Smallville: No Fear, No Pain
Instead of returning to Metropolis, Lana sought out a man skilled in the art of training Green Berets and Navy Seals how to withstand extreme torture (because there is another kind of torture?). We weren’t aware that Lana had designs on becoming the next Rambo (watch out Sylvester Stallone!). But, submerging herself in a tub of freezing water and touching her wrists to a piece of scalding metal doesn’t satisfy the fire in Lana’s belly. She wants power. True power. Power not made by man alone.
So, Lana searches out the scientists carrying out Lex’s quest for superhuman strength and abilities and convinces this second-rate Gary Oldman-type doctor to use her as the ultimate guinea pig. Seems Lex has found a way to manipulate alien DNA into a skin-graph, body suit thing that will give its wearer permanent powers. Won’t Lex be upset when he finds out his see-through armor now rests upon Lana’s body?
As always, Clark and Chloe play the super-sleuths and uncover Lana’s plans and manage to arrive on the scene just as Tess pulls the trigger on a gun aimed at the good doctor (because she surely doesn’t want Lana running amok in this alien suit.) This time however, it isn’t Clark who catches the speeding bullet with his bare hands – it’s Lana!
Yes, finally Clark and Lana are equals. They can both save the world – together. And Clark doesn’t have to be distracted by worrying about Lana’s safety. She can take care of herself now. They kiss. And scene.
What did you think? How do you feel about Lana being on the same level as Clark? This episode ended with yet another kiss between Lana and Clark – did you want to gag or cheer?
Comments
The episode that aired 2/5/09 (Requiem) put me to sleep in less than 10 minutes. This next comment is no reflection on the Characters - they do an excellent job, but Lana is NO Angelina Jolly! (TombRader). Where's the story line the season began with? How does this lend to the plot?
Posted by: souprman2 | February 7, 2009 4:35 PM
This episode was soo good that I rather tear my eyes out than watch it again... Wait, is "good" the word I'm looking for here? Lana go away and never come back.
Posted by: captainduche | February 5, 2009 1:25 PM
Boring and once again return to season 7 with everything all about Lana at the expense of Clark's character- he looks like an idiot again. The good thing about this week? It is KK's last episode. I feel bad for her - but NOT LANA! KK goes out as the most hated character in the Superman legacy.
Posted by: SN66 | February 5, 2009 8:17 AM
I got the feeling the actual reason for the episode was to create the possibilty of a spin off starring kristen. I would watch. Lana Lang is a good character on another show and with a new love (Like Green Arrow) However, the best spin off would for Laura V.to repize her role as Supergirl. What do you think people?
Posted by: brant | February 4, 2009 4:34 PM
Lana w/Superpowers really? Lana an equal to superman? I tried watching "Power" Clark again going back to Lana.. boring.... top that with a kiss on top of the Daily Planet.. I had thought the writers would Lana and clark in the fashion they had with Lois and Oliver ... Nope... give her superpowers, and one can only hope next weeks show will be better.. the only word I can ask is did the writers read a comic book, and wow it was very disappointing to watch. Goodbye CLANA, can't wait til we get back to Clark, and he's sane again.
Posted by: J. Owen | February 4, 2009 2:34 AM
God, this was one of the most pathetic episodes in the history of Smallville. Lana's short arc is like an eyesore - it sticks out like a rotting bag of garbage in the middle of white room. To give her this so called 'heroic' send off, you all completely stripped Clark Kent of his dignity and self respect. You all regressed his character so much it doesn't even make sense. After 7 season, people were ready for growth and the first part of the season showed us that and then BAM! As soon as Lana re-appears, all of that growth is undone. WHY for God's sake? So that Lana can have her ridiculous 'heroic' send off? Get with it - Lana is no hero. This is not LANAville.
Stop insulting your main character. You all may think it's clever writing, but sometimes it's just plain stupid. And that's what this Lana arc is. It's stupid, because to make her look good, (and she still doesn't) you all have to tear down Clark and have him look like a pansy idiot.
Posted by: Smallvillain | February 3, 2009 10:08 PM
Oh how lame that episode was... Let me count the ways!!
I believe AM did a decent job given the crappy (scratch that) "Lanaific" episode she was given to direct.
The worst Lanaville episode so far (and we've seen our share), you can call off the spin-off.
People were asking to rename SV into Metropolis because of the stellar start and feel the whole series had gotten a new tone, picked up a more refreshing impulse and direction this season but I believe Power could be the answer: they might just be waiting for the greenlight to rename it Lanaville (officially, that is). Everything done, everything said was retcon'd, there was zero sense to 99.9% of, well, everything (from situations to dialogues...).
I honestly wish this episode were a dream, but I realistically know in my heart of hearts this is only horrificly bad writing (and overall storytelling when you consider the place of this in the season).
IMO, this is not an arc, this is an iceberg and like the Titanic crew we got to see it too late to steer in time to avoid it. Now can PS3 salvage something? Time will tell us soon (enough).
As is, the Superman fan in me is mourning the loss of brain cells and the abuse of the DP rooftop dear to us all (well, except, you know Lana-worshippers) sacrificed at the altar of our Lady of Peace, er, Lana.
