(S07E05) I guess I never really noticed it before, but isn't it a bit ironic that Warrior Angel is a sort of blend of Lex Luthor and Superman? You've got the waving red cape, Superman, and the bald head, Lex Luthor. Plus, you have the superpowers, courtesy of Superman, and that silver breastplate thing. Remember a few seasons ago when Lex had that silver breastplate on display at the museum ... one that was jewel-encrusted with an S-shield on the front? Nice amalgam, Smallville writers.
So this was a slightly meta-Smallville episode, what with having a Warrior Angel movie being shot in Smallville. Which, as you know, is of course the most movie-centric place to shoot a movie about super-powered heroes, right? Plus it gives them a sweet opportunity to include several other movie references in the episode. Notice how Lionel being chained up via a bear trap is a lot like Misery and Saw combined? Also, shades of The Crow, sadly, with the prop gun and the blanks/real bullets. Probably no surprise with Halloween right around the corner.
Not only that, but they also dropped a whole lot of blog-bombs left and right. They showed how rabid blog-o-fans were dissing on the film, posting negative views on Warrior Angel fansites. They even brought comic book fans into the plot, including old Lex himself, who we already knew was a closet Warrior Angel fan. Did you check out his crazy comic storage cabinet? Sure it looks cool, but how would you get to the issues behind the ones hanging in front? Ah, the rich and their toys. They might look shiny and nifty, but when it comes to functionality, they suck.
Now, the thing I really liked about this episode was the whole "expose Clark" storyline with the PA on the film. Swapping blanks for real bullets, cutting the brakelines, threatening Lana ... he really wanted to propel Clark into the limelight. While his methods might have been pretty screwed up, at least he had good intentions. He was a bit like Mr. Glass in Unbreakable. He just wanted Bruce Willis to realize his full potential and step up, as did the PA. Even though he was nuts, I think it had an affect on Clark. He realizes he's going to have to do a bit more than stay in Smallville and slam fenceposts into the ground.
Things really took a turn for the bizarre (and the macabre) with the whole Lionel/Lex/Lana subplot. Having that wacko Marilyn woman lock Lionel up in that cabin was just weird. Plus, Lionel squeezing his hand out of that bear trap has to be one of the goriest things ever seen on Smallville. Lionel also really beat the bejeezus out of Marilyn in a fairly bloody way. Both were really cringe-inducing, reflect how popular torture porn is at the box office. It's now making its way onto The CW. Plus, did you notice when Rachel sat up on the massage table, there was a pretty fair amount of side boobage showing. Is Smallville trying hard to push the envelope?
While the subplot might have been a bit campy, I have to give props to the main storyline. A comic-book obsessed PA working on a superhero movie who is fairly nuts wasn't too bad. Although having Chloe (of course) track him down via a comic book sale on the internet was way too easy. It took her all of about .00027 seconds to find that online. Seriously, she puts Kevin Mitnick to shame. Also, you've got Lois Lane actually coming into her own on the reporting front, and she's wearing big clunky glasses to boot. Maybe she's learned how to write a decent story in the meantime. While it's sad to see Chloe getting displaced as the resident wordsmith, it's worth it to have Lois Lane be, well ... Lois Lane.
In a real meta-comic book reference, that final shot of Clark walking away from the red cape on the fence echoes back Spider-Man #50, which was the famous "Spider-Man No More" issue. Coincidence? I'd like to think it was pretty intentional. Although while Peter was shirking his responsibilities entirely, Clark seems to be continuing to postpone them.
Now, speaking about movies ... Smallville has to eventually wind things down some time. Would you want to see Tom Welling playing the Man of Steel in a movie at some point? Then you'd finally be able to see him in the red and blue tights, as well as the cape which he seems to finally have, courtesy of tonight's episode. Chime in via the poll and let us know.
Seven greatest hand cannons in TV history
TV Squad previews NBC's new shows (part 1)
TV 101: How ESPN controls the world and what the other networks can learn from it
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-26-2007 @ 9:06AM
Heather said...
I'm totally with you on digging the ASM #50 reference. Especially since the whole internet uproar over the girlfriend in the Warrior Angel movie plotline made me think about the whole MJ/Gwen deal in the Spider-Man movies. Perhaps a sly nod to Al & Miles for their work on Spider-Man 2?
Reply
10-26-2007 @ 12:47PM
Klo said...
Anyone else find it ironic that Lana is the one to mention that people in the blogosphere want Warrior Angel's girlfriend to die in the movie? Kinda like some of us wish Lana would. It's probably not a good sign when a character appears to be dead and the audience reaction is positive.
Reply
10-26-2007 @ 12:56PM
Wes said...
