Eternal = one of the best episodes of the series?

[abc123]

Just throwing it out there: Eternal was one of the best episodes of the series.

I'm sure many will disagree. There are certainly some retroactive additions to the story that might rub people the wrong way, but overall I think that the treatment of the Doomsday arc has been fantastic. In fact, I can't think of a better Doomsday mythology in the Superman comic literature.

This whole plotline has helped advanced the story, and in my opinion enriched the mythology. I think the show has created a great character in Davis Bloom. He's sympathetic, tragic, and not a one-dimensional villain.

I think maybe the episode could have spent another scene showing Davis' return in a bit more of a significant manner, but other than that I really thought that they nailed it.

Thoughts?

[Kschreck]

The plotholes (http://www.kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124007) completely kill this episode for me. On top of that, I don't like the direction that they are once again taking Chloe in after a promising previous episode with Chloe embracing her position as watchtower. This episode felt like bad writing in comparison to a solid last week episode.

That being said, I am glad that you at least enjoyed it. I hate to see the reviews for this episode when they start coming out.

[isagill chlark fan]

it was a great episode one of the best from this season

[SnowBird]

Everyone has a favorite episode of the season, but this one wasn't it for me.

[Timester]

The plotholes (http://www.kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124007) completely kill this episode for me.

ITA

[Jack-El49]

The plotholes (http://www.kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124007) completely kill this episode for me. On top of that, I don't like the direction that they are once again taking Chloe in after a promising previous episode with Chloe embracing her position as watchtower. This episode felt like bad writing in comparison to a solid last week episode.

That being said, I am glad that you at least enjoyed it. I hate to see the reviews for this episode when they start coming out.

Ditto. It's as though the writer never actually watched a SV episode prior to writing it.

[luthorian]

Eternal is definitely up there in my top 10 best episodes ever :D

[Vindellavon]

For this season alone, it's up on the top five, but for SV as a whole, not even close.

[Night_Hawk90]

Eternal = one of the best episodes of the series?

Not even close to being one of the best episodes, infact i would say this is one of the worst episodes of smallville IMO

[Kevin24]

One of the best indeed.

[thehenry89]

This is far from being one of the best episodes of the series. To me it was mediocre at best, and all the retcon seriously bugged me from begining to end.

[NIGHTRAVENXLR1]

yes one of my top ten four sure.
just loved it.

[chlo-el]

Eternal is soooo one of my faves! It has Chlavis, Clark being super herroic and being an awesome reporter, it has lil Lex and Davis. I even liked Tess in it. It was amzing all around.

[clois-destiny-forever]

The plotholes (http://www.kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124007) completely kill this episode for me. On top of that, I don't like the direction that they are once again taking Chloe in after a promising previous episode with Chloe embracing her position as watchtower. This episode felt like bad writing in comparison to a solid last week episode.

That being said, I am glad that you at least enjoyed it. I hate to see the reviews for this episode when they start coming out.

Well put. I agree.

[Timester]

How can I call to a episode that tries to retcon the best season of the show (season 3) the best?

I simply can't.

[davidbrenton]

No way. It was slow, repetitious, boring. For those that read the spoilers, this episode offered almost nothing new. Plus, it had Tess playing a ridiculous Nightingale "bed time story reader".

DUMB. DUMB. DUMB. This episode was in severe need of another plotline to keep me entertained.

[EternalTwilight]

No way. It was slow, repetitious, boring. For those that read the spoilers, this episode offered almost nothing new. Plus, it had Tess playing a ridiculous Nightingale "bed time story reader".

DUMB. DUMB. DUMB. This episode was in severe need of another plotline to keep me entertained.

Yup, that pretty much sums it up. And, any enjoyment I felt about this episode was ruined by Tess.

[Minela]

The plotholes (http://www.kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124007) completely kill this episode for me. On top of that, I don't like the direction that they are once again taking Chloe in after a promising previous episode with Chloe embracing her position as watchtower. This episode felt like bad writing in comparison to a solid last week episode.

That being said, I am glad that you at least enjoyed it. I hate to see the reviews for this episode when they start coming out.

ITA :cool:

----- Added 1 Minutes later -----


any enjoyment I felt about this episode was ruined by Tess.

Me, too. :mad:

[Alicia's Sweetie]

Seemed like a filler episode at best. I understand the reason some of you liked it, but retconning the Luthor backstory. I believe they went a way overboard. Now you must understand I am not a fan of the 'Veritas' arc either. And now Tess knows!!!! It reminds me of Spiderman 2 -- who doesn't know is probably easier to count than who does.

