“Smallville," Big Expectations

Show: Smallville
Episode: “Arctic”
First Aired: 5/15/08

It’s been a long frustrating season for “Smallville” fans. We’ve had to overcome lackluster episodes, John Glover’s exodus, blatant product placement (Stride Chewing gum anyone?), and the writer’s strike. But the end is here and not a moment too soon. Does the series redeem itself with the seventh season finale or does it crash and burn again?

A strong teaser where a darker than usual Kara kills off Edward Teague, the last member of Veritas, leads her to Lex’s mansion in search of a Kryptonian orb that can control Clark. She then reveals to Lex not only that she knows the Traveler’s identity but that he’s from the same planet as she is, yet Luthor still can’t immediately figure out that she’s referring to Clark -- her only relative and the person whom Lex has had suspicions about for years. Kryptonian kudos to Michael Rosenbaum for making this moment more believable than it has any right to be.

Kara doesn’t just want the orb to control the Traveler, she wants Lex to control him because Kara is not who she seems to be. In a bookend of the Bizarro/Clark switcheroo from the season premiere, we get a Brainiac/Kara switch in the season finale. Brainiac has impersonated her ever since she seemingly returned from Krypton. While the real Kara is trapped in the Phantom Zone, the Brainiac Kara tricks Lex into believing that the Traveler is a harbinger of doom and that Luthor will be saving the world by controlling him. What was supposed to be Lex’s final push to become Clark’s evil arch enemy - a function that runs the risk of two-dimensional characterization - is now shaded with three-dimensionality. More than one actor cast as a villain has expressed they don’t believe that villains think of themselves as being villainous. This twist embodies that belief.

Meanwhile, Lex collects a favor from Jimmy and you know that can’t be good. On wholesome Olsen’s behalf, Luthor recently saved Chloe from serving federal prison time for federal computer hacking crimes. Lex’s return favor is to have Jimmy mislead Lois’ scrutiny of his arctic search for the Fortress of Solitude (a “big step up from the barn” Lex later tells Clark). It’s a nice turnaround to have Jimmy, who once instigated the Olsen/Lane investigative team, now be the saboteur of it.

By episode’s end, Clark faces two separate showdowns - one with Brainiac that seems permanent and one with Lex that doesn’t, which is odd given that this is supposedly Rosenbaum’s swan song on the series. If this is in fact his last episode, than he goes out with a bang and finally - after seven long years --discovers Clark Kent’s secret. The same can’t be said of another departing cast member.

Does anyone remember the last time we saw Lana? Sure, we’ve heard of her being in a Brainiac-induced, conveniently off-screen coma but, when was the last time we actually saw her? (The photo from “Apocalypse” doesn’t count.) Making far less headlines than Rosenbaum’s exit has been the unconfirmed departure of actress Kristin Kreuk. Clark at last frees Lana from her coma and he expects - as does the audience - to see her again. He does, and it seems to be her swan song as well, which would be fine except that her song is sung via a videotaped Dear John message to Clark. She doesn’t even act opposite anyone!

It’s difficult to separate a show’s on-screen drama from its behind-the-scenes drama, when the final results are so crippling in such an obvious manner. Seriously, what the hell happened between Kreuk and the producers? Her contract – like Rosenbaum’s – was up, and she’s understandably grown bored of playing the same character every week. That makes sense. However, what happened beyond that to make her not even want to go out with a final scene between her and Tom Welling? She may not owe it to the producers but she certainly owes it to her castmates and fans. To be fair, perhaps she wanted to do the right thing but was barred by the producers. Either way, an extremely off season redeemed itself in a fine finale marred only by this one blemish.

UP NEXT: Season #8, but is that a good thing?

- Steve D’Arcangelo

Comments

[Robert]

Kristin Kreuk was off in Thailand shooting the new Street Fighter movie.

[AWAY]

Kristin is in Thailand filming a movie, that's why she couldn't be there to film her scene with Tom. Has nothing to do with her having a falling out with anyone, she just has other work outside of Smallville nowadays. Good for her!

[AWAY]

Another thing... Kristin will be back next season for a small amount of episodes.

Research goes a long way! :D

[CJ Smooth]

For whatever reason, there is no listing for the season finale for me to write a review of my own. It suffices to say that I agree with much of this one. However, I would add a few things.

1) I thought Tom Welling's acting in the Lana's saddest home video scene was superb. I felt for him -- and this from a man who kinda stopped feeling for their relationship drama a season or two ago.

2) With all the "grown folks" killed or excused, I do not think the show is as good as I thought it would be. I'm sure it is also more challenging for the writers given there is less family dynamic to drawn upon.

3) I have followed Smallville from the beginning, but think that the crumbling Fortress of Solitude is as good a place as any to end my devotion to this show. Bear in mind, I say this now, but when Season 8 begins I will probably be there to see if my hunch is right. In case you're wondering, I cannot pinpoint a particular shark jumping moment, but I was not as fond of this episode's (and season's) resolution as Mr. D'Arcangelo, esp. with the prospect of Michael Rosenbaum not returning. I will still be getting the Season 7 DVD because there were some excellent episodes and moments in this season.

