James Marsters

TV Recap: Smallville - Labryinth Rather than giving last week’s story the two hours it deserved, and needed to flesh that tale out, tonight’s ‘Smallville’ used a tired cliché. “Labyrinth” is hard to define, it wasn’t the worst episode, but in light of the minute plot progression it was obscenely annoying. The “it’s all in your mind” storyline never works. That’s pretty much universal. Buffy tried it, and that episode was mediocre. At least on Buffy the idea was ironic and a bit funny, even if the episode wasn’t.

There’s not much to say about the latest episode of ‘Smallville.’ There was little plot progression. A Phantom Zoner who takes over his mind and makes him believe he has made the super hero schtick up attacks Clark. The devices used to explain the “reality” were substandard attempts at cleverness. Add to that the bone that was condescendingly thrown at fans, as The Martian Manhunter is the one who helps Clark get free.

A better technique at furthering his story on ‘Smallville’ had to be available. Back when he first appeared, I geeked out. It was so cool to see that Oreo on the ground. This time around, it was a misuse of his abilities. The Martian Manhunter enters Clark’s delirious mind and explains that the doctor treating him is a Phantom Zoner, and in order to get free Clark must kill the doctor. To fight back, the Phantom uses a version of Lana who has always been with Clark to entice him. She leads him to choose a life with her, even if it’s not real.

As Clark lay on a table, ready to accept this “reality,” he feels his dog (who is in the barn with Clark’s body) lick him. This wakes Clark up to the truth, so he fights back and strangles the doctor. We then see The Martian Manhunter holding Jor-El’s crystal as the Zoner is sucked into it. Upon waking up, Chloe arrives and Clark tells her what happened. At the end he realizes he still loves Lana. The episode went from annoying to unbearable at this point.

So, Clark goes to visit Lana. For some reason the writers seem to think anyone will care that Clark has had a revelation. Whether he accepts his love for Lana or not, the simple fact is they make a horrible couple. There’s no time for redemption of this love story; it is boring and trite. I sincerely hope that what happened in “Labyrinth” is not a portent of things to come on ‘Smallville.’ If the story goes down this path, I’m not sure our Boy Scout will have any credibility left.

What did you think of the episode? Were the Martian Manhunter tidbits enough to keep you from outright hating “Labyrinth?” Are you interested in anything involving Lana and Clark? Just as it was not a coincidence last week’s episode was good partly because of Lana’s absence, did this week suffer due to an absence of Lois?