Advance Review Of The 200th Episode Of Smallville: "Homecoming!"
Written
by Craig Byrne - KryptonSite Webmaster
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The 200th episode of Smallville airs tonight, October 15, at 8PM on The CW. 200 episodes is a milestone that very few series have been able to achieve - and the episode itself should be a treat for fans new and old.
Before I talk about it, though, here's the official network description of the episode:
A RECORD-BREAKING EVENT! SMALLVILLE HITS 200 EPISODES AND BRINGS BACK FAMILIAR FACES LIKE JAMES MARSTERS AS BRAINIAC — In an attempt to cheer up Clark (Tom Welling), Lois (Erica Durance) convinces him to attend their five-year high school reunion. A visit back to the home of the Crows has Clark remembering old times with Lana (Kristin Kreuk) and Chloe (Allison Mack), while Lois is furious that no one remembers her five days as a student. Brainiac 5.0 (James Marsters) uses his Legion ring to visit from the future and takes Clark through his past, present and future. He shows Clark what really happened the night Jonathan died, Oliver’s (Justin Hartley’s) current pain and Clark’s future at the Daily Planet with Lois and his role as Earth’s favorite red and blue superhero. Jeannot Szwarc directed the episode written by Brian Peterson & Kelly Souders (#3X6004).
Now that that's out of the way...
I was one of the journalists fortunate enough to have gotten to see Episode #200 last week, thanks to The CW. The episode has so many "moments" that it honestly took me a day or two to fully digest it.
Seeing Smallville High again, particularly, was special to me. I didn't even realize I missed it so much until it had been gone for almost six years, and now I'm really wishing that Kara had been played younger (still by Laura of course) so we could have had more high school stories on the series. Yet, seeing Clark and Lois revisiting the school... it kind of reminded me of the last time I visited my old school. It's familiar, yet weird to think that time has passed without our presence. |
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I am so glad that it is remembered within the story that Lois was only a Smallville High student for a very short time. I was a little afraid that that fact would be forgotten, and that Lois would be treated as if she had always been there. Not so much.
Revisiting the high school also firmly placed Lana as a part of Clark's past, but it also acknowledged and remembered the iteration of Chloe that I loved the most - that of the girl reporter who keeps her "Wall of Weird." There's a little bit of that Chloe in all of us, and I think that was the "hook" for many of us to get into the show. Sure, the show has reporters in Clark and Lois, but having someone on the fringe like that, who would chase the weird things that happen in Smallville and elsewhere, was a fun touch that I am glad is not forgotten.
Also providing a link to the past is Chad E. Donella as Greg Arkin, aka "Bugboy" from the show's second episode, "Metamorphosis." I'm not going to say how or where he fits in to the episode, but I will say that it was kind of a thrill to see Bugboy in the "Previously on Smallville" at the start of the show.
Aside from being a journey into Smallville's past, this is also a story about Clark's future. There are moments you definitely will not expect, and, much like the opening moments of last season's finale "Salvation," you get that distinct feeling that yes, you are watching a TV show about Superman. The only thing that's missing is the John Williams theme.
This is not to say that "Homecoming" is perfect. There are one or two [thankfully minor] guest actors who play things so over the top they're kind of painful to watch. But at the same time, there are some - like James Marsters - who are a thrill to see, as always. |
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I also know that time and space are limited for an episode like this, but here, as in some of the other recent promotional trailers for the show, the lack of Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor in any of the proceedings is a bit disappointing, even if it would be in memories or flashback form. Lex is a very important part of Smallville's legacy, much like Clark is, and I think Clark can't completely make peace with his past without adequately closing the door on Lex. Remember a time when Smallville was a show about the rise of Clark Kent and the fall of Lex Luthor? I miss those days. (In short: Michael, please come back)
Finally, I am one of those people that freely admits I am not a "shipper"; someone who is rooting for any particular romantic relationship to blossom. I know there are people who are; and one group in particular will be very, very happy with "Homecoming." You think you know all that's coming, or have it all figured out... you don't. Just wait until you see the hand gesture that future-Lois makes frequently, or wait until you see how Lois and Clark might react to each other once they've been together for a few years.
With that said, the people who are into other Smallville couplings... there is stuff in the episode for you too. I think the other characters and past relationships from the show are treated respectfully throughout.
Fans of individual characters, Chloe in particular, might want to watch the entire episode. See if you like it. If you don't, you know where to find me.
The best part of "Homecoming," I think, is that someone can go from not watching Smallville in years into this episode, and still not feel lost. If you know someone in that situation, it's a perfect opportunity to get them to hop on. We're 18 episodes away from the show's end and the show's 200th episode will certainly push us into that direction.
Here are some extras to tie in to tonight's show, posted here on KryptonSite. I hope you like the episode as much as I did. I'd say "here's to 300!" but even the Man of Steel has to rest sometime.
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