Season 9, Episode 15: Conspiracy

"Conspiracy"

Episode 15

Air Date: February 26th, 2010

After one of the strangest episodes of the series, Conspiracy is certainly the darkest in a while and possibly the creepiest! O_O  But I'm glad we got a direct continuation of last episode's shocking conclusion as the Kandorians are heavily discouraged the destruction of the solar tower, especially Zod of course.  I love the confrontation between him and Clark. It was so explosive, especially with Tom Welling and Callum Blue playing off each other with amazing ferocity.  That punch Zod through at Clark before he easily catching it to calm him down was just brilliant. Honestly, this episode did even wonders for Zod as a character.  Who knew I could ever feel bad for the infamous Superman villain but like how they made Lex into one of the most, if not, most complex and profound version of Clark's greatest villain, the writers do the same exquisite job of making Zod far more than a brooding, commanding leader of his troops but a man desperate to win over his fellow Kryptonians compared to the powerful god-like savior Clark is being to watch over them while making them live normal lives on Earth.  We not only how desperate Zod is but how incredibly swift, sneaky, even suave during an awesome sequence of when he disguises himself a reporter at the Daily Planet to track down a mad man kidnapping Kandorians.  Seriously, Callum is such a gifted actor and I'm glad he got to show it in this episode! :)

Another awesome aspect of this episode is Clark teaming up with Faora to help her find her sister, Vala when she becomes another one of the Kandorians taken.  I really loved their scenes together investigating as it was really interesting to see Clark partnering with another strong female for a week.  I really am loving this version of Faora, just as much as Zod.  Not only is Sharon Taylor also doing a phenomenal job in the role as a younger version of a known Kryptonian villain but the writing is exceptional as she gives Clark some serious perspective on THIS version of Zod BEFORE he became the notorious general that destroyed Krypton. It adds a lot to Zod's career on top of Callum's tremendous performance as well as making Faora look more sympathetic as well. As for the main story at hand with our latest psycho running around Metropolis,  Dr. Bernard Chisholm is certainly.....different in the best possible way! O_O  He feels like some twisted Hostel inspired villain as he kidnaps and by freezing up Kandorians or you know harvesting their body parts after sawing them off to proof to the world the existence of aliens.  But what I love about it, is that he may be an insane murderer, but considering Vala and other Kandorians were experimenting on humans like him to get their powers by resurrecting him is beyond sadistic.  

I love how the writers tied it immediately back to Corben as he was one of their experiments that turned him into Metallo. It definitely makes this a very moral ambiguous story as well the Kandorians don't deserve to be hunted and killed, they sort of had it coming, especially when Dr. Chisholm reveals his surgically damaged head because their unethical operation him.  YIKES!!! And the poor guy was at peace being dead to only be resurrected to have brain that won't make him stop thinking, which caused him to snap!??? Yeah, you feel really awful for him too. Then of course, Lois gets involved (She seriously needs to learn how to be less obvious in front of crazy villain guy so she doesn't get kidnapped herself everytime! LOL) and I love how she runs into Zod when he's tracking down Vala.  After that shocking moment of getting shot (NOOOOO! O_O), Lois immediately takes care of his wound and tries to defend him.  Man, Lois is soooo awesome! But unfortunately even when Clark is able to save the day, he's unable to save Zod who dies just like his father.  It's a surprisingly crushing scene, really showing how well the writers have made Zod into such a complex, likeable villain that his death holds so much weight based on this episode alone.  I love how Clark comes up with the idea to use his blood to heal him and bring him back from the dead (Hmmmm, remembering how his blood did that back in Season 3 perhaps! O_o)  

But it's an unforeseen moment of compassion on his side on succeeding in saving Zod like his dying father told him.  Only he will soon live to regret it as even after a heartwarming truce between Clark and Zod at the end, it is immediately revealed that he. has. his powers NOW!!??? And done with a stunning flight sequence leaving the episode on yet another shocking yet exciting cliffhanger! Also, Waller somehow manages to steal the Kandorian blood sample that Lois got from Chisholm.....uhhh ohhh.....one step closer to advancing her agenda of the alien invasion of the Kandorians!???  GASP!!! Jesus, Smallville is having one of its most consistently entertaining seasons in a long while as Conspiracy keeps the Kandorian story arc alive and progressing too well.  I have no words! Just...well done! :)

Final Kryptonite: A