Loved It? Hated It? What did YOU think of "Reckoning?"

[Lana_Lang #1]

Smallville DEATHWATCH is OVER!!!

What did you think of "Reckoning"?

Was it good?

Was it bad?

What part(s) did you think were good?

What part(s) did you think were bad?

What part(s) would you change? Why?

Talk about Smallville's monumental 100th episode here!

[jag5311]

great episode. Unbelievable. Knocked my socks off. 2 thumbs up. 5 stars!

oh wait, it hasn't aired yet :)

[vyperman7]

I agree.

Little early for this thread isn't it?

[Lana_Lang #1]

Omg! Can you feel that? The tension is rising! More and more people are coming by the minute.

[number8]

Wow. You're early!

But anyways, can't wait for the episode.

[PETER WEST]

This Episode is going to Kick MEGA Ass !!!

[superhippie2000]

i thought the episode was pretty good. the death wasnt that big of a shock but from the pictures and stuff it seemed like they made an alternate episode where mr kent dies first and clark saves him and lana dies but the episode was the other way around. the time travel was cool and when clark told chloe about it it was funny the way she reacted. acting like clark was crazy. i liked when clark proposed and made a dimond out of coal and the special effects with the jump. i liked the new angle of the fortress too. i wish they showed what the picture lionel had tho. it didnt seem like it had to do with clark tho. it seemed like maybe it was a picture of mr kent cheating on martha or something.

[beefywellingtom]

I hated to see that JK died instead of Lana however it was just a GREAT episode. Tops in my book. The Lionel hand grabbing for the crumpled picture was excellent imagery....I Tivo'd it and yes.. I'm about to watch it again. Anyone catch the Superman poster behind Clark and Chloe?

[Lexgirl33]

I thought this episode was great. I like how they included everyone at the funeral, especially Lex. The moment where Martha noticed the angle behind Clark was really interesting. It seems to me that she knows what his destiny is. I aslo thought this was a step for Clark towards his destiny. I think he is just realizing that there are consequences no matter what he tries to do.

I also agree, I would have liked to see the picture Lionel was holding. I wasnt a fan of the time travel at all. I guess it played out well because either way Clark lost. I thought that was a great part on TPTB. This time it wasnt a happy ending.

[Magus]

i hated the 2nd half. HATED IT! AlMiles shouldn't get their 6th season. Just to spite them. I hate them for writing this half-assed episode. And they'll probably never tell us what the picture was about. Or what they're doing about the senate position now that JK is dead.

[SWJaggy]

Wow! I knew Smallville was good, I just didn't think it was that good! I'm giving this episode the 10+ it deserves.

Great way to start the beginning. I wasn't sure if it was "real or just a dream." I was glad that it wasn't a dream. The Clana moments from the time at Clark's loft to the fortress were just amazing! Loved how Clark turned the piece of coal into a diamond. (now that reference in the final episode of Roswell mean's more to me. )

The scene at the Talon was great. How Mr. Kent became the Senator. Got mad at Lana though for going over to Lex's. I had a feeling it would end badly. He seriously was drunk for doing what he had done; being one of the causes for Lana's "death". Poor Clark. Having to have just recently gotten engaged and then have it all taken away in an instant.

The scene when Clark went back to the F.O.S. to try to set things right was really intense. Loved however, the thing that Jor-El talked about there having to be a balance. One life for another.

The scene at the Daily Planet, when Chloe took Clark into a seperate room was cool. Loved the comment she made to him about what he was going to do, something about spinning the world on its axis. Nice foreshadow!

Poor Clark. He lost either way. Had he chosen not to take the crystal he would've lost someone he loved. But either way by taking the crystal he lost more than just his father, he lost Lana too.

And don't even get me started on the funeral scene! It was so sad.

This, in my opinion, was the most emotional episode in the history of Smallville! Definately worthy of being the 100th episode.

I've enjoyed every season 5 Smallville episode and tonight just proved to me how great a ride it's actually been. Can't wait to get season 5 on DVD!

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go sprout water works and try to digress all that I've seen.

[Shiver]

For a hyped-up episode, I thought it did its job pretty well. I still don't know that I bought the Clana engagement - I mean, they've only been going out a few months, and most of those months have been fraught with difficulties. Then Clark reveals he's an alien, and Lana agrees to marry him within a couple hours? Talk about impulsitivity!

JKs death: totally saw it coming. I thought they handled it pretty well though - got Lionel Luthor involved without Clark or Martha knowing, and gave JK a non-corny "goodbye moment" with his family. I was worried that he was going to give yet another heroic speech - I'm glad they opted for a quiet moment instead.

Originally I wasn't a fan of the time travel idea, but seeing how they used it, it makes perfect sense. Clana seems to be over, and it isn't really anyone's fault. Lexana is still in the offing, but we know that relationship is going to go south pretty quickly.

And overall: thanks for allowing something to HAPPEN on Smallville!

[MidgardDragon]

Finally, someone else who loved the episode as much as I did! I screamed, crapped, cried, laughed, and cried some more. Great epi!

[montevallo]

i never thought i would hate an episode of smallville as much as i hated this episode, and i never thought that i would hate lana, i never thought that i would call TW a bad actor but it happened. clark couldent have been any stupider in this episode, martha said that she knows that he woul;dent be able to choose between lana and jonathan, but he can, and he picked lana. TW, God. no crying. he was good with lana, but almost nothing when his dad died. chloe meanwhile, is being regulated to pete status with lik,e 3 lines per scene. AOT was awesome though, her and chloe's Back to the future reference were my favorite parts

[FallenStar]

i thought it was rather good, although I am extremely pissed off that neither Lana nor Lex remember ANYTHING. I was growling at my TV. The time travel was handeled extremely well, and I thought that all the FOS scenes rocked. Especially Clark's semi-flight thing...I literally jumped! And as for the death...I saw it coming ever since that line something to the effect of "I will always need you." I said to myself, crap he's dead meat. But the Lionel/JK scene, the Martha/CK scene, the CK/Lana FOS and the CK/CS scene were the highlights of the show. And lex was deliciously bad, Lois annoyingly awesome, etc, etc, etc.

[elroyofkrypton]

The skinny is that Braniac shows up in a few eps and teams up with Luthor. Clark is going to have to grow up FAST. Without Jonathan to turn to, he is going to have to become his own man. I'm very sad at seeing John Schneider leave the series. He is both a good actor, and a good person. He was a perfect Jonathan Kent.

Braniac knows Clark's secret. How he gets out of this one looks like a good season-ending cliffhanger to me.

[I am the Superman]

I dont like how it ended up, i dont want john dead. It doesnt make sense for the series, maybe ma kent. BUT IMO it wasnt the right time for someone to die, if anyone should of died it should of been lois or sam. John was to important to kill off. Clark got nothing out of the deal hes now responsible for killing his father and breaking up with lana. Just tell her and to hell with the consequences, im sick of this teeder todder of love. Either hes with her or he isnt make a decision!

Im more pissed now, before i gave it 3 out of 5 now i give it a 2.

[ge7727]

I'm not very happy at all. Where was the scene with Clark and Jonathan in the fortress? Wasn't it supposed to be a heartfelt scene?

I am happy though, that Clana is dead. How could he ever face her again, knowing that by choosing to save her life, he caused his mother so much pain (not to mention himself).

I was crushed that they killed off JK instead of Lana. It would have been so much better, and more sad if they had done the whole rewind thing, and in the end she still died because it was fate, not chance.

I'll be pouting for awhile....:o(

[tsebehtsiellivllams]

i personally am glad clana is over for now and i hope it stays over. its time for clark to move on after five+ years. i totally saw the jonathan death coming, but it was heart-jerking anyway. i hope in the future clark and lana can be good friends; i like lana when she's not being stupid with clark. i liked her when she was with jason. (still wonder about him......)

admittedly though, i was scared to death for a couple seconds when lois didnt come down to announce the election results. i was thinking "oh my gosh they killed lois the idiots." but they didnt so i was ok :)

[JLR413]

This episode was fantastic! I cried, was glued to my seat, was glad it wasn't Lana that died, sad for Jonathan. Very glad Martha helped Clark not feel responsible. Very noble for a woman about to bury her husband. I know that Clark will eventually get with Lois, I couldn't help wish for at least a little bit of an engagement.
LOVED THE CLARK CRYING!!!! It ripped my heart out!
Jaime In Chicago

[Lexgirl33]

At least there was no hosipital scene this episode :lol:

I am also glad the clana is over, its about time Lana grew up and decided to make a decision

[Karla Lane Kent]

Clana is over...yessssssssss

Lois and Clark is the couple I love, Lana was just in the way.
Sorry for the Clana fans but I hope it stills that way.

Poor Clark, but JK had to die, God,I didnt want it to happen but I knew it will.

[chole_fan]

This is my first post here.

I thought the episode was good! With expectations as high as they were, I don't think anything would have completely lived up to them.

Anyway, they only things I'm miffed about is that Lana doesn't remember a thing:(

But, hopefully this will lead to some new Chloe/Clark action:D

[F-Stop Blues]

I havent rewatched it yet so I cant tell exactly how I feel about it yet.

I dont like that Lana doesnt remember but at the same time I'm glad that she broke up with Clark. So if it took a mind wipe to break up clana then I think i can live with that.

I sort of dug the final destination thing that was going on. It was kind of a cool way to progress a story but I dont totally sure about it yet. I've come to the conclusion that Clark will never tell Lana his secret, so that being the case I pray to God that he moves on. Its true though that he never thinks a freakin thing through. I guess he's still young and he's learning but give me a break, the kid has no regard for consequences. Jor-El flat out told him that someone else would die then. Come on Clark, what if it was your mother? Huh? How would you feel then?

Another thing is what a waste for JK to be sacrificed to save Lana when Clark and Lana arent even together anymore nor were they ever going to end up together to begin with.

I did like alot of things though, like the begining. I know there was time reversal but those things still happened and they would have if Clark hadnt decided to play God. I was on the verge of tears when Clark and Martha were holding JK and he looked upon both of them. Another thing I liked was that Lionel is really making a comeback after sitting out alot of season 4. How creepy was he at the funeral scene with Martha. Hopefully that will develop into something bad ass.

Overall I liked this ep. I dont think it quite lived up to the hype but thats a hard thing to do. I'm going to watch it again to get a better read on it.

[warriorrenegade]

I hope this gets thru the boards are screwing up again. What a dissapointment this episode turned out to be. I was hoping for some episodic history the creators, stars and fans would be proud of. Instead I got duped by the O'l bait and switch. You know watching all the promos and reading the spoilers, I actually gave TPTB some originality points for having the guts to go against mythos and kill off the Lana character to lay claim and seperate themselves from the movies and various comics, boy was I wrong.
The story started off at a face pace, I was excited. Clark finally telling Lana his secret him sudo flying to propose her accepting of Clark along with his proposal. Then came the long awaited death scene. BAM ! it happens. Alright I said to myself TPTB maybe just got something right. I was wrong. I fell for the "BAIT".
Then come back from commercial Clark is pleading with Jor-EL wanting to know " why her" and is there anything he could do. I was sitting there going " NO DAMMIT" don't do this " NO TIME REVERSAL" and of course Clark reverses time with a crystal... yeah a " FRIGGIN CRYSTAL" what a joke! He again doesn't tell Lana they break-up and then he saves her.
Then Jonathan the person who was going to die all along does. What a surprise that was... Hell I don't think anyone had a clue to that mystery. I think everyone who watches this show knew he'd die. I'm so pissed off I don't even want to reread my rant and see if there is any intelliagible thought within. I've wasted enough time watching that heaping pile of nutty brown " BULL **** ". I have to go now so I can destroy that waste of tape i used to record it. ... Im out. peace.

[ufd108]

lame, lame, lame....

After all the hype the episode sucked.

[EricN68]

Even as spoiled as I was, the episode managed to surprise me and move me. I was at first disapointed by the time reversal device, but seeing how it didn't "fix" everything but just made things bad in a different way, made it more palatable. SV is stuck with all of superman's baggage, and they did a nice job of showing us a future that we know can never actually happen (Clark and Lana together). It does now leave the series wide open ... I no longer feel like I can predict the beats of the rest of the season...

[casewicked]

I have'nt cried at any other episode more than this one definitely one for the books.
I would like to say to all the naysayers that if u wish to complain about a show that has had so many ups and downs as this one has then I suggest that you all go back to your batcaves and leave the rest of us alone to fly in the clouds

[warriorrenegade]

I hope this gets thru the boards are screwing up again. What a dissapointment this episode turned out to be. I was hoping for some episodic history the creators, stars and fans would be proud of. Instead I got duped by the O'l bait and switch. You know watching all the promos and reading the spoilers, I actually gave TPTB some originality points for having the guts to go against mythos and kill off the Lana character to lay claim and seperate themselves from the movies and various comics, boy was I wrong.
The story started off at a face pace, I was excited. Clark finally telling Lana his secret him sudo flying to propose her accepting of Clark along with his proposal. Then came the long awaited death scene. BAM ! it happens. Alright I said to myself TPTB maybe just got something right. I was wrong. I fell for the "BAIT".
Then come back from commercial Clark is pleading with Jor-EL wanting to know " why her" and is there anything he could do. I was sitting there going " NO DAMMIT" don't do this " NO TIME REVERSAL" and of course Clark reverses time with a crystal... yeah a " FRIGGIN CRYSTAL" what a joke! He again doesn't tell Lana they break-up and then he saves her.
Then Jonathan the person who was going to die all along does. What a surprise that was... Hell I don't think anyone had a clue to that mystery. I think everyone who watches this show knew he'd die. I'm so pissed off I don't even want to reread my rant and see if there is any intelliagible thought within. I've wasted enough time watching that heaping pile of nutty brown " BULL **** ". I have to go now so I can destroy that waste of tape i used to record it. ... Im out. peace.

[warriorrenegade]

I hope this gets thru the boards are screwing up again. What a dissapointment this episode turned out to be. I was hoping for some episodic history the creators, stars and fans would be proud of. Instead I got duped by the O'l bait and switch. You know watching all the promos and reading the spoilers, I actually gave TPTB some originality points for having the guts to go against mythos and kill off the Lana character to lay claim and seperate themselves from the movies and various comics, boy was I wrong.
The story started off at a face pace, I was excited. Clark finally telling Lana his secret him sudo flying to propose her accepting of Clark along with his proposal. Then came the long awaited death scene. BAM ! it happens. Alright I said to myself TPTB maybe just got something right. I was wrong. I fell for the "BAIT".
Then come back from commercial Clark is pleading with Jor-EL wanting to know " why her" and is there anything he could do. I was sitting there going " NO DAMMIT" don't do this " NO TIME REVERSAL" and of course Clark reverses time with a crystal... yeah a " FRIGGIN CRYSTAL" what a joke! He again doesn't tell Lana they break-up and then he saves her.
Then Jonathan the person who was going to die all along does. What a surprise that was... Hell I don't think anyone had a clue to that mystery. I think everyone who watches this show knew he'd die. I'm so pissed off I don't even want to reread my rant and see if there is any intelliagible thought within. I've wasted enough time watching that heaping pile of nutty brown " BULL **** ". I have to go now so I can destroy that waste of tape i used to record it. ... Im out. peace.

I hope this gets thru the boards are screwing up again. What a dissapointment this episode turned out to be. I was hoping for some episodic history the creators, stars and fans would be proud of. Instead I got duped by the O'l bait and switch. You know watching all the promos and reading the spoilers, I actually gave TPTB some originality points for having the guts to go against mythos and kill off the Lana character to lay claim and seperate themselves from the movies and various comics, boy was I wrong.
The story started off at a face pace, I was excited. Clark finally telling Lana his secret him sudo flying to propose her accepting of Clark along with his proposal. Then came the long awaited death scene. BAM ! it happens. Alright I said to myself TPTB maybe just got something right. I was wrong. I fell for the "BAIT".
Then come back from commercial Clark is pleading with Jor-EL wanting to know " why her" and is there anything he could do. I was sitting there going " NO DAMMIT" don't do this " NO TIME REVERSAL" and of course Clark reverses time with a crystal... yeah a " FRIGGIN CRYSTAL" what a joke! He again doesn't tell Lana they break-up and then he saves her.
Then Jonathan the person who was going to die all along does. What a surprise that was... Hell I don't think anyone had a clue to that mystery. I think everyone who watches this show knew he'd die. I'm so pissed off I don't even want to reread my rant and see if there is any intelliagible thought within. I've wasted enough time watching that heaping pile of nutty brown " BULL **** ". I have to go now so I can destroy that waste of tape i used to record it. ... Im out. peace.

[F-Stop Blues]

Originally posted by warriorrenegade
I hope this gets thru the boards are screwing up again.

It got through. :D

[SmallTownSuperHero]

I thoroughly enjoyed the episode. I can't seem to help but wonder if Jonathon for Lana was a fair trade ( LOL, mean, I know!). Seeing Martha looking so OLD at the end was devastating to me, watching Clark realize that he is SO responsible for not only the death of his father, the death of his relationship with Lana, the death of the hopes of Kansas (no good state senator!) but also the death of his mother's spirit. She looked so... so.... shattered, destroyed, shaken, .... BROKEN.

[LLJ]

The first half was too cheesey and they press the over-used reset button for the second half. I think they hit that reset button one too many times. I expect the ratings to suffer after this episode.

[warriorrenegade]

Originally posted by F-Stop Blues
It got through. :D

yeah I saw that, sorry guys.

[STORIES]

MANIPULATION! That's all this episode was, RATINGS MANIPULATION!

The cast and directors did fantastic work however! They are to be aplauded!! Thank you for your hard and excellent work!!

The producers should be ashamed though! The writers goals for this episode clearly were the ratings! I can understand that desire but the storyline was just plain manipulative! The fans were promised at the begining of the season we'd "see everything we wanted" this season!
I am glad Lana is not dead but it was hard to fully comprehend the death of Johnathan Kent after the initial shell shock of Lana's supposed death.
I accept that the desired future overall for Clark is for Lois to be his woman. But, please, quit alienating Lana and Clark! Have the writers no further imagination than this? So far all we have really had this season is a sex episode and a death episode which gets reversed! I want to enjoy Lana and Clark's relationship, and or just friendship - ALL SECRETS KNOWN!
PLEASE CHANGE THE WRITING STAFF!!
I CAN'T STAND THESE WRITERS!
Please, Gough and Millar, forget Aquaman, get your concentration back on SMALLVILLE!!

[ChaaBreh]

I couldn't figure out in the screen caps why Jonathan was at the accident scene. In the first scenario, after the results are in, Jonathan takes a phone call but we don't know who it's from. In the second scenario, Clark saves Lois from electrocution and then we see Jonathan speak with Lionel.

It's safe to say that even if the "reset" didn't happen, Jonathan was going to have a heart attack anyway. I wonder if we'll know what the secret photo is? Maybe Lionel will not try to blackmail Martha into dating him....

I want Clark and Lana to evolve into best friends....what him and Chloe are. Lana was his only confidant in the comics and he shared his secret with her after graduation, then took her flying. I love the flying/floating/jumpie-thing. It was so romantic...what a sweet proposal...crushing coal into a diamond like that after flying her to the top of the fortress.

I was glad that Jor-El said that they weren't Gods, and that he taught his son a lesson...fix one problem and another one happens (Butterfly Effect)....

I will miss John Schneider...he was an awesome Jonathan Kent and would have made a great State Senator.

I guess TPTB are trying to tell us why Lana and Clark ddn't end up together...and they did say another major character is on their way out. I think Lana may decide to transfer somewhere else to get Clark out of her system...opening the way for Lois and Chloe to be roommates at Met U.....

I want to believe that Clark and Lana didn't end up together because he wasn't really in love with her...maybe he will realize that she was just his childhood crush ....

the first part felt like one of the Silver Age "imaginary stories''...what if Clark had married Lana and never met Lois? kind of thing.....

Overall...9 out of 10 ...would have been a 10 if they didn't use the reset switch...

[Emerald Dragen]

I know I posted this in another thread but it should be here as well since this is the review thread

-------------------------------------------------.

This was an excellent show. It brought a new element to the entire
series through exploring the details of an event from the original
cannon. If the show had not taken the 4 and a half seasons to let the
audience know who Jonathan Kent was this episode would have meant a lot
less. Because we have become so attached to the characters that we see
something like this and rage about it or feel compassion about it should
tell the writers that even through the questionable episodes, they've
done their jobs well.

Thank you for such a riveting story and allowing us to experience
something that the movies and the comics have not spent much time on.
Seeing the events leading up to this and knowing the result had a huge
impact on all the viewers even if they are criticizing it.

The episode made me cry, feel shock, and compassion, and anger; this is
what it truly means to write captivating stories. Smallville definitely
ranks with the shows of the new age that actually have meaning to them
like Farscape, Stargate, Battle Star Galactica, and so on.

I'm glad they did all the things in the episode they had done including
the time issue. It's a classic choice this character has had to make
over and over and this was a great way to get that across without being
blatant about it. Drawing the audience along like that showing them
little things like because Clark saved Lana Jonathan was actually
driving to meet Lionel and wasn't trying to follow Clark, amazing!

I look forward to more even though I'm going to miss the character, and
the actor. I really hope that this isn't the end for John Schneider,
he's very talented and I hope to see him again.

My only issue with this episode... Shows often make a big deal about
their little anniversaries or landmarks, they go out of their way to
write these over the top scripts and blow the views away. Why then don't
they pay the same attention and care to ALL the other episodes to make
the show go from great to simply fantastic. Each week I can't wait to
see Smallville, I hate the breaks. But I much more anticipate a show
that give super compelling and shocking stories consistently. Not that
Smallville can't deliver on that, but I don't feel they do it as often
as they could. This season so far has been stellar, but after seeing
this episode, I totally will be expecting more of an equal treatment to
all the episodes following. (Even though I know it won't happen). This
show definitely deserves it.

[Watching Smallville]

*sigh*

Didn't we see Crisis already? The time warp thing with Lana dying is a big been there done that.

This episode just left me cold. It was beautifully shot. Well acted. And I loved the beginning. I was really getting involved until Lana left the victory party to go see Lex. Who are they kidding? She'd never do that, and Lex would be consoling his fanatical supporters. Good grief.

