Season 10, Episode 14: Masquerade

"Masquerade"

Episode 14

Air Date: February 10th, 2011

Sigh....it's episodes like this during the final season that remind you again, we are about to end this 10 year long journey of Clark Kent's rise to becoming the Man of Steel.  But not only is Masquerade able to bring forth more classic Superman iconography like Clark finally and permanently putting on the glasses for his mild mannered reporter disguise, but the writers continue to establish the growing phenomenon of the Blur becoming a worldwide symbol of hope as the episode opens with Clark racing back to Metropolis where Lois fills him in that his global heroics are making the world want to see the Blur up close and personal.  I love how the writers took the time to make it clear that with Superman on brink of showing himself to world, the Blur is reaching out across the world to make his presence known as Superman does all the time.  It's not only a tremendous classic set-up for the mythos but gives some more urgency to Clark's double identity needing a permanent disguise that he is able to be both Clark Kent and the Blur publicly without him worrying if his identity with be exposed.  I love Lois taking the lead here and hilariously trying to give Clark's costume a new disguise with the hood and glasses.  Clark's irritation at how dumb her looks and her assertion that this look is the right way to go is just priceless.  I especially loved the mocking of his superspeed with her "WHOOSH" before he can leave the way he usually does.  The added notion of Lois' being a key helper in forming Clark's Superman identity is unlike anything we've seen before but the writers make it work so effortlessly, making it feels fresh and as usual, comedic gold between both characters.

Meanwhile, during date night, Chloe and a terribly disguised Oliver (Seriously, how does no one see through his obvious get up he's Oliver Queen??? -_-) get caught up in a massive FBI investigation when they pose as Mr. and Mrs. Jones to hide their identities.  I admit I have fun with their side of the main story of the episode, well outside the very Mr. and Mrs. Smith styled fight when both of them are able to take down a bunch of FBI agents who catch them intruding in their investigation.  Since when can Chloe able to handle herself so well??? This ain't the Matrix episode anymore!!! -_-  Would have liked to have at least have Oliver be shocked by how well she can handle herself and her mentioning Rick Flagg training her in the intermediate time since when she left and reunited with the time but I'm just really splitting hairs out of annoyance and the fact it's just Chloe.  I'm really glad this turned out to also be a Darkseid Prophet episode, this time Desaad on a massive killing spree as he corrupts as many humans with the Omega symbol as possible while killing the ones he can't convert.  It's another dark and bloody episode, especially with so many dead bodies wrapped around in plastic.  YIKES!!! I like how he kidnaps Chloe and reveals he tempts his victims with the seven deadly sins to convert them.  I like that twisted kind of spiritual threat as Desaad plays on human's flaws and desires to get them to be corrupted.  But of course, Chloe passes...well luckily, Clark comes to save her so she may have actually failed! God knows her pride was getting to her as usual! :P 

It was also nice to see Clark confront one of Darkseid's prophets again and Desaad giving out Darkseid's name so the characters can stop calling him "the darkness".  Thank God! O_o lol  As for actor Steve Byers, he does well in the role, it's just his attractiveness is so unusual and distracting when Desaad is suppose to be a hideous abomination/servant of Darkseid! O_O  But the show could have done far worse by getting a actor who was just awful in the role so I should just be grateful?? O_o lol Another awesome aspect of the episode is once again showing how Clark's serious progression has made people at the Planet and during crime scenes respect him so much, they are beginning to believe he's the Blur.  Lol, that forensics worker, Burt, was just too hilarious in him being such a fanboy over Clark and seeing how he could be the Blur.  Also, Clark saving him from falling through a manhole with only one hand! Ha! Loved Clark's face and Burt's reaction; leading Clark to get out of there quickly.  It was also amazing to see Clark investigating on his own for once as he tracks down the murderer and being able to spot markings on the victims with his "mircovision".  Not exactly a new power, just an alternate state of his x-ray vision but I absolutely LOVE the presentation/effect of it.  Also, "It's my power. I call it whatever I want!" Omg, I love Clark!  But honestly nothing can compare to Clark showing Lois his new disguise with the glasses as well as his assertion and reason for wearing them.  The part where Clark bumps into Jeff the intern and does the classic Clark Kent persona to make himself seem clumsy and week is just so terrific and heartwarming. Such a hopeful moment that we've been waiting so long for.  But even if Masquerade pushes the rise of Superman and gives us more Darkseid minion mayhem in Desaad, seems things are only getting worse as after angrily attacking Desaad, we get a chilling cliffhanger of Oliver carrying the mark of Darkseid on his forehead as well.  Uhhh ohhh! O_O

Final Kryptonite: A+