Season 7, Episode 13: Hero

"Hero"
Episode 13

Air Date: March 13th, 2008

Sigh.....a return of an old character after a while should be exciting, rewarding and especially reflective how how much time has changed and they have grown! Unfortunately, Pete Ross' return to Smallville is about as anti-climatic as much of this season in terms of really showing how the show has grown, instead feeling desperately, even shamelessly stuck.  Pete was written out after the first 3 season BECAUSE of the fact that the writers didn't know what to do with him, so they just wrote him out of the show.  Fast forward 3 years or so later and Pete......is pretty much the same character as he left dealing with the same issues.  I mean A LOT has happened since the end of Season 3, yet Pete seems like he is still that scared, sacrificial high school junior who left Smallville to protect Clark's secret.  As soon as he come back, he's STILL dealing with the same issues: living in Clark's shadow, still having unrequited feelings for Chloe and apparently, wanting desperately to know how it feels to be a superpowered savior like Clark.  After saving Kara from a near death experience, Pete returns to Smallville and even if the show feels stuck now, clear things have changed and moved on without him, yet he immediately goes back to being so self righteous and angry at Clark for his secret being such a burden to him, even going as far as to threaten to reveal his secret if he pushes him.  Awwww, just like old times!!! -_-  Jesus, even after 3 seasons and a half, the writers still don't know how to make Pete stand on his own without looking like some lost kid trying to stand out. Look, Sam Jones III plays the character well and actually, he gives probably his best performance yet but immediately jumping back into Pete like he never left but still.....-_-

The actor deserved better, especially knowing that he is returning for essentially a full on Stride promotional episode where he gains temporary Mr. Fantastic stretching powers from eating that particular brand of chewing gum that now has been infected by kryptonite.  Yes, kryptonite chewing gum!!!! These writers just write without thinking a lot of times don't they??? -_- But there are some scenes that do feel somewhat like a pay off, especially Pete and Chloe reuniting as well as discussing their experiences from protecting Clark's secret.  But I find it hard to believe how easily he was manipulated by Lex to steal from Lionel.  If he planned to protect Clark all along, why even break into Lionel's vault or did Clark trying to stop him really make him realize that Lex needed to be stopped once and for all??? Either way, the storyline really suffers because there's no real progression from Pete until Clark has to miraculously save him in the end so he can learn a lesson he should have already known! -_-  Meanwhile, the whole Kara not knowing who she is plot thickens....or becomes very predictable in the most annoying way.  She distrusts Clark and Lana for not telling her the truth, she trusts Lex, Kara tries to ask Lana for the truth, secrets, lies, blah, blah, blah! "Lex, I wanna stay with you, even tho I should also be questioning why a billionaire from Smallville is so interested in finding out who I am more than I do!" -_-  Jesus, what is the point of Kara this season besides plot point to establish another plot point.  This just isn't a character and even Lana hilariously mentions she's being played by Lex like he did to her at the end of Season 5 into Season 6; making this storyline like a said, already done before! -_-

Also, Lionel is being all secretive and menacing by keeping Kara's bracelet when he apparently didn't know where it was alongside Lana and Clark.  Omg, are we gonna do the whole "Lionel is suppose to be this essential ally who suddenly betrays Clark out of nowhere" again this season because if we do......!!!! -_- Not to mention.....ohhh God, I've been trying to avoid it since Siren but that infamous Veritas storyline is about to begin and......smdh........this season is a MESS!!! WOW! The only arc going on now is Kara's anmnesia and even THAT was be quickly swept under the Kryptonian rug next episode in favor of the writers retconning the show's history for a story that makes absolutely no sense even in context of what we soon will know.  GAH!!! Hero is all inspiring in episode title but not in Pete Ross' almost pointless return, Kara's stupid trust issues redux we've seen on this show TOO MANY times by now and a horrible story arc that will butcher the show's quality more than ever! Oh boy.....

Final Kryptonite: D-