[Autumn]

Filler? Um, no. Hex was filler Stilletto looks like filler. Eternal certainly wasn't.

Yep, one of the best episodes of the series. I was shocked, like why am I enjoying this (I enjoyed Turbulence too)? I always go in expecting the worst. Anyway, loved it!

[Pink Hurricane]

If you ignore the glaring plotholes and continuity errors which are incredibly annoying to watch as a long time fan, then yes. I felt Eternal was definitely up there at least when looking at season 8.

[Cage]

Seemed like a filler episode at best. I understand the reason some of you liked it, but retconning the Luthor backstory. I believe they went a way overboard. Now you must understand I am not a fan of the 'Veritas' arc either. And now Tess knows!!!! It reminds me of Spiderman 2 -- who doesn't know is probably easier to count than who does.

This eppy taken on its own was extremely entertaining to me - it was fresh and had some new interactions - loved Tess and Davis - finally got a change of venue for them - Chloe going over to the dark side (or is she) was pretty cool.

I think we - the fans - have to understand that when these eppies were conceived, it wasn't cetain that a season 9 would go.

Hey guys (and girls) its Superman (soap opera style) -

I enjoy it for what it is - entertaining.

MHO

Cage:):);)

[Bre723]

I thought it was good, but not one of the best of the series.
I gave it an 8 though.

[Hopefulsuicide]

Eternal goes in my top 5 most hated episodes... it was simply awful... the writers just didn't give a rats arse about what has ACTUALLY happened in the series, showing how bad they are at their jobs...

[Autumn]

I LOVED the episode. TOP 5 EVER!!!!

[borednow]

No every character in the episode got on my nerves... every one... well not little Lex but... I'm not sure that counts...

Clark was... blaming himself for Davis' hard life... like it was his fault.
Chloe was... queen of the unfaithful martyrs who just brushed the field full of bodies under the rug.
Davis was... well Davis and I haven't liked him in a long time...
and Tess wouldn't shut up about comparing Clark to Jesus... we got it the first time! That and it was old the first time someone got indignant about Clark not sharing his secret... Why couldn't she be more like Lionel and just smile when he hides it?

[Diego*Chloe]

It was really good.

[Maria1023]

I have to agree and say that this episode is in the top. I loved episode and I have already watched it 3 times since it aired. It had Chlavis and intersting storytelling and more importantly = NO JIMMY OR LOIS...
Definitely my top 10...

[marcella]

No way

[Autumn]

I have to agree and say that this episode is in the top. I loved episode and I have already watched it 3 times since it aired. It had Chlavis and intersting storytelling and more importantly = NO JIMMY OR LOIS...
Definitely my top 10...

I've watched it 3 times too and the Chloe/Davis scenes like twelve times already!! :D

[chloisfan]

One of my favourite episodes definately.

----- Added 7 Minutes later -----

This is the only episode that made me cry! I love Chloe and Davis together

[susangail]

YUCK! It's in my Bottom Three for Season 8.

[petitemimi]

It's one of those episodes I won't rewatch. Boring as hell and unoriginal.

[Welling21]

i agree that this is one of the best episodes of the season. yes, chloe is making a wrong choice, but in her mind, she's trying to protect clark.

[BadToad]

Not only is this episode not one if the best of the series, IMO, I don't think its even one of the best of this season. I didn't care for it at all, I hated all the retcons, and I think the show has gone way overboard in trying to create sympathy for Davis, to the point of even trying to make it seem like him murdering over a dozen people was just a little oopsie. I just find that concept insulting, and kind of gross. JMO

[Jack-El49]

As 18th-episode of the seasons go, I'd definitely put this one right up there in the top 8.

[borednow]

As 18th-episode of the seasons go, I'd definitely put this one right up there in the top 8.
:rotfl: awesome!


Not only is this episode not one if the best of the series, IMO, I don't think its even one of the best of this season. I didn't care for it at all, I hated all the retcons, and I think the show has gone way overboard in trying to create sympathy for Davis, to the point of even trying to make it seem like him murdering over a dozen people was just a little oopsie. I just find that concept insulting, and kind of gross. JMO

Me too... sweeping mass murder under the rug is just not cool...

[Drakaun]

I for one really loved this episode. I thought it was well done and kept me thoroughly entertained and that is all I look for in an episode of any TV show. That being said I can understand why people get annoyed at plot holes and inconsistencies, but I for one didn't view it as a plot hole or inconsistency. I viewed it as a different perspective, and here is how.

