What I’m Watching: Smallville

Smallville: Season 10, Episode 9 “Patriot” (C-)

The concept of this Vigilante Registration Act is truly interesting, and it’s a shame that the show continually fails to showcase it and pursue the storyline in a compelling manner. Maybe it’s because I was taking some time off from this show back in season six when the first Justice League of America episode aired, but I’ve never been overly fond of the superheroes that seem to pop in and out of this show sporadically. Aquaman’s presence feels random and the evocation of his mystical origins don’t fit too well with all of the Superman mythology. His girlfriend’s manner of speech is one of the things that bothers me immensely, since it sounds just like Lois anytime she’s possessed and leads me to believe that no one at the CW actually realizes how ridiculous these lines sounds. I don’t quite understand why Oliver needs to officially register as a vigilante since he’s already out, so to speak, and a public declaration of his entrance into the program seems foolhardy because his future absence would then be all the more noticeable. Michael Hogan was a perfect choice to play the general hell bent on ridding the world of the heroes, and quite ready to strike at any enemies, as evidenced by his death grip on Lois’ hand after she snatched the photo. This makes Hogan the second “Battlestar Galactica” alumnus to express a furious hatred of the super-powered, following Aaron Douglas, and the second to appear in this episode, after Alessandro Juliani, who plays Dr. Emil. If only this show was anywhere near as well-written as that one these days.