Well that ended rather abruptly. The Vigilante Registration Act is no more, so Clark and his friends can now roam the streets of Metropolis — and the world — free from persecution.
There was much to like in this week’s episode of Smallville, from the return of Martha Kent and another appearance by Lionel, to quite a shocking revelation about young Alexander. Actually there were a couple of shocks involving Alexander, as he was one of this week’s two main points. I really hadn’t expected Alexander to be Martha Kent’s shooter, even if he was targeting Clark, but his engineering and accelerated growth and mental development has set him up to be Clark’s (or Superman’s?) first true super villain. And Spoiler Alert: If you haven’t heard the news that was burning up the net this week, Michael Rosenbaum IS returning for the final episode! We will get the Clark/Lex showdown that many feared would never happen!
Some of my favorite moments this week involved Lionel, Tess and Alexander … now the most dysfunctional family on television. The Earth-Two Lionel has successfully tricked people into believing he’s the real Lionel who faked his death, and has subsequently regained control of Luthorcorp. I loved how Lionel channeled Emperor Palpatine and urged Alexander to use his hatred and anger so that he could become all powerful. Tess hasn’t fallen for any of Lionel’s wooings, but fragile Alexander wanted to believe Lionel came back for him but those pesky memories of Lex’s and witnessing an encounter between Lionel and Martha reminded Alexander how the real Lionel had thrown Lex away in favor of Clark, nearly resulting in the deaths of both Lionel and Martha while pretty much destroying the Luthor mansion.
Poor Alexander still wanted to finish off Clark for making his former life miserable, but Tess was able to talk him down and save Clark from a kryptonite bullet. I think we were all in for a shock by Tess’ attempt to poison Alexander and even more so by the cyanide-laced needle not being able to penetrate his skin. Oh, what hath Tess wrought?
As far as the VRA, its subsequent repeal, the heroes hiding in fear, and the Beacon of Hope videos … I may be pilloried for this but I can’t help but see a correlation between this superhero storyline and events taking place in the country today with gay rights issues. The Beacon of Hope videos certainly reminded me of the It Gets Better Project that began hitting the web after a string of teenage suicudes related to bullying, and the anti-hero rhetoric resembles the same anti-gay comments coming from real-life ultra-conservatives in our country today. The repeal of the VRA, which now allows the superheroes to fight alongside everyday heroes, can be seen as Smallville‘s version of the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. And how many times were the words “come out” uttered throughout the episode? I wonder if people who watch shows like this that do tackle real social issues realize what they’re seeing and might have their minds changed for the better by what they’ve seen happen in a fictional world … or am I just reading too much into it?
“Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” – Lionel
“I watched your body fall forty storeys. It was the greatest moment of my life.” – Alexander
“Well, what father doesn’t want to make his son happy?” – Lionel
“I’ve been to the future and I saw the hero that I will become save the city. But I also saw me, I mean … Clark Kent, disguised behind glasses and a bad haircut.” – Clark
Clacked by Chuck Duncan 
on Feb 12, 2011 @ 14:22 EST5EDT