1. First Veritas, I know people hate this sudden connection to Lionel always knowing about the traveler and a whole secret society and what not. Though it may be out there, they certainly lay down the foundation for it. Way back when Christopher Reeves was on the show him and Lionel met with one another as if they knew each other and had a secret between them and he was working out a deal for him. It was all sketchy but vague, I feel vertias helped connect the dots for that. Same with the teagues and the stones, all we knew is that she wanted them and knew about them but not how she knew about them. Veritas was formed letting us know they knew about the traveler and aliens so that is why the teagues wanted them, and why Lionel thought they were the only thing that could cure him.

2. Next, Lionel knowing about the traveler and the second boy that fell to earth. The way I see that is, Lionel wanted the traveler, he didn't want doomsday, so when he found out the boy they found wasn't him, knowing how Lionel was back then, he could care less, suddenly he lost interest in the boy, as far as he could see the tests all came back normal and he made a mistake, and he is not one to admit his mistakes so what does he do, he dumps him on a street corner and wipes his hands of it. That is Lionel through and through, when something isn't what he wants, it doesn't matter what happens to it, it ceases to exist for him.

3. Lex not remembering a playing with a random boy in his house when he just went through a traumatic experience. My guess is, after Lionel dumped him he called Lex a moron for imaging a friend, Luthors do not have imaginary friends. Also another way to look at it, Lex had a lot of lost memories as a child, maybe this one wasn't important enough to him to actually come back to him in his adult life.

4. The whole segeeth debate, I think is a matter of interpretation on anyone's part. There are countless scientists and archeologists that study cave paintings and some of them come up with completely different interpretations. All we know is that there were native americans who made contact with the kryptonians, they created an artifact that only their savior naman or their own people could use, but not their greatest foe sageeth. Sageeth can be interpreted as several different things, one of them being it was Lex because he touched the dagger and it was destroyed as the legend fortold, he was also a friend to naman before he turned on him. That being said it could also be mankind. Kryptonians created an artifact to kill sageeth that granted their tribesman powers like naman to protect it. Lex and Lionel touched the knife so it was destroyed because it was only designed to be used by kryptonians, and the people of this tribe. Mankind is like a brother to naman because they raised him like their own, but in the end they turn on him because they don't accept him for being different, which we saw in the episode Infamous. Then there is doomsday, that is just another interpretation, he fell to the earth the same time as naman, they are both from the same planet so they are like brothers even though they do not share genetic material, then he turns on him because even though they are both kryptonian, doomsday or sageeth is meant to destroy the other kryptonian. I don't think any is wrong or right, they are all interpretations and Tess could be wrong in hers or she could just see what I wrote and think it must be true, she probably doesn't know about the dagger and who touched it and how it was destroyed, she is going by what she knows.

In the end I really like the story, it is new to me, and I am enjoying it. As long as I am entertained I feel it was successful.

[Watching Smallville]

Drakaun, I agree with much of what you say.

I like any Smallville episode that unites the present moment w the beginning of the series. As someone who has watched Smallville from the pilot, I found that the whole Veritas, traveller, Lionel searching story line filled in a lot of holes from the early seasons. I was always asking myself, why would someone as ruthless as Lionel be so kid gloves w the Kents? The Veritas story line explains that. Explains why he would help them w the adoption. Explains why he just happened to be in Smallville during the meteor shower -- something that always bugged me. It adds intention to the actions of the characters. I always like that. Don't like coincidence.

I don't know if it has been discussed on other threads, but I would like to know why Davis was the same age as Lex when he came out of the pod and why he was fluent in English. Just curious....????

Other than that, I really liked this episode. I like seeing SOMEONE finally confront Clark w the truth instead of hiding what they know as if they don't know anything (Lex, Lionel, Lana, Chloe all fall into this category).

I also like the idea that Segeeth is not Lex, and is rather, Doomsday. Lex was never really Clark's friend. So the idea that they were brothers always bothered me. Clark and Davis are brothers in their journey from Krypton to earth. I like that idea better.

[TOMophilus]

I think the show has created a great character in Davis Bloom. He's sympathetic, tragic, and not a one-dimensional villain.
I agree with this part, and ONLY with this part. Bloom is certainly better than a primitive, mindless killing machine. But this doesn´t save Eternal from being crap.

