What I’m Watching: Smallville

Smallville: Season 10, Episode 16 “Scion” (C)

At least this episode, compared to the ones that have led up to it, has a purpose. This bizarre Lex-clone, who apparently has some of Clark’s DNA, has somehow transformed himself from one of this season’s villains to one of its heroes, just as susceptible as Clark to the influences of Red Kryptonite. I’m still fuzzy on how exactly this all came to be, especially considering how far away the show had gotten itself from the Luthor family, but this episode was a sign that things are headed in the right direction. John Glover was the one of the strongest actors ever to grace this show with his presence, and having him back again to chew scenery like he means it is always a treat. I will stay argue that, for some reason, this show has some of the more horrendous and unbearable dialogue, and it came out in this episode more than it has in a few weeks (maybe that’s because the storyline wasn’t quite as stupid this time around). The need to have every line be filled with sarcasm, self-reference, or cleverness is nauseating, and Lionel is saddled with almost as many of those terrible one-liners as Chloe and Lois combined. What is good, however, is that the show is returning to this notion of what it means to be a hero. At this point, we’re taking a five-week break and then the show returns for its final five episodes (I think I’m actually excited!) on April 15th. Let’s hope that the time off makes way for some truly exceptional, or at the very least enthralling, television worthy of the Man of Steel.