#10.14 “Masquerade” Review

 NOTE: Important plot details will be revealed in this review.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you…

One thing that had frustrated me (and probably a lot of other fans) in the past was that the show used to have this terrible tendency to introduce subplots, or characters, and then the show never followed through despite the promise those storylines or characters might have had. The intriguing character would never show up again, or the story idea would just stay an almost arbitrary subplot that never got closure. In most cases, I wouldn’t have done more than give a literary head scratch in my review and move on. I know that maybe things could change. The show might be about a Superhero, but it’s written and produced by human beings who are fallible.

So, maybe storylines would need to be dropped because they didn’t quite work out the way they thought. Or maybe they were let go because of budgetary reasons. Or maybe it was something that got dropped when the direction of the season’s storylines changed, making it not as vital to fully explore that story kernel or further develop that promising character. They only have 43 (or fewer) minutes to tell their story each week. They got only so much screen time to utilize; sometimes things lost priority that fans (including me) thought maybe shouldn’t have.

That might have been standard operating procedure for most seasons, and even for most shows, but not so this season. Things just seem so much more focused and ‘tight’, with very few exceptions. This season everything just seems to flow naturally from one episode from the next.

I know some people hated this episode, but this episode is actually a good example of that overall cohesiveness.

While this episode wasn’t nearly the feel-good experience that ‘Beacon’ had been (maybe it’s no surprise given the vastly different subject matter of the two episodes), it was still a nearly perfect follow-up. On several different levels, episode writer Bryan Q. Miller did an excellent job with the script, including making this episode connected to that one.

Clark’s little talk with his mother at the end of ‘Beacon’ didn’t immediately have results, but it did by the end of this episode. That was fitting too. It’s taken Clark ten seasons to get to the point of figuring out how to disguise himself in ‘plain sight,’ so it makes sense it will take more than one talk with his mother to get him to buy a clue. There have been past hints at this eventual choice, Clark even a literary 2 x 4 to the face earlier this season in ‘Homecoming’ when he talked to his future self who was wearing the glasses, but it’s been something he’s been reluctant to do for various reasons. He doesn’t want to wear a mask as the ‘Blur’, part of the reason he wants to be more open is because he wants to show his face to the world. He wants to stand in the light in order to help people trust and come to believe in him, but not at the cost of his private life as Clark Kent.

Making Clark the mask probably isn’t an obvious choice and I’m not sure in general I would have bought Clark Kent as the disguise before this season. It’s mostly because the way the show had designed the character: Clark Kent has always been (for all intents and purposes) Superman. No, he can’t really fly yet (although he floated as early as the second episode of the series) and the other powers have come to him slowly, but he’s Superman and was born that way (although his upbringing certainly helped, as ‘Luthor’ showed us).

When the subject had occasion to come up previously, although I’m not sure I’ve mentioned this in a review before, I’ve contended that Clark Kent IS Superman. This line of thinking sparks sometimes heated debate on Superman- and Smallville-related forums. Clark does not need the tights and flight to define him as Superman. Nor does he need to wear glasses or work at the Daily Planet to define who he is as Clark. The glasses and the cape are just costuming. Who he is, in either guise, is bigger than what he wears, or even all of the powers he has. The episodes that show Clark without powers still being a hero have really exhibited that.

The decision to disguise Clark’s ‘real’ identity behind some sort of geeky façade in favor of his current Super alter-ego is a choice I’m not sure I would have bought this show making believable before this season. Yet, given the way they’ve built up to that moment, it makes sense.

If these things had happened in any other season, we all probably could have looked forward to another season or two before that particular little gem got it’s needed follow through. No, I am not sure that Clark will be wearing the glasses 24/7 starting in the very next episode, we still got 8 or so episodes left after this (depending whether you count the two-hour season finale as one episode or not), so that transition will probably take another episode or two at least, if not more.