Then we go back in time, and from there, the episode is a mess. The magic time crystal. Only one, and only once. How contrived. I liked the subtle turns with the change in destiny. But Chloe loses track of Lana? Please.

Then of course we're left with the unpleasant aftertaste of Jonathan dying because Clark is trying to save Lana, secrets and lies, and square one -- except, of course, that John Schneider's wonderful character is gone.

*sigh*

[F-Stop Blues]

That is a good point about JK. Maybe he would have died anyway. But I think the bigger problem with the ep is that Clark decided to play God. He knew what would happen if he used the crystal and he did it anyway. Clark made the decision that Lana's life is more important than any and all the people that he cares about and thats not cool.

[Rrob254]

I don't believe that Jonathon would have died anyways. If Clark hadn't reset time then his father would still be alive. For how long we don't know...he could have died the next morning. However I was thinking that he wouldn't have died because he was stopped on his way there by Lana's accident. Since there was no accident he continued on his way and got so upset that he ended up having a heart attack.

I loved the first part of the epsiode and wasn't so happy with the second part. Poor Clark lost both his father and the woman that he loves.

I was thinking that one way the show was going to change was the fact that Lex would know the truth and they would become enemies because of it. However now I think that Lex and Lana will get closer which will cause friction and Clark kinda blames Lex for Lana nearly dying.

I'm afraid that they are going to try and get Lionel and Martha together...they better not!

One more thing what was the photo???

[Best Episode - 321]

I thought it was a great episode. I don't understand all the negativity surrounding it. Yeah, the time reversal has been used before, but look where it got him. It seems everyone is looking at the actions that took place, but is failing to realize the consequences and new developments that are still happening in the series. I thought it was an amazing episode. Its top 5 for the series, and I've never missed an episode.

[Brainiac_13]

I was so glad when Lana died that I momentarily lost my grasp on the predictability of the writing (not to mention the mainstream mythos).

OBV the hot chick can't die.

And of course, sad as it is, JK is usually doomed.

My only lament, aside from Lana's two available reactions, ever, ever, ever, is the lowered impact of Jonathan's death because of the high emotion when Lana died.

Truly, the greater of two evils transpired... Some girl versus a man's father. One just doesn't equal the other. Girls come and go. A man only has one father.

YET, we find Clark virtually rending his garments over Lana (notice how Jonathan was able to hold Clark back, btw? Some of that super strength remained!) and when his dad keels over he's thinking, apparently, 'yet another bodily collapse on the farm...yep... *looks at watch* he'll be out of the coma this time tomorrow afternoon..."

I mean come ON, people...This is supposed to be a defining moment in Clark's life. The boy needs to be devastated. They kind of ruined it with that whole fate thing, or at least they did with the Lana trickery. Have it be JK and JK only, have Clark try to complain to Jor-El and have his complaints be futile. THAT's dramatic, powerful, heart-wrenching and meaninful.

Frickin Lana. I *HATE* Lana. She's a silly useless stupid shallow dullard.

I digress.

BTW: I've been out of the loop. Missed last week ENTIRELY (shame).

What's the deal with that mysterious paper Lionel was showing JK just before JK kicked his ass?

[Yuui]

Pedestrian

I am very disappointed in what the writers and Smallville PTB (AlMiles) have stuffed in our feeding tube, and because of this I am righteously gorged and enraged over this brainless garbage they have spilled upon our laps. Firstly and most foremost, Jonathan Kent's death was worthless. It neither furthered the story, in any regard, nor enhanced anything. Sure, it introduces a few new plot ideas (i.e., Angry Clark, a possible Lionel/Martha affair, Clark being even more distant to Lana), but really, and simply, the way it occurred was very short-sighted and amateurish. It does not even matter what will be later revealed amongst the crumbled paper. Clark's secret, or a heart-condition, it is now irrelevant to the story. My primary grievance is how they chose to kill off Jonathan Kent. He could have died saving a primary character or protecting Clark's secret. He could have died by the hands of Lex in the presence of Clark, thusly heating that storyline to a much needed degree. He could have died in a much grander, nobler, and more dramatic fashion. I cannot emphasize how disenchanted and annoyed I am with "Reckoning." However, amongst the dark and dull, shown Annette O'Toole's marvelous acting prowess. Her performance was the only saving grace of this episode, and I acknowledge it and thank her.

[Yuui]

Pedestrian

I am very disappointed in what the writers and Smallville PTB (AlMiles) have stuffed in our feeding tube, and because of this I am righteously gorged and enraged over this brainless garbage they have spilled upon our laps. Firstly and most foremost, Jonathan Kent's death was worthless. It neither furthered the story, in any regard, nor enhanced anything. Sure, it introduces a few new plot ideas (i.e., Angry Clark, a possible Lionel/Martha affair, Clark being even more distant to Lana), but really, and simply, the way it occurred was very short-sighted and amateurish. It does not even matter what will be later revealed amongst the crumbled paper. Clark's secret, or a heart-condition, it is now irrelevant to the story. My primary grievance is how they chose to kill off Jonathan Kent. He could have died saving a primary character or protecting Clark's secret. He could have died by the hands of Lex in the presence of Clark, thusly heating that storyline to a much needed degree. He could have died in a much grander, nobler, and more dramatic fashion. I cannot emphasize how disenchanted and annoyed I am with "Reckoning." However, amongst the dark and dull, shown Annette O'Toole's marvelous acting prowess. Her performance was the only saving grace of this episode, and I acknowledge it and thank her.

[BoSoxJim]

i would have left the 1st half as it is. it was perfect (IMHO). however, i would have woven into the story-line over the next couple of eps.

show clark and lana planning their wedding in perfect happiness, show the wedding and then right before they go on their honeymoon, have Lex enter the picture as before and cause lana's accident. instead of killing her instantly, have her in critical condition at the hospital and then have clark go to the fortress to ask for her life to be spared. then jor-el would give him the choice, her life for another and have him struggle with the decision.

things i would eliminate:

1. drunken lex. doesn't fit his character.

2. lois on the wet floor with the toaster. how dumb was that?

3. absolutely no romantic involvement between lex and lana. completely absurd.

i'll add more later...

[KRAM-el]

HATED it w/ a big, fat 'H'. Worst writing I have EVER witnessed (wimpier than Clark). Too angry & upset to say more, check my rants in other threads. 2 thumbs WAY DOWN. :mad:

HATED it w/ a big, fat 'H'. Worst writing I have EVER witnessed (wimpier than Clark). Too angry & upset to say more, check my rants in other threads. 2 thumbs WAY DOWN. :mad:

[wyrm11]

I also think that Jonathan Kent wouldn't have died otherwise. Because Jor-El specifically warns Clark that Fate has a way of doing what it wants, even if you go back and change time.

Clark tried to change Fate (and fate being that someone close to Clark had to die) by going back and saving Lana...only to have Fate kill someone else instead.

[C.A.chick]

i loved it. it was sad, but well done. got to go to bed

[DWBSR620]

I couldn't believe that they actually used a time reversal, goofball, idiotic, cope out. Great job writers, thanks for taking us to the edge, and showing us what a great episode could've been, then reeling us back in to such a miserable, pathetic cop out time reversal. Although the episode wasn't all a loss it certainly wasn't as ground breaking, Earth shattering, mix up of the show into a whole new direction. JK's dead, big surprise. Lana lives but she's no more enlightened then last week or last year, so what. Clark can't tell her, they can't be together, why should he care then who she ends up with. What then is Lana's purpose to the storyline anymore. Clark can love her from a far but that's it, he isn't going to tell her so let her go. If she ends up with Lex, Lionel, or whoever that's the choice he made, move on Clark, move on. I got to say honestly this was a let down, C+ at very best. Well, that's that, lets see what they have next. One things for certain I've come to realize, as well as many others I'm sure, that no matter how much they hype anything we know for certain that they'll always play safe. That is to say, any big event can be changed, somehow, some way ground breaking leaps in storylines will never happen if after all the hype the best they could do is kill off JK, and reverse time erase memory's, and continue to lie, then pine over the girl of your dreams that you can't have because your protecting her it's just that she'll never know it. Great job on more of the same, and I'll go on hoping that they'll take a big leap, but I'll only believe it when I see it, not hear about it, or speculate on it, or hype, but when I see it. I am sorry to say that they really blew an opportunity for great change, and making sense of things to allow them to cut loose the High School feel of the show, and the constant lies to Lana, to a show that's moving on to it's next phase. As long as they play that Clark lying to Lana to protect her while constantly moping around over her they'll never fully cut themselves free of that phase of the show, and allow them to truly move the character on. No more Clana, and Clark please get over it an allow that relationship as well as the desire for it fade away because this is the choice you made, so writers let it go please, and let's see more of that developing into Superman stuff that we really, truly want to continue, please.

One other thing I understand, "The Big Boy Decision", Clark made to sacrifice the woman he loves so that she may live, I'm not void emotions, I get it. A sacrifice that he must live with, a decision of a "Man Of Steel" to protect, and forgo that relationship without the accolades to his self sacrificing, without the understanding and appreciation from the one he is sacrificing for, and that is a true blue Superman characteristic that he manifested in that decision, these are the burdens of Superman. But this would've been a better episode if Lana died theoretically because their relationship is over, and there isn't anymore need to play that "Clana Card". Think about it, unless they're ready to have Clark stalk Lana, and have him get sick & depressed over whomever she is with then what purpose does she serve to help further the storyline? Just a thought, and part of my take on the episode. There you have it Episode 100. What are your thought? Please chime in, and chime away.

Peace To All.

[SamBanksJLA]

Everything We've Waited To See......for Thirty Minutes!!!!!

Um, where do I start here?
As most of you people here I was very excited for a very long time about tonights episode. And for the first thirty minutes of Reckoning it was living up to the hype surrounding it.
The episode started out GREAT! One of my favorite things was the James Blunt song, 'Beautiful', that's one of my favorite songs right now)
We go straight into the action. 'Clana' in the loft. Then Clark finally decides to tell Lana his secret. They head to the Kawatchi caves and have a GREAT scene where Clana is teleported 'Alicia Style' to the Fortress of Solitude. Then we all get to see something that we were told would NEVER happen on Smallville.....CLARK FLY! And I know we have seen 'Kal-El' fly, but this is the first time that we have seen Clark, in clear conscious fly. I had goosebumps when they were standing up there looking at the beauty of the FOS. Then Clark unveils a power that I'm sure NONE of use ever thought that he posessed. He can turn coal into diamonds and fabricate a ring. (that was kind of corney). Clark then proposes marriage to Lana and soon the scene is cut off leaving us to wonder what her response was.
That was the best 'Pre Opening Credits' sequence that has ever been on Smallville to date. I loved it.
Then there are a few things that happened that were great also. We get Clark letting Ma and Pa know that he came clean to Lana. Pa was a little hesitant at first, but Ma loved the idea. I think that she's wanted him to tell Lana for a long time now. And I also liked when Lana was talking to Lois, and we got a little 'Clois' forshadowing. I caught it, I don't know if everyone did though. And the first Daily Planet scene with Chloe was great too. It was great seeing Clark come clean to Chloe over all of the events that have transpired up until that point. Then we get Clarks moment of truth, when Lana comes over just before the Election Party. That scene was superb. I really felt the happiness of both Clark and Lana. Then we get to the party and everything was going fine. I knew that it was Lionel calling Bo Kents celly as soon as it rang. And I also knew that it was Lex calling Lana's. But what I don't understand is why Lex wasn't at an Election Party of his own. You'd think that a billionair running for Senate would have something planned. But that's besides the point. When Lana got to the Mansion, that's when the episode got REALLY good. Lex finds out that Lana and Clark are engaged, and he totally flips out. Telling Lana that Clark is a liar, and that she must know his secret too. Then she leaves and he chases he down the highway. She's talking to CK on the phone, when WHAM, out of nowhere, a school bus hits her and kills her. Then all of the sudden Clark superspeeds right by Lex, and Lex see's him do it! I couldn't believe it. Lex know's about one of Clark's abilities. The look on Lex's face was priceless. And when Clark ran up to the Lana was so emotional. Tom Welling really did a great job at letting his emotions out in that scene. And John Schneider did a great acting job in that scene as well. Overall that was one of the best scenes in the episode. Clark was devastated that he had lost the love of his life. And we all felt for him.
Then we get to Clark in the FOS talking to Jor-El. Jor-El gives him the 'Kryptonians aren't God's' speech, but Clark persists that there is something that can be done to save the life of his fiance. Jor-El obliges Clark and tells him that there is ONE crystal. So Clark takes the crystal........................................... .............THEN the CRAP STARTS!
CRAP I SAY! CRAP! We start the Dang episode over! What in the heck? I was so mad when I heard that James Blunt song playing for the second time that I threw my open bottle of water across the room spattering everywhere!
Not even talking about the second half of the episode, but now I guess we are right back where we started. But WITHOUT a character that we all love! It was useless to have Bo Kent die on this fashion. We all knew that Lana would be brought back to life somehow. But this was was just rediculous. Now we are back at the beginning. Lana doesn't know Clark's secret, he is a total liar to her, and it kills their relationship. From everything that I read, it said that the show's relationships will never be the same after this episode. HORSE CRAP. I don't see how any of the events in the second half of the episode are going to change all the relationships forever. If they would have kept going on and only played the James Blunt song ONCE then that would have changed all the relationships forever. Lana would have died, been brough back somehow. And Lex would know a part of the secret, forcing him to delve deeper into finding out the rest. But like I said, with the happenings of the last 30 minutes of the episode, we are pretty much back at square one. It's like NOTHING has really happened except for Jonathan Kent dying!

EVERYTHING WE'VE WAITED TO SEE?
HORSE CRAP!

[Yuui]

Ah yes, Sam Banks, I concur with the music.

When "You're Beautiful" cued, I literally said outloud, "Are you ****ing kidding me?"

Gah.

[watcher4]

With this episode, AlMiles reached a new high in low. The use of time reversal-to me-came off as cheesy! Many fans have waited five years---for what? ALL THAT WE HAVE WAITED TO SEE. Fans have waited to see Clark tell Lana the truth-period. Not to have this manipulative peice of garbage shoved down their throat. The death of JK was handled so poorly! He may have "gotten the best" of Lionel for the moment. However, Lionel got the picture back! And the funeral scene...although a lovely funeral scene it ended up surrounding Lana. I guess viewers are now going to get to hear in furture episodes Lana whining 'cause Clark did not look at her at his father's graveside. Jonathan's death at this time was a consequence of Clark's choice. I am not saying that it was his fault (although personally I believe it was). However, every choice has a consequence.

[SamBanksJLA]

I swear as soon as I hard that song for the second time I immediatly threw my water bottle across the room because I knew what had happened, and that Clark was going to turn into a tool when Lana showed up! Very disappointing!

[ma200]

The episode is bleh. Didn't love it, didn't hate it.

The only thing I truly hate about this episode is that horrible James Blunt song!

Ugh, I wanted to shoot myself every time it plays on the radio.

[ClanaFan2005]

I HAVENT SEEN A SHOW MUCK UP SO MUCH IN MY LIFE!

Hope CW network kicks this crap back where it belongs right in the toilet!

Wait for the ratings to SINK next week.

Thanks AL and Miles .. make sure to KILL another Comic Book hero too with your Aquaman.. hope CW network kicks that back to ****.

[j-kent]

it was good and it was a move that the show could do to keep the hype going for the series though twisting the true mythology a bit....a little rushed...the episode itself was FAST PACED! A little overwhelming if ya ask me to squish into one episode...

[SamBanksJLA]

I think we all knew he was going to be the one who died. It wsa just a matter of HOW. I'm not really upset about how that whoie thing went down. I was really wanting to see a scene of him and CK in the FOS and Jonathan heroically giving up his life for Lana's. Or something dramatic. Not just him dying, and that's it! I mean, he just dies, how boring is that?

[Big_Bad]

These are the things gleamed from interviews with Tom Welling and Al Gough prior to "Reckoning":

1. Welling tells us that the death will be a shock because there have been no hints whatsoever to which character will die.

2. Gough said we will be happy with the death and especially happy by the way it happens.

3. "Reckoning" will be everything us fans have wanted Smallville to be since the first episode.

Which 100th episode are they talking about?

1. JK's death was no shock whatsoever. They hint at his heart condition in every episode. The hints at JK dying with signposted in 10 ft high neon lights.

2. Were we happy with JK? No. Were we happy with the way it happened? No way.

3. All we wanted was for Clark to tell Lana his secret. We don't necessarily want them to be a couple. Jeph Loeb's Superman For All Seasons is a good story - with Clark revealing his secret to the girl who has a crush on him, Lana, but Clark knows that she is not the one for him and nothing happens between them.

The worst thing about the episode is that they do give us Smallville fans EVERYTHING we have always wanted in the show, only to take it away with the Usual Smallville Reset Button (TM).

[SamBanksJLA]

Big Bad, I agree with everything you said.


On a side note...I really liked the 'Clois' foreshadowing. I hope they hook up. After Alicia died, I've been clamoring for some 'Clois' action.

[Drew]

Fantastic episode. Could of been a 2 hour ep, but thats just because so many things happened in this ep.

Great way to celebrate the 100th.

[superman79]

Jonathan had to die to avoid any major clashes with the movie. But I thought this ep handled it all very well for an hour's time. He should still tell Lana though, but not because he wants her back. I loved how this whole ep had mirrored scenes from the movie series, from the ring to the death scene of John. And from the previews for next week it looks as though Clark mey learn the value of life real soon.

[blackk]

The death of JK, though he is a beloved character, was not unexpected, as he, in the films, is the first of Clark's earth family to perish. The series, it seems, is trying to mirror at least the major events of the Superman films and comic books. I wonder if this means Lana is going to marry Pete, like in the comics...

[Drew]

All this hating on the episode is ridiculous. I believe Reckoning was one of the best Smallvilles thusfar.

The acting was excellent, as well as the story itself. The hype delivered everything that was promised, and the occurances in tonights episode will impact the show for the remainder of the seasons.

Some where saying that the death was to short and ridiculous. I wouldnt be inclined to agree. Lionel was ultimately to blame for Jonathons death. He pushed him to getting worked up over blackmail and threatening his family. Jonathon and Lionel being alone in the barn braught us back to the early episode where Lionel blackmailed Pa Kent into making those (corn famers i think) sell their land or else he would blow the lid open on the illegal adoption.
This time Pa Kent didnt take it and wouldnt be intimidated. He also died in the same manor as the Superman movie (which by the way was an even briefer death scene).

Lex made a move on Lana, and their relationship together is getting more intresting.

Clark and Lana have broken up.

Lex has been defeated which is a difficult defeat to him because he was trying to prove somthing to himself and everyone who thinks hes just the son of a rich guy.

Aside from how the death will affect the show, we also have to think about what Lioenal knows. In the context of the show, I am assuming he knows Clarks secret. You know bad things are going to happen down this road.

I just think with all the hype, you guys complaining were just expecting to much. Even though it probably wasnt the best episode of all time, I certainly consider it the best episode ever played midway though season (finales and premiers usually have the most shockers and occurances that shape the coming sesaons, or conclude the previous).

All things considered, great 100th.

[EVILDREAMZ420]

I get exactly what your saying...I myself was critical after the first watching of this episode....but upon the 2nd and third.....I have to admit for a mid season episode....it was good.....That being said....The season finale may prove to be Amazing!..

[RedPhoenix23]

I liked it too and wish the hating would stop, but the haters are intitled to their opinions, just like us. :D

[ProdigyLover83]

It was an exciting and moving episode. I just felt the way it accomplished those things was cheap at times (time travel, same old Clana saga).

Let's be frank, the writing on this show has been pretty spotty, off-and-on (mostly off). So, for the scope of this show, Reckoning was definitely pretty good and entertaining. It's just that I think it could be so much more. Especially when you look at other dramas/action/fantasy shows that have done more.

[SamBanksJLA]

I don't think his death had anything to do with Superman Returns.

[BoSoxJim]

If Lana hooks up with Lex, it will completely kill her character.

The reasons why she says she can't be with Clark is that he hides things from her and lies to her.

Lex is the biggest liar (actually shares the title with his father) and is also an evil bastard.

The main reason he is after her is to stick it to Clark. Lex has no clue as to what love is.

I don't really care if lana and clark reconcile (well i do a little) as he's destined to be with lois anyway. I just feel the writer's screwed up in this area.

[I want Lana Lang]

I absolutely agree with you. After the episode I was very impressed. To those who feel "cheated" that Mr Kent died...come on guys. He dies in almost every iteration of Superman.

I was never one to like the whol Lex/Lana thing they got going on. But its making for some interesting character interactionsm so i'll just sit back and enjoy.

It may have been overhyped. Okay, so take away that hype and look at the episode. Its a fantastic episode that people got too excited over.

Seriously guys, I was expecting to see lots of praise for this episode and how great this season has been. Instead I see 60 threads of how people thought they were jipped.


(hey jus caught on that two seasons in a row, the 12th episode someone dies..cool)

[BoSoxJim]

this should not have been compressed into one episode. it should have been at least 2 eps so they could convey why everyone did what they did alot better (especially clark's inner struggle to bring back lana knowing someone else had to die).

plus, no eulogy for JK. that was weak.

[foreverSV]

I thought it was a great episode. The James Blunt song didnt bother me as much as it did others, though. After Lana was brought back, I pretty much knew Johnathon Kent was the one to die.

[thmallville]

I thought it was OK....not too good, but not completely horrible. Some scenes made me cry, and some (like Martha screaming Jonathannnnnnn!!!!!) made me laugh, but it was wwwwwwaaaaaayyyyyyyy too corny.

[WeezMa619]

I've shared my thoughts here seldom, but have followed and read the forums for a while now.

Reckoning was an amazingly standout episode. Sadly, it seems the vast majority of you on these boards disliked it with a passion. Where's the loyalty? I've seen (like many of you) all prior 99 episodes, and was gladly prepared to see the show go in whatever direction The Powers That Be had chosen.

I've read countless topics, mainly in the Spoiler forum, and have come to understand a few things.

