(S07E17) In a mild diversion from the main story arc of the season, Jimmy Olsen becomes James Bond. At least he's a James Bond that makes breakfast.Of all the characters in the show, the ones who have undergone the most growth is Chloe. It makes sense since the character was created specifically for this series (although it was somewhat as a Lois Lane stand-in).
The episode focused mostly on the Jimmy/Chloe relationship and the impact on their lives because of her various efforts for Clark. Clark himself was featured very little. Lana was nowhere to be seen (which made the episode better). Lionel is dead, but I guess John Glover's name and likeness are still contracted to appear in the credits. Lex appeared a little, but mostly to further his storyline to what will likely be the climax of the season.
It's amazing that the writers on this show finally realized that actions have consequences. Given Chloe's ridiculously great computer skills, I'm amazed the government hasn't tried to get her before now. Although this is the Smallville universe, where the government is well-funded, sexy and is not afraid to show off its, uh, assets. With all the gadgetry, the lady government agent was Bond, Q and Miss Moneypenny all rolled into one.
It makes sense for Chloe to start working for the Isis Foundation. Lex fired Chloe. The Isis Foundation is run by Lana, who is Lex's ex-wife. Both hate and distrust Lex. In short, it's a marvelous employment opportunity for her.
This episode did have its share of technobabble, such as "ionic displacement". It's also very Smallville to put a government satellite tracking center in the same building as a hipster dance club.
Another interesting Smallville technology-related question: if you're going to copy files from a computer, why pop up a window saying so? It's amusing that Lex has a Dell laptop on his desk. Most television computers are Macs. This is obviously indicative of Lex's evil nature.
I got another one. If you're going to use a pawn to accomplish your scheme, why give him a bunch of devices to use against you?
At least the writers were consistent with their James Bond homage by throwing in a dance scene in the middle of the action. All that was missing was a gambling scene where Jimmy lost at first then won later.
Classic book placement seems to be a theme of this season. Clark was hiding the Kryptonian artifact in the book "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer". I'm not sure if that's supposed to mean anything specific.
The torture scene with Chloe was kind of harsh for a lighter episode. It was a very Abu Ghraib moment. If you want to e-mail Chloe some get-well wishes, the e-mail address for her given on the computer screen during the episode was chloe_sullivan@digitalwave.com. Let me know if you reach her.
It looks like Lex got some sort of Veritas star chart for his effort (admittedly, I thought at first he was getting an empty box). It is kind of a bait-and-switch to show Lex getting to the Fortress in the previews from last week but not show him actually getting there this week.
For all the espionage and intrigue, Jimmy was just worried that Chloe was still carrying a torch for Clark. Given all the weird stuff that happens in Smallville, I just can't define the relationship between Jimmy and Chloe as "normal."
Jimmy going to Lex for help in wiping Chloe's government record is probably going to haunt him in the future. I wonder if the government agent was working for Lex to begin with?
Tonight's episode was a likable one. It seemed somewhat lighter than the usual Smallville plotlines and was almost comic relief. It's nice to see both Jimmy and Chloe grow as individuals and in terms of their relationship. Even though next week's episode revolves around one of the biggest television sci-fi clichés possible (that would be time travel), it should be cute. Judging from the previews, Clark even starts wearing his trademark glasses. That's assuming the previews show what happens next week and not later.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-24-2008 @ 11:16PM
Edward said...
I thought John Glover is contracted for another season. There has been no announcement that he is leaving the show.
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4-24-2008 @ 11:51PM
ac said...
He's dead, gone, deceased so no more papa Luthor.
As for this episode all I have to say is that that it seemed the wrong time for a Jimmy episode. And Clark needs to be smacked. Screw Lana and stop Lex already! He wins we're all screwed. It would of taken like 5 minutes to swoop by and snatch the keys.
4-25-2008 @ 1:55AM
JW said...
I was actually thinking the same thing about Lex using a Dell. I couldn't help but think of Jimmy and Chloe as Mr. and Mrs. Smith for this episode. I wonder how that thing that Lex found works, it seems like only Clark or even Lionel would know how to work it. As for Lionel being dead, don't forget he was the owner of Luthor Corp. where all the crazy sci-fi testing goes on...I am just saying. And maybe Clark will finally learn to fly and get to the black hole.
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4-25-2008 @ 8:36AM
mj said...
Sorry, seeing Jimmy as a super sleuth just doesn't cut it for me. And going to Lex? Knowing how Chloe feels about him? Jimmy and Chloe make me gag. These two are so NOT right for each other. The writers need to check out fan fiction. Chloe and Oliver...oh yes. Not a good episode, except for no Lana.
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4-25-2008 @ 11:51AM
John said...
A few quick thoughts:
* Chloe's email has been chloe_sullivan@digitalwave.com since the first or second season.