As much I liked this episode I was a bit disappointed that such a key episode for Clark, him finally deciding to be more open as the Blur and make Clark his mask, was the B story. However, Clark’s identity contemplation fit in well with Chloe’s trying to get a better grasp of her own self-image. The title is fitting on several different levels. Clark is just starting his personal masquerade as Chloe tries to put aside her own and Oliver has to continue to deal with his anonymous costume party being completely over.

The well-written complications for all of the characters gave the actors opportunities to shine. Justin Hartley and Allison Mack have never been better: their comic relief romantic banter was perfectly played and well written. I love that Clark and Lois had a few minor spats, their chemistry works probably best when they’re not on the same page, and I liked the humor of Lois’ attempt to change Clark’s costume.

Her not letting Clark get away with super speeding at the end of the argument, keeping him from getting the last word, was awesome. I loved the way that Erica Durance had played that little ‘whoosh’ as she went down the steps. And Tom Welling perfectly portrayed Clark throughout the entire episode, even when he wasn’t himself but some fantasy-fulfillment version of Clark Desaad had inserted into Chloe’s head. And I adored how he played Clark’s little speech to Lois about his decision to have Clark become the ‘mask.’

As good as the regular and recurring cast members were, I loved how well all of the actors did. I adored what guest star Steve Byers did with Desaad. I’m not sure the Canadian native always had a believable English accent, or maybe hardly ever, it was hard to tell at times what that accent was supposed to be, but I loved how deviously he played the villain. I totally bought Desaad as a sadist and as an extremely loyal minion of Darkseid. I can’t wait to see what Desaad does next because of Steve’s performance.

Even the day players (like Evan C. Schulte as Jeff the Intern, Michael Robert Coleman as Bert the forensic photographer and Marina Eva as the hostess with a bit of an attitude) all did a terrific job too. I have to think the great script, and strong direction, helped.
Probably the strongest part of the episode was a bit derivative. I loved the “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” vibe with Chloe and Oliver taking down those FBI agents, but the humor was terrific and I loved the way the two characters worked together. The fact that Allison and Justin sold that interplay helped.

Maybe it might seem odd, but I adored the torture scene with Chloe, even though it had hints of the serial killer from the film “Se7ven” with Morgan Freeman. It was terrific that Desaad was going for Chloe’s weaknesses to turn her to his side. Tricking her into committing a mortal sin is probably the way to do it, too. For those of you without a Catholic (or a classical) education, or who haven’t seen “Se7en,” they are Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth (laziness), Wrath (anger), Envy and Pride. Desaad got through most of those, only greed and gluttony were missed. That makes sense because I’m not sure how they’d work well in a torture/temptation scenario.

Once the real Clark showed, I ADORED that Desaad said that Clark was incorruptible because he has more love in his heart and that he’s stronger and more self-assured than before. I have to think that in intervening time between his confrontations with Godfrey (back in ‘Supergirl’) and Granny Goodness (back in ‘Abandoned’) that his outlook on life has gotten better. Part of the reason that happened was because of his love for Lois had grown. I don’t think that’s the only reason, but it’s a big part of it. And I have to think that Lois’ increased importance to the show, to Clark, this season isn’t only because his feelings for her have gotten stronger, it’s because those feelings have given him the stability and confidence to fight Darkseid. I adore that it’s her love and support that helped him get stronger as a person. And he will need to be the strong moral center of the heroes in order to protect the world from Darkseid and his minions. That aspect of Clark’s character development has been believable so Desaad’s little speech made complete sense.

As minor as it was, I adored Bryan’s use of Clark’s ‘microvision’ power. It’s not something they’d used a lot, I can’t remember the last time, so it was nice to see that so nicely fit into the story.

This episode had fit in a lot and did it so well, this is probably one the Bryan Q. Miller’s stronger outings for the show. There was humor, drama, character development, major movement on several of the season long storylines and one helluva huge cliff-hanger ending with Oliver showing off his new Omega branded skull. That was awesome and I wonder where that will eventually go. I really enjoyed this episode quite a bit.