1. Many of you hate the character of Lana Lang
2. Many of you crack jokes on the writing ( :rolleyes: )

This episode angered you double. Lana Lang didn't die, and Time Travel was involved. I guess according to you guys, whenever Time Travel is written into a story it's bad writing.

This topic is calling out all the absurdity. I agree with the nature of this thread.

One thing that truly bothers me is wishing upon a character's death. Now that's ridiculous. I stumble upon these type comments frequently every visit to the KSite Boards. It never fails. Mindless posts like "Chloe should die", or "Lana Lang is worthless and should meet her end". Anytime I read one of these ignorant posts, I have to roll my eyes. Every time I read some crack at the originality or strength in writing of TPTB, again, I have to roll my eyes.

The writing won't make Smallville go down cancellation road, it'll be the disloyal, impossible to please fanbase.

[thmallville]

I didn't like it too much...way toooooooo corny. ANd Lexana was really odd.

[umm]

People shouldn´t be to harsh on the writers! First of all, as sad as this is, Jonathan Kent dies in every version of Superman comicbook, cartoon, movie or tv-series, and John Schneider knew this fact from day one! We all knew it, and somewhere deep down we were preparing for it!
Secondly, as stupid as scenario as the time reversal is, better that than to watch Lana and Clark engaged or to suffer through anymore Clana! Great to have them break up! And I am not saying that as any kind of a shipper, but as a human being who can´t stand anymore ´Clana torture´! Soo, overall good episode!

[Crambam]

Well, I think that the episode did live up to the hype. I hate the idea of Jonathan being gone. John Schneider is a top notch actor, and his absence from this show will REALLY be felt. This actually could be a shark jumping moment.

In the current post-1986 Superman story, Jonathan is alive. Killing him is a desire by the writers to follow the movie universe to an extent, where Jonathan died at a similar age.

In the movie, Clark learned that even with all his powers, there are things that even he couldn't do.

On the show, Clark learned the consequences of playing God. It's unclear though if Clark would have made the same decision if he would ever face it again. But since time traveling is something we know Superman will do on occasion, Clark has learned a lesson about changing history, even with the best intentions.

The look on John Schneider's face before he died was a perfect example of how great an actor he is. He said everything without saying anything.

I disagree with the notion that the death meant nothing. It does move Clark forward. There is no question that he is a man now and has a lot more to deal with than ever before. I wonder if the lack of Jonathan Kent in the upcoming movie had anything to do with this decision.

I would have preferred Lana be the one killed off. Unlike Jonathan, who was such a strong character, I don't feel Lana adds much to the show. The episodes that focus on her are the worst ones. But that said, I do like the idea of Lex moving in on her.

The one problem with the premise of this show is that sometimes I think the writers are afraid to move Clark on. Tom Welling is in his mid 20s. He can be Superman easily. I want them to move Clark from a nice guy who does heroic things to the world's greatest hero.

It's season 5. There's going to be a season 6. If they are going to take this step, it's time to move Clark away from the farm boy and make him Superman in training. Move these characters closer to what they will be. Separate Clark and Lex more. Separate Lois and Clark. It's time for Lois to become a reporter.

Chloe seems to have skipped college and moved into a permanent adult job. Maybe that means that the writers can't write for college students. That's fine. You want to write them as adults, then DO IT.

Lionel now has to go too. Complete Lex's destiny. He is supposed to be a genius. If some punk tries to hurt him, Lex should put him down and swat him like a fly because that's what supervillains do.

It's time for Clark to travel around the world, learning. Let him come to the decision that he wants to help people as Superman. Let him spend more time with Jor-El in the Fortress. That's vital. Movie or not, I want to see Superman. It's time. Move forward. They took a step toward that.

I don't want Jonathan dead. But if it has to be, then let's move Clark forward.

[Cookie 28]

Yes the majority of the episode was beautifully done. But you have to admit, ending with Lana not knowing anything puts us right back to the same old thing. I can't be with you, its too dangerous. I don't want to see that again. But Smallville is my favorite show of all time, and I will watch till the end.

[kefka02]

Originally posted by WeezMa619
I've shared my thoughts here seldom, but have followed and read the forums for a while now.

Reckoning was an amazingly standout episode. Sadly, it seems the vast majority of you on these boards disliked it with a passion. Where's the loyalty? I've seen (like many of you) all prior 99 episodes, and was gladly prepared to see the show go in whatever direction The Powers That Be had chosen.

I've read countless topics, mainly in the Spoiler forum, and have come to understand a few things.

1. Many of you hate the character of Lana Lang
2. Many of you crack jokes on the writing ( :rolleyes: )

This episode angered you double. Lana Lang didn't die, and Time Travel was involved. I guess according to you guys, whenever Time Travel is written into a story it's bad writing.

This topic is calling out all the absurdity. I agree with the nature of this thread.

One thing that truly bothers me is wishing upon a character's death. Now that's ridiculous. I stumble upon these type comments frequently every visit to the KSite Boards. It never fails. Mindless posts like "Chloe should die", or "Lana Lang is worthless and should meet her end". Anytime I read one of these ignorant posts, I have to roll my eyes. Every time I read some crack at the originality or strength in writing of TPTB, again, I have to roll my eyes.

The writing won't make Smallville go down cancellation road, it'll be the disloyal, impossible to please fanbase.


I completely agree with you. I don't post often but always read through the forum like you and am tired of so many people complaining too. Just enjoy the show people and be thankful it's on the air.

[ARealClarkKent]

I loved it. I thought it was a great episode. I actually wish I had not read all the spoilers because it was a bit predictable. All and all I thought it was good. All you haters are just made because you "knew" the storyline. :p

[kefka02]

I think TPTB have tried to make Clark grow from the farm boy to the man who will one day be superman so far this season, and I think they're going to focus on that much more from now on.

I think the episode Aqua was supposed to help Clark realize that there are things outside of Smallville, KS that need fixing, and in next week's episode I think he will start focusing on stopping crime on a more proactive basis, versus fixing things with his powers he just happens to be around.

At some point I think they should get Clark out of Smallville and have him travel the world like in the common Mythos, so that he becomes more a hero for mankind.

[sparkle18]

I really did not know what to think about last night’s episode. The time reversal was such a cheap trick played by the writers. Lana should have remained dead because Jonathan’s death was too predictable. I knew he was a goner when he told Clark that he was a man who no longer needed his father’s advice (or something like that). I hated to see him go because he was one of the most likeable characters. The best thing about this episode for me was the official end of the Clana. There is no way Clark and Lana will be together now. He will completely push her away and this may lead to a Lexana relationship and I will be completely disgusted. I am relieved that Chloe is still alive. I hope to see more Clois and Chlark interaction before the end of this season. Although I disliked the plot of this episode I thought the actors did a fabulous job. The scene between Tom and Annette near the end of the episode had me in tears. The episode was bittersweet because it made me realize that the show is now going to change in so many ways. I only hope it will change for the better.

[tw190]

Loved it!

I actually liked the time reversal. I'm not a Lana/Clana fan, but I was so scared for her that she was dead for some reason. I didn't want to see JK go, but I knew it was gonna happen.

Awesome episode. 10/10 Lived up to everything I expected. :)


Originally posted by thmallville
I thought it was OK....not too good, but not completely horrible. Some scenes made me cry, and some (like Martha screaming Jonathannnnnnn!!!!!) made me laugh, but it was wwwwwwaaaaaayyyyyyyy too corny.

Hmm... I disagree. I thought it could have been way more corny by having Jonathan talk to Martha and Clark before he died.

[vyperman7]

I was extremely skeptical going into this episode. In the past whenever they have promised us an episode that will "change things forever" there is something used to make things exactly like they used to be.

Reckoning was yet another one of these times.

While it is true that JK died, nothing much else happened.

There was supposedly a scene with Clark and Johnathan in the FOS, which should have been shown, especially since JK was leaving the show. Speaking of JK, will there even be any resolution to the senator storyline?

The bit with Lex seeing Clark superspeed was another wasted moment because it did not amount to anything. We got to see Lex gasp and that was it. They should have at least had Lex say something before time was reversed. I mean what was really the point of having him see Clark, if it was not even going to get a mention?

The time reversal in general. The episode should have had Lana be the one to pass away. It would have been the most shocking, and shown the fans that the writers are actually willing to shake things up and make changes. The writers are showing they always take the easy way out. The show was finally starting to get back on the right track, and ratings have actually been somewhat steady. Now they just blew all that.

I am trying to make myself care about what happens the rest of the season now, but after how big a letdown this was, I don't even know if I want to keep watching, and that is something I never thought I would hear myself say. This episode was just a total letdown, and I don't think I have ever been this dissapointed after an episode of Smallville.

Do the writers even know who Clark Kent is, and is supposed to become? The next episode has him acting like a vigilante. He is not Batman damnit!!

[hakoreh]

I didn't like the episode. It all happend too fast, there wasn't enough substance. It was over hyped. I'm not upset about JK passing, I mean someone was going to and even if it was Lana OK no problem but the way the whole thing was handled. It felt like a B SciFi Flick. And on top of it, I mean cmon the moment we've been waiting for forever, for Lana to know his secret and then ultimately not die, and now she still doesn't know and it looks like they're over is upsetting. Oh and one more thing, you just got engaged to a guy, and your "friend" calls you and says he's very upset or whatever (Lex) and you run to his house to talk to him? It doesn't add up to me. We're all sick and tired of the "games" between Clark and Lana. Yes or No, stop the torture!

Sorry but I'm disappointed with this episode, no substance, felt like a 30 minute episode.

[Saber]

Honestly this episode gave me a sick feeling inside, not enough dignity and it was too much.
I didn’t like this eposide.

[randie]

Hey everyone!

I thought I'd just drop by before I started my day and tell how I thought this one went and played out, IMO.

If I were a fan of the Clana ship, I would have been really upset last night. However, I'm not, but still, on so many levels, I still am, and here's that long, long answer!

Clark and Lana's End

Knowing what I did in the coming days did nothing to take away from the beauty the actors and producers brought to the end of the 'pivitol' relationship. So many feelings went through my head as he took her to the FOS and proposed. Love, hate, wonderment, and most of all, a peaceful feeling of serenity. Clark did it, finally. He took himself out of his comfy box and allowed the one person he thought he loved more than anything or anyone, be privy to the only thing that needs protection more than his friends--his secret.

Now, don't get me wrong, he needed to do this, to show where the rest of the season and his life was going to go, but it was done kind of harshly for him--a bad breakup so to speak.

When she said, after he saved her, that she needed a break, I knew the rest was all uphill for them, and downhill for us Lexana fans. Thank you Clark for being the instrument you always have been, and bringing two people together that maybe can make a go of it, no matter how long it lasts.

My favorite part of the Clana end was when they were at Jonathan's funeral, and out of the blue, during his suffering, she grabs his hand for comfort. He, somewhere in his head, has denounced the exsistance of her for now. It's evident in his actions; the way he totally ignored her, not even looking in her direction when she slowly pulls away. He will never look at her again without thinking about how he choose the man who protected him his whole life, for a girl that could betray him or walk away at any moment. It's over, and so passes that part of the Superman lore.

Here endeth your most impressive lesson yet, Clark: You can't save everyone, not even the ones who deserve it more.

Letting Go of the One You Love

Lex has really you know what-ed up. If anyone has any love for him at all, it's me. I see the pain that he goes through everyday, not knowing to who or what he'll have to defend himself to the death for, not knowing really, what he'll end up doing so he can have love, you know.

Lana and Lex are fickled characters, and in my other posts, if you want to go over my insight with a fine tooth comb, then you can there, because this needs to just stay OT.

She damaged him before the time reversal. He was already wounded like an animal, torn from the inside out. She just made that gaping hoole in his heart spread like a pandemic bacterial infection. It consumed him, and she knew it, even before he even said anything about that damn ring.

He fielded it well for a twenty something man that had had too much to drink and has a history of homicidal rage. Really.

But, watching her die was too painful for him, and I'm glad Clark took that away with the reversal. The second time around was better.

He was still despondant when she came to him, and that was to be expected when all you wanted was to prove you could do something on your own, without your father's money. Lex said it himself, before the reversal, "Just once, Lana, I wanted to get out from under his shadow, ya know? Earn something on my own."


But what he did was in his drunkedness, he thought about it when she said the word last. Last fight. And when Mr. Luthor thinks, which is how he plans most of his battles, he makes a plan in his head, and then the world is a stage for him again and he can get through anything.

He chose the wrong way to handle that a little, but she wanted it. Lana wanted him to give her the love that Clark couldn't; the truth, honesty, the feeling that if you knew it all, it would be okay again. She knew it, and that was what made her want it a little. She just felt guilty that she just broke it off with Clark.

So where does that leave our favorite pair now?

They're free, and they can do whatever they want with each other if they're so inclined. And, Lana is very co-dependant, so you know, she'll be right there where she's safe. With one person she knows loves her.

And that he does, with every fiber of his messed up being. Thank you, Clark, for that wonderful present of love for the little lost boy.

I love my Lex, and when I have to be passionate about him, I try to do it well!! LOL!!!

[Saber]

Sorry about the double post...a glitch

[enamored]

Originally posted by montevallo
i never thought i would hate an episode of smallville as much as i hated this episode, and i never thought that i would hate lana, i never thought that i would call TW a bad actor but it happened. clark couldent have been any stupider in this episode, martha said that she knows that he woul;dent be able to choose between lana and jonathan, but he can, and he picked lana. TW, God. no crying. he was good with lana, but almost nothing when his dad died. chloe meanwhile, is being regulated to pete status with lik,e 3 lines per scene. AOT was awesome though, her and chloe's Back to the future reference were my favorite parts

Okay, I get what you didn't like about the episode but here's my take on things. Clark didn't choose between Jonathan and Lana. Clark has loved/been obsessed with Lana according to his own words since he was 5. He finally tells Lana all of the truth and she still accepts him. He was always worried that if she knew she would reject him especially since it was the meteor shower that he arrived in that killed her parents. Lana had accepted his proposal of marriage--it is everything that Clark has always wanted and he sees Lana as his future. Then she is brutally taken away from him. When he goes to the FOS to beg Jor-el for Lana's life he is only thinking that the future he has always envisioned is gone. Additionally, if you recorded the episode and watch that scene in the FOS you will see that TW is crying There are wet tear marks all down the right side of his face and you can see one tear work its way from his chin down his neck.

As for his lack of reaction with Jonathan's death, that is not true either. They don't show much of Clark at the actual time of Jonathan's death but you can hear the anguish in his voice. Also, we don't really know how many days have passed between Jonathan's death and his funeral. People grieve in different ways. At my dad's memorial service we had just come from burying his ashes at the cemetary before heading to the church. This was 5 days after he died. I was a total mess but my brothers managed to hold it together and so did my mom. I think men are just more stoic that way and it is not unreasonable to think that Clark would not lose it at the funeral. Also if you look closely during the scene with Martha before heading to the cemetary you can see that they have made Clark's eyes look somewhat red-rimmed as if he has done his share of crying recently. Watch closely and you'll see TW square his jaw as if he is fighting off crying. I don't call that bad acting. Besides he does what the directors/writers, etc. ask him to do.

Last, this was not Chloe's episode, so one shouldn't have expected a lot of air time for her. I thought that the scenes she did with Clark were really good. She has become Clark's rock and with Lana distancing herself from Clark we are bound to see more of Chloe in future episodes.

[The_Duchess]

Despite the superb acting by the cast (KK aside)...it was the Smallville's take on The Butterfly Effect....could have been a Twilight Zone eppy.
Too many loose ends...unsustained!

[screenwriter26]

I don't think I cried so hard watching tv in my life. When Clark took Lana to the fortress of solitude in the beginning, I couldn't figure out whether or not it was him having a dream or what. I'm like, "Okay...Lana is taking this way too well. This has to be him dreaming." However, when it turned out that it was real and she accepted his proposal, I knew then that something was going to happen to Lana. The fact that Lana died by Lex's hand so to speak wasn't at all shocking to me. I mean, the guy was drunk, he got angry with her, she charges out and calls Clark saying that Lex knows. Then, Lex tries to get her to pull over, makes her lose her concentration on the bloomin road and gets killed. All because of Lex and the fact that she shouldn't have been talking on her cell phone while driving. I think last night was the first time I was so mad at Lex I thought I could scream. If Clark had not turned back the clock and saved Lana, I can pretty much bet that Lex would have gone through a huge shame spiral and commit suicide. I mean, he loves Lana too. However, since Clark changed back time, I knew he was going to lose his father. That was pretty much a given. Predictable. It was still upsetting. I was prepared but I really cried my eyes out. I mean, we just lost a daddy really. He was everyone's daddy. Now he's gone. Lana and Clark's relationship will never be what it use to be. I think this paves a road to the Lex and Lana relationship. We saw a glimpse of that last night. Even though she pushed him away, I think she really liked it and realized that she has feelings for him too. We're not finished seeing them get together. Things can only heat up more in the coming episodes. Moreso in the seaon's finale or next season.

[WeezMa619]

Right when I thought I wasn't going to see the typical "______ should have died" post before I got off the computer, what do you know, I happened to run into one more. It'll never end.

[Quadrotriticale]

Originally posted by umm
people shouldn´t be to harsh on the writers! First of all, as sad as this is Jonathan Kent dies in every version of Supermam, comicbook, cartoon, movie or tv-series, and John Schneider knew this fact from day one! We all knew it, and somewhere deep down we were preparing for it!


Um that's incorrect, he doesn't die in every version. What the viewers are sick of is how people find out and then they come up with some corny way to erase their memory. The whole episode was rediculously predictable. It get's a C+ from me.

[beefywellingtom]

You know I thought it was just my imagination that Martha looked especially--haggard at the end of the ep. It was heartbreaking to watch quite honestly. I've now read every post listed so far and I STILL don't understand what people were expecting to see that made this episode so horrible. It was done excellently in my opinion. Yes they said everything we wanted to see but c'mon. They've got at least a season and a half more episodes to produce. We all know the Superman story. So it's not like they can surprise us too much. We are also working with established character personalities so to do something totally outrageous would have the same people saying "Where did that come from". I think given that they had an hour and there's a lot of stuff that they put into that hour, it played out great. It left me wanting more.

[SOnMyChest]

Originally posted by beefywellingtom
I hated to see that JK died instead of Lana however it was just a GREAT episode. Tops in my book. The Lionel hand grabbing for the crumpled picture was excellent imagery....I Tivo'd it and yes.. I'm about to watch it again. Anyone catch the Superman poster behind Clark and Chloe?

Episode was friggen awesome!!!! NEVER has a Smallville Episode played with every emotion that we have! ohhh and what superman poster??? where??? what scene?

[Lane68]

I think JK has allways been an important part of Smallville from episode 1. Aside from Clark, he's really the only strong good force on the show. The Clark and Jonathon relationship was a real important angle that they will seriously be lacking in the future.....
Possible shark jumping here, we'll see!!!
I think our love of the show will keep us going,but still a mistake!!!

[CristinaSupes79]

I didn't see that poster!!!

I want a screen shot...If it's for real, and not an optical allusion someone's gotta have it somewhere.

I watched the spoiler video online about 3 times and I was still at the edge of my seat clutching my pillow!

[pags3223]

I also completely agree with the sentiments below. For all the criticism of the writers, I have yet to read a plausible, well-written alternative from anyone on this forum. I've seen some of the alternatives that fans have put out there for additions to Buffy stories, Angel, and even Smallville, and if their "talents" are what I would have to look forward to as an alternative to what the current writers provide us, I wouldn't be watching the show because it would have been cancelled long ago.

If writers were not allowed to reuse plot devices, then some great things would never have been made. For instance, people could have put away their notebooks after The Godfather and said "No more mafia movies because that was just the greatest." But then Goodfellas and Casino would never have been made. There were many sci-fi space movies involving aliens prior to 1977 and people could have said "No more space movies allowed, we've hit the top," but then Star Wars would not have been made.

Re-using plot devices is actually quite common, so it is not a matter of "if" it is used as opposed to "how" it is used. See my thread "A Postive Smallville Thread" for my explanation of how it was used well.

Give the writers a break. There was no possible way they could have pleased everyone. They went with the most logical death and the one that in many incarnations of Superman was the defining moment in the formation of Clark's character. How can I argue with that?


Originally posted by WeezMa619
I've shared my thoughts here seldom, but have followed and read the forums for a while now.

Reckoning was an amazingly standout episode. Sadly, it seems the vast majority of you on these boards disliked it with a passion. Where's the loyalty? I've seen (like many of you) all prior 99 episodes, and was gladly prepared to see the show go in whatever direction The Powers That Be had chosen.

I've read countless topics, mainly in the Spoiler forum, and have come to understand a few things.

1. Many of you hate the character of Lana Lang
2. Many of you crack jokes on the writing ( :rolleyes: )

This episode angered you double. Lana Lang didn't die, and Time Travel was involved. I guess according to you guys, whenever Time Travel is written into a story it's bad writing.

This topic is calling out all the absurdity. I agree with the nature of this thread.

One thing that truly bothers me is wishing upon a character's death. Now that's ridiculous. I stumble upon these type comments frequently every visit to the KSite Boards. It never fails. Mindless posts like "Chloe should die", or "Lana Lang is worthless and should meet her end". Anytime I read one of these ignorant posts, I have to roll my eyes. Every time I read some crack at the originality or strength in writing of TPTB, again, I have to roll my eyes.

The writing won't make Smallville go down cancellation road, it'll be the disloyal, impossible to please fanbase.

[EricN68]

The episode was very powerful. I was totally caught off guard by the jumping/flying bit, very cool. This was a case where I probably spoiled myself too much, and got too convinced that the time reversal plot just couldn't happen, and when it did I said, "Crud." But it was carried out pretty well, with the time reversal not making anything any better than the first time around. I like that Lana is still around, I don't mind that they have broken up, and I don't have any strong feelings about JK passing away (I felt it was inevitable and was surprised he lasted this long). For the first time in a while I feel like I can't predict the "beats" of the rest of the season, which leaves me very much anticipating the rest of the episodes to come in season 5. Overall, pretty good stuff, and a great effort even if I didn't care for the major plot twist.