This one was a good one. It seemed to have more action in it than the last couple episodes. The car wreck at the beginning was really cool and Clark saving Lana was neat too. It made me remember why I liked Smallville in the first place. I'm glad they are trying to do something more with Lana's character. She's always so repetitive but now she's crazy. Sadly, no Kara in a bikini, though.
Reply
10-26-2007 @ 1:50PM
kevjohn said...
This episode made me glad they did bring Lana back. Her survival (and return) didn't make much sense before, but I think this new Crazy Lana might be fun for awhile. Her antics should lead up to a conflict that will finally end her romance with Clark for good. And it will be about time. Maybe she'll end up killing Chloe, in a two-birds-with-one-stone kinda thing.
Still, that was quite a moment they shared as Clark saved Crazy Lana from her fall.
Reply
10-26-2007 @ 2:08PM
C. Hernandez said...
I can honestly say that this was the first episode of Smallville that I've actually really liked in a long time. It feels like there's finally some real story what with Clark's stagnation now that he's found domestic bliss, Lana's crazy evilness coupled with her opposition to Clark's domestic-ness and Lex's even more obvious parallels with Devilicus (?).
The best parts though, were the awesome visuals when Clark saved Rachel at the beginning (woo, effects budget!) and when he quite literally walked away from his destiny at the end (woo, director of photography!).
The only thing I didn't like (which is a holdover from the beginning of the series and most shows) is the portrayal of journalism. That's not how it works! But I'm intrigued by Editor's adamance that Lois drop the Luthor story.
Reply
10-26-2007 @ 2:55PM
ac said...
I thought that after Clark caught Lana and stared into her eyes he would start to fly. Like in season 1 when he had a dream about her and woke up floating. Then the bang from the ground came and I realized he wouldn't. Also I'm liking crazy Lana. If only she could remember how to fight again. She could have kicked the S--t out of that PA.
Reply
10-26-2007 @ 3:26PM
Vince said...
The best episode in a long time. I really liked how the writers are acknowledging fans concerns with keeping Lana and changing the myth. Lois is acting more like the Lois lane she should be and Clark is at least thinking about accepting his destiny as the Man of Steel. Hell, even Lana understands she is holding him back. I assume they are going to whack Chloe eventually because that poor girl can't get a break on this show.
Reply
10-26-2007 @ 4:03PM
brad456 said...
Imagine that you are a comic obsessed fan, and you find out that the superhero you idolize might actually exist. You have just been thrown into a sanitarium , for trying to kill his girlfriend. millionaire lex luther shows up in your cell and tries to bribe you for information about the hero. and you realize that not only is there a real hero, but there is also a real villain. Whoa!
Reply
10-26-2007 @ 7:34PM
Arclight said...
I think that "Evil Lana" will NOT be Lana after all, but rather one of the clones that Lex had made of her which somehow gained conscienceness.
But it's just a guess.
Reply
10-26-2007 @ 11:40PM
makaveli said...
I loved all the sly references in this episode to clark's own destiny, a well done episode if I do say so myself. :)
Reply
10-27-2007 @ 1:38PM
Adam said...
I liked this episode, though I was also frustrated by it as well. Frustrated because I think the writers know that a large majority of Smallville agree with the PA and would have loved to see Lana die so that Clark would finally start to concentrate on saving the world.
As I think one of the other commenters alluded to, I'm guessing Chloe is going to be the one to fulfill that destiny. Sad because she's much more likable than Lana. And I have always thought that they would kill Lionel and make Lex believe that Clark's to blame, fulfilling Lex's destiny.
Which something like that would happen soon. I just want to see those guys battle each other. The whole Lana/Clark thing, Chloe's relationship with Jimmy, Lois' relationship with the editor ... boring.
Reply
10-28-2007 @ 1:37PM
Dawn said...
I can't believe that you are just starting to see the connections from the beginning. The breastplate from Alexander the Great had an S in the shape of superman's and you didn't notice. Wow! Also, the PA didn't cut the breaklines to bring Clark out, but to destroy the "movie". He had no clue about Clark at the beginning of the show. I also loved the Warrior Angel storyline and knew that it would eventually be brought into the show...they did a very good job. I know that Lana has to die (eventually) but I am in no hurry. I loved the symbolism of giving Clark Warrior Angel's cape, Lana telling him that maybe that is what he needs to do, and Clark just putting it all on hold. This is not an easy decision! Would you want to live your life alone, as he is destined to do?
Reply
12-28-2007 @ 2:22PM
greg said...
I honestly don't think lana going to die in any of the smallville episodes. If you remember correctly she was in one the Superman movies...when clark went home to his mom, and i think Lana (rks) even had a son. So, i think everyone should leave Lana alone, b/c i love that she's part of the show. Def. agree Clark needs to fly alrady.
Reply