Did I mention I missed Clark Kent too? I know for sure not to ask the writers where he's gone.
Ah, never mind, I just remembered he should show up once Lana gets out of the picture as happened in the beginning of s8 already... Cos, that's the deal, right?
Nice job crapping on the source material PS3.
Posted by: missteri | February 3, 2009 3:36 PM
Definitely one of the worst episodes of the series.
Poor Clark was merely a supporting character in the Lana "Mary Sue" Lang show, and a pathetic one at that. Where was the proactive, self confident man we've seen for the first ten episodes of the season? As soon as Lana comes back in his life he reverts to a whiney, mopey, spinless idiot.
Do I believe that Clark Kent as portrayed in SV will ever become Superman? No, I really don't.
Being Superman is not about donning a costume, is about who Clark Kent really is, what are is values, what he believes in.
From Power, we've learned that Clark believes that as long as it's Lana who's done it, it's ok to kill, torture, steal, lie and sleep with a Phantom...a far cry from "truth, justice and the American way".
Way to go, PS3.
Posted by: Marta | February 3, 2009 11:17 AM
I really want to see the tales of how Lana Lang grows up and becomes that great superhero we all know and love...oh wait.
This episode was a waste. Get back to the good season 8, please.
Posted by: anna | February 3, 2009 8:33 AM
This episode was atrocious.
The main Character completely regressed, heck, he regressed within the episode. It was beyond disrespectful to the Superman mythos. And to whomever complains that Clark isn't Superman yet... news flash. Clark and Superman are the same person, no matter if he's donned the cape yet. In fact, the moment he started saving lives, he embodied what it means to be a light for the people. Not in this episode; this was Superlana and her sidekick Watson... er, I mean Clark!
Ridiculous!
It pains me that a story about Superman (and yes, this story is about Superman... young or old; Metropolis or Smallville) is mutilated so flippantly.
Good job PS3 *rolls eyes* ... Now we know how much you truly care about Clark Kent and Superman. So much so, that he is no longer the main character for this 5 episode story arch.
Posted by: scrios | February 3, 2009 7:41 AM
This episode was a joke. I have never seen such a fast regression of a character like it happened in Power. Yeah Lana is super now and becomes a hero of the day, fine.. but I'll never understand why it all had to be done at Clark's expense. He was doing so well.It's painful to watch this brainless creature lanaed once again. This episode showed lack of continuity, lack of sense and made most of the fans want to commit suicide. Bravo, Smallville, well done. [insert sarcasm here]
Posted by: Marinka | February 3, 2009 5:57 AM
I loathed this episode. I couldn't believe how far down the writers had to drag Clark in order to prop up Lana. He was made into a puppy blindly following an immoral "superheroine." And to top it all off, that Clark & Lana kiss on the Daily Planet rooftop was a true insult to the mythos and is perhaps the most offensive moment I have ever witnessed on this show.
Posted by: Chris | February 3, 2009 4:03 AM
Oh god.
Lana.
Plz go away.
SRSLY.
Posted by: Jennybean | February 1, 2009 9:30 PM
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS KICK-ASS LANA! it's too bad it's come late in the season. wish the writing had been this good at the beginning of the season. the clark/lana kissing scenes are definitely more adult and less kiss-schmissy teen fare.
i have to admit that i miss michael rosenbaum. i don't miss lex, per se, but i do miss the actor who plays him.
GOOD JOB, ALLISON, ON YOUR DIRECTORIAL DEBUT!
Posted by: Just Tina | January 31, 2009 10:43 PM
I still wish though that they would end it at this season now because at least the Clark and Lana fans would have had Lana in the last season. This season to me has been good, but it became great as soon as Kristin returned as Lana.
Posted by: Smallville dvd | January 31, 2009 10:15 AM
I loved everything about this episode. People don't seem to realize that there HAS TO BE A CATALYST in order for Clark Kent to really become Superman.
What do you people think Lana is? Hate her all you want, whine and moan and vent from here until kingdom come; Lana is the reason (on this show, in any case) Clark dons the freaking cape. I'm willing to bet she's what finally gets him to fly, as well.
Chloe is not god, lol. You're all rooting for the underdog, the unappreciated, and that's great, but you're missing the bigger picture and acting like jealous ex-girlfriends. You're turning into Supernatural fans with your cattiness.
Posted by: Miss M. | January 31, 2009 9:38 AM
i liked this episode SOLELY (and i do mean solely) for the reason that it was directed by the one and only, the talented, gorgeous allison mack
amidst all the annoying lana, allison did a wonderful job directing. but it still doesn't take away from the fact that lana getting superpowers is like the biggest WTF moment of the show and only goes to show that even when she's not a main character, the show is STILL lanaville
*sigh*
Posted by: chlarkfan | January 30, 2009 4:45 PM
LOVED THE EPISODE
LOVED CLANA KISS
LOVED IT ALL
YAY LANA :D
wish kristen was here to stay
Posted by: T.T | January 30, 2009 3:26 PM
This episode bored me to tears!
Posted by: Linda | January 30, 2009 1:43 PM