[superhippie2000]

i liked the episode like i said earlier but now thinking about it they could have made it a 90 minute episode and done more. wish they had the mr kent in the fortress thing. they said on the news page in the nterview part that they cut it out cause there was already alot in the fortress. i like the fortress scenes and wish they would had added more. guess we all have to wait for the season 5 DVD to get this deleted scene.

[Magus]

I really didn't like this episode. Such a let down.

[margroks]

No, not at all. Jonathan and Martha live on past the time Clark is Superman in the comics, just as they did in Lois & Clark. They don't die in every version of every medium. And why should they? Why make this show and this story a tragedy when it need not be one?

Millar & Gough are just twenty years behind, a fact they admit when they acknowledge they don't know much about the comics, which is scary in itself since Superman is the greatest comic hero of all time.

The writers are hacks for the most part, unable to write believably and to give us Clark so obsessed with Lana, for no good reason we've ever seen, and then revive her knowing someone else will be sacrificed was not a good thing. Clark should feel bad about that and Jor-El tried to tell him it would happen but he didn't listen.

The proposal scene was just as barf worthy as I'd expected, the only saving grace was the diamond making and flying but otherwise, Lana has behaved now totally out of character because she has never been shown as a girl who'd accept Clark and not be completely freaked out by him being an alien or who always loved him but was afraid he'd get hurt and so refused to get close. That's the hacks in the writer's room wanting her to be something she'd not.

We saw the real Lana later on when she got all nasty and stomped out on Clark when he wouldn't tell what and when she demanded. That's the Lana who'd cheat on him and would throw in with Lex when she doesn't get her way. And that's a Lana who isn't worth the sacrifice.

[Fish1941]

I really enjoyed this episode. I'll miss Jonathan Kent . . . even if he did come off as a bit self-righteous at times. I wonder who will become State Senator. I don't think that Jonathan's death is a sign of the show jumping the shark. The show's real strength has always been between Clark, Lana, Lex and Chloe.

My only quibble with this episode is that Lana's easy acceptance of Clark's powers, considering her attitude toward the aliens. They could have allowed her to be a) a little angry; and b) a little wary that Clark is an alien. In fact the most realistic reaction I have ever seen was on "Lois and Clark", in which Lois had expressed anger that she had been lied to.

Other than that, "Reckoning" was an excellent episode in what is proving to be a very good season.

[Lady Luthor]

I haven't been here in awhile but just had to see what everyone thought of the big 100th episode. I felt that Jonathan would be the one to go all along-the producers have made no secret of their admiration of the Donner Superman films,which knock off
Pa Kent so that Clark could move on to his destiny.

I was leery of the Lana/Fortress opening,thinking it might be a dream sequence but it turned out to be a very Superman Film One deal instead(love Chloe's line about"spinning the earth on it's axis"-nice ref!) and the different Lexana takes were well done,too.

John Schneider will be missed but atleast his character went out well,with
a senate race victory(you know Lex's
going to take over that vacancy)and a
hell of a roundhouse to the MB's face!

This was a really well done episode that lived up to the hype,IMO

[Metropolis Hero]

I enjoyed this episode. It would have been better had it ended with Lana's death but i was happy that Jonathan didn't end up having Jor-El sacrifice his life for lana's as some people had been speculating on here. I thought the time reversal thing was handled alright and Jonathan's death was done well. The part at the funeral with Lionel hovering behind Martha give me the creeps. Interesting to see how their relationship plays out and will we ever get to know what that photograph is? Overall a good episode and a very emotional ending.

[Praxis]

I enjoyed the episode but I was left disappointed at the end. Very emotional, great episode, but we were left basicly desperately screaming, "No, not Jonathan, please find a way to kill Lana again!" when we realized it was going to be Jonathan...

[SV addict 06]

i liked this episode, but it was pretty sad and also have parts that were funny. I liked more if Lana know about clark`s secret but then clark and lana will got married and we all know that`s not gonna happend. I really hate the fact that always the good persons can be happy, like Chloe said, he really deserves it, but well that`s tv

[loistickyfingerz]

I wasn't as dissapointed as most people at this episode. I feel like it did advance Clark's character, but I agree that there were some tired tricks that were tried.

I think one thing that could have made it all worth while is if during the stopping the bus sequence, Lex or Lana had seen what Clark did. It would have been great if it was Lex, and then he saw Clark super-speed away.

It would have been just as effective if Lana saw him, and Clark saw that she saw, but then he super-speeded away, and Lana understood she was to keep quiet and not say anything to Lex.

THAT would have be a simple fix to the episode, in my opinion, and I don't know why the writers couldn't think of that.

[Kvlund]

I'll say I enjoyed the episode and i wasn't surprised when JK died, even though I didnt want him to. I think what i didnt like about it and the reason others hated it was the trade-off with Lana, she just didnt seem worth it.

I'll say I enjoyed the episode and i wasn't surprised when JK died, even though I didnt want him to. I think what i didnt like about it and the reason others hated it was the trade-off with Lana, she just didnt seem worth it.

[SupermansNotDead]

I enjoyed this episode for the most part. I don't see it as a trade off for Lana, fate also tried to take Lois but Clark stopped it. I would have liked to see Lana or Lois die instead of Johnathan but there was no way that was going to happen.

There was a bit of a final destination vibe to the epi which was not good.

The tagline for the epi should have been "All you ever wanted to see will happen......but will quickly be taken back"

[Fish1941]

Frankly, I can't understand why anyone wanted Lana to die. I'm glad that she didn't. Now, we'll get to see the Clark/Lana/Lex triangle come into the fore for the rest of this season and hopefully, the next.

I also get the feeling that many are blaming Lana for the problems in the Clark/Lana relationship. And I don't understand that. Lana isn't the one lying and acting self-righteous when caught in a lie.

[kristinfan160]

I thought I would be furious if time travel occurred and/or Lana lost her memory. Well, even though both wound up happening I'm am suprisingly not mad. I think it was a well written episode and it accomplished everything it needed to. It broke up Clark and Lana, set up Lex and Lana, and set up Lional and Martha, as well as pushed Clark further to becoming the man of steel. Sure I'm mad about the continued stretching out of the "secrets and lies", but I think I'm so used to it by now it doesn't bother me as much as it once did.

[Happy Random]

I thought it was really good, with the exception of the fact that Lana still doesn't know his secret.

[Daphne]

We all knew Jonathan would die. But I don't think it's accurate to it end up being Clark's fault. Clark doesn't grow up into Superman with that guilt.
Jor-El is also dead and this Jor-El from beyond the grave is getting so annoying. A dead person just doesn't have this much control, lame.
The fact that Lana doesn't know anymore was predictable too. But in the comics she does know and I don't think they should be to worried about that. Clark is so okay with Chloe knowing and he just can't tell Lana. Interesting.

[Lara Lane]

Many promisses, many especulations, a lot of excitement and then... we get this. It was ugly.

[zaris]

I thought it was a very predicitable episode that should have been more special than it was.

I wish Clark hadn't proposed to Lana, now it will seem that when he marries Lois it is him settling for second best.

And go ahead and blast me, but I won't miss Jonathan Kent's pontificating (or anything else about him). Both the character and the actor have always annoyed and driven me crazy with all their self-righteousness and preaching.

Martha's shrieking when he died was overdone.

Best part of the whole ep: Lionel Luthor's lurking behind Martha at the funeral. What a shot! Ooooohhhh! I giggled in evil anticipation when I saw that, the shape of things to come. I love the Luthors.

[KRAM-el]

I voted ugly, but that really doesn't even scratch the surface. Writing at it's lowest level w/ no creativivity whatsoever -- no surprises, shock, or even redemption. But then bad writing shouldn't be a surprise to any of us here -- we've gotten used to terrible writing on a weekly basis for quite some time now. All in all, a HUGE disappointment. I was passionately mad at first, but that has ripened into a deep & sour depression. I really hope now there is no S6; heck, I'm even indifferent now to an ep 101. I hope Al/Miles are happy w/ what they've done, after all, they created (cough) it, so I guess they can rape & pillage it to their hearts content. Fact is, the true SV (& not just SM) fans are the losers. RIP. :( :( :( :( :( :(

[Vatusia]

Geez, when I make a prediction based on photos for an ep, I don't expect to be RIGHT about nearly every minute detail - including a deleted scene! - which says to me that they spoiled this ep just a bit too much by releasing photos. Yes, I chose to look at them and yes, I further spoiled all my fellow posters by posting my scenario in the 'Spoilers' forum. But still... I got all excited when Craig said that some of the spec was wrong, so imagine my NON-surprise when... well, anyway, the episode. :D

There was a lot I loved about 'Reckoning.' I loved the dreamy, cinematic feel of the episode. The acting was off the charts, especially Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum, John Schneider and Annette O'Toole (but the others were great too!) - great, great performances all around. I liked very much that in the end, TPTB didn't violate the mythos, in spite of hints to the contrary (ie I heard a collective shout of joy from the Chlois crowd when Clark found Lois lying on the floor with electricity all around her. :lol: )
I thought the ep was exciting from beginning to end, even though I (literally) knew everything that was going to happen!

OK, that's over with. Now here are my complaints. ;) First of all, I made this complaint before I ever saw the ep, but I'll make it again: I REALLY DON'T LIKE JONATHAN'S DEATH AS AN AFTERTHOUGHT TO A CLANA EP!!! :mad: Hello?! I mean, yes, I know, I know what it was SUPPOSED to be, a sort of bait and switch - make 'em BELIEVE it's all about Clana when it's actually about Jonathan's death! Had it been a better, longer or more effective death, I might have bought that. But Jonathan basically wobbled a bit then keeled over dead. No heart-wrenching, go out and save the world son speech (yes yes I know there was some of that in the beginning, but THIS Was the moment for it). I mean, Clark goes all the way to the FOS and Jor-El to save Lana, but he doesn't frickin' superspeed his own father to the hospital?! Just because your heart stops nowadays, it doesn't mean you're dead - witness that old guy who dropped lifeless at that Cardiologist Ball in San Fran last week, only to prove himself the luckiest man in the universe as all the docs swung into action and revived him! :lol: And are you telling me that a family that has someone in it with life-threatening heart problems doesn't have an at-home defibrillator? But Clark and Martha sat there crying as if it were 1940. It ain't numore!

Then there was the whole Clana business. As Clark was flying (!) Lana to the roof of the FOS, was crushing coal into a diamond then welding it into a ring, etc, etc, I kept LONGING for this to be Lois rather than Lana, even if it's too early in their lives for it to happen. Even if it was all retconned by the end of the ep, these are mythos LOIS moments!! Dammit! :mad: I also thought the bit at the beginining, what with the sweeping, filmic music and the complete LACK of setup or transition for any scene whatsoever, made it a bit too obvious that none of this was going to stand. It's as if the producers of 'Dallas' (sorry if y'all are too young to remember this) had made the entirety of that season that they retconned by calling it a character's dream so, well... dream-like that the whole movie audience saw the insult to their intelligence coming ten miles away.

What's worse is that not only did they retcon the proposal, they retconned the confession - which puts us BACK TO SEASON THREE with the frickin' 'secrets and lies' crap, only this time it looks as if that will drive Lana into Lex's arms, which will really suck (imagining Clark as a whiny jealous-boy for the remainder of the season is NOT encouraging me) unless they turn Lana evil along with Lex. Not only that, Lana STILL doesn't know - and why? Because it would put her in 'danger'. But Lana's knowing the secret was not the reason she got into the car accident - THAT was caused by her idiocy using a cell phone (when she has demonstrated that she owns a headset!) while driving, along with Lex's self-absorption in pulling along beside her and talking to her WHILE she is already driving distracted. :rolleyes: The only reason she LIVED the second time it happened - when Lana did NOT know the secret - was that Clark already knew his girlfriend (bearing secret knowledge or not) ran out on his family function to go see and comfort Lex. THAT should be a dealbreaking offense, but not to Clana! :lol:

Ugh. So did I mention that we're back to season 3 Clana now, with no character progression whatsoever? :rolleyes: :mad: And I had actually enjoyed seeing the characters get together this season, non-Clana fan that I am. It was progress.

The ONLY way this situation can be saved is if Clark again tells Lana his secret by season's end (or she finds out another way, which I'm sure would only make her angry if she realized he'd kept THIS big a secret from her), but there is no marriage proposal and they don't get back together. And PTB, if you have a whiny-boy jealous Clark the rest of this season as you get Lexana together, so help me I will jump on your desks until they are splinters! :mad: :rotfl:

What this episode SHOULD have been: The ep is devoted to the finish of the state senate race, which is in doubt. We see the final campaigning, maybe even a debate... maybe we see a little Lexana, maybe not. Maybe we see a little Chlark or Clois too! Whatever, Clark's romances - and even Clark himself - are NOT the focus of this ep, the focus of the ep is the character who is about to die. We see things building between Jonathan and Lionel - maybe Lionel, like Scarlett O'Hara showing up at the Wilkses' party in her ho-crimson gown after she's been caught embracing Ashley - shows up at the Kent campaign headquarters to view the results. We see the joy at Jonathan's victory and we see Lex's lonely despair - Lana is loyal to her boyfriend and does NOT show up to comfort him. Maybe Lex eventually shows up drunk and shouting abuse at the Kent victory party, then HE is in a car accident, and taken off by paramedics with no evidence that he will live. Lionel goes after him and hovers at his bedside.

Meanwhile, in the middle of Jonathan's victory speech, Jonathan collapses. They get him into a back room, from whence Clark rushes him to the hospital, Martha following soon after in the truck. So BOTH candidates are in adjacent hospital rooms in life-threatening condition, and we get parallel father-son scenes. Maybe Lionel's interaction with Lex either speeds his recovery or makes him so angry he has no choice but to live, if only to be able to off his father when the time comes. :lol: And Jonathan has his wrenching, 'go out and save the world' scene with Clark, followed by a beautiful goodbye between husband and wife. At the end, Clark goes to the FOS, trying to save Jonathan, and Jor-El tells him 'son, you can't save everybody. You have powers, but not the power of life and death.' (which would further spur him to find his own solution if Lois should one day happen to die in a car crash).

Well anyway. I digress. But to sum up, I enjoyed watching this episode, but I had a lot of problems with not only the events that happened but with the storylines that are now set up. We'll see.

[BadToad]

I couldn't vote for any of the choices. I think I just felt disappointed. It wasn't, IMO, bad or ugly. But it wasn't exactly good either.

So, I choose disappointed. Still love Smallville, just not so much this episode.

[MechantChien]

I have been avoiding all spoilers the last couple of months, and I didn't even watch the preview for the episode. I was guessing that the person who was going to die would be Jonathan Kent because that is what happened in the movies, but I was hoping to be surprised. And I was. What happened in the first half of this episode was a complete shock to me. It was amazing, beautiful, and surreal. It was perfect. And then they had to go and ruin it all. Three dramatic/shocking things happened in this episode. Clark tells Lana his secret, Lana dies, and Lex sees Clark use his powers. I couldn't believe what I was seeing! This show was moving forward in a big way! And then they took it all away with that time travel BS. When Clark grabbed that crystal and we were transported back to the opening scene, I just got this sick feeling in my stomach and it still hasn't gone away. I've never been so disappointed in a TV show. The Smallville writers are cowards.

I thought having Lana die would have been a great way to end the Clark & Lana saga, while at the same time turning Clark and Lex into sworn enemies. Instead, they are just gonna drag it out a couple more years. This episode will also make the moment when Clark finally does tell Lana his secret (if it ever happens) completely anticlimactic. We already know how she will react, and so does Clark. The only thing holding him back from telling Lana his secret now is his fear that it might put her in danger. This isn't a very rational fear considering how many times she's almost died without knowing his secret.

I'm done with this show. When it finally ends, I'll probably skim through the episode synopses, and if it sounds worthwhile, I'll buy the DVDs. Don't worry, I won't be one of those annoying people who posts on this forum all the time just to rag on the show. I just wanted to vent a little bit.

[Crazy4Smallville]

Oh boy! I'm probably not going to get a lot of sympathy with this review, but I have to be honest about what I thought and most of it wasn't good. There were some brilliant parts and some brilliant acting, but there were also some very frustrating parts as well.

So here goes...

Clark finally opens up and tells Lana the truth, takes her to the fortress of solitude, proposes to her and she accepts.... why? Why would she do that and then turn around that very evening to sneak out of the Talon and visit with Lex? Because he called, he was depressed, he needed her? So what! She just made a decision to spend the rest of her life with Clark, who she now knows is a superman and she doesn't even tell him where she's going, discuss with him who called or ask him to go with her. Now who's keeping secrets and lies? Where was her confession of the secrets she's been withholding from him about her killing Genevieve and Lex covering it up for her and the other stuff? I was very disappointed in her. No matter what kind of friend she considers Lex, she had no business sneaking off to see him. That was the lowest thing she's ever done. I'm not even considering the fact that it was what got her killed, the act alone is what angered me. Where was her loyalty to Clark and the Kents? I mean, afterall, Jonathan Kent just won an election and his son's finance is sneaking off to console his rival.

At first I wondered why Jonathan Kent was at the crash scene and then I remembered that he had gotten a phone call while he was at the Talon, which we all know by now that it was Lionel. I think Jonathan Kent was meant to die all along that night, that HE was the life close to Clark that was to be sacrificed for his disobedience. However, I also think that Jonathan knew he was going to die soon - anyway, because of the deal he made with Jor-El earlier. I think Lana's death was a consequence of her own making and purely conincedental, yet because it happened and Jonathan stopped to console his son - he missed his own date with destiny. So, that would make the second time around, after Clark's intereference no longer the result of destiny, but the result of Lana & Clark's decisions and both are responsible.

Look, many of you know how I feel about Lana's character. It's not Lana that I hate, but what she makes my superhero out to be. No longer will Lana be the girl that Clark outgrows, but the one who got away. Lois can never be the love of Clark's life - because Lana will always be the one he wanted. Lois has been dwindled down to the consolation prize - the one he settles with. Also, Clark's reasons for not telling Lana the second time are unfounded. How much more in danger is Lana knowing the truth as Chloe? Clark's enemies will use his best friend as much as his girlfriend against him, so what makes it more dangerous for one to know over the other? Clark knows that Lana would accept him, knowing the truth and it wasn't her knowledge of the truth that got her killed, but her reckless behavior. I don't think Clark is being honest with himself when it comes to the reasons he didn't tell her the second time. I think it was because he couldn't trust her like he had hoped. She still stole away to see Lex without him. Who knows... maybe he still has a chance to grow out of his obsession?

But, another point about this whole new angle is that it also pits Lana in the middle of Clark and Lex. I'm sure Clark will hold Lex more responsible than Lana for his father's death. Had Lex never called Lana and caused her accident, she wouldn't have died, he wouldn't have had to go back in time to save her, lose her and then lose his father as the life in exchange for hers. Now, she's not only been elevated to the status of being the love of Clark's life, but the very reason for their ultimate rivalry. No longer can the tale of Superman be a story of mere good vs. evil on moral alone - no - now their fight will be over a woman and it just happens that one is on the good side and one is on the bad side. Though Lana lived, I think Clark will still blame Lex for her initial death. I'm not sure he'll be able to get over that, because he lived through it, though no one else did.

But, not all was a total loss in this episode. I thought that Martha was wonderful. She really portrayed a good version of a woman who lost a well loved and well respected man. Her speech to Clark was priceless. Now, if he'll just listen to it.

I thought Jonathan's death scene was in good taste. I was sitting there, almost begging for him to be able to say one last 'I love you" or "good-bye", but was glad when nothing was said. He said everything with his eyes. Also, it made it more realistic. Many times people don't get the chance to say 'good-bye' and John Schnieder did an excellent job with it. I also love the fact that he went out a hero - defending his family like he has always done. I'm frustrated that they didn't show us what was in the picture. (BTW-that's two pictures now we haven't seen. The first one was when Lionel burned that picture from Lex's hired man and now this one. WHAT IS IN THOSE PHOTOS?)

Chloe get's the best lines in this show. When she mentioned Clark spinning the world backwards on its axis, I nearly choked on my drink. I should learn by now not to be drinking anything when Chloe's on the scene. I also loved her reaction when she asked about her reaction the first time Clark told her about the engagement. It showed that she's trying to very considerate of Clark and not reveal to much of her own feelings. She's a hero in her own right by the support she gives her insensitive friend. She believes in him when he doesn't even believe in himself. I think the look that she gave him at the funeral was of pure compassion, because she alone understands what Clark had given up. I'm sure she noticed Lana reach for his hand, but he didn't return the affection. He stood alone, though he was surrounded by those who loved him. He didn't reach back for Lana and drew away from him - he let her go and only Chloe knows why. I think she saw how much her friend was hurting and she felt extreme compassion for him.

What I found interesting was that Lois had much the same look, but her compassion doesn't come from knowing his sacrifice, but out of her own hidden affections for him. She cares and loves Clark just as deeply as Chloe, but she also much like her cousin in keeping her feelings in check.

I also found it interesting that Lionel and Lex were at the funeral. I understand Lex being there, because no matter how much Jonathan was his political rival, he has a lot of love and respect for him. He's always desired to have a father like Jonathan Kent and on many occassions had tried to latch himself to that family. They represent what is good in the world and he see's Jonathan as the father he always wanted to have. But, Lionel's presence there makes absolutely no sense. Martha would have never invited him, Clark would have never accepted his condolences - so why was he there. I think it also showed him like a roaring lion prowling around his food of prey (Martha). I don't know what Lionel is up to and I hope we find out soon.

I did find it a bit ironic that it was while Clark was saving Lois that Lana almost met her fate again. I mean, come on... if Clark was so adamant about keeping Lana from repeating history - he wouldn't have let her out of his sights for one moment. He knew she was going to get a phone call from Lex, yet he wasn't watching her like a hawk. He could have supersped to save Lois, but he didn't have to stick around to make sure she was alright and to listen to her chide about it. Maybe Lana isn't such a priority to Clark if he was so easily able to completely forget about her while he was saving Lois?

Maybe this epidode was more revealing than I initially thought?

