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« Smallville
Episode Recap: Quest
Unable to crack the key of the bizarre krytpograph he uncovered in Zurich, Lex has enlisted the help of a world-renowned antiques expert to help discover the secret of controlling the Traveler. Robert Langdon was apparently unavailable.
Lex' typically unassailable security is breached by the sole living member of Veritas, who manages to carve the symbol of the Traveler into Lex' chest, yet fails to kill him or recover the kryptograph, both of which would have been a much quicker, and easier, solution.
Jimmy, who's added “ambulance-chaser” to his ever-expanding repertoire, managed to snap a few pictures of the symbol before Lex escaped his brief stay at the hospital. After a bit of research, he learns that the marking is similar to ones that have appeared all over Smallville; in the Kawatche caves, in crop circles, on the side of the Kent family barn, etc.
When he points out that Lex has a similar obsession with these bizarre hieroglyphics, Chloe dismisses his assumptions that Smallville is a town of celestial import as nothing more than over-excited, paranoid delusions.
Of course, she wastes no time in passing off this information to Clark, which leads him to the “only church of St. Christopher, patron saint of lost travelers” on the continent, which happens to be located in Montreal. Look, I get that Smallville is shot in Canada, but to pretend this is the only church...never mind. What's important is this revelation led to a brilliant plug for Sprint.
Lex' security, meanwhile, is breached once again when the Zurich banker busts in on the antiques-expert, who's finally managed to decipher some meaning from the kryptograph. His goal seems to be the recovery of the device, and any questions of why he didn't just take it earlier are quickly disappeared when Lex shoots him in the back.
Lex and the antiquarian (yes, it's a real word) head off to the Montreal church in order to find... a clock. Apparently, Dr. Swan set up an incredibly complicated, globe-spanning puzzle (the sort which could only be appreciated by fans of old LucasArts adventure computer games in order to hide the Traveler-controlling device.
Clark's already beaten him to the punch, but when confronted by Teague, the aforementioned sole-living member of Veritas, admits that he has no intention of putting a definitive end to the Lex problem. Teague decides it's for the best of the world if he murders Clark in a Kryptonian/Bond-villain ritual, telling him that for every page of krpto-scripture professing Clark as a savior, there were three warning of Clark as a destroyer.
Lex arrives at the church, finds the clock, confronts Teague, cries about living in the shadows...and engages him in a sword fight. Ten yards away, Chloe -ex-machina appears to free Clark from his slow, torturous death. Clark shoots off, saves Teague, disarms Lex and destroys the clock. Which would be great, except Lex already acquired the clock's key, which enables him to later free the Traveler-controlling device.
In the final scenes, Chloe argues with Clark in his loft over whether he should kill Lex, while Lex is busy figuring out that the device is hidden in the Luthor mansion's fireplace.
His realization has something to do with a song he learned in his childhood, and the direction the Luthor mansion originally faced in Scotland.
It's pointless exposition that attempts to tie in the original claim that Lionel imported the castle from his family's home in Scotland to Smallville with the current plot, but it doesn't matter:
The scene is set for a confrontation where Clark is finally willing to put a stop to Lex, as long as it doesn't involve murdering him, and where Lex is willing to take control of Clark, regardless of who must die in the process.
Episodes like this make my head hurt. They give the impression that the writers pick and choose from the dozens of mysteries and mythologies introduced by the show and only revisit them when it's convenient without ever giving any of them solid closure.
Smallville began as a brilliant concept, especially for the teen-centric WB (now CW) network and was a lot of fun while it lasted. But it lacked direction.
Was the series intended as a prequel to the latest version of the Superman mythology? A retcon of the character? An Elseworlds and/or “Ultimate Superman” tale that introduced Kal-El to the planet Earth circa the late 1980s instead of the early 1920s?
With a season finale that should have been the series finale (no Lex, no Lionel Jonathan, no Martha, no Lana - ok, that's a good thing - no Chloe, no Al & Miles equal a disastrous year eight) coming next week it's transparent the show has outlived its' expiration date. Tell me I'm wrong.
For more on Smallville, check out our Online Video Guide.
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May 9, 2008 2:56 AM
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I have to admit, things aren't looking good for season 8. Two brand new characters, one a female villain taking Lex's place, one a generic version of Doomsday, and possibly no Chloe? They'd better do whatever they can to keep Alison Mack because Jimmy and Kara aren't good enough to hold up the show alongside Clark and Lois. The show will be something totally different w/ Tom Welling being the only remaining original cast member. I wasn't concerned about Lana's departure, which has been a long time coming, and I think they've done everything they can w/ Lex (and Lionel, for that matter), but all of this sudden change has me worried. I had such high expectations for season 7, what w/ Supergirl being introduced and Lex finally turning completely evil, but so many things have gone wrong and I'm sure that's only partly due to the strike. Where's Mrs. Kent? Where's Martian Manhunter? Why have they done such a poor job bringing Kara onto the show? She's been an afterthought for most of the season. Why are Lois' appearances so few and far between? Ever the optimistic (ha ha), I'm going to hold on to the little hope I have left, pray that AM stays on, and that by some miracle, Smallville goes out w/ a little dignity next year.
