Xenix Reviews: Smallville Episode 201: Isis

Xenix Reviews: Smallville Episode 201: Isis

Not much to see here.

Review Opinion
By Xenix - Oct 22, 2010 05:10 PM EST
Filed Under: Smallville

To be totally honest, I really, really, really wanted to like this episode. If it went well, it could really set up characters like Black Adam, Captain Marvel, and all those other mythical characters. Sadly, however, it was pretty upsetting.

Although, maybe I'm being a bit pessimistic. It's mainly that, compared to Homecoming, this kinda seems like a letdown.

I liked the building on Oliver and Tess, especially how Oliver's adapting to the public life, although uncannily like Tony Stark. Ironically, the opening suggested for Oliver for the presentation at the beginning of the episode sounds familiar to the Iron Man 2 opening, plus the dancing girls. Also, I love how Oliver and Tess still have a tense relationship, but Oliver is willing, albeit reluctantly at first, to take a step back and trust her, even a little bit. By the time the episode ends, she's regained their trust, and they fully invite her into the League.

Clark revealed his secret, finally, but Lois already know. Symbolically, it's huge, and it shows he really trusts her.

However, though Erica Durance is a knockout, not only in general, but as Lois. However, her performance as a Lois being possessed is slightly dismal. Some parts are good, but generally it's meh.

However, what I love the bit between Isis and Clark, where she taunts him for him not trusting her completely, right before she binds him to the table.

However, the special effects for the episode, however, are pretty dismal. Either using clear wires or too much CGI. I like Smallville a lot, but I'm not blind to it's faults.

Ultimately, the best parts of the episode was the Oliver-Tess relationship, which I hope to see more of. It created a great dynamic between them. That, and basically all of Oliver's lines. Justin Hartley is a fantastic actor, and I hope he gets to continue the role after Smallville ends. He's like Jensen Ackles, like one of those actors who just look great, are great at making scripted comebacks seem snappy and natural, and has a great voice overall. Welling seems to have a more serious tone to Clark now, since Homecoming, a bit tougher, a bit stronger, a bit braver, standing up just a little bit straighter, which is very nice. But I LOVED when Clark 'revealed' his secret to Lois, although basically jumping him is kind of an unusual reaction, even if you did know. But still, its a whole new step in their relationship.

I also liked the little 'Mini-Lex' subplot. It seems that Alexander's growth is sped up so much that, by the end of the season, he'll be Rosenbaum-sized. Hopefully, this is a way of them trying to write him back onto the show.

Overall, I give this episode a 7/10. Pretty good, but don't get your hopes up for it too much. It's a meh episode, but then again, so are most 'Possession' episodes.

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GreenHalJordan
GreenHalJordan - 10/22/2010, 7:38 PM
i only caught the last half hour, but i got it recorded so ill watch all of it tomorrow. i wasnt too happy with what i saw either, and i didnt like how Kat was portrayed this episode. She just goes up to lois and stabs her with a pen in the hand out of nowhere. WHO WOULD NOT SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THAT!?!!??! but oh well, maybe the beginning part was better, ill see tomorrow.
LP4
LP4 - 10/22/2010, 8:42 PM
Just another [frick] filler [frick]!
StuartGreen01
StuartGreen01 - 10/22/2010, 10:00 PM
Here're my thoughts (WARNING: MAJOR EPISODE SPOILERS HEREIN):


Still with me?

You sure?

All right, then.


While some say this maybe a filler episode, I couldn't disagree more. This is NOT a filler episode. I actually LOVED this episode and I thought this was one of the best episodes of the season, and of the series.

Granted, I really, REALLY still hate Cat Grant and she bogged the episode down a bit (my favorite part, though, was when I watched it with my sister and she shouted out "Drop a statue on her!" when she was sneaking in the museum to spy on Lois-Isis), but this was a very well done episode.

Yeah, there are some obvious Oliver/Tony Stark parallels since he revealed to the public he was really Green Arrow. The writing was really good, consistently well-done throughout the episode, and it had a lot of great funny moments, like when Tess was giggling at Cat when she said she knew that Lois was the Blur. I also laughed at the last few minutes where an overjoyed Lois jumps on Clark. In terms of effects, they were surprisingly not bad, particularly with Clark's big heat-vision moment.