Bottom line: It was a good episode, but very disappointing. The previews for next week leaves me with a disgusted feeling. I don't want to go through another episode of 'rebellious' Clark. I'm ready for him to grow up and get over himself. I was hoping this father's death would have done that for him, but it looks like he's still got a little bit more childishness to get out.

Till next time!

[loistickyfingerz]

Everyone has some good thoughts, and I agree that they are pulling way too much away from the special mythos of the love Clark will later have for Lois to give to Lana now. It really does make Lois seem like a second choice.

On the same thought, though, I think that the writers taking the Clana relationship as far as an engagement is almost cruel. Al just said the other day in that interview that the one thing we know about Clana is that it doesn't work. So while the engagment was nice and all, it was almost too ironic for good taste.

I also hated the thought of Jonathan Kent dying while thinking Clark and Lana would be together forever.

I liked the interaction between Lois and Lana. I thought it was nice to see that yes, Lana does help with the campaign. And there is no one more appropriate for Lana to go to with her concerns than Lois Lane.

Chloe needs to stop undervaluing herself with lines like "no one deserves to be happy more than you, Clark." Please! Clark and Chloe had better get together, at least for a brief about of time, before this series ends. Otherwise the writers and creators of the show have used and abused an otherwise strong, female character to the extreme. I don't like what Chloe's character is coming to represent unless she gets her day with Clark.

An example of how good the writing is this year as opposed to last was the scene with the pearls. In that moment with Clark and Martha, the actions with the pearls spoke volumes more about what was really going on inside Clark the man and his world. Very impressive stuff, I have to admit. And good acting from both Tom and Annette.

Again, the hand holding at the grave and Lana's looks at Clark spoke volumes. Clark's refusal to look at her spoke volumes more about the realizations within himself he has gone through. I could have done without the glance at her as she walked away, but it was necessary just to say that it isn't that Clark resents Lana or regrets his decision, he just understands somewhere deep inside that they just aren't meant to be. It will still take him a while to accept that, but he knows now and that is an important step.

[Crazy4Smallville]

Sorry, for the double post.

[All about Clark]

I feel exactly as BadToad, not good, bad, or ugly; just horribly dissappointed. And it clearly sets up Lexana which is ugly. Lana needs to know the secret, but if she chooses Lexana, Clark won't take her back. And what makes me the most dissappointed, is that Clark never gets to be happy. What reason does he have to even want to exist.

[MuchaLana]

I thought it was great, i was entertained...i am not a superman fan, i just hoped it was Lois that was dead...

[smvfan]

I voted ugly. The same story that's been done a million times on Smallville. If not for JK dying at the end, this would've been just another filler episode. A good character booted off the show for the sake of the 100th episode.

[Vatusia]

Word, C4S and LSF.

Word, C4S and LSF.

[DarthRageFist]

What I'm mad about is that the producers lied to the fans.

They said that the death would be a surprise. They said that the death would be bold. They said that this death would radically change Smallville forever.

Killing Johnathan Kent is not bold, not a surprise, and I don't see how it could radically change the show. What will change? Clark will be more grim for awhile and there will be no more "Son, the choices you make today are going to mold you into the man you're going to be." speeches from Johnathan. Wow, what a radical change!

Killing Lana would not have only been a surprise but it would have also been bold. After all, who really thought that they would have killed Lana? See what I mean? Lana's death would have solidified Clark's rivalry with Lex. There would be no more "Clark, you just have too many secrets" speeches from Lana (boy would that have made me happy). This whole Lex/Lana/Clark love triangle story line would have forced itself to end. Instead it's going to drag on and on. If Lana died Clark eventually could start moving beyond her. After all, isn't this whole Clark/Lana love story wearing a little thin?

I'll continue to watch Smallville but it pains me to know that the rest of this season could have been much more interesting and fresh than it will be.

[Emerald Dragen]

Interview with John Schnieder from SCI-FI wire about this episode.

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=1&id=34364

[jmart]

I dug this episode. I had extremely high expectations of it and it wasn't a great as I'd hoped it be but it was still a good episode. Personally, the episode it self had some problems I felt but overall was a very emotionally charged episode. But the last 10 minutes were some of the best ever on Smallville. From the look Jonathan gives Martha and Clark as he is dying to the conversation between Martha and Clark (that was Annette's tour de force) and the final scene were all amazing. The episode itself had some problems, things I'd most likely have changed but I felt really good about the last 10 minutes.

I was a huge JK fan and it was really sad to see him go, it wasn't a move I wanted them to take but they did and they did it well.

[Mon-Ell]

Originally posted by Praxis
I enjoyed the episode but I was left disappointed at the end. Very emotional, great episode, but we were left basicly desperately screaming, "No, not Jonathan, please find a way to kill Lana again!" when we realized it was going to be Jonathan...

I really tried not to look at anything related to this epi, even some of the promos on the WB, I was hoping so bad that it would be Lana, and lo and behold she got hit by a bus! (I was yelling YES it's about freaking time!) Then CK ruined it for me by living the day over and indirectly killing his dad..(Causing me to be just as upset as when Spock died in ST 2.)

(I don't hate KK, I just hate Lana in the worst way.)

BTW, can someone tell me if Supes' parents are alive in the comics, and if so how much continunity does Smallville try to adhere to, with it being CK's past and all?

[goldylocks_k]

What happened! PLEASE GOD SOMEONE TELL ME!!!

[superhippie2000]

Originally posted by Fish1941
I really enjoyed this episode. I'll miss Jonathan Kent . . . even if he did come off as a bit self-righteous at times. I wonder who will become State Senator.



read the new spoilers and it will say who is the senator

[fa8362]

"I felt really good about the last 10 minutes."

We're supposed to feel good about the entire hour, not 5 or 10 minutes. This show is predictably awful almost every week and last night was simply horrible.

[The_Duchess]

Originally posted by Crazy4Smallville
Oh boy! I'm probably not going to get a lot of sympathy with this review, but I have to be honest about what I thought and most of it wasn't good. There were some brilliant parts and some brilliant acting, but there were also some very frustrating parts as well.

So here goes...

Clark finally opens up and tells Lana the truth, takes her to the fortress of solitude, proposes to her and she accepts.... why? Why would she do that and then turn around that very evening to sneak out of the Talon and visit with Lex? Because he called, he was depressed, he needed her? So what! She just made a decision to spend the rest of her life with Clark, who she now knows is a superman and she doesn't even tell him where she's going, discuss with him who called or ask him to go with her. Now who's keeping secrets and lies? Where was her confession of the secrets she's been withholding from him about her killing Genevieve and Lex covering it up for her and the other stuff? I was very disappointed in her. No matter what kind of friend she considers Lex, she had no business sneaking off to see him. That was the lowest thing she's ever done. I'm not even considering the fact that it was what got her killed, the act alone is what angered me. Where was her loyalty to Clark and the Kents? I mean, afterall, Jonathan Kent just won an election and his son's finance is sneaking off to console his rival.

At first I wondered why Jonathan Kent was at the crash scene and then I remembered that he had gotten a phone call while he was at the Talon, which we all know by now that it was Lionel. I think Jonathan Kent was meant to die all along that night, that HE was the life close to Clark that was to be sacrificed for his disobedience. However, I also think that Jonathan knew he was going to die soon - anyway, because of the deal he made with Jor-El earlier. I think Lana's death was a consequence of her own making and purely conincedental, yet because it happened and Jonathan stopped to console his son - he missed his own date with destiny. So, that would make the second time around, after Clark's intereference no longer the result of destiny, but the result of Lana & Clark's decisions and both are responsible.

Look, many of you know how I feel about Lana's character. It's not Lana that I hate, but what she makes my superhero out to be. No longer will Lana be the girl that Clark outgrows, but the one who got away. Lois can never be the love of Clark's life - because Lana will always be the one he wanted. Lois has been dwindled down to the consolation prize - the one he settles with. Also, Clark's reasons for not telling Lana the second time are unfounded. How much more in danger is Lana knowing the truth as Chloe? Clark's enemies will use his best friend as much as his girlfriend against him, so what makes it more dangerous for one to know over the other? Clark knows that Lana would accept him, knowing the truth and it wasn't her knowledge of the truth that got her killed, but her reckless behavior. I don't think Clark is being honest with himself when it comes to the reasons he didn't tell her the second time. I think it was because he couldn't trust her like he had hoped. She still stole away to see Lex without him. Who knows... maybe he still has a chance to grow out of his obsession?

But, another point about this whole new angle is that it also pits Lana in the middle of Clark and Lex. I'm sure Clark will hold Lex more responsible than Lana for his father's death. Had Lex never called Lana and caused her accident, she wouldn't have died, he wouldn't have had to go back in time to save her, lose her and then lose his father as the life in exchange for hers. Now, she's not only been elevated to the status of being the love of Clark's life, but the very reason for their ultimate rivalry. No longer can the tale of Superman be a story of mere good vs. evil on moral alone - no - now their fight will be over a woman and it just happens that one is on the good side and one is on the bad side. Though Lana lived, I think Clark will still blame Lex for her initial death. I'm not sure he'll be able to get over that, because he lived through it, though no one else did.

But, not all was a total loss in this episode. I thought that Martha was wonderful. She really portrayed a good version of a woman who lost a well loved and well respected man. Her speech to Clark was priceless. Now, if he'll just listen to it.

I thought Jonathan's death scene was in good taste. I was sitting there, almost begging for him to be able to say one last 'I love you" or "good-bye", but was glad when nothing was said. He said everything with his eyes. Also, it made it more realistic. Many times people don't get the chance to say 'good-bye' and John Schnieder did an excellent job with it. I also love the fact that he went out a hero - defending his family like he has always done. I'm frustrated that they didn't show us what was in the picture. (BTW-that's two pictures now we haven't seen. The first one was when Lionel burned that picture from Lex's hired man and now this one. WHAT IS IN THOSE PHOTOS?)

Chloe get's the best lines in this show. When she mentioned Clark spinning the world backwards on its axis, I nearly choked on my drink. I should learn by now not to be drinking anything when Chloe's on the scene. I also loved her reaction when she asked about her reaction the first time Clark told her about the engagement. It showed that she's trying to very considerate of Clark and not reveal to much of her own feelings. She's a hero in her own right by the support she gives her insensitive friend. She believes in him when he doesn't even believe in himself. I think the look that she gave him at the funeral was of pure compassion, because she alone understands what Clark had given up. I'm sure she noticed Lana reach for his hand, but he didn't return the affection. He stood alone, though he was surrounded by those who loved him. He didn't reach back for Lana and drew away from him - he let her go and only Chloe knows why. I think she saw how much her friend was hurting and she felt extreme compassion for him.

What I found interesting was that Lois had much the same look, but her compassion doesn't come from knowing his sacrifice, but out of her own hidden affections for him. She cares and loves Clark just as deeply as Chloe, but she also much like her cousin in keeping her feelings in check.

I also found it interesting that Lionel and Lex were at the funeral. I understand Lex being there, because no matter how much Jonathan was his political rival, he has a lot of love and respect for him. He's always desired to have a father like Jonathan Kent and on many occassions had tried to latch himself to that family. They represent what is good in the world and he see's Jonathan as the father he always wanted to have. But, Lionel's presence there makes absolutely no sense. Martha would have never invited him, Clark would have never accepted his condolences - so why was he there. I think it also showed him like a roaring lion prowling around his food of prey (Martha). I don't know what Lionel is up to and I hope we find out soon.

I did find it a bit ironic that it was while Clark was saving Lois that Lana almost met her fate again. I mean, come on... if Clark was so adamant about keeping Lana from repeating history - he wouldn't have let her out of his sights for one moment. He knew she was going to get a phone call from Lex, yet he wasn't watching her like a hawk. He could have supersped to save Lois, but he didn't have to stick around to make sure she was alright and to listen to her chide about it. Maybe Lana isn't such a priority to Clark if he was so easily able to completely forget about her while he was saving Lois?

Maybe this epidode was more revealing than I initially thought?

Bottom line: It was a good episode, but very disappointing. The previews for next week leaves me with a disgusted feeling. I don't want to go through another episode of 'rebellious' Clark. I'm ready for him to grow up and get over himself. I was hoping this father's death would have done that for him, but it looks like he's still got a little bit more childishness to get out.

Till next time!

Oh boy!

That was....the best and more down to earth review I have read so far.

I read it twice and found very interesting points that I had not considered before.

A true finding among everything that was said.

I was terribly disappointed in the episode but I am glad I was helped by this analysis to see the not so bad parts of it.

Cool :)

[Kent_addicted]

OMG!!! This episode is one of my favorite ever!!! It's actually the first time that I stay speechless at the end of the show...the only thing I could do was crying.... :( I'm so sad for Jonathan and is family...

[MBCorp]

Originally posted by vyperman7
I was extremely skeptical going into this episode. In the past whenever they have promised us an episode that will "change things forever" there is something used to make things exactly like they used to be.

Reckoning was yet another one of these times.

While it is true that JK died, nothing much else happened.

There was supposedly a scene with Clark and Johnathan in the FOS, which should have been shown, especially since JK was leaving the show. Speaking of JK, will there even be any resolution to the senator storyline?

The bit with Lex seeing Clark superspeed was another wasted moment because it did not amount to anything. We got to see Lex gasp and that was it. They should have at least had Lex say something before time was reversed. I mean what was really the point of having him see Clark, if it was not even going to get a mention?

The time reversal in general. The episode should have had Lana be the one to pass away. It would have been the most shocking, and shown the fans that the writers are actually willing to shake things up and make changes. The writers are showing they always take the easy way out. The show was finally starting to get back on the right track, and ratings have actually been somewhat steady. Now they just blew all that.

I am trying to make myself care about what happens the rest of the season now, but after how big a letdown this was, I don't even know if I want to keep watching, and that is something I never thought I would hear myself say. This episode was just a total letdown, and I don't think I have ever been this dissapointed after an episode of Smallville.

Do the writers even know who Clark Kent is, and is supposed to become? The next episode has him acting like a vigilante. He is not Batman damnit!!

Ryan, I pretty much agree with everything in your review and like you I'm also having trouble caring about what happens the rest of the season. The trailers for next weeks episode didn't look very good at all and reminded me too much of Exile. I actually really do think that Reckoning was the shark jump for me, I have absolutely no interest in what happens next for these characters since the writers are too afraid to ever take bold risks or change anything for good. As for Reckoning, I was so excited about it and even though I should have known better I really did think there would be some major changes in this episode. I thought that Clana would have some sort of resolution, that Lex would show some major signs of being evil (and no, yelling at Lana and accidently causing her to wreck doesn't count), that Clark would start to be more heroic and that the whole aspect of the show would be changed permantely. Like everyone else though I was extremely disappointed when things went back to square one at the end of the episode and JK's death was made pointless.

The pacing of this episode was really off; it was overly rushed and way too clumsy. Lana's death had no emotional impact because of the sudden switch to the FOS scene. And gosh, I don't think I'll ever forgive Clark for ignoring Jor-El's warning that someone else would die if time was reversed. And next week he's going to "go bad" in order to deal with JK's death. Christ, I'm just so tired of Clark. Lana and Lex though also were made to look bad in this episode; Lana was made to look like a brainless twit and Lex was made into a pathetic creepy loser instead of the badass villain I've been wanting to see him become. I was putting alot of hope and interest into this 100th episode because I really did think that it would have a major impact and be incredibly influential and a huge change for everyone. But all that it showed me was that this show is never going to change, it's always going to take the easy way out and any changes that it does make will be done in as lame a way as possible. I pretty much think I'm done with this show, I can't even care about Lex's plotline anymore since I have a feeling it will be all about Lana.

I give Reckoning an F. I don't think I've ever been as disappointed by a tv episode in my entire life.

[DARKRAGE]

Absolutely loved this episode was beautifully shot, had some great performances and I must admit I was choked up when JS died, wasn't to fussed about seeing Lana die but since watching Superman the movie I always wondered how they would handle JK death in Smallville, really sad to see him go as a chartacter and actor but if this moves Clark towards his destiny then it will be worth it, plus I will look forward to seeing JS in the future on other shows, thanks for a great 5 years:)

[jag5311]

First, I want to admit as a 25 year old man, I cried during the end of this episode. I actually had my face turned away from my wife as some tears streamed down my face. I guess I was trying to hold it back and be proud, but couldn't help it.

1. It was a very sad scene, the funeral, the death, etc... of JK.

2. I had to relate it with my mothers death. I lost my mother to a heart attack when she was 44 (I was 14), so memories were flowing back as they lowered JK into the grave site.

I personally enjoyed this episode very much. I thought it was very well done and though there are naysayers who hated it because of the Time reversal, I thought it was well done and NEEDED to be done the way they did to. Here is why.

I thought the way Clark did the first half of the show in "proposal mode" was great. Telling Lana everything and proposing while flying/super jumping was awesome. Having her die the way she did was painful and we knew he would go to the FOS to talk to Jor-El.

Though a part of me wanted him to tell Lana the 2nd time around AND then prevent her from seeing Lex to protect her life, the rationale was that he knew she would always be in danger knowing his secret, so he knew that the relationship was done when he chose to not tell her. He felt having her alive and mad was better than having her dead at any time in his life.

So I felt the time reversal was well done, not cheesy.

Not sure how many noticed, but after Clark Saved Lana with the bus, it looks like she was looking at him or in his direction almost as if to say "I feel like I was saved again...was it Clark?"

I personally think she is making a connection and just wants to hear it from him. I think CLana is dead, BUT I think Clark WILL tell her before it's all said and done. Chloe might have something to do with this because of her "looking back" at the end of the funeral. Here is why.

Chloe knows what Clark is going through because of his discussion about how Clark reversed time to save Lana's life. She also feels for him because he feels guilty of causing his father's death. She looked back as almost to say "Clark I am so sorry, you have lost your father and you have lost Lana because of trying to be a good man".

I think Chloe will start to become angry with Lana, especially if she starts falling into the arms of Lex (which a part of me thinks won't happen). Chloe somewhere along the lines will let it slip that if it wasn't for Clark, she wouldn't be here right now...or something along those lines. Lana will be like "What are you talking about" and that is when Chloe might say something about Clarks abilities or she will try and shrug it off.

It looks like next episode from the previews Clark is somewhat angry with lana as he pushes her hands away, then again she is making a comment about Jonathon Kent, something like "Your father loved you" or something.

We can already see in Vengeance that Clark is starting to want to use his powers for a reason, as in beating people that do crime, but he is doing it more in an evil way than good, but we are seeing a transformation in him. It won't be a black/white scenario that because JK is dead, Clark turns into Superman. This takes time and Clarks personality will begin to change, mature, and he will become a man.

I think he will probably drop out of college to take care of the farm for a while, or until he is ready to go to Metropolis, but his mom needs him right now.

I also envision a Clark / Lionel feud. I am curious as to what that picture contained. I am sure we will find out soon.

Clark will start to see Lex for who he really is and their friendship I think is completely over, unless Lex tries to appeal to Clark since his father died.

What sucks is NOBODY besides Lionel and JK know that fight existed in the bar.

Anyone else notice how Lionel looked at Martha at the end of the funeral?

Anyways, those are my thoughts/predictions.

Who else cried and what do you think of my thoughts?

[Rob Conway]

The following post is my personal opinion of Reckoning. I say ‘kudos’ to everyone who loved it, but I didn’t. I won’t debate any of my points because it’s my opinion, and one that won’t change.


Stupidity, Thy Name Is ‘Reckoning’:

A. Death of a Dukeboy:
Other than a few pathetic last minute interviews by the producers to make MOD EDIT: NO INSULTING OTHERS think Lana or Chloe would actually die, everyone and their dog knew Pa Kent was a goner since they’ve been hinting at that heart attack of his for the last few years. However, they completely gave it away in less than 5 minutes when they had Jonathan tell Clark that he was, “A man who doesn’t need his father’s advice anymore.” Jeez, talk about lack of subtlety in foreshadowing. Was there anyone stupid enough not to see that? This death was anti-climatic, pure and simple.

B. Final Destination: Smallville
It’s one thing for the universe to balance itself out, it’s another for it to sneak up behind Lois, knock her out cold and then try and electrocute her. Because other than that scenario, I have no idea how she ended up on the floor with water overflowing near a radio. Inexplicably she wasn’t even in her campaign clothes or watching a television to hear the latest poll results. God, that was just insipid.

C. A Debt Paid or Time Up?:
When you considering how death actively went after Lois, shouldn’t it have gone after Jon with the same gusto? I mean, why give him a heart attack? If death was coming to collect, it should’ve used one of the tools in the farm to chop his head clean off. That’d teach Clark a lesson for sure (“Kal-El, next time listen to your Kryptonian father or else I promise you, Lana will lose her torso.”). Okay, that wouldn’t happen but Jon has been in danger of a fatal heart attack for some time now and by making his death a natural cause of an affliction he’s been suffering from, it doesn’t come off as Jor-El collecting a debt. It’s more like life simply caught up to Jonathan after all these years. It takes away from the whole life-for-a-life thing. Some of you may disagree that it doesn’t, but believe you me, it does.

D. Back to the Same O’ Crap:
Me loves time travel stories but the second time around for Clark was way too similar to the first time. Lex still lost the election, Lana stupidly still went to console him, Lex still chased after her, etc. I didn’t feel that Clark had this one and only chance to go back in time. It felt like a dramatic plot contrivance to kill off Lana (and trick the fangirls at home into thining she was dead) and then bring her back. It’s too bad too, because they could’ve done some great things with that premise and showed Clark different events he didn’t see the first time or whatnot, but in usual SV fashion, they blew it.

D. Cry Welling:
Was that the best Tom Welling could muster up for his big crying scene? Considering the great love of his life just died and he was powerless to stop it, he should’ve been on his knees, weeping his eyes out and begging Jor-El to change things. It honestly looked like someone splashed water on his face before the director yelled, “ACTION!” If this is the best Welling can do when he’s finally allowed to show some real emotion, he better hope they make ‘The Fog II’ because he’s not going to get many roles when SV goes off the air.