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May 9, 2008 3:22 AM
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Smallville's 7 seasons probably has maybe 3 seasons worth of good episodes. Four at the most. It's a real shame too. Since they decided to create their own mythology (which is fine, btw,) they should have just had Chloe become the "Lois Lane" character. Since they decided NOT to do that, perhaps it IS time for Allison/Chloe to move on (as much as I LOVE both of them.) For me, they ought to spend next season making Lois Lane into "Lois Lane" and not the joke that she's been. She was very "Lois" like in the "World Without Clark" episode. They also should spend next season having Clark train to become Superman. It would be a nice reward for all of us faithful viewers to be able to see the transformation. Then, the last scene of the last episode should have Clark emerge and then fly away from the fortress in his Superman outfit, show a close up of him flying where Tom gives us the Chris Reeve "Smile and Wave," and then he flies away to begin his new life as this series ends.
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May 9, 2008 7:34 AM
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Love how they had the "assume your audience is stupid" element of Clark checking his phone/GPS to verify the church's location WHEN HE'S RIGHT IN FRONT OF IT!!! Come on.
Wouldn't it be crypto- (secret) rather than kryptograph? Has Lex even heard the word "Krypton"? (putting aside that "graph" is the wrong suffix. Shame on the classically-trained Lex)
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May 9, 2008 8:25 AM
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James: "Episodes like this make my head hurt."
I thought it was just me. My first thought was: just what the hell was this episode? Especially after the awesome one as last week's! Just what are the writers' smoking? 
James: "They give the impression that the writers pick and choose from the dozens of mysteries and mythologies introduced by the show and only revisit them when it's convenient without ever giving any of them solid closure."
I think this has been my problem with the show this season. I miss the freak of the week type of episodes. Sue me. I have to be honest and admit, this episode totally confused me; I didn't know what was going on, and I'm sorry, but Clark/Supes better learn that he's going to be a God? This coming from Chloe? Please. I liked that Clark finally sort of stood up to her and told her he wouldn't kill Lex.
That whole Traveler/Savior/Destroyer made me double check to make sure this is Smallville and not some religious story. And they couldn't find anyone other than Picardo to play the still alive Teague? So he decides to kill Clark because Clark won't kill Lex. Yeah, that would let Teague think that Clark is after all, the Destroyer. bunch of bull hockey.
Just HOW is that device supposed to control Clark? And why would Jor-El leave something like that in the hands of humans?
Can't they do a Dallas and make this season a dream? And do the final season RIGHT?
It's just a thought.
~Sangeeta
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May 9, 2008 8:35 AM
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Everyone is so negative. Any Smallville is better than no Smallville to me. I will watch until the end. There is no end of Superman.
Next season? Clark, Lois, and Kara is all I need.
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May 9, 2008 9:05 AM
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kelel21220: "Everyone is so negative. Any Smallville is better than no Smallville to me."
I don't know about anyone else, but the reason I'm so "negative" is because I've been watching this show since Season 1, and the past couple have been DRECK, with a handful of good episodes. And if we're going to get the Smallville of the past two seasons, I'd rather get NONE, inspite (or despite) my love for Tom Welling. I have my DVD sets to get my TC fix.
As for wanting Clark, Lois and Kara? Well, that happens in Superman's world, and for me, Smallville is about Clark's world, BEFORE he dons the red cape.
Just my .02.
On a side note, anyone else notice how Clark wore both Blue jacket/red shirt and Red Jacket/blue shirt last night? Hmmm....
~Sangeeta
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May 9, 2008 12:54 PM
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You people who put last nights episode of smallville down really aren't true fans. This past season has been one of the best for numerous reasons including lionals death, kara, and many others. If you don't like the show don't watch it, you must be stupid to watch a show week after week when you don't like it.
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May 9, 2008 3:20 PM
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scottfeed: "you must be stupid to watch a show week after week when you don't like it."
I don't see any reason for you to get snarky, scottfeed. I consider myself a true fan of the show. It upsets me that it's gone downhill, and last I checked, I was entitled to my opinion. And I've more than made clear, despite the ridiculous plots given to us the past two seasons, I still watch it to get my Michael Rosenbaum and Tom Welling fix.
The premise of this show was good. And it ran really well for the first five seasons, in my opinion. But taking the focus away from Clark, who this show is supposed to be about--that's what I don't like. I also don't like the soap opera and Clark's constant LanaLanaLana'ing, and basic wussiness. But again, that's MY Opinion.
I will continue to watch because I'm a loyal fan, as I continued to watch Dallas years ago, even as it got away from what the show was supposed to be about.