That Davis is a tragic, struggling figure was established before, not in this episode. All the awful retconning was not necessary for Bloom´s character. It was enough to know he was a genetically manipulated guy sent to Earth to kill Clark. It adds nothing to his role to have him arrive together with Clark. We don´t have to know all these details about his past to see that he is a tragic figure. In particular there is no need at all to sacrifice SV´s own history just for a one-season character. This is contrived and utmost stupid. To me it is just another indication that the showrunners have no respect at all: not for the character of Clark Kent and not even for their own earlier work on the show.

Eternal was an abysmal failure, proving the creative bancrupty of the showrunners and the fact that they are just a bunch of incompetent money-making cynics who don´t care for SV at all.

[RaniaLovesClois]

Definitely not one of the best episodes of the series...

[SGuthrie27]

Wow, it's amazing how polarizing this episode ended up being for most viewers. I won't be one of the folks who stand up and say it's one of the BEST episodes of the season (or series) by any means (catch my review on the "Loved it/Hated it" thread for more on that), but I will say that it's probably one of the most PIVOTAL eps of the season. It reveals a lot of the backstory and history of Davis, and does serve to make his character more tragic and the most infinitesimally tiny bit more sympathetic (it's hard to be sympathetic at all when you're a mass murderer, as you all already pointed out). It did bring in a lot of continuity and references to the Smallville mythos (even if it also blasted a bazillion holes in it with the blunders and retcons it introduced). I guess, all in all, it was an episode that went out of its way to look like it was one of the best and do a lot of big things, but just ended up making a mess of too much built-up history to actually find itself on my Top Ten list.

--SGuthrie ><>' :)--

[ClLaLeChFAN01]

I really do like retcon episodes but come on, becareful of the plotholes!

It made more sense for Lionel to make up adoption papers for Clark. I never really bought in the orinigal verison why he did it. It was really good in parts and it had its WTF/H moments for me.

Im loving the tragic Davis story it is absoutley great! I didnt like how Chloe was going back and forth with being friends with Davis hating Davis and Loving Davis and keeping him in her basement Davis. She confused me. Maybe that is how the writers want it.

It was a decent episode, one that I will rewatch again!

[scifigirl]

Wow, it's amazing how polarizing this episode ended up being for most viewers. I won't be one of the folks who stand up and say it's one of the BEST episodes of the season (or series) by any means (catch my review on the "Loved it/Hated it" thread for more on that), but I will say that it's probably one of the most PIVOTAL eps of the season. It reveals a lot of the backstory and history of Davis, and does serve to make his character more tragic and the most infinitesimally tiny bit more sympathetic (it's hard to be sympathetic at all when you're a mass murderer, as you all already pointed out). It did bring in a lot of continuity and references to the Smallville mythos (even if it also blasted a bazillion holes in it with the blunders and retcons it introduced). I guess, all in all, it was an episode that went out of its way to look like it was one of the best and do a lot of big things, but just ended up making a mess of too much built-up history to actually find itself on my Top Ten list.

--SGuthrie ><>' :)--

I agree with the bolded part. I am sorry there is just no way I would put it up there with episodes like Rosetta or Memoria.

[hero`s passion]

I don`t think it was one of the best, there was no Lois, but I enjoy it a lot for surprise:))) it was a very good epi, better than Turbulence...

[NinaDavis]

Clark "It's all my fault" kill the episode for me. :(

[Jawth]

It sucked pretty bad. There were clearly visible plotholes and moments where I LOLed at the stupidity (run straight past the alien spacecraft! Get that kid!!!, Clark forgetting that Lex made the knife dissapear, making it clear he was Segeth). Clark blaming himself YET AGAIN for everything that happens on the planet feels like a slap in the face after the character growth we got the first half of this season.

Also, this just coming from a big fan of the comics, the Davis/Doomsday connection is getting on my nerves.

Still, compared to the Superlana arc, this is a solid 10.

[REebee52]

By 18th episodes in a season, this one wasn't the worst, but a lot of the 18th episodes sucked... This one sucked a little less than the worst. Horrible retcons abound, and I'm tired of Clark taking the blame for everything... it's getting old. The Davis story has its moments, which was somewhat redemptive, otherwise I thought it was pretty terrible.

[topping82]

Easily one of the best episodes of the series. I thought it was brilliant.

[Iluvgreen]

I personally didn't like it THAT much. I mean it was a good episode, but it's not my favorite episode of the series, let alone season.

[justme_007]

Excellent episode!!!!!!! terrific! brilliant! ;)

[LoveHurts38]

I missed it :P

[Pitbull On A Pantleg]

This episode rivals the Clana arc for sheer WTFness.