E. Not with a Whimper, but a BANG!:
I thought the funeral scene was well done from a photography standpoint (I.e., I enjoyed the shots they used and some of the framing), and I even liked the song they employed (its beat and pacing were just right for a slow-motion sequence) -- that is until the very end when the singer decided to scream that last line for too long. After some nicely restrained deliveries, and some cool lines, the last thing we hear was:

“HAAAGREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!”

I don’t even know if that’s what he said but that’s what it sounded like to me. It’s a bad sign when you can’t tell what the hell someone is shouting. That completely ruined the whole atmosphere of the funeral for me. “Oh no Mr. Producers, don’t end the funeral quietly. No, end it with a man screeching like he got his privates caught in a light socket.” Dumb.


The Con Man

[Watching Smallville]

I'm feeling bitter about the time warp, but I think the main reason I'm annoyed at this episode is that parts of it were so promising and so wonderful. The first half — I could have watched an entire episode of that stuff. I was happy to see Clark finally telling Lana the truth. I thought taking her to the FOS was a wonderful sequence. I wanted the show to explore how Lana dealt with the news — I think they rushed her reaction. I wanted to hear more from her about how she was feeling. And more from Chloe on the new dynamic.

The entire first half was great. Letting Lex see Clark superspeed was surprising and also wonderful
And let Lana survive, or let Clark save her again. And I thought Reckoning was the most beautifully shot episode of Smallville in the entire series.

Then we got the second half — which could have also stood on its own as an episode, without the reference to the time warp. Focus on Jonathan for his last appearance. Let him enjoy his victory. Draw out the tension with Lionel — also rushed.

So much good stuff in this ep — I wanted to mention it, despite my disappointment.

They should have broken it in half and made two great episodes.

[STORIES]

MANIPULATION! That's all this episode was, RATINGS MANIPULATION!

The cast and directors did fantastic work however! They are to be
aplauded!! Thank you for your hard and excellent work!!

The producers should be ashamed though! The writers goals for this
episode clearly were the ratings! I can understand that desire but
the storyline was just plain manipulative! The fans were promised at
the begining of the season we'd "see everything we wanted" this
season!
I am glad Lana is not dead but it was hard to fully comprehend the
death of Johnathan Kent after the initial shell shock of Lana's
supposed death.
I accept that the desired future overall for Clark is for Lois to be
his woman. But, please, quit alienating Lana and Clark! Have the
writers no further imagination than this? So far all we have really
had this season is a sex episode and a death episode which gets
reversed! I want to enjoy Lana and Clark's relationship, and or just
friendship - ALL SECRETS KNOWN!
PLEASE CHANGE THE WRITING STAFF!!
I CAN'T STAND THESE WRITERS!
Please, Gough and Millar, forget Aquaman, get your concentration back
on SMALLVILLE!!

[Qwerty]

I said "bad." It just had no creativity, it wasn't as surprising as we thought it would be. I've cooled off since last night, but I'm still mad that it was just so....blah. And now I have "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" stuck in my head.

*Hums* weeeoooeeeeoooo wah wah wah :P

[TheKents]

I loved this episode, I know that alot of Clana fans are disapointed, and I don't blame them, but I liked the episode soo much that I can't understand it. The writers promised us everything we ever wanted, the Clana's have gotten that. Now there is someones elses turn, we all kinda saw that Jonathan died, but I wasn't prepared for that "shock" that kinda hit me, I cried like a baby. Which means I feel that it was real, I loved this episode it gave us everything cept, Chlark offcorse. It had Lexana, Martha/John, Martha/Lionel, Clana, Clois. They got what they wanted. And we all know that Lana was not meant to be with Lana, it is clear.

I just loved the Martha speech.. It was not your fault speech.. I cried..

[MyOwnSuperhero]

So, everyone and there dog hated Reckoning. WHY? Because it was 'predictable'? I suppose people will complain when Clark becomes Superman as well, hmm? We're watching a show where we already know most of the life stories for every character involved. With a new Supes movie coming out, and given that SV has always drawn heavily from the movies, we've all expected Jonathan's death for a long, long time. As it was, it still had unspoiled viewers guessing more than halfway through the episode. Considering JK died thirty years ago in Superman: the Movie, that's some incredible writing.

Additionally, the internal continuity of this episode was superb. In a plot filled to the brim with potential holes, the writers managed to give us a tight, well written story, largely devoid of the myriad of plot holes. The excellent continuity extended further, referencing past episodes through out, and setting the stage for an established future.

And finally, despite the incessant whining of some fans, this ep made some major steps in character progression. Folks, Romantic Clana is dead. Clark said as much. Have we not been waiting for this for years? Speaking of death and romance, with JK out of the picture, I think we can expect some awesome Lionel/Martha scenes in the near future. Lex's defeat is just another step on his own path to evil. Clark's decision to save Lana even at the cost of their relationship brings him one huge step closer to leaving Smallville. And the heightened possibilities of Lexana only make the current situation that much better.

This episode will be huge in the overall scheme of things. It's as important to Clark's progress as Lexmas was to Lex. (Then again, that's another brilliantly done episode that people complained about...)

So, everyone and there dog hated Reckoning. WHY? Because it was 'predictable'? I suppose people will complain when Clark becomes Superman as well, hmm? We're watching a show where we already know most of the life stories for every character involved. With a new Supes movie coming out, and given that SV has always drawn heavily from the movies, we've all expected Jonathan's death for a long, long time. As it was, it still had unspoiled viewers guessing more than halfway through the episode. Considering JK died thirty years ago in Superman: the Movie, that's some incredible writing.

Additionally, the internal continuity of this episode was superb. In a plot filled to the brim with potential holes, the writers managed to give us a tight, well written story, largely devoid of the myriad of plot holes. The excellent continuity extended further, referencing past episodes through out, and setting the stage for an established future.

And finally, this ep made some major steps in character progression. Folks, Romantic Clana is dead. Clark said as much. Have we not been waiting for this for years? Speaking of death and romance, with JK out of the picture, I think we can expect some awesome Lionel/Martha scenes in the near future. Lex's defeat is just another step on his own path to evil. Clark's decision to save Lana even at the cost of their relationship brings him one huge step closer to leaving Smallville. And the heightened possibilities of Lexana only make the current situation that much better.

This episode will be huge in the overall scheme of things. It's as important to Clark's progress as Lexmas was to Lex. (Then again, that's another brilliantly done episode that people complained about...)

Mod Note - Edited for insulting another viewers.

[jag5311]

If this is the best Welling can do when he’s finally allowed to show some real emotion, he better hope they make ‘The Fog II’ because he’s not going to get many roles when SV goes off the air.

Well, that depends. Is someone from Krypton suppose to cry like a baby, meaning their genetic makeup, etc...

Keep in mind, this is hte man of steel. His abilities allow him to be stronger, not just physically, but mentally.

Heck, even in Superman when Lois Lane dies in the earthquake, all he did was scream really loud, he didn't cry.

[clark25]

WOW what a episode there was a
whole lot of emotional things that happened in it.And to my hats off to
Tom Welling and John Schendier for putting on there last preformace together
as father and son.And to this is one of
the best episodes of Smallville that I
have seen in a while.I am still speachless over it and to.You could
tell that Lex is becoming more like the
one we have seen in the comics and
the movies.Anywho what more can I
say it was a terrific episode

[TheKents]

I really really loved this episode, it was great and brilliant. I loved it. It was more than I expected, I cried like a baby when JK died all the way untill the episode was over. That is great. That is just fantastic, I was just wowed by this episode. I would like to maybe remove the timetravel or atleast let them have the memories from before the timetravel. It would maybe have been better, but we'll have to see how they play this death and breakup and Lois clear feelings for Clark, in newer episodes, I would have done anything to have this great episodes on other shows, it was more than I could hope for.

[a_friend]

I am disgusted.

What a pile of steamin' CRAP that was.

Right, WHY didn't Clark tell Lana again the 2nd time around? She wouldn't have reacted any different. Instead, we are back to square 1, oooh, for a change.

Oh, and Lex saw Clark run at superspeed the first time round but, oh, wait, we're back to square 1.

So basically, we're all back to square 1, minus Johnathan Kent.

What an absolute DISGRACE. And to think that the writers get paid for that drivvel.

[Vor-el]

this episode rocked!!!!! the second half wasn't the best, but it was still reall really REALLY good. i dont care what people think, i thought it was great.

[All about Clark]

Well the everything you wanted to see was clearly not in this ep. The big picture was OK, JK dying and Clark seeing fate work and self-sacrificing was even OK. It was the way they used the time reversal and choosing for Lana to not know the secret and letting things get ugly with Clana, enough is enough. And Clark feeling guilty again!!!!! How many times do we have to feel his guilt. Give the poor guy a reason to go on in life.

[TheKents]

I think this episode gave me everything I wanted..

[Shon_t]

Originally posted by Magus
i hated the 2nd half. HATED IT! AlMiles shouldn't get their 6th season. Just to spite them. JK is dead.

I have to agree. At the begining of the episode I was ready to declare this episode the best ever. How stupid of me to really believe that unlike all the other times before, this wasn't a dream, fantasy, or some alternate reality.

I am all for the CLana, but Lana should have died. It should have been real...and it should have been final. The way she went out was great, and I don't think anything would have been better in moving Clark foward as the man he will become.

Can you imagine how that would have effected his relationship with Lex even further knowing that Lex was responsible for the death of his lover? Can you imagine how it would effect his future relationships? And can you imagine the guilt that Lex would have felt, and how that would have eaten him up further.

TPTB never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. The death of Clarks father just wasn't as powerful as the death of his lover.

hated this ep.

[Chloe fan1988]

Despite the lack of suprise when Lana found out and the tired use of time travel and memory wipe, I though this was a very good episode. Annette O'Toole was amazing; her scenes at the end trumps every performance any actor has ever given on this show. Period. Unlike some people here, I thought that the episode started to get really good right around the time Johnathon met with Lionel, and I was very satisfied with the way JK went out, and I do believe he was the best choice for TPTB to kill. I agree with what Schneider said in his interview--Johnathon went out a hero, like a cowboy. It was like he was walking off into the sunset when he swaggered out of the barn...it was really fitting for "the good ol' boy." A good episode with a SENSATIONAL performance from Annette O'Toole.

[SmvilleTeacher]

I voted Good only because I wouldn't call it bad or ugly. There were things that I expected and things that I was happy with in this episode, but I was very dissapointed that Lana was still uninformed. I accept the ultimate demise of their romantic relationship, but Lana and Clark remain friends after he leaves Smallville. I will be very upset if their relationship is completely dissolved by the end of the show.

And I too am tired of the misery that this superhero is put through. I felt depressed after the show last night. They can never let Clark be happy. I guess they call it DRAMA. Last night instead of rewatching the episode, I watched another Season 2 Lois n Clark episode because at least Dean Cain's Clark is happy and content with his life.

[No-El]

Originally posted by Daphne
We all knew Jonathan would die. But I don't think it's accurate to it end up being Clark's fault. Clark doesn't grow up into Superman with that guilt.
Jor-El is also dead and this Jor-El from beyond the grave is getting so annoying. A dead person just doesn't have this much control, lame.
The fact that Lana doesn't know anymore was predictable too. But in the comics she does know and I don't think they should be to worried about that. Clark is so okay with Chloe knowing and he just can't tell Lana. Interesting.


Well, I voted good.

But, from what I understand of AG, wanting to bring Terance Stamp on as Jor-El, depending on his schedule looks like an almost certainty.

You think the present AI Jor-El is annoying? Well you may be more annoyed when the real deal is cast to play him!:cool:

[TomWellingLover122]

I thought it was VERY VERY sad when his dad died! But it was sweet when Clark proposed to Lana @ TFOS and how he made the ring with his heat vision. I really wished his dad didnt die, he JUST WON SENATE!:( :eek:

I thought it was VERY VERY sad when his dad died! But it was sweet when Clark proposed to Lana @ TFOS and how he made the ring with his heat vision. I really wished his dad didnt die, he JUST WON SENATE!:( :eek:

I thought it was VERY VERY sad when his dad died! But it was sweet when Clark proposed to Lana @ TFOS and how he made the ring with his heat vision. I really wished his dad didnt die, he JUST WON SENATE!:( :eek:

I think it was REALLY REALLY REALLY SAD when Clark's dad dies! You would have cried! But it was sweet when Clark porposed to Lana, and how he did it, with his heat vision.

I thought it was VERY VERY sad when his dad died! But it was sweet when Clark proposed to Lana @ TFOS and how he made the ring with his heat vision. I really wished his dad didnt die, he JUST WON SENATE!:( :eek:

[enamored]

Originally posted by Rob Conway





E. Not with a Whimper, but a BANG!:
I thought the funeral scene was well done from a photography standpoint (I.e., I enjoyed the shots they used and some of the framing), and I even liked the song they employed (its beat and pacing were just right for a slow-motion sequence) -- that is until the very end when the singer decided to scream that last line for too long. After some nicely restrained deliveries, and some cool lines, the last thing we hear was:

“HAAAGREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!”

I don’t even know if that’s what he said but that’s what it sounded like to me. It’s a bad sign when you can’t tell what the hell someone is shouting. That completely ruined the whole atmosphere of the funeral for me. “Oh no Mr. Producers, don’t end the funeral quietly. No, end it with a man screeching like he got his privates caught in a light socket.” Dumb.


The Con Man

Just thought I clear this up for you. I'm not sure who the song is done by but it sounds like Peter Gabriel. Yes, the last 2 words were louder than the rest but they were hardly screeched. Just so you know, those last two words were "I grieve". Perfectly, fitting that they were a little louder and a little more emotional don't you think. I had no trouble deciphering them at all.

[fallen]

oh well, that was the top episode I felt like throwing a few tears. [even though i didn't].

I mean I felt like that before, but it just kept building up and up and.. this was the most touching episode of Smallville, ever.

Maybe not a perfect one, but it surely touched me, and that's a positive.
I'd give this episode a 9/10.
That 1/10 is just the whole mess with the plot. I was a bit confused here and there but I generally enjoyed the episode.


so yes.. im waiting for the next one, that's for sure.

[Mr. Mxyll32]

Despite a predictable second half. I like this ep. We finally get Clana together for a brief moment. She knows the secret, they are getting married and that she loved Clark even though he's not human. She didn't turn away because he was different. We know that this would be for a short time. I like that he got to fly with her. He knows how to fly. The FOS scene taking out of "Superman II" but there he had Ms. Lane. Notice even Lois said she would like to have a guy like Clark.

I guess any one could be angry with change. Clark has to become a man and turn into superman. Having JK there might hinder him just a bit. Change that Lex is becoming more distant and an enemy of Clark has to play in as well. Lana is not to be Clark's final love.

It is about time they stick with superman's myth instead what happen last season, though there were some good ep's from last season.

Though I was sad about Clana and that JK had to died, I was please that they are heading in the right direction for Clark.

Grade it A+ or ****

[fallen]

Also, he finds out that Lex kinda knows something, and if Clark finds out that Lionel has evidence [photograph?], he'll turn against them, and poof we've got a major twist.

they started the season off like buddies-that-don't-talk-because-you-spilled-my -ice-cream and they round up the season [okay, mid-season] by [almost] hating each other.

I think Clark will now be firmer on his choices and it'll kinda push him in the right direction in becoming Superman..

[LuthorRequiem2]

"I loved how this whole ep had mirrored scenes from the movie series, from the ring to the death scene of John. "

Yeah, and I liked how they did it in a nice homage-way, with their own slant, rather than ripping it off. Also, did you notice when Chloe said to Clark, "What did you do, Clark? Spin the world around on its axis to reverse time?" That was directly from SUPERMAN THE MOVIE (Not the quote, but the fact that Superman DID turn the world around and reverse time, saving Lois from, ironically, Lex's evil).

[C. Kal-el Kent]

I have to admit it didn't quite live up to it's hype, I was hoping it would be more climatic. None-the-less it was a great episode, I was just really hoping to see Lex's reaction to Clark's powers.

[shadowcat20x]

I loved it and hated it at the same time.

It was so beautifully crafted, that is one thing Smallville has never let me down on, it always looks sublime.

I hated that Jonathan had to die, I hated it! But yet at the same time, it was done with grace, and realism. Who knows when our loved ones will perish?

I loved the first half of Reckoning when it seemed things on the show were truly changing. For Clark to go back in time and change all that was devastating.

[cayayofm]

Words can't express how dissaponted I am with this episode, I can't post a episode review because I still mad at the events of the episode. Thanks Smallville producers for make me remember how mediocre you are. I was so exited all day, yesterday, waiting for this episode and all my expectections just colapsed throught it, it just made me remember a quote from someone else in this board that is so true.

"Smallville is not a great show, never was and never will be"

[katt12]

Originally posted by shadowcat20x
I loved it and hated it at the same time.

Same here. I always thought that I would rather Jonathan die than Chloe, but seeing it was absolutely terrible! I think it wasn't as good as I had expected it to be, but it was definitely better than most. I would have preferred no time reversal, to have it worked out (though there really was no way to bring back Lana realistically), but that's just my personal opinion.

[Kryptonian Snake]

+ The opening sequence in the FoS looked great, and it was nice to see Clark finally spill the beans to Lana.
+ The car crash scene with JK restraining Clark was great. It was the most believable expression of sadness and pain I've seen from Tom Welling on this show (much better than the crying scenes in "Relic" and "Pariah").
+ More than halfway through the episode the writers/producers had me thinking (and hoping) that they might actually take a bold step by having Lana die even after the time reversal.
+ The final act was probably more emotional for me than anything I've seen on the show previously.
+ The writers/producers still have me wondering about Lionel's intentions and what he knows about Clark and the Kent's. I'm curious to see how that subplot unfolds.
+ The musical selection was great, especially for Lana's crash scene and the funeral.

- The writers/producers chickened out of making drastic/shocking changes to the series by using the time warp device to erase the first half of the episode. I would have loved it if they had followed through with some of the drastic changes.
- While the Clark-Lana romance is probably dead for good at this point, the issues between these two characters are still unresolved. I guess if they ever have a conversation about Clark's secret, it won't happen until the end of the series.

[spideyfan]

Jor-EL : "We are not GODS Kal-El"

or something like that

I think it was good but could have been better.

I loved the acting and the way the whole episode was filmed. I hated the time crystal and would have rather had the spining arounf the world thing instead. I would have also had Lana and JK die or JK and Lionel die. But maybe 2 deaths would over shadow the importance of JK's death.

Again the acting was superb by all, and I wish the included the final JK/CK Fortress scene.

8.5/10 from me.

We will miss you Mr. Schneider!

[superman79]

:D I loved this ep! It was like watching scenes from the movies. But if there is one complaint it would be the time reversal thing. They did this on "Angel" and "Buffy" too. It is ignorant and contrived, even when done well. It is like a tease with no reward. The second half was done well but after seeing the first...you know what I mean.

[Timester]

Originally posted by cayayofm
Words can't express how dissaponted I am with this episode, I can't post a episode review because I still mad at the events of the episode. Thanks Smallville producers for make me remember how mediocre you are. I was so exited all day, yesterday, waiting for this episode and all my expectections just colapsed throught it, it just made me remember a quote from someone else in this board that is so true.

"Smallville is not a great show, never was and never will be"

The most frustating thing is it has everything to be great. :\

[FallenStar]

OK, seeing as I re-watched the episode today, and was rambling incoherently in my post last night, I am gonna update my review.

The Good

1) The episode was wonderful on a whole. Of course, I have things I didn't particularly like, but I felt that Reckoning was riveting and touching, and a good turning point in the series.

2) The acting; Everyone was DEFINITELY up to par. Tom Welling was brilliant (and looked VERY hot, may I add.) And, in his defense, I understand why he showed so little emotion at the funeral, and speak from experience when I say that his reaction could be expected to be quiet, but grief stricken nonetheless. He was keeping up a strong face, if not to keep himself from feeling the pain, then for his mother, who was obviously destroyed inside. Lex was good in his evil role, although a bit of a b*tch with Lana. And I say B*tch because he did not take rejection like a man. He whined. AND took advantage of the rebound, which made me want to rip his balls off, but I guess we're supposed to hate him. He too, was looking yummy in this episode...

3) The Fortress; My favorite scene. Ever. Period. I jumped and screamed and was just insane throughout the flight/jump and proposal. The backdrop was brilliant, the emotions were real, and I was thoroughly impressed.

4) The death; I loved Jonathan Kent, and I am very happy with how they handled his death. Emotionally strong but quiet and reserved, and surrounded by the ones he loves the most.

5) Chlark; I laughed so friggin hard during the post time-travel scene. I thought it was brilliantly done. Even if it WAS time travel.

6) Road Kill; Sorry, but nothing makes me happier than Lana dead and maimed and under a 2 ton hunk of metal. *laughs maniacally*

7) The funeral; Dark, touching, and brilliant enough to reduce me to tears. End of story. Martha made me cry, because I felt so much for her!!!!

The Bad

1)The death; I'm sure it was surprising for the non-spoiled viewers, but for the 1% percent of viewers who were spoiled, it was touching, but predictable. Although I did see an attempt to throw us off. Lois passing out (although I knew she'd live...DUH) and ESPECIALLY Chloe. When I saw that she was 'babysitting' Lana, I said "Oh ****. What if they get into an accident and Chloe is the one who dies!" But that could just be because I'm paranoid.

2) Time travel; OK, ok, I'll admit that it wasn't NEARLY as corny as I though it would be. But I wanted to see Lex know, Lana dead, etc. etc. etc....I still think it was a cop out. The writers should have attempted to take on such complications as Lex’s discovery and Lana’s death, but of course, we are now back to "As the world revolves around Lana" soap stupidity that I have grown sick of. When you pray for a character to DIE, the storyline is DEFINITELY tired. (I may actually write a fanfic that's basically Reckoning SANS time travel. Just to prove that even a high school student can write a plot line for it)

3) Lana living, Jonathan dying; This just goes against everything I believe anyway, so this may just be a problem for me only. Lana should have died in both scenarios. Death is inevitable, and "a heart only beats so many times in a life." IMO, Lana's death was fate, and not even time travel could prevent it. Jonathan's as well. Time travel can’t change what destiny holds, and the best laid plans of mice and men can do nothing to prevent it. So, in theory, we should have had a double funeral.

