(S08E07) "He's just a regular guy." - Chloe about ClarkIt smells like sweeps time when you get rocking episodes such as "Identity." Episodes filled with action, mythology and storyline developments. And when Smallville is concerned, you have to add the "one step closer for Clark to become Superman" factor to really have a truly rewarding episode. For me, "Identity" displayed all four elements and almost made me forget that Lex left the building.
As the title of the episode suggests, the episode was about identity. Clark's identity to be exact. Jimmy, finally able to take a blurred picture of the red and blue hero roaming the streets of Metropolis, went on a mission to find the man's identity. Showing that he is more than a photographer, Jimmy connected dots that Clark would have preferred not being, well, connected.
We've had plenty of episodes in the past where Clark's secret was on the verge of being discovered and revealed to the world. But nothing like what we were offered this week. The cat and mouse game between Jimmy and Clark was interestingly played out. It was very clever of Jimmy to make those connections between the saves in Smallville and in Metropolis with where Chloe and Clark were at the time. I'm actually surprised none of the Smallville reporters thought of investigating why all of a sudden there was less people saved... I'm pretty sure Smallville is freak-of-the-week central even if Clark spends his day in Metropolis, no? Or did they all move to the big city too?
Even if in the end Jimmy doesn't think Clark is the mysterious hero anymore, thanks to "Red and Blue Super Dude" (pictured without his red cape at the top of this post), the episode played an important part in Clark becoming Superman. He saw how Chloe was right about bringing hope to people at a time they so desperately need it and that an alias might be the best way to do it. Of course, Clark is not ready to fully embrace his destiny yet and become Superman but he is on the right path and his "Maybe my destiny is more than secretly saving people" line to Oliver shows just that.
Other tidbits of interest:
- Tess impresses me every week with her manipulations and clever planning. Even if her plans are mostly unsuccessful right now, you must admit that she is evil and powerful enough to be sitting in Lex's chair. A great strategist like he was/is and I'm pretty sure she'll be rewarded in due time.
- The scene where Clark has to zip up Lois' dress was good fun. Knowing that Lois and Clark end up together in the end always makes these "I don't like you" scenes funnier to watch. It was clear, underneath their "I don't care, you suck" type of dialog, that both were a bit jealous. They are definitely on the path to get together sooner rather than later. It wouldn't even surprise me if something big happens between the two before the end of the season.
- Clark was not the only one with an identity crisis, Oliver too had problems. For Oliver, it was trying to find back his Green Arrow groove. Drunk Oliver was not a pretty site. Thankfully, the stint as "Red and Blue Super Dude" reacquainted him with the super hero inside of him. That said, Oliver talked about a Hero Submit. I wonder if it means we'll see them back sometime this year. After all, Oliver is now part of the regular cast and the other heroes are part of his posse so it would be logical we see one of them pop up here and there, no?
- Chloe must have been feeling really bad for not trying to protect Clark's identity earlier by destroying Jimmy's blurred picture because that Chloe at the very end of the episode looked liked a cold ice-hearted killer. She was definitely on a mission to protect her friend. I didn't like seeing Chloe in that killer mode one bit. I hope this was an isolated event and that no one will investigate how Sebastian did. It wouldn't surprise me if this death haunts Chloe one way or the other in the near future.
- I hope Oliver has security cameras in his jet and that they taped Clark saying that the red cape wasn't cool and that he will never wear one in this life time!
Gareth David-Lloyd of Torchwood: The TV Squad Interview 
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-30-2008 @ 11:55PM
Adam said...
I think Chloe's killer instinct was Braniac taking he over. She already demonstrated her brain has outgrown the capacities of a (presumably) supercomputer, so I think Spike will be reappering soon.
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10-31-2008 @ 9:01AM
Isabelle Carreau said...
That would make sense. Chloe's desire to keep Clark's identity a secret + guilt of not taking care of the picture + Brainiac = killer Chloe
10-31-2008 @ 11:52AM
Grover said...
I couldn't figure out why on earth Chloe would do such a thing either. Chloe kill somebody? C'mon writers... what the crap!? The Brainiac instincts make sense; I feel relieved knowing this may well be the reason for her killing him... Good point.
