Season 7, Episode 6: Lara

"Lara"

Episode 6

Air Date: November 1st, 2007

So this is definitely a meaty arc episode, even tho the ending of it seems like the creepiest set-up for the next round of episodes! But before we get to that, this episode finally has Kara tracking down her crystal or at least, getting very close to finding it. I guess I should talk about how Laura Vandervoort is doing so far in the series as the future Girl of Steel??? She's....passable.  There are some unconvincing moments but I do genuinely believe in her performance as Kara and the character herself so.....job well done???  She's smart and crafty enough to seduce a scientist into telling her more about Domestic Security's intentions with her crystal and where to find.  Unfortunately, even after stealing his access card, she is still unable to find it. Back in Smallville and Metropolis, Chloe and Clark are in the middle of tracking Kara down since she was literally spotted floating over Washington D.C. as plane flew by.  Jimmy accidentally spills the beans about him helping her research classified government information that sent here there in the first place while Lex confronts to head of Domestic Security.  Yeah, I'm really over this Lex's redemption story arc for him at this point in the season, it just takes all the fun out of the character.  Not to mention, Lex being backhanded and devious is what we want at this point in his journey, NOT a step back! *GROAN* At least, actor Kim Coates has been proving to be a formidable adversary as of late with wanting to know more about Kara's arrival and her crystal despite Lex's miracle savior BS.

He manages to put the pieces of Kara's mission and what she is all together, managing to capture her and use Summerholt technology (Remember that facility???) to see in her past through her memories.  Through said memories, we get the reason behind our title for the episode with Kara remembering back in 1986 when she sneaked off to Earth to find Lara at the Kent Farm.  It's great to see Helen Slater as Lara-El, Clark's Kryptonian mother.  She definitely gives a nice, soft warm performance you'd expect for the character.  Not to mention, they just make her look so stunning during the flashback sequences.  Unfortunately, Kara as well as Clark find out the truth about Zor-El when trying to save her as they see Zor-El was kind of a demented pervert who wanted Lara for himself and that crystal that he gave Kara houses his and Lara's DNA so their clones can live happily ever after.  Ewwww, this is what I mean when the House of El family drama becomes kinda disappointing and icky. Seems Zor-El motivations were always because his infatuation with Lara; making him hate his brother for stealing his true love.  Blah! More soapy romance garbage when this storyline had SOOOO much more potential.  So Kara found out back then but her father erased her memories.  Of course, this episode has Clark and Kara putting their family issues aside, especially when she realizes the truth of how horrible her father was.  Also, that picture of Clark's mother being there the whole time was kind of a inside joke at the time for fans as how did it survive the second meteor shower.

But honestly, nothing can prepare you for how disturbing and disgusting the show gets from there when Jimmy goes on a lunch date with Kara, especially after kissing her! Seriously, we need an age for these character because this is a crime when Kara is suppose to be 16-17 RIGHT!???  Then poor Chloe has to witness her ex going out with her on said lunch date.....Eooooyyyyy!!! But the creepiest part like I said is at the end of episode, Clark is being all mysterious by showing Lana that picture of his mom, but is more eager to show her the crystal! Yes, Clark is the one who mysteriously snatched the crystal and the way he tells Lana that his mother's DNA in the crystal is by far the dumbest conclusion to an episode yet.  Omg!!! The writers are literally setting up for Clark to unleash unholy hell with this crystal, that's NOT even his, that it a perverted science experiment that his sick, twisted uncle made so HE and HIS MOM could be together.  And he couldn't be happier!???  Ewwwwwww!!!  I just.....but don't get me wrong.  This is still one of the more solid episodes with Lionel returning as Clark's helpful ally, not to mention an amazing scene between Lex and Lionel about Clark and how he's effected their relationship.  Wonderful acting and stellar writing there as usual.  The flashbacks with Lara, pre-Zor-El were great, especially Kara being the one inspire Clark's Kryptonian name. Nice! :)  It's just all the lesser trappings that are setting up for more incredibly dumb mistakes by our lead hero and it doesn't look fun at all! OMG! *HEADWALL*

Final Kryptonite: B-