And the fact that Lana lived ticked me off in general, seeing as JK was the one who payed for it, and Martha as well. So Clanas, I hope you're happy. . .

That’s all I have to say. I will always love Smallville, no matter how far they take it away from reality, and will watch it till the end.

But I am still keeping the pitchforks and torches handy. . .just incase :D

[bkzcici]

I don't think it's wrong for Lana to check up on Lex, afterall, even though Clark and Lex are no longer friends, Lana and Lex remain good friends. Especially.. Lex took a bullet for her on the last episode. What are friends for? Cheer them when they are down. I know Lex will turn evil (and starting to), but he geniunely care for Lana. Obviously, Clark was busy somewhere in the party taking pictures and Lex sounded really bad on the phone. We can't blame Lana for being a friend.

The 100th episode started out really great but I was a bit disappointed in the end. I was so happy Clark and Lana are getting engaged. "everything you've been waiting to see will happen", well.. it did happen but then it didn't! I always wanted Clark to tell Lana. And he did! except he took it back! But at least I get to see how it could've been. I am glad Lana still loves Clark. "AWWWW!" was all I can say in the first half of Reckoning. Everything was perfect. When Lana asks "How many times were you there to save me but I didn't know it?" and Clark answers, "it doesn't matter, I couldn't let anything happen to you." The way Clark proposed to Lana was priceless. Lana really was the luckiest girl. She finally understands why Clark was never able to come clean with her. It's so great that Lana finally knows how Clark has always been there for her, saving her! Everyone did a wonderful job on this episode. I really enjoyed the first half. Everything was coming together.

Personally, I am tired of Clark and Lana's on and off relationship. But I wanted them together so bad. And this time, it's final, of course. Clark can't tell Lana his secret because it's too much to risk. Lana is not like Chloe or Pete. Chloe understands that Lex has a dark side. And Pete never really liked Lex. Lana, on the other hand, has a close relationship with Lex, who will be Clark's ultimate enemy. It's too much to put on Lana, Lex can see through her. And it's definitely not because Clark realizes he can't trust Lana! I feel SO bad for Clark when it was the second time coming around. He wanted to tell Lana but couldn't. It was either a happily-ever-after or break-up moment.

I despise the second half, hearing all those ironic statements coming out of Lana and Lex! "Clark may never trust you!", PLEASE... Clark trusts her! Clark lived a day that no one else did. After the episode ended, I was like Wow, I wish Lana died instead. I love Lana! But really, I rather have her dead knowing Clark trusted her and loved her so much. Chloe is right, "If anyone deserves to be happy, it's you (Clark)." But, because he's meant to be a superhero, he has to sacrifice a lot. Just like Spiderman said, "With great power comes great responsibilities."

Clark and Lana are star-crossed lovers. Sigh :(

And don't forget, this is just Smallville. There is a still a long way before Clark becomes Superman. Right now, it may seems like Lana is the object between Clark and Lex. But I am sure, things will change as time goes on.

I don't think Lois knows she has feelings for Clark yet. I think feelings are developing. Sure, as much as she loves to make fun/argue with Clark.. she cares for him. But it's nothing like keeping feelings in check. I don't think Clark and Lois should start anything anytime soon. Clark needs some time off girls. Afterall, he loved/liked Lana since he was 5. He needs to face his destiny and focus on other stuff.

One thing I am annoyed about Lana is how she always want to know the TRUTH, TRUTH, TRUTH. Hasn't she heard "Ignorance is a blissing"? I guess it isn't easy to love someone who's always hiding something away from you. But, sigh.

I went through spoilers beforehand because I was so obsessed. I knew it couldn't be Lana but I don't see how since she crashed like that. But wow, when Clark took the crystal and went back to the beginning. I was like Darn no! Poor guy.

I love and hate this episode. Love the first 1/2, despise the second 1/2.

[Clark Kent 86]

Well, the first 30 minutes was freaking awesome! I loved that Clark finally told Lana, ITS ABOUT TIME! Also, the super leap incredible, we also finally got to see how people were transproted to the fortress. Lana and Clark were getting married, I know that something had to happen because of you know who, and so Lana then dies! WOW!

But then they had to pull the old time travel trick. Kind of a dissapointment, and so we had to re-watch the first 30 minutes again, just slightly asque.

But I'll tell ya, perhaps the best scene of the whole show was the Jonathan Lionel confrontation. When ol' Bo gave Lionel five across the lips, it was great.

And then Daddy Kent had to up and die. It was sad but yet kind of disappointing, they had to play the heart attack card.

The funeral scene was another good scene.

I know that there have been mixed emotions flying around these boards and thats okay. I guess it just goes to show you that Smallville is doing something right when it can generate this kind of passion and intensity.

Overall, Reckoning was a pretty good episode.

[Son of Kal-El20]

I saw Reckoning yesterday and I must say that even though it was a decent episode, it was TERRIBLY disappointing. The episode started extremely well with Clark FINALLY revealing his secret to Lana. In fact, it was one of the best beginnings in a Smallville episode. Everything afterward was going great except for Lana accepting Clark's proposal( she should've turned him down), but all that greatness soon went down hill. After Lana supposed death, Clark switches back time and that's when Reckoning became absolute garbage. Everything from the excellent beginning was now nonexistent. The whole show went right back to square one except now one character is dead forever. Now we're going to have episodes with Lana whining about why Clark isn't honest, more episodes with Clark considering whether he should try to get back with Lana, and more episodes that were the same as Season 2, 3, and 4. Nothing really changed. The only good that's probably going to come out of this is Clark brooding about his Earth dad, but other than that, nothing. This is an episode that should've made the show go in a different direction, but instead it's going to go in the same direction only this time without one likable character.

All in all, Reckoning, the so called episode that will change everything, was a major letdown. I give Reckoning a 6/10.

[LifeFirst]

When you people started complaning about how they did the time-travel thing and how lame the second-half of the show was. I was very upset and almost enraged at Smallville's writers and the directors. If I saw the episode Live....I probably would have screamed at the television. But thankfully I did not. I was able to prepare for the dissapointing episode.


Now that I have seen the episode. It was GREAT. The acting, the dialogue, the cinematography. It was A LOT better than I EVER thought it would be. And it wasn't corny like "Fanatic" or "Lockdown". It's one of the best episodes of the season and even the second half was very decent and well-played. Very interesting. I really enjoyed this episode.

But I can see how people are dissapointed. I can totally understand you people about wanting to see Lana dead. But I don't think she's going to be in it any much longer. I can see her taking Lex's side and probably becoming a little "evil". That would be great.

[jmart]

Originally posted by fa8362
"I felt really good about the last 10 minutes."

We're supposed to feel good about the entire hour, not 5 or 10 minutes. This show is predictably awful almost every week and last night was simply horrible.

I'm going to have to agree and disagree with you. I do agree with should feel good about the whole hour but with tv that doesn't always happen. I disagree with your statement "This show is predictably awful almost every week." The show is one of the best I've seen in awhile - I think yes, it does have it's flaws but theirs a lot of talent on the Smallville cast and crew. Listen, if I were to do Smallville I would have done completely different BUT I'm digging what they are doing, you know? This is THEIR version of the story and they are doing are good job.

I didn't the whole Lana's death/ time travel thing because I believe they should have done an episode based on Jonathan and that yes, it felt like the Lana thing was done possibly for ratings but the fact is those last 10 minutes were truly touching and well done, so if I walk away with 10 minutes of good TV a week I feel pretty good (well more cause My Name is Earl and The Office always kick ass). Also the ending wasn't the only good part about this episode, it has a lot of nice moments - wasn't perfect but their has been tons of (IMO) perfect Smallville episodes so you can't be too mad. But I guess on this subject we can agree to disagree.

[Son of Kal-El20]

I picked 'bad' because the episode wasn't that good. Hidden, Splinter, and Solitude rule this season by far.

[SamBanksJLA]

Well, I think we all knew when Lana did die in the crash, that she was going to be brought back to life somehow. What enraged me was the way it was done. Like I said before, I would have much rather seen JK valiantly give up his life on his last breath to save Lana's, and then Lana come back to life, and continue knowing the secret. But to just wipe everything away that had happened over the course of the first 30 minutes is rediculous.

[Magnus1105]

It sucked ass

[cloey]

Wow!, What a 100th episode of smallville! I was on an emotional rollarcoaster through the whole show. It was powerful and good! There were parts that I thought should have been more planned.

I thought the part where clarke told lana the truth was a bit off. It was too quick . I could not believe he proposed to her right after he told her his secret. Man!:rolleyes: You would think he would give her time to swallow what he said.

Then, JK won the senator race and I was happy for him:) Then , the part where lex calls lana and she goes right over there (big mistake) :rolleyes: and lex is drunk and he makes a pass at her? Hello? :rolleyes: I mean she is clarke's fiance' and she should have not gone there alone ! She should have gone with someone else--clarke? Then, on her way back to the party and lex is chasing her down the road and she gets into a horrific accident and she dies. I kind of figured it would be her . I got emotional for clarke cause he fell apart and then goes to Jor-el and begs him to change things.

So, back we go and things happen a bit different. Clarke saves her from getting killed but then she has a nasty attitude when they see each other at the barn. She is fed up but clarke is afraid to tell her because of what happened with lex knowing that lana knows about clarke. Of course he sees clarke using his powers in the scene where he saves her. I like lana but she has some issues.

Then, by now I am like what is going to happen? Well, I sure found out! Lionel goes to see JK and has a piece of paper of some picture I guess and they don't show it but it very much angers jonathan. He stumbles out of the barn and dies as martha and clarke see him. I could not believe my eyes! When he died, my heart sunk and I was so dissapointed.

:( ! I never expected it to be him. I will miss him on that show because he was the back bone of clarke. He was such a good role model to play clarke's dad. He will be greatly missed! I just felt so bad for martha and the funeral was so sad. I actually cried! I have NEVER cried watching this show. It was such a heart wrenching part. In my own opinion, I feel lana should have been cut out of the show. I know in the real superman movie, his dad dies of a heart attack . I guess it was meant to be.

All in all I do like the cast and the show. I watch it alot with my husband and he knew it was either going to be lana or jonathan. I just can't believe they chose him to go . It blew my mind that it was not lana. I couldn't believe what happened.

On a positive note now that I gave my opinion, I will continue to watch it to see what happens. I have a feeling it will get intense . I wonder if they will call it something else in the future? I feel that as time goes on they will focus more on metropolis. Maybe I am wrong, but we'll see.

Good story, dissapointing end. I hope we will see what lionel had in his hand that he showed jonathan. I am very curious about that!

[Kryptomaniac]

*&^%$#@! If TPTB were here I'd throw up all over them for this episode! They killed off Jonathan. I mean, they always threatened to, and, I wouldn't blame JS at all if HE wanted to bail out of this show after all the witch stuff last year, but I never thought they'd actually kill off the character with the most-redeeming qualities! *&^%$#@!

That said, this was THE MOST VISUALLY STUNNING piece of TV I've ever seen. The snow throughout and the wonderful montage of the farm, the white bird flying through the trees, Jonathan's beloved cattle (ahh, cute baby calf); the FOS and the leap; the car crash; even the funeral...stunning. Thank you.

And, the first 10 minutes were probably the most-romantic/joyful 10 minutes ever. I could have watched more of this right up to the car crash. The episode should have basically ended there with the funeral as an epilog. It just ticked me off that Jor-El had to get involved again (Hate what they've done with the Jor-El character.)

Can't believe they killed off Jonathan. Big mistake. The show may never recover because the Clark/Jonathan father/son relationship was IMO the BEST part of SMALLVILLE. Now it's gone. So sad. So wrong. YOU'LL BE SORRY TPTB; just you wait!

Still, because of the beautiful photography/acting/dialog, I rate this episode 4.5 out of five. Minus .5 because Shelby let Lionel into the barn...BAD DOG!

:\ :\ :\ :\ :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[jdot]

This was easily the best episode of the season, but it was way too fast. They could have (and perhaps should have) split it into two episodes. The first one leading up to Lana's death and the second going from the reversal up to the funeral.

[SamBanksJLA]

Or just made it a 2 hour special.

[jdot]

Originally posted by SamBanksJLA
Or just made it a 2 hour special.

Nah. Smallville's 2 hour specials are only 55 minutes worth of episode. A standard episode runs about 42 minutes. While that would technically get us an extra Act, it wouldn't be enough to adequately cover what was going on. If they didn't use 65 minutes worth of advertising (and thus a 15 minute movie clip in the middle of it all) they could probably have gotten away with a 70 to 75 minute episode in a two hour block and handled everything, but I would have still preferred two seperate episodes. Especially if the first one ended with the car crash. Sure-fire way to get people to watch the following week.

[SamBanksJLA]

I think that there will be a HUGE drop in the ratings next week. People are really pissed about Reckoning.

[jdot]

Originally posted by SamBanksJLA
I think that there will be a HUGE drop in the ratings next week. People are really pissed about Reckoning.

Nah. People who discuss shows on the internet, while a loud and boisterous bunch, make up a small fraction of a shows viewing audience. Sure, they won't have the same ratings as this weeks episode due to all the hype, but they're not going to lose out over this.

[SamBanksJLA]

The ratings weren't as good as I thought that they would be anyway.

[Daddylion]

Well I'm still gonna continue watching no matter what happens, I think Reckoning gave me a signal that the show's only gonna go downhill from here because of how they ended it. I don't think it's a bad episode, though as far as killing main character goes it's not really that grand. I think it could have gone a lot better and I could only hope it's not gonna get as bad as I imagine it would.

I still think it could have been done better as a two parter. It went by so fast I felt it was actually shorter than regular episodes.

[SamBanksJLA]

I'm going to still watch too.

[vadvaro]

Clark is a selfish idiot...that was o.k. at 15 NOT 4+ years later. THAT is what's wrong with this episode.

JK got his body wrenched by Jor El in season 3 to have the power to bring Clark back to his sences when he ran to Metropolis with red K (after he blew up the spaceship, caused Martha's miscarriage) cause he was trying to deny his Kryptonian side.

THEN he got killed because he wanted to be human (WHAT 19 year old would DO that????) and the price to return him to life, someone else would have to die in his place.

THEN he sacrificed his dad for Lana and gave up Lana in the process. The fact that he MADE the choice to have someone else die instead of Lana was just stupid. Superman would never do that and Clark Kent by this point should not have either.

It's not his fault, it's the fault of the writers who are stuck with the same quandry that faced the writers on Lois and Clark. Tease the audience forever with will they / won't they and eventually piss them off (which they did) THEN FINALLY have them get married and watch the ratings plummet because the romantic tension (and therefore driving force of the show) was over. (and the ratings did plummet).

So they took the cowards way out. If they took a chance and actually culminated the years of Clark and Lana in it's logical conclusion (1st half of Reconing) we as an audience would be fulfilled and tune out....

...tease us more and maybe the audience will stay with it, until the ratings plummet out of our frustration THEN when the show is already dead ONLY then will something happen that will change everything forever. When there is nothing left to lose.

I'm just frustrated cause yes, JK and JSchneider was someone I really liked. I don't like Lana and I don't like Clark anymore and Lex is becoming a wuss.

As for Martha, well she had 5 lines this season so far, so it's hard to know if anyone would have even MISSED her if she died. Now at least she'll have a chance to DO something.

Personally I think they will try again to come up with SOMETHING for Lana to do (find her dad again, become a witch, hook up with another psycho bf, become a vampire) but it all reaks of desperation...she has never been developed as a person, always a plot device / object of desire.

And Reckoning has DESTROYED any chance of her and Clark getting together EVER.

so what good is her character any more?

[arthurprescott2]

Yea this is a direct copy of my thread post earlier.

I specifically signed up for this forum so that I would be able to vent about this episode. Or rather I was forced to sign up by the intense disappointment and frustration with this episode. So here goes...

This episode started out similarly to the episode with the dream girl (slumber, season 3) where Clark's life somehow seems to be going way too well for his own being and Lana actually stopped being so-easy-to-hate for five minutes. Yet as it was going too well we all knew it had to end at some point. All that aside, I readily accepted the nullification of the first try at the day.

Yet the 2nd try was a bit harder to swallow as it had at least twice as many plot holes. Twice as many instances where the logic of the plot did not make sense. Twice as many chances where Clark could have made things better. For example, Clark could have told Lana everything the 2nd time AFTER his father died. Because he knew at that point that Jor-el was no longer seeking retribution or payment. If he was concerned about Lex and Lana's ability to keep it all a secret. He should have considered talking it all out with her and explaining everything as opposed to the crash-course in all that is Clark's secret which sort of put Lana into shell-shock and left her ill-informed. And the list goes on... and on... and on...

All these in the 2nd attempt and the 1st attempt were easily avoidable by BETTER WRITING!! The writers for this show lack any attention to detail. they must know that these plot holes and discrepencies occur in the minds of watchers yet they do not care enough to take care of it. As this is the case, the show is rapidly going downhill. In their attempt to steer the show forcefully down guided paths, they are wholly neglecting the quality of the shows.

Similar lapses in attention occur in season 4 with Pariah where Alicia is suddenly killed for the sake of plot progression and the general direction of the show. I acknowledge that it was necessary but death by hanging? By a fundamentalist conservative prude? And she couldn't teleport before he drugged her why? They could have at least given her a respectable death. But no, she was killed by some one-episode dead beat with a bad, and yet so familiar backstory. This isn't merely bad writing which it is undisputably, but callousness and apathy toward details for the sake of general direction.

This general trend starting mid-4th season (which by the way was in my opinion the best season, beating the 3rd season by a small margin) is truly starting to leave its mark on the show. Yes, the show is putting more money into the show (or so it seems) but not enough money or attention on the writing. This show could be so much better! I admit the writing is better now than it was 1st season but that is merely because they drop more "nudges" toward what is coming. Such as Lois' "I'd be lucky to ever find a man as honorable as Clark." Haha. Funny. That's a reference to Lois and Clark and their future together. Funny. I approve. But "honorable"??? What? Since when did honor ever have to do with anything in Smallville? WHO IS WRITING THIS STUFF?? HIRE ME TO DO THIS SHOW!!

Lastly my final complaint regarding a plot hole:

At least if Clark had told Lana everything the 2nd time, he could have salvaged something out of the mess the 2nd day was. Yet it is not to be cause Lex must be left involved with Lana while pushing Clark further out which consequently allows for Lois and Clark bonding. Oh, the too obvious and awkward fumbling these guys are doing with this show!!

Oh one last thing: BRING ALICIA BACK!!

[SamBanksJLA]

I'm all for bringing Alicia back.

I was kicking around this theory.

At the beginning of an episode we could be underground and see her coffin deteriorating. Then when part of it caves in, we see come meteor rock fall into her grave. And the new meteor rock touching her lifeless body, it would mix with her pre existing meteor powers and BAM a flash of life in the coffin, and we see Alicia lying there in shock that she is in a box. So then she teleports out of the coffin. And then we hit the opening credits.

[SamBanksJLA]

CAN WE GET SOME NEW FREAKING AVATARS AROUND THIS PLACE????

Not really sure where to post this, but we need to get some new avatars. We need some of Alicia Baker and Lois Lane

[JerryKing]

Ah-ha... so that is the replacement for the "Monster of the Week" formula: the "it was all a dream / a spell / an incident that can be reversed" device! How lovely. And such great plot points, too... the weird, awkward, unusually detailed background incidents at the Daily Planet: the Screenwriting 101 Device for Upcoming Time Travel Storyline (TM). Quality of the "Buffallo Bill meets the Mexican Mummy of Dracula" level.

And isn't it nice that Jor-El has a crystal for any occasion, whenever needed? "My son, here is the time-reversing crystal, which, come to think of that, I should have used to save Krypton, but, eh, uh, ah... Look, an elephant!". I hope to see more ingenious Kryptonian Krystals soon...

CLARK
Waaah, dad! I spilled my breakfast milk on the floor!

JOR-EL
'Tis a grave incident, my son... but fear not. Here is the new, all-powerful Kryptonian crystal, hitherto unknown to thee... the mighty Milk Evaporation Crystal! Take it and use it wisely, but heed my warning... the crystal's power is demanding and always asketh back what it giveth... so one day, when least ye shall expect it... another glass of milk shall be overturned all on its own!"

[Jigga]

Ok, just saw it. Man, it was good...but also kinda disappointing.

The acting was quite strong in this one, which I liked a lot especially from Michael and Kristen. Oh man, that last part with Martha...holy cow, it almost made me cry.

I honestly hope this is the end of Clana.

I was quite disappointed at how Jonathan died. I mean technically, Clark actually could have done something....superspeed Dad's butt to the hospital comes to mind. I just thought it was a weak ending to such a strong character. I've seen screenshots of Jonathan at the Fortress. It looked like it would have made the death much more of an impact and it could have helped to set up Jor-El as a compassionate good guy rather than the demanding father who seems a bit in the gray area.

In addition, I don't see how this would make Clark choose his destiny as Superman (although I'm sure Pa Kent will make some short returns to guide him along that way). I just see him getting more mad at Jor-El and pushing away the superhero responsiblities even further. However, there are more episodes to this season so maybe they'll work it out.

[PKII]

It was good. I guess Clark knows now Lana would accept him if he told her. But now I know he will never tell her again. :( However, this frees up his future interest in Lois. :)

[iheartsmvl]

All I want to say about Reckoning is "Wow!"

Thanks to DVR, I have now watched this episode three times and I cannot get over how much I have been affected by it. I was sooo excited during the first half when Clark took Lana to the fortress and proposed!....But I knew it had to be too good to be true. Then when Lana's car was hit by the bus, I think my heart just stopped for a second and I yelled out "Nooooooooo!" Thank Goodness for special Kryptonian crystals that can reverse time! I was so relieved when Lana came back up to the loft, but now I knew it had to be someone else that died. Tricky previews! I was also very upset that Clark decided against telling Lana his secret the second time around, but I can understand why too. I had prepared myself for the passing of Jonathan Kent, but when it actually happened at the end I couldn't believe it. I think I cried a total of three times during the episode, but I absolutely lost it when Clark helped Martha put on her necklace before the funeral. And then, the funeral scene with that Peter Gabriel song playing in the background. It was soooo sad and moving!. I downloaded that song and every time I hear it I almost lose it again! I have never had a television show, or even movie, affect me as much as Smallville has, and I have not yet been able to stop thinking about Reckoning and the loss of Jonathan Kent. I know everything is make-believe, and I'm not crazy, but I am so sad for Clark and Martha...In conclusion, I have to say Great Job to all of the actors!..They were all outstanding this week!....With anyone else playing these parts, I don't think Smallville would have the same pull that it does. And Great Job to the writers and directors of this episode! Unbelieveable!!!!! Hopefully my sadness will dissipate when I see next week’s episode and see that the Smallville world is carrying on without Jonathan Kent. And bravo to Jonathan Schneider for his 5 seasons of outstanding work!....We'll miss you!

