Season 9, Episode 2: Metallo

"Metallo"

Episode 2

Air Date: October 2nd, 2009

While Smallville was Clark's story before became the legendary Superman, the writers as you know made their own origins of Superman villains through the series.  The first 7 seasons focused on Lex Luthor's descent from Clark Kent's best friend to Superman's greatest foe and for better or for worse, last season gave us the backstory of Doomsday before his historical showdown with Superman that will end up killing the Man of Steel.  So it makes sense after introducing John Corben in the season premiere, the writers would come up with their own tale of the rise of Superman's kryptonite powered cyborg nemesis, Metallo.  Like I said, it was surprising to see Brian Austin Green take on the role.  But then I remember around this time he had just come off from shooting "the Sarah Conner Chronicles" and already showed he was more than capable taking on a very commending role so no more shock needed.  Honestly, this episode made me not only free Corben but feel incredibly sorry for him throughout.  Not only is he mercilessly run over with some of the most graphic shots I've ever seen on this show, but the Kandorians apparently took him to experiment on and turned him into Metallo as a test to regain their powers potentially.  If that wasn't bad enough, we learn his sister was brutally murdered thanks to an inmate surviving a bus accident thanks to the Blur and making an escape that costed Corben's sister's life.  In just two episodes, Green really makes John a very sympathetic character with a villain origin story that's both tragic and chilling.

Meanwhile, Clark is still trying desperately to cut himself off from humanity and be on full superhero mode 24/7 but clearly it's getting to him as we get a beautiful shot of him superhearing the city of Metropolis as everyone is living their day to day lives.  Once again the writers are doing exceptional work with Clark and this new arc, especially how he's becoming more dependent on Lois as the Blur.  I love how he called her again to have her help him track down Corben but getting in over her head when he follows and kidnaps her for speaking to the Blur.  It really does play out like a classic Superman adventure with one of his enemies kidnapping Lois and him having to save her in a race against time.  I also enjoyed how smart Clark was in the final confrontation as even when Dr. Hamilton's advice doesn't work in stopping Metallo for good, Clark sees led and uses it immediately with his heat vision to cover up his kryptonite heart which works perfectly. And my god, the following scene where Lois wakes up to see the Blur watching her in the shadows but Clark being to afraid to show himself when she asks to see him....so he just superspeeds away; leaving Lois so brokenhearted.  OMG!!! What is this show doing to me all over again!??? *Tears of joy and sadness* :(

Not so fun about this episode tho is Chloe......ewwwwww!!! She hasn't been this aggravating and bitchy since the high school years but at least then the fact she was a hormonal teenager made it make sense where as here, she seems out of control emotionally and eager for Clark to be at her side at all times because of her mistakes and inability to be accountable for her lack of good judgement that got Jimmy killed.  But I love how the writers use it to highlight how much closer Clark is getting to Lois as the Blur while Chloe has to keep hearing about the Blur confiding in Lois as Lois gets overzealous about her knew relationship, even telling Chloe that she's his sidechick before the elevator door close on her face.  The writers know what they're doing.  Self aware much!  But Chloe does help in one aspect as after his Metallo confrontation, Clark realizes he can't completely stay away from humanity and watch them live their lives from afar only to step in to save the day. Not only does Clark realize he needs to go back to life a human life to connect better with his heroic duties, but Chloe manages to share with him Tess hiring back Lois to know more about her missing 3 weeks.  I love these turn of events and amazing character development from Clark who wants to continue to embrace his Kryptonian side but will be very serious about his human life interfering with it.  WOW! Then we get that tremendous reunion scene of Clark returning to the Daily Planet and Lois far too eager to see him back.  Clark is so happy to be back to the point he asks Lois to tell him the whole story of her helping the Blur as he smiles harder than he ever has as Lois gets into what happened.  It's been a while since the show has made me smile like this and it shows just how stronger the writing has gotten since the middle seasons especially.

Meanwhile, Tess has been tracking down the Kandorians thanks to some tech guy working for her named Stewart.  I love how Lois makes sun of him for not being in school! lol  Anyway, he manages to find that the orb has released A LOT more Kryptonians on Earth...including someone from the House of El, as Stewart shows her the S-Shield with a human in the middle of it.  GASP!!! So awesome! Metallo is another complete home run of an episode for Season 9 from start to finish.  The show is feeling a lot stronger and more focused than Season 8 with the tone getting extremely Superman inspired even if Superman doesn't exist yet.  And that's saying too much for words! :)

Final Kryptonite: A+