you go! I enjoyed the scenes between Clark and Lois as even when Clark doesn't remember his life, she gives him some great advice about trusting his gut to know who he can trust or not.  We soon see that advice being used when Lex uses Clark's amnesia as a time to manipulate him into telling him more about the caves.  The writers have been subtly hinting that since Onyx, that Lex's dark side might be taking over more than his good side now and I just can't believe we're getting a darker Lex already at this point in the series.  It was truly hard watching Clark even without his memory feeling that Lex is untrustworthy and also remembering Chloe's words to "be careful" around him.  The last scene between them just stung even more with Lex lying to Clark when he gains his memory back and taking drawings from his loft about the caves as well as the stones for himself.  Oh boy!!!

But as fun as the Chloe/Clark story is, the main plot with a meteor freak is surprising heartbreaking and refreshing.  I really like Kevin and think he is one of the more genuinely well developed one off superpowered meteor effected we've seen from the early years of the show. Mean Girls' Jonathan Bennett is exceptional in the role in just the couple of scenes he has and I loved the moment when he realized the truth about his brother's tragic death.  How awful and evil for his own father to replace his memories with fake ones just because he could live with killing one son and rather put the blame on the other.  Mr. Grady is just scum and one of those subtle villains that works so well in this story because you never do see the twist coming that he set the whole thing up.  Tho bringing back Summerholt does create a plot hole when it's suppose to be in Metropolis but it's apparently in Smallville now as of this episode.  They could have mentioned Summerholt opening another facility in Smallville in case I missed it??? O_o

Also I absolutely LOVE Kevin's power to erase memories and how convenient it becomes during that priceless moment where Lois and Sheriff Nancy witness Clark holding to large pillars; then throwing them aside like they were cardboard.  Having the power to erase people's memories is actually a really awesome, unconventional power which should be used more in media.  I wish they brought Kevin back, especially after Clark showed so much initiative in helping him find out the truth and live a guilt free life.  It's always great to see that heroic side of Clark even when he lost his memories just like when he loses his powers in Leech.  His hero calling is just something in him that comes so natural and it would be interesting to see him team up with Kevin again but sigh.....never happened! :(  Anyways, Blank is a strong, superb hour for our leading man and unlikely new ally in Chloe, who proves herself to be a better friend now that she knows his secret without him even knowing it.  That last scene is definitely an indication that Clark will find out what she knows soon and I honestly can't wait after this wonderful sampler of an episode. :)

Final Kryptonite: A