After spending so much developing the myths of the Kawatche caves as something completely unique to SV, and after spending time developing Clark and Lex's relationship as Naman and Segeeth, it's retconned to make Davis Clark's ultimate enemy, when Clark didn't even know he'd existed for twenty-some-odd years, and Segeeth has always been portrayed as being "like a brother" to Naman.

Then there's Chloe. Her moral compass was all over the map in this episode, not to mention the ones before it. We have scene after scene of her lecturing other characters, including Clark, on how murder is wrong and how there's always another way, she's now advocating murdering Davis, and telling Clark that she's not going to let his weak morals get in the way of her saving the world. She also, after discovering that Davis is alive, decides to hide him in her basement, rather than telling Clark where he is, she decides that she can handle everything herself. Rather arrogant of her, and reminiscent of her behavior with Brainiac, which she kept insisting she was handling on her own, only to need to be saved from her own stupidity.

Equally baffling, is her constant waffling on Clark's hero status. Turbulence: "You have to give up the RBB and the DP". Hex: "You're a hero. The world needs you." Eternal: "You're not strong enough to kill Davis. You don't deserve to be a hero." Chloe needs to make up her mind. Or, preferably, she needs to just shut up on the matter and let Clark be a hero.

Last, and most insulting, is the continued shafting of Clark in favor of the "romance" between Chloe and Davis. It's his show, and he winds up with less screentime than either of the supporting characters. Not to mention he's got Tess (who's apparently lost her mind) treating him like the Second Coming and hand-picking his Judas.

Just once, I'd like to see this show actually focus on Clark, for a change, and on his journey to become Superman.

[Minamostaza]

Excellent! One and few of the best episodes this season, seriously if this was the first episode I ever watch, I'll definetely stick with Smallvile forever, it was really good.

[FOREVERCLOIS21]

It was A Kool Episode.. but there has been better.

[Violet-Shadow]

This episode rivals the Clana arc for sheer WTFness.

After spending so much developing the myths of the Kawatche caves as something completely unique to SV, and after spending time developing Clark and Lex's relationship as Naman and Segeeth, it's retconned to make Davis Clark's ultimate enemy, when Clark didn't even know he'd existed for twenty-some-odd years, and Segeeth has always been portrayed as being "like a brother" to Naman.

Then there's Chloe. Her moral compass was all over the map in this episode, not to mention the ones before it. We have scene after scene of her lecturing other characters, including Clark, on how murder is wrong and how there's always another way, she's now advocating murdering Davis, and telling Clark that she's not going to let his weak morals get in the way of her saving the world. She also, after discovering that Davis is alive, decides to hide him in her basement, rather than telling Clark where he is, she decides that she can handle everything herself. Rather arrogant of her, and reminiscent of her behavior with Brainiac, which she kept insisting she was handling on her own, only to need to be saved from her own stupidity.

Equally baffling, is her constant waffling on Clark's hero status. Turbulence: "You have to give up the RBB and the DP". Hex: "You're a hero. The world needs you." Eternal: "You're not strong enough to kill Davis. You don't deserve to be a hero." Chloe needs to make up her mind. Or, preferably, she needs to just shut up on the matter and let Clark be a hero.

Last, and most insulting, is the continued shafting of Clark in favor of the "romance" between Chloe and Davis. It's his show, and he winds up with less screentime than either of the supporting characters. Not to mention he's got Tess (who's apparently lost her mind) treating him like the Second Coming and hand-picking his Judas.

Just once, I'd like to see this show actually focus on Clark, for a change, and on his journey to become Superman.

:rotfl:IA with you on all points while I'm laughing...

[Smalvil1]

i hate the retcons alot. and i want to hate the present day scenes but i cant. i gave it a five because the retcons ruined it, but i liked the present day storylines (dont ask me why, i also liked turbulence)

[gardenia]

I do not share the sentiment of this episode being the best of the series.

[AgentChaos]

It's definitely in my top 5 for Season 8, but I wouldn't go so far as to say it's one of the best of the series.

[xrayvision]

One of the worst episode, not best. The contradictory retcons killed it for me.

[jpfort1957]

Filler? Um, no. Hex was filler Stilletto looks like filler. Eternal certainly wasn't.

Yep, one of the best episodes of the series. I was shocked, like why am I enjoying this (I enjoyed Turbulence too)? I always go in expecting the worst. Anyway, loved it!
But Hex was an enjoyable filler!!!!!!!!!

[Autumn]

But Hex was an enjoyable filler!!!!!!!!!

Parts were I suppose. It kind of bored me to be honest.