~Sangeeta
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May 9, 2008 3:57 PM
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I like that there was a Teague still left from Veritas. It reminded me of the season with Jensen and Jane. Good times.
Chloe is awesome, I was like... How did Chloe get to Montreal so fast and she says she took Oliver's jet and delivered the line "It pays to be a superhero flunkie? junkie?" I can't remember the line exactly but it good. And then she made short work of that ancient alter. Where was Kara through all of this? Sick? She could have been a big help this episode, but they totally left us hanging with her illness last week. If they can't use her character effectively then they should lose her, I never thought she fit into the Superman mythology at this stage of his life. No offence, but drop Laura V and give her salary to Allison Mack.
So this devise that Lex found basically pointed the way to the Fortress in Greenland, but Jorel seems to be able to control what goes on there. If Lex shows up with that devise just freeze him like he did Clark. It seems that the writers wrote themselves into a corner with the whole "control the traveller" devise. Oh well, we shall see how their epic battle takes place in the finale.
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May 9, 2008 3:59 PM
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Gerald: "So this devise that Lex found basically pointed the way to the Fortress in Greenland"
Greenland? I thought it was in Yukon? Remember the season premiere of Season 5, when Lex brought Chloe to the hospital? The finale had shown Clark landing right where the Fortress of Solitude was, and I think Chloe had gotten banged up, broke her arm, or something like that.
Did I miss something, or did they change the location?
Gerald: "No offence, but drop Laura V and give her salary to Allison Mack."
From your mouth to the CW's ears, Gerald!
~Sangeeta
Who has time to play on the 'puter today, obviously!
P.S. Where's James????
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May 9, 2008 4:10 PM
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Bluegrumpy - I wasn't as eager as you about them bringing Supergirl onto the show, but you're right, she's been severely underutilized. And the total absence of Martha and Martian Manhunter makes no sense. I'm guessing it's budgetary.
Darclyte - you're right on point about the series boiling down to 3 or 4 seasons worth of good episodes. Chloe definitely should have become the new Lois Lane, because like you said, the show is creating its own mythology, and even if her name is different, she's got the spirit of the Lois from the comics.
Scott - You're right about the producers assuming the audience is stupid - but for the wrong reason. Did they think it wouldn't be obvious Sprint had shelled out some cash for product placement? And why can't some of this endorsement dough be used on special effects? Clark barely uses his powers anymore.
I mis-spelled cryptograph on purpose. You're right that Lex would have no idea what kryptonite is. Good catch on the suffix; I had no idea what to call that stupid thing, so I just stole the name from the show.
Sangeeta - I miss the freak of the week episodes too. They're what got me into the show in the first place.
I don't need to see Clark with Kara and Lois, because, like you said and as it's been pointed out - this show exists in its own universe. It's not the traditional Superman story. It's got its own characters and its own rules; shoehorning Lois and Kara into it was a bit awkward to begin with; to have them become the sole female protaganists would be ridiculous.
You're right about the whole idea of Jor-El leaving that device in the hands of humans thing too: it completely goes against everything they've built his character up to be.
And if they pull a Dallas, it better be more than just this season that turned out to be a dream.
Scottfeed - Really? "Lionals death" was something that made this past season the best? How long have you been watching the series?
The reason I still watch the show is because, occasionally, there's a really good episode and besides, I can't walk out of a movie before seeing how it ends, and it's the same with Smallville.
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May 9, 2008 4:12 PM
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James! Where've you been all day?!
James: "And if they pull a Dallas, it better be more than just this season that turned out to be a dream."
How about the last 2 seasons? As much as I hated what the did mid-way in Season 5 (killing Jonathan), I think that was the last really good season, compared with six and seven.
Alas, Lana is cured next week (according to the preview), as we see her shedding tears of happiness, her eyes back to their normal color. But wait--for a mini-second, it looked like Kara took on whatever was in her, because her eyes were that eerie, grayish/opaque color.
Lex, help Clark to be a hero? Uh...riiight.
~Sangeeta
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May 9, 2008 4:34 PM
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I think they should have more focus of
Lois and Clark. They should have Clark still trying to hide his identity but at one point he has to tell her, and according to the comic series he erases her memory so she doesn't remember anything. And as he would still want to keep his secret for whatever the reason. Also, they should keep it in the same mode as the original "Smallville tv show", with Clark possibly getting a job and working as a reporter but with shows leading up to them having a romance and getting married. And him still saving the day but she still doesn't know its clark kent.
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May 10, 2008 6:15 PM
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actually, I don't know if its good that Clark does anything bad to lois as brainiac does all that stuff. also, if they were to have more lois & clark stories it should be before he becomes superman as that is the show's whole premise. I also thought that in one of the original movies it was cool that he got to save lois alot and did alot of super stuff in order to do it.
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May 11, 2008 6:02 PM
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