However, there were a few logic lapses in this episode. As cute as the little mock-up a church was that Lois had in the tease, it looked like something Lois could have made yet looked awesome, the biggest problem with it was that she had it in the office.

Would it really be a good idea to have little cut-outs of Aquaman and Green Arrow placed in a miniature church sitting on the engaged Clark’s desk? That’s not exactly subtle and would lead people to think that groom-to-be Clark is part of the Superhero community. The little church and the cut-outs of everyone were cute, but probably isn’t something that Lois would take to work.

And why would Desaad go to the trouble to get rid of the stamps on the hands of his victims? The crime scene photos showed them already. Wouldn’t it be more suspicious that they disappeared than it was for them being on the victims’ hands to begin with? Maybe there is some explanation that might make sense, maybe there’s something about the stamps that a closer examination could disclose a secret Desaad wanted to keep. Who knows? I don’t, but we may never find out…

All in all, this was a very good episode. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Bryan Q Miller did a terrific job.

Normally a Co-Executive Producer on the show, Tim Scanlan directed this for his second outing in the helmer’s chair. While I don’t remember having too many problems with his first episode, ‘Checkmate,’ I do have to say that this episode was probably stronger. The blocking with the mobile camera worked very well, and (like I’ve already said) every single actor gave a terrific performance.

Cinematographer Glen Winter filmed another beautiful episode. His dark scenes are never flat or too dark to see anything. They have touches of color, which gives those scenes a nice depth… I loved how mobile the camera was and everyone looked incredible. Tom, Erica, Justin and Allison all looked fabulous.

I loved the clothing that Costume Designer Melanie Williams put everyone in. Allison Mack looked awesome in that little red dress and the short red trench coat. It didn’t hurt that her hair and make-up, thanks to Key Make-up Artist Tina Teoli and Key Hairstylist Sarah Koppes, were both fantastic. Even when she was cold and wet and chained up by Desaad, she looked believably bedraggled. Only in Smallville do characters still look terrific, even when tortured, cold and wet.

Everyone in this episode looked terrific. I love that Lois is wearing the locket that Martha gave her in ‘Beacon’ and Erica Durance looked fantastic in that black suit with the white blouse in the start of the episode. Tom Welling and Justin Hartley have probably never looked better, their costumes, hair and make-up were also flawless.

I don’t usually have much to say about the Sound Effects, it’s something I know next to nothing about. So, I’m not sure who is exactly to blame for this one tiny problem I had with the sound. Because of that, I won’t name names, but there was another oops in the episode thanks to whoever was responsible. I grant it was probably one that was more subtle. When Chloe was at the top of the steps trying, I can only assume, to get into Desaad’s sex club the back way, instead of hearing the sound of a rattling (and locked) door, I heard what sounded like a door closing.

It confused me because it sounded like she had just come out of the door, yet her and Oliver talked about not being able to get into Desaad’s. It’s a perplexing mistake because I actually really liked the Sound Effects editing in the rest of the episode. For example, the sounds in the torture scene were especially effective and helped to evoke the mood. However, whoever was responsible for what sounded like a closing door probably needs to pay closer attention to the script so they can avoid putting in sounds that shouldn’t be there.

Series Composer Louis Febre turned out another stellar episode. I like to work on my review while the iTunes copy is playing in the background, so I hear the music sometimes in a way that others maybe don’t. I like doing that, it helps me better hear the music when I’m not watching at the same time, and I think I get a better appreciation of the beautiful work that Louis does. This episode was particularly terrific to listen to, so Louis did an outstanding job.

This episode probably wasn’t perfect, but it was so well done by everyone, top to bottom. I really enjoyed it and it held up extremely well to repeat viewings. I give this episode 4.5 Omega skull brands out of a possible 5.

Note: The views of Triplet don’t necessarily represent the thoughts and feelings of everyone at KryptonSite. Send her feedback.