* Clark was hiding the key in "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" back in the Traveler episode.
Kinda surprised you liked this one... it was actually the lowest rated episode of the season, according to TV.com. The lowest rated episode of last season was Noir, which featured Jimmy Olsen as a hero as well.
Guess fans don't really like Jimmy as a main character that much... too bad, I kinda like him. But I agree that his episodes haven't been that good.
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4-25-2008 @ 11:59AM
Adam said...
I'm with mj, I just don't buy Jimmy as suddenly turning bad@$$. He's Jimmy. He's a kid. He's nice, he tries, and I like him. But he's not smooth, he doesn't suddenly know how to ballroom dance like he's been practicing for months with Julianne Hough, and he's not going to take out two trained government agents using weapons that he just touched for the first time hours before.
I thought it was going to turn out to be a pro disguised as Jimmy, which would have been more plausible.
The part where Chloe can hack into areas where real hackers would spend months (or longer) trying to reach only to end up in jail ... well, I sort of pass that off as a part of a show where everyone has super powers so let's just not think about it. But PLEASE don't flaunt these absurd notions right in front of our faces.
I've watched Smallville from the beginning, but this show is getting worse by the week. If I wasn't fairly certain next season would be the last I would just cut my losses and stop watching now.
It's so frustrating to have a great storyline right in front of you and then have them concentrate on crap. You want a BA? It's not Jimmy, it's Lex. We've been waiting for years to see Lex take on Superman. Hello! They are both right there, let's go. Lex declares war on Clark, Clark decides his former friend is past the point of saving and is ready to take him out ... if he can. A whole season of Lex vs. Clark. That's what I want. And if you can't have Lex find out Clark's secret, well just have Clark "disguise" himself as Superman, tell Lex he's the Traveler that Lex has been looking for, and fight on.
Come on, Smallville. I love you, but you're killing me. I don't think I can take another 15 or so episodes of this junk. We've past the point of "no tights, no flights." It's the end, we're ready to see at least the flights and definitely some good fights. Let's go!
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4-26-2008 @ 8:11AM
Discosis said...
Odd that you think that way about the show. I'm loving this season.
However, because the plot's more intense than the usual story arcs of seasons gone by, it makes diversion episodes like this one stand out a little more than they should.
4-25-2008 @ 12:00PM
Adam said...
Wow, sorry for the long rant.
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4-25-2008 @ 12:34PM
kevjohn said...
As I recall, John Schneider's name appeared in the credits for about an entire season after he was killed off. I'm not sure if that was contractual or just a ploy on the part of the show to have us think he might pop back up at some point. You never really know what that ol' Jor-El is up to....
Decent episode, but I didn't like Jimmy Olsen, Superspy. When he was taking those agents out I thought to myself "why doesn't he just freeze them up, Iceman style?" Chloe's computer skills are pretty ridiculous too. Just give super PC-powers already and be done with it. And yep, I know it's odd to be disappointed about James Bonding people and a female Mitnick in a show about an alien with superhuman powers, but there's just an amazing number of 'regular' people who are coming into possession of all sorts of convenient abilities.
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4-26-2008 @ 8:17AM
Discosis said...
Usually an actor will be contracted for a season which means their name goes into the credits for the whole season, regardless of whether or not their character makes it to the end of the season.
Removing characters from the opening credits tends to be costly because of the way the opening credits sequences are usually produced (externally), which is why it's usually not done til the following season - that'll be why John Schneider's name was there for the rest of the season after he was offed.
(look up Claudia Christian's disappearance from the credits on last episode of season 4 of Babylon 5 for a lot of discussion about this stuff)
4-25-2008 @ 3:29PM
xnifex said...
@kevjohn
you're thinking of the other ashmore twin, shawn, as iceman. he played a meteor freak in an earlier season. (which i don't get why they had twins play 2 different characters)
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4-25-2008 @ 4:11PM
Gabi said...
I really didn't like this episode. The only good thing about it was that Lana was no where to be seen. I am getting really annoyed at Clark, I mean, he knows Lex is after something that could control him and maybe to a lot more damage that that, but still all he really cares about is Lana. Lana, Lana, Landa. Enough, already. They made the character of Clark seem lame and not able to do things on his own, he is also lazy and counts on Chloe to do everything for him. Seriously, when are we going to get to see the Clark Kent who is suppose to become Superman?
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4-28-2008 @ 12:47AM
Steve said...
I think the dance scene was a little more True Lies and less James Bond. It would have been straight out of True Lies if it was a Tango
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4-29-2008 @ 7:00PM
hessian said...
What - no one else noticed yet ANOTHER Stride product placement? There was a packet of gum on the table while Jimmy's device was cloning Chloe's blackberry-type thingy.
Stride's sales in Kansas must be through the roof. This is, what - the FOURTH prominent placement? Including one that ran an entire episode!
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