Now I'm hooked on Supernatural and Jericho, but only one of them will be returning next season.

[John]

NO KRISTIN NO BUY!CHECK THE RATINGS!

[Jon]

I watched the episode and had some thoughts. I have been a huge fan of this show for all 7 years it has been on. I loved Kristin Kreuk's character very much, but I knew all along that eventually her departure would be necessary in furtherance of the story. Perhaps even Michael Rosenbaum's departure is necessary as well. However, this season has been weak. It has been much weaker than season's past. I don't know why it has been this way, but it just has. Having said that, I think that the show should have probably ended with this season. It would have been the dignified way for it to end. Fan's may have been upset, but in the long run, it would have worked out, because they would have been able to write the show in a way that was dignified and concurrent with the plot of the superman story.

With the departures of major characters such as John Schneider, Sam Jones, Annette O'toole, John Glover, Kristin Kreuk and now Michael Rosenbaum I'm afraid the producers and network are more interested in money than they are in giving a quality product to fans of the show. This fan wishes that they would have worked something different for the finale and perhaps ended it all with this season so the story of Superman would have a dignified conclusion. I will watch Season 8 to see what happens, but the show will never be the same. It will likely be too watered down to remain successful.

[Joanne]

Geez, as others said, KK made an arrangement with the producers to be out of the last 5 episodes so she could do her movie in Thailand. So she will be back in S8 because she owe them the episodes she missed in S7.
God. A lot of fans online know that. How come you don't?

[Dave]

Reasons Smallville will fail in Season 8.
1. Chloe Sulivan --- She was fine in the beginning of the series but now im getting extremely bored of her. she says the most cliche statements -especially throughout all of season 7. I know the script impacts that but shes help with her acting. Clark needs to develop into the hero he becomes at the end of this season. There needs to be extreme change- No more asking Chloe to look something up on the internet. He still has Olsen/Lane/ and-hopefully Supergirl for help. She needs to be killed off because her character is fictious in the Superman world. Clark should be matched up with Lois because that relationship needs to develop more now that lana lang is gone. Chloe prevents this by taking up air time. Unfortunately she will be in all 22 episodes of season 8. :(

2. Kristin Kreuk is gone. Possibly a blessing in disguise because now the Smallville can fill the gap between the Smallville series and the Superman series. Lana lang didnt do much in season 7 and I felt her character wasnt as important anymore. For Clarks desire to be with her from season 1 ended now in 7. All that being said I think shes still smoking hot and I know mainly guys watch this show.

3. They've added two more charcters. Thats the last thing they should do. They need to focus in on the progress into the superman series. Someone to sub in for lex to delay his inevitable trials to become superman is not looking good for fans.

4.The actor who plays brainiac says he would like to reprise the role in season 8. I'm sorry but he keeps popping up for over three years and I was disappointed that he ruined the season finale which should have been focusing on lex vs. clark. ... not clark vs. brainiac vs. lex vs. teagen. CLARK SHOULD HAVE STOPPED LEX FROM DOING SOMETHING AND AUTHORITIES SHOULD HAVE PLACED LEX IN JAIL. by putting him behind bars his character seems understandly absent for season 8. Now we may just be completely confused.

5. CLARKS NOT GOING TO FLY. AGAIN.

Suggestions.
1. Clark start his training from fortess (which has been delayed for 2-3 seasons) I would have a series of trials which he must accomplish. By season's end he does.
2. Sullivan should be killed(possibly lex luthers involvement)
3. Clark learns to fly.
4. Lois and Clark blossoming relationship.
5. Spiderman 1 was a great transition from being a regular guy to a super hero. I liked the unfinished costume that he wore. Maybe Clark should start developing his identities somehow.
6. DO NOT DO A SEASON 9. However, maybe its time for a Superman Spin-off.
7. Bring Lex back for a 2 hr season finale, which ultimately plays out like a superman movie. (meaning he flies and acts like supermans. (no chloe sulivan for help but definately jimmy olsen and lois lane ; also lex has a plan to take over the world and clark must stop him and save the world). Since Smallville has been all about Clark and Lana bring back Kristin Kreuk. Have Clark save her and fly with her at the end of the 2 hr finale. Although i said there should a development in the relationship between lois and clark in season 8 , they can become an item after the finale in a spinoff. End Smallville with Lana and Clark. This would be acceptable because lana lang was a love interest in one of the Superman movies. You would please both kinds of fans. and the spinoff would satisfy those Clark Loise fans. Also Kristin Kreuk wants completely out. Its time to make the spinoff transition its time for Superman.

[UglyLois]

Nothing defeat KRISTOM`S AMAZING NATURAL CHEMISTRY!