Season 10, Episode 8: Abandoned

"Abandoned"

Episode 8

Air Date: November 15th 2010

WOW!!! What an episode jam packed with Superman mythos, exciting plot twists and building on the looming threat of an apparent war/new apocalypse heading straight for Earth.  At the heart of the episode is Lois, Tess and Clark coming to terms with their past, especially having to do with their relationships with their parentage.  Lois must face the past of finally seeing her mom via old tapes she made for her daughter before her death and the moment she watches the tape is one emotional punch not to be missed.  Even during her busy dedication to "Desperate Housewives" at the time, I'm glad the showrunners were able to get former Lois and Clark star Teri Hatcher to play Lois' mom.  She gives a tremendous performance and while she's not there, you can just feel the emotional resonance between Lois and her mom as she gets to make peace with the fears she had of seeing her dying mom and the deep regrets she has in not saying goodbye to her.  I love how the writers are exploring more of Lois' backstory with her family as it's giving her more depth as well as more insight for viewers into the character.  Tho I do find her sudden mission to rekindle Clark's relationship with Jor-El kind of a random development but I guess it's meant to show Lois is just eager for Clark to have the closure that she got to have with her dead parent. But even Clark reminds her there is a distinction between Jor-El and his God-Like A.I. that was only meant to train as well as guide him.  

I'm glad the writers managed to finally mention that clear difference, especially when after Clark goes to the Fortress to confront Jor-El when Lois goes to talk with him, the Fortress soon plays the last message Jor-El and Lara recorded for Clark before Krypton's destruction.  It's definitely a truly powerful moment in the spirit of the comics as well as the classic 70s/80s films.  Both Julian Sands and Helen Slater are both brilliant during that sequence and I love the little touches a hearing Krypton's destruction in the background while Clark tries to touch his mother.  While it's bizarre as hell that Jor-El would just play this message for Clark without even talking to Clark after, I'm glad it was implied that the A.I. is just doing it's job and clearly testing Clark while his true father was flawed that he created something to be the firm, focused father for Clark on Earth.  I guess it's nice to know that the REAL Jor-El would never doubt Clark, especially when it seems that the A.I. has abandoned him......oh that's why it's called....:P Also, it appears Clark is about to pop the question to Lois!?  Omg!!! How amazing and beautiful! :)

Then you have Tess who must be forced to face a past after a terrifying nightmare and a haunting gift from said nightmare left in her mansion.  I love how this officially leads to the introduction of Granny Goodness and how she was the woman we saw come into her room to save her at the end of last season.  In Smallville's depiction, she's the leader of an orphanage for abandoned young girls and Tess was seemingly brought there before being adopted.  I love how this leads to Granny Goodness revealing Tess' origins and my goodness (DAMMIT!) is this version of the character surprisingly terrifying! The creepy old lady vibe is one thing but her telekinesis power as well as ability to mind wipe scared young girls that come to her is just beyond scary. The entire sequence of her chasing after Tess was straight out of horror film and so well done.  Christine Willes was exceptionally intimidating in the role, especially toward the end where we see her meeting up with Desaad and Gordon Godfrey, which once again feels like a moment ripped from the comics. Finally we hear Darkseid's name as his three prophets discuss his overall plan and each part they play in it.  It makes the main story/theme this season feel even more legit and unlike any threat other that came before.  

As for the introduction of Granny's Female Furies, I liked the idea of them being turned into mindless female warriors with kryptonite enhanced weapons after Granny has wiped their memories of the young girls and can't find them a home. Mad Harriet, played by then wife of Justin Hartley, makes for a decent adaption of the villain even if she proves to not be a match for even Tess in the end.  In fact, once Clark gets away from the kryptonite, he able to take out Lashina, the Female Fury with the whips out in barely a second flat. But it did make for some awesome visuals and a major development is finally brought up that actually sense.  Tess is in fact Lionel and Pamela Jenkins' daughter, making her Smallville's version of Lena Luthor, Lex's sister in the comics.  I especially love how her full name is "Lutessa Lena Luthor".  The Luthors sure love their Ls! O_o  Anyway, Abandoned is superbly done with how it deals with various storylines by holding them together with a message of parentage and making peace with the past.  The Darkseid story arc grows more exciting than ever with a awesome depiction of Granny Goodness and his prophets unveiling more of about his ultimate plans for Earth as well as getting more inspired Superman moments and a terrific guest spot by Teri Hatcher. :)

Final Kryptonite: A