What I’m Watching: Smallville

Smallville: Season 9, Episode 15 “Escape” (F)

After not having aired a new installment since February, this is hardly an episode that serves to reinforce the logic behind the tenth season renewal granted to this show a few weeks ago. This is one of those episodes that’s obviously a waste of time from the outset, and exactly the wrong type of episode to air after a long hiatus. There’s hardly ever been anything as bad as a murderous painting. Possession is my least favorite device used on this show, and, time after time, it’s unbelievably stupid. This is no exception. We really don’t need this relationship drama on this show, especially considering that all of these characters, including those introduced later on like Lois and Oliver, have been combed over so many times that none of this stuff should come as a surprise. The coincidence that they both go away on a terrific unromantic weekend to the same creepy bed and breakfast with a “last room on the left” is a setup asking for nothing but awkwardness, and it’s not entertaining awkwardness. I’m also uninterested that Clark can now safely have sex with humans. By far the most pitiful and regrettable aspect of this episode is when we actually see the man-killer in her true form. I actually laughed out loud when she showed up, and that’s definitely bad. In case there wasn’t enough romantic tension going on at the inn, it’s necessary to emphasize that absolutely everyone on this show is now part of a couple. Tess and Zod meeting in Clark’s barn is more than a bit silly, but hey, is there anything on this show that isn’t preposterous right now? This episode certainly doesn’t suggest otherwise.