10-31-2008 @ 12:27AM
Brent said...
The previews led me to believe we would see Clark in a cape. I'm a bit angry at being played with like that. Otherwise, it was a great episode.
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10-31-2008 @ 12:55AM
superrrguy said...
Can Clark freeze time? He's so fast he can knock over the bad guy, get Lois out of the way, and look at the camera, smile, and then run away.
God I hate this show. I'm only watching to see him fly. Fly ALREADY!
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10-31-2008 @ 7:56AM
Ras Thavas said...
No, he can't freeze time, but the only super hero faster than him is The Flash.
10-31-2008 @ 2:41AM
Ryan said...
I have to admit Smallville has turned it around this season. I think the show was trapped behind Lana and Lex.
Erica Durance is so beautiful.
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10-31-2008 @ 9:23AM
Blu-Sam said...
Agree on Durance, I notice lately. Incredible.
10-31-2008 @ 6:47AM
Debbie said...
Please, this is a good show and is somewhat interesting, but I think Lois has to cover up more, we don't need to see fall out in the bust, there is to much of this on TV now, she would look more sofisticated if she dressed more apropriate, let's clean up the air waves
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10-31-2008 @ 8:21AM
Riley Freeman said...
hey there is nothing wrong with fall out bust lol.
anyways smallville finally seems to have taken a step but again another one and done criminal. I wish i could sit down with that show and have an intervention. they neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed to stop.
but good episode overall. i liked the dark side of chloe.
and i am officially saying there should not be superman movie unless erica is playing lois.
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10-31-2008 @ 10:12AM
the_0ne said...
You know, I gave up on Smallville this season, just couldn't handle it after about the second episode. But now I'm seeing you reference the "red and blue dude", I just might be off to Bittorrent.
I think last season and the season before were just horrible. Couldn't keep my interest and this year was even worse. Has it really turned around this season?
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10-31-2008 @ 10:15AM
Isabelle Carreau said...
Quite frankly, I think it has turned around. In my opinion, the show got better because they got rid of Lana (sadly, she'll be back for a few episodes) and because they are finally not afraid to have Clark really take the path towards his destiny. This may have to do with the change in front runners. When it was announced that the front runners were leaving, we were all afraid that the show would be screwed. After a few episodes, I think it's safe to say, it was a good move as it brought fresh air to the series.
10-31-2008 @ 11:52AM
Grover said...
agreed
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10-31-2008 @ 11:54AM
Grover said...
...with Ryan
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10-31-2008 @ 1:28PM
ac said...
Im really liking this season and have to agree with Isabelle's comment: the lack of Lana and the new show runners have brought a great change to the show. I'm liking the Clark/Lois as fellow reporters and I'm really starting to think Durance should be Lois in Singer's next attempt at the film franchise. Im just curious as to how the Chloeiac storyline will play out. I have a feeling its going to end with Chloe's death, which I honestly dont want to see. I want her standing with Martha as Clark flies away in the suit in the final moments.
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10-31-2008 @ 2:29PM
fly already said...
come on people you have to admit this is a fresh new season.I too had my doubts with the whole doomsday theme, I mean doomsday a paramedic wtf?????thats as bad as batgirl being alfreds neice in batman returns.You can't help but like the new direction with the new injustice league reference that Tess is sort of starting up this could be a wild ride towards the end of this season,and hey maybe next season if it last they can ditch the smallville title and just call it Metropolis...
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10-31-2008 @ 3:18PM
Riley Freeman said...
surfthechannel. damn i cant remember. its org, net, or com one of those 3 no need to torrent the stuff
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10-31-2008 @ 3:19PM
Riley Freeman said...
there should be no superman movie until smallville is done. and the entire cast should be in the movie
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10-31-2008 @ 4:17PM
monomaniacpat said...
I guess the truth emerging for Chloe is that no one can escape their eventual demise at the hands of Kryptonite.
Have to agree this episode was superb. It even caught me off-guard with good lines every now and then. The comment about the cape had me chuckling. :D
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11-01-2008 @ 5:53AM
Adam said...
I actually really liked the Chloe scene at the end. While she may be haunted by it later, I think it was great to show how far she's willing to go in order to protect Clark.
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