Sure, Cat stabbing Lois with a pen should've gotten her into more trouble, but remember, this IS Cat. Of course no one's surprised by her craziness - this lady's certifiably bonkers.

Please, get rid of Cat Grant already. She's the weakest link of the show: unlikable, annoying, and badly written.

It had a lot of great moments, especially with Tess Mercer. From being welcomed into the Watchtower fold by Clark and Oliver in the finale to looking after little Alexander and tearing up when reading him the story of Peter Pan, Cassidy Freeman's performance in this episode was excellent. Of course, Erica Durance is the standout, as she's consistently been the best handled, best written character this season. Even when people groan at "possession" episodes, Durance always does a good job making it work. Plus, she was hilarious here. Just watch when Lois as Isis comments about Clark outing himself as the Blur to her.

Also, how could you NOT love the ending? If it wasn't cool enough and a big enough change in the show where (again, SPOILERS) Clark tells that he's the Blur, Lois's response was just as good.

In closing, while I can see why so many thought this was a "filler" episode, I didn't expect to like this much as much as I did. It's actually one of my favorite "Smallville" episodes in a long time, again largely due to the writing and to the performances by Durance and Freeman. Xenix's grade maybe 7/10, but in my opinion, I'd say it's more of a 9 or 9 and a half (again the lone, major flaw I have with this episode being Cat Grant). If you haven't seen it yet, watch it. Trust me, it's worth checking out.
SkullFace616
SkullFace616 - 10/23/2010, 2:41 AM
@Xenix, great review and I totally agree with you. Apart from the ending and the tess/Oliver, Tess/Lex parts, it was just a filler episode.
kruptedseed
kruptedseed - 10/23/2010, 5:05 AM
I like the way everyone talks about filler eps. If you hate filler eps so much, why not send them about 2 million per eps. That way they'll have the money to do it. The show, put very simply was entertaining. I enjoyed it.
blueorangeny
blueorangeny - 10/23/2010, 12:28 PM
I agree I gave the episode a 7 as well. It was a filler what can you do. I did enjoy the Tess moments, can't figure if she's happy for a 2nd chance or she has something up her sleeve. What the saved the episode for me was the last 5 mins. Erica is hot and I love her attempt on knocking out Cat, lol.

Knightstalker
Knightstalker - 10/23/2010, 2:26 PM
Maybe clark realized what a crappy new costume he picked out and left it at home. If he's going to do the post goth/matrix uniform he should have more blue in it and blue leather pants as well.
kruptedseed
kruptedseed - 10/24/2010, 2:56 AM
Your right, the pants should be blue. Right now if he wears it, he'll just be the red blur.. LOL!
DCfan89
DCfan89 - 10/24/2010, 7:12 AM
If this was one of the best episodes of the season, that's not saying alot at all in my opinion. Sorry, but it was kind of crap to me. Smallville has a formula, I hadn't seen it in a while but it hasn't changed. Someone gets possesed with an item that grants them powers. The item is broken and the subject can't remember a thing. I haven't watched it faithfully since season 4, I think I love superman too much to watch it.
SuperGeek1990
SuperGeek1990 - 10/24/2010, 12:52 PM
I want some Green Arrow cereal! That in my opinion was one of the few things I actually liked about Isis hopefully Harvest is better.
elcaballerooscuro92
elcaballerooscuro92 - 10/24/2010, 6:47 PM
i bet anyone who wanted chloe out of the show prefers to have her back instead of having to watch this cat grant, and i loved this episode especially the 5 last minutes.
m0th3r
m0th3r - 10/25/2010, 9:36 AM
The last 1.5 seconds are the most important moments in the whole season, if not series...That moment, just before the smile is when the doubt disappears, when he realizes that Lois loves him already, regardless of his "flaws"...and that worry, and doubt was all self inflicted confinement, much of which was talked about in Homecoming, is now shattered(sha-doobie)

I wonder how long now before we see regular flight....and full use of his potential before the end of the season. I hope the ropes looked a bit cheesy cause they are saving up CGI budget for end of series..


marvelguy
marvelguy - 10/26/2010, 9:51 PM
Stuart,

Your review was more interesting than this one.

Smallville always does possession episodes. It's so over done. At least he finally told her at the end. That was a little bit fun.
We'll see what's next.
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