[SmallvilleFan11]

Wow, this episode HAS to be one of the best episodes of the series. When i waswatching it with my parents we all thought that lana was the character to die and then they turn around and BANG its Mr. Kent. It was soo sad the last quarter of the episode was soo sad and when Mrs. Kent and Clark were getting ready for the funeral, i almost cried. I was releived that Chloe is save, i didnt want the character to die. The performances were really strong tonight especially from clark. lana and ma kent. Really emotional....Fantastic episode...oh and one last thing...

All those frustrated/angry/disapponited people out there. You really did it to yourselfs, trying so hard to find out who dies and who lives and how the episode is played out. If people would stop reading spoilers and digging soo hard to find the truth, people would have realized how GREAT this episode was and if ur whining cause you fiqured it out, its your own fault for digging so far into who was going to die!!

[superpyscho]

Smallville's 100th episode was so good. They did a good job of fooling me into thinking Lana was going to die, and I was glad she was going to. But the first half-hour was shot so well, so comic book like. And the emotional level was great, I was almost sad to see her life end.

Then the switch-a-roo, just like Superman the movie, Clark goes back in time and saves Lana, but Jonathan Kent has the inevitable heart attack. It was cool how he leaned against the barnyard post with his back to the camera, just like in the movie. I'm really sorry he had to go. He was one of my fave characters , but it followed the Superman story, and they can't kill of Lana w/o risking losing ratings.

I like the part in the 2nd future where Clark saves Lois from being electrocuted. If he hadn't , she would have been the replacement for Lana's death. I thought the small hints of brushes with death were shown and how the smallest change in events affect our destiny.

[dfm82]

When i ended watching the episode i was a little disappointed at how predictable the death of JK was... anyway i think his death was important for Clark's development and it'll be decisive to make him the great superhero we all know.

Overall i think the episode was great, one of the best of the series IMO, no doubt about that... the acting was awesome, we saw a lot of powerful scenes and some of them very Superman like... i can't wait to finally see him flying over Smallville!

[Crazy4Smallville]

Originally posted by JerryKing
Ah-ha... so that is the replacement for the "Monster of the Week" formula: the "it was all a dream / a spell / an incident that can be reversed" device! How lovely. And such great plot points, too... the weird, awkward, unusually detailed background incidents at the Daily Planet: the Screenwriting 101 Device for Upcoming Time Travel Storyline (TM). Quality of the "Buffallo Bill meets the Mexican Mummy of Dracula" level.

And isn't it nice that Jor-El has a crystal for any occasion, whenever needed? "My son, here is the time-reversing crystal, which, come to think of that, I should have used to save Krypton, but, eh, uh, ah... Look, an elephant!". I hope to see more ingenious Kryptonian Krystals soon...

CLARK
Waaah, dad! I spilled my breakfast milk on the floor!

JOR-EL
'Tis a grave incident, my son... but fear not. Here is the new, all-powerful Kryptonian crystal, hitherto unknown to thee... the mighty Milk Evaporation Crystal! Take it and use it wisely, but heed my warning... the crystal's power is demanding and always asketh back what it giveth... so one day, when least ye shall expect it... another glass of milk shall be overturned all on its own!"

I find it ironic that Jor-El supplied Clark with this crystal, yet he didn't have one to use to help ol' Louise out with it when he visited Smallville back in the 50's. I mean, he did love her - didn't he?

[metal gear kal-el]

great episode i must say

[foreverSV]

I knew he was a goner by the time he started stuttering or whatever to Lionel. It was a predictable, but very very very sad scene. We knew it was going to happen, that made it a little worse. Sitting there waiting, in suspense, kind of already teary eyed, to see JK living his last moments as a father.

[Welling_is_pretty]

I gotta say I was pretty disappointed by Reckoning. It was wonderful to see Clark finally tell Lana his secret but I had problems with how he did it and Lana's reaction. First, he told her he was from Krypton but he didn't tell her the thing that he's been so afraid of for so long--that he came down with the meteors. And Lana--she didn't ask any questions, she just instantly accepted it! What?! If it had been me I would have been asking a million questions (like Chloe; her reaction was totally believable!).
Then Lana apparently has doubts but still says yes?
It got really good at the party (I loved Lois's whistle to get everyone's attention! Only time I've ever been like "go Lois!" LOL). Then Lana's scene with Lex (although I was wondering where all his 'hangers on' were? Were they that quick to desert him? And doesn't a loser in an election usually call the one who wins to concede and/or congratulate them?) was pretty good. Lana's death, I felt was handled well. Tom's acting in that scene, his reaction, was superb. THe bit where Jonathan is holding him and Clark's hands are covered in blood, very nice symbolism there. I was impressed.
After that, though, the episode got kinda crappy. I kept cringing, at least until JOnathan's encounter with Lionel. That had to be the very best scene in the whole episode. Glover was amazing and Schneider was impressive. I was "wow!". Really great. But as soon as Jon started wheezing I knew. I have always felt that to have Jonathan die would be such a cop out!. And they did it. *shakes head* And did anyone else wonder why Clark didn't run his Dad to the hospital when they found him? It seemed like he was still alive at that point and could perhaps have been saved.
The next scene seemed really forced (with Martha and her pearls). it almost seemed like they were at the aacceptance stage of grief already.
But the funeral scene was beautiful. Very cinematically shot and lovely music as well. The visuals were just stunning.
So all in all (and forgive me while I lengthen an already long post a bit more! ) I was pretty disappointed by it but gosh, Welling sure was pretty and that made it all worth it! :rotfl:

[No-El]

Overall.....LOVED IT!:cool:

[gzzoom]

I really liked this episode overall. I freaked out when Clark revealed his powers to her.
And although I had a feeling Jonathan was goining to die, I was still shocked. I just hope this won't hurt the show because not only was he a major character, but a strong actor in the show. I just hope that he'll appear again in some form in the show.

ps. was it ever revealed what the deal ws that Jonathan made with Jor-el? I think I might have missed it, or was this even mentioned in the show?

[bkzcici]

The deal was back in the beginning of Season 3, I think. Clark ran off to Metropolis (wearing the red kryptonite ring) because he needed air after causing Martha's miscarriage. Jonathon made a deal with Jor-el to bring Clark back: Jor-el gave Jonathon power similar to Clark's (like strength) but in return, Jonathon promised to return Clark to him some day. But because the power Jor-el gave Jonathon was too great for the man to handle, his heart condition weakened a great deal.

[RichL73]

I thought the episode was great, even though I already knew JK was gonna die, anyone who read the comics knew that. The FOS scene rocked, I never knew how big the Fortress was until they panned out. The CLana, well the writers needed to move on with that it was getting old and we all know he ends up with Lois anyway, which is why I like what she said to Lana. Also even though I don't really like Lana I was touched when she died, it was one of those "city of angels" moments ..lol but I wish they could've extended that scene a little longer with a little more reaction from Lex. I'm curious where the storyline will go next.. but i'd never say I hated an episode, even when they come up with something as stupid as vampires

[supergurl88]

man, its sad to say but i cried when pa kent died...i knew it was going to happened about it was sooo sad

[enamored]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Welling_is_pretty
I gotta say I was pretty disappointed by Reckoning. It was wonderful to see Clark finally tell Lana his secret but I had problems with how he did it and Lana's reaction. First, he told her he was from Krypton but he didn't tell her the thing that he's been so afraid of for so long--that he came down with the meteors. And Lana--she didn't ask any questions, she just instantly accepted it! What?! If it had been me I would have been asking a million questions (like Chloe; her reaction was totally believable!). [QUOTE]

Well, when Clark saw his parents he told them that he had told Lana everything. I think they just didn't show us everything they talked about because there was not enough time in the episode. But I think that you can assume there was more conversation after the proposal.

Lana's death, I felt was handled well. Tom's acting in that scene, his reaction, was superb. THe bit where Jonathan is holding him and Clark's hands are covered in blood, very nice symbolism there. I was impressed. [QUOTE]

I agree.

I have always felt that to have Jonathan die would be such a cop out!. And they did it. *shakes head* And did anyone else wonder why Clark didn't run his Dad to the hospital when they found him? It seemed like he was still alive at that point and could perhaps have been saved. [QUOTE]

Well, cop out or no cop out they are sticking to existing Superman mythos by having Jonathan die and Lana live. Half the people on this site scream whenever anything deviates from the mythos and the other half either have no problem or want innovation. There's no way to please both factions. Yes, I'm surprised that there was no attempt at CPR but maybe they knew that there was nothing that could be done since Lana had already been "resurrected" and because of previous instances of heart problems.

The next scene seemed really forced (with Martha and her pearls). it almost seemed like they were at the aacceptance stage of grief already. [QUOTE]

I think resignation is what you are seeing rather than acceptance. Additionally, we have no idea how many days have gone by and how many tears, how much emotion had already been spent in the interim. Many people have nothing left by the time the funeral comes around.

But the funeral scene was beautiful. Very cinematically shot and lovely music as well. The visuals were just stunning. [QUOTE]

You are so right! That scene and the acting within that scene was stunning. I too liked the Peter Gabriel song. One thing that Smallville almost always gets right is the cinematography. It is a beautifully filmed show.

[bkzcici]

After rewatching this episode the 2nd time, I actually accepted it better. It was overall a great episode. Althought I am still very disappointed with the Clana business.

[DARKRAGE]

I enjoyed it. The ending broke my god damn heart

[dreyfuss83]

I am so pissed off. they totally killed one of the best characters. i could have seen a lana death or a chloe death. this is just ridiculous. they are too hung up on that damn movie. they thing because he died in the movie its OK to kill him on the show. there is no reason for his death. some good characters are okay to kill off some are not. take a page from buffy the vampire slayer when they killed off tara. she was a good charater but her death made sense.
he was not an expendable character. the show had a very important father son relastionship theme. they would have been better off killing lex. even the mom would have been a better choice. the dad was totally not a good move on their part. the show has jumped the shark!
someone said that they are interested to see how it's incorperated into the show. with the ways these writers work the death of lana, chloe, martha, or even long lost pete could have had the same impact on clark.
the nxt episode looks so stupid. some zorro girl makes clark embrace the anger he feels from his fathers death. so stupid because we all know clark isn't going to ever kill anyone that isnt a meteor freak.
they killed off their most imporatant character. i so want lana and chloe to die now jsut because i;m so mad of the mistake they made. now all the show has is winy lana and clak obsessive chloe. it seems that the show has a thing about getting rid of all the guys in the show.
clark only hangs around with girls. i don't have anything against women but lets face it guys like to hang out with guys. and since clark isnt friends with lex anymore and his dad is dead they better bring back pete ross.
that is the only way i'll ever watch the show again. i will only watch if they bring back pete to help clark get over his dads death or pull a dallas and make season 5 a dream sequence and have it that he was still in the fortress of solitude.
oh an i wonder what was on that paper that linol had? could it be somthing about clarks secret. oh no what a shocker. so mystery i am done with smallville.
i hope the writers and producers read this because you really have no idea on how to write a TV show. i suggest you track down joiss whedon and see if he can save your show because you guys have ruined it.
i will never watch anything made buy alfred miller or miles gough.
at least i know that brian singers superman movie will be good because he actually respects the fans of his show.
also the whole first half of the episode was so overdone and sappy and lame. i was bored out of my mind till lana died. then clark goes back. we all know the right choice to die was chloe.
the need to kill chloe and lana and bring back pete for me to ever watch the show again. wow i am so mad!!!! i've seen every episode since day 1. they really screwed up big time

[271ingy]

Frustrating is how i viewed the episode - 1st half great with the revelation and the acceptance, the 2nd half with the denials and angst to the point of annoying. My only hope is that it doesn't lead to a Lexana and the viewing public exposed to a pining Clark.

Farewell to John Schneider - he was a pretty cool tv dad.

[Vatusia]

Yeah, I haven't said this yet but... John Schneider will definitely be missed. :(

[smallvillejunkie]

I loved the 1st half...although my Smallville experience gave me the knowledge that it was too good to be true. I somewhat accept the need for JK to die (comic & movie require his death, but many things n this show have deviated from the comic & movie, why not this too?)...not sure this was the best way tho. So much more could have been accomplished with his Senate position & Lionel. But oh well. AS for the CLana, I have been so over these 2 for a while now. Clark is a pretty intelligent fella, so why would he not have replayed his day exactly the same...other than mentioning to Lana the minor fact that she absolutely MUST NOT go to Lex that night? And it makes NO SENSE that Chloe of all people could 'lose' Lana, especially armed with the knowledge of what would happen to her best friend. Her journalistic skills are honed in at all times...so what the heck happened there?Well, other than that's how the writers had to work it. lol Smallville is an amazing show with such a talented cast, there is no need to resort to generic 'soap opera' tactics. [FONT=times new roman]

[WebMasterD73]

:( Ok...my face is wet, my neck is wet & my shirt is wet. All in All it was an awesome episode. Of course, we all knew it was going to be Jonathan from previous Superman experiences...but to actually witness his funeral was the part that put my tears over the edge.

Loved the twists too, with Lois & Lana...didn't expect those!

Thumbs Up!

[jdot]

Originally posted by vadvaro

JK got his body wrenched by Jor El in season 3 to have the power to bring Clark back to his sences when he ran to Metropolis with red K (after he blew up the spaceship, caused Martha's miscarriage) cause he was trying to deny his Kryptonian side.


Yes, denying that "Rule them with strength" message that he got out of the ship was a horrible thing to do. Darn him and his not wanting to be a dictator! How dare he! And, ya know, if his parents would have trusted him enough to wait at the wedding until he got back Martha wouldn't have lost her baby. Darn them and their not trusting their son.



Originally posted by vadvaro

THEN he got killed because he wanted to be human (WHAT 19 year old would DO that????) and the price to return him to life, someone else would have to die in his place.


Yes because Jor-El told him that if he didn't come back not only would he lose his powers and become human but that he would then be shot and killed and brought back to life by Jor-El by sacrificing someone else's life force for his own. Darn his selfishness and inability to know all of that was going to happen when he went out to save the ones he loved. What a selfish boy he is.


Originally posted by vadvaro

THEN he sacrificed his dad for Lana and gave up Lana in the process. The fact that he MADE the choice to have someone else die instead of Lana was just stupid. Superman would never do that and Clark Kent by this point should not have either.


Superman most certainly would do that. He turned back time to save Lois Lane's life (remember, this show is based at the very least in part on the late 70's early 80's Superman movies). And all Jor-El said was that there would be a balance. To me, that balance was the loss of his relationship with Lana. Jonathon was going to die either way. His heart was giving out and he would have to confront Lionel at some point anyway.


Originally posted by vadvaro

It's not his fault, it's the fault of the writers who are stuck with the same quandry that faced the writers on Lois and Clark. Tease the audience forever with will they / won't they and eventually piss them off (which they did) THEN FINALLY have them get married and watch the ratings plummet because the romantic tension (and therefore driving force of the show) was over. (and the ratings did plummet).


Actually, their quandry is that Lana and Clark are not meant to be, and the audience knows it. Unless, of course, you've lived under a rock and never followed any version of Superman that's out there.


Originally posted by vadvaro

So they took the cowards way out. If they took a chance and actually culminated the years of Clark and Lana in it's logical conclusion (1st half of Reconing) we as an audience would be fulfilled and tune out....

...tease us more and maybe the audience will stay with it, until the ratings plummet out of our frustration THEN when the show is already dead ONLY then will something happen that will change everything forever. When there is nothing left to lose.

I'm just frustrated cause yes, JK and JSchneider was someone I really liked. I don't like Lana and I don't like Clark anymore and Lex is becoming a wuss.

As for Martha, well she had 5 lines this season so far, so it's hard to know if anyone would have even MISSED her if she died. Now at least she'll have a chance to DO something.


This episode most certainly wasn't a cowards way out. It took real balls to do this episode, because it's a huge moment in the series. Since we know they are following the late 70's early 80's Superman mythology, we know Jonathan is going to die. His mother doesn't die until much later.

As for Lana, she stays in Smallville, gets married and divorced, and remains a friend of Clark's. She's not the woman of his dreams, she's the girl of his childhood fantasies.

[BoSoxJim]

Originally posted by enamored
Well, when Clark saw his parents he told them that he had told Lana everything. I think they just didn't show us everything they talked about because there was not enough time in the episode. But I think that you can assume there was more conversation after the proposal.

That's one of my biggest faults with the SV writers. Clark's biggest fear is that Lana would end up hating him after finding out he came down in the meteor shower that killed her parents.

You make time for the relevation of that fact to Lana and to see her reaction to it. You don't leave that out and have everyone assume he told herand she wa peachy with it.

[Flight_Without_Wings]

This episode was just a cheap total copout. It could have been a real series saver, but just started us over at season 1 without JK. It was my understanding that Clark was afraid Lana would not accept him when she new the truth, so why not work on that and have a rerun episode where Clark is detailing the truth through flashback of the previous season and let us see Lana's reaction to the fact that "Everything is my fault! The meteor shower, death of her parents and every other weird thing that goes on in Smallville. Let him eplain about the red, green and silver Kryptonite. After this, JK still has time to die and they can drag the Lana accepting the truth through a whole season if they want. Then she can elect to leave as per the Superman mythos or she can stay per the new SV mythos. Finale few minutes of the episode should have been Lex calling to congratulate JK from his campaign headquarters. The fight with Lionel and Lionel being knocked out, Clark and Martha arrive to find JK dying and rush him to the hospital, Lana arriving and finding the picture and realizing what a great burden Clark has been carrying. and then close with the graveyard scene.
No turn back the time or Lana death at need happen and we have pushed the story line in Leaps and Bounds.

Oh well, just my thoughts on the subject.

Cheers

[a_friend]

How can you say Smallville took chances to do what it did? They chickened out, face it.

Oh, and so much for the 'shock' death. Jonathan dying? NOO!! I would've never expected that.

[cayayofm]

The episode was great acting wise, story wise the episode was a failure to me, the only thing that hapened is that JK died everything else was changed, oh and that Clark found another lame excuse to not tell Lana his secret. The writters found another way to keep things the same, Jonathan's death was the obvious choice because is the one that will have less impact in the way that the show works (don't get me wrong, is the most personal and most effective for Clark's journey, but his death won't change much the dinamic of the show). This was supposed to be a turning point for all the characters, it was not. I won't even get into the plot holes, Jonathan dying is too contrived, Lana died in an accident, Jonathan died a natural death, what means that he would had died anyway, you can't stop natural death. The episode felt over the top from the start, how can you say: "Hey Lana I have super powers, I am an alien, by the way I arrived in the meteor shower that kill your parents...will you marry me? You just can't dump something like that and fallow it with a marriage proposal, and this is ignoring the fact that they are both 18 and none of the two work. How exactly Lois destiny changed, Lana was suposed to go to help her, why she did not went on the do over, yet all of her other actions were the same? Oh, they had to keep Clark occupied while Lana went away over to Lex...so many plot problems that this episode is just a shadow of what could had been. Easily the worst witten episode of the season so far.

[Welling_is_pretty]

Originally posted by BoSoxJim
That's one of my biggest faults with the SV writers. Clark's biggest fear is that Lana would end up hating him after finding out he came down in the meteor shower that killed her parents.

You make time for the relevation of that fact to Lana and to see her reaction to it. You don't leave that out and have everyone assume he told herand she wa peachy with it.
Yes! This has been such a big part of why Clark didn't tell her before. I can't believe they would leave it "off camera". Very disappointing.


comic & movie require his death
Ok, one more time Jonathan is NOT dead in the comics! Yes, AlandMiles seem to be following pre-crisis storylines but they are also incorporating post-crisis stuff. And right now in existing storylines in Superman comics Jon is not dead. I think if one more person says this I will scream! *takes deep breath and reminds self it is just a TV show* sorry, but that bugs me. *breaths out* I'm ok now. :)

[vadvaro]

The first half of Reconing was AWESEOME! Everything I was hoping for in this episode.

The second half was wreckoning. I actually cancelled cable tv. I'm sick of how morose this show has gotten.

My only hope is the viewership drops so dramatically after this that Smallville is rightly ended this season and forces the writers to make Clark into Superman fast, cause I'm sick of Clana and love sick bad choice making Clark.

And Jonathan was one of the best parts of the show...grrrr....

Man I miss Dukes of Hazzard tv, dumb maybe, but at least it was fun.

[tripleh]

For the most part, I really loved the episode. I was destoryed when I seen Lana. That looked horrible.

The first 20-25 minutes was absolutly perfect and probably the best moments I have seen in Smallvile (except for maybe the pool scene near the end of Season 1)

In the end it sucked to be Clark, you lose Lana 1 way, or lose your dad and Lana the other. I hated to see JK go as much as anyone else, though early on in the series I didn't like him all that much. The funeral scene was very well done, though.

And yes, I'm a big Clana fan.

[hakoreh]

i watched it again (i have tivo), and it seems the same thing that happend when i originally saw spiderman the movie happend here. let me explain.

when i saw spiderman in the theater, i really wanted to see something else but it was sold out (i don't remember what), so when i saw it i said big deal wonderful. i watched it later again and really liked it.

so i think what happend here was i was buying into the hype and i read the description clarks tells lana his secret, i said then its definitely going to be something!

so i was automatically disappointed because i dont believe it lived up to its expectations but i believe the overall episode was terrific

BUT I STILL BELIEVE being toyed with lana knowing and then not knowing was a bad idea and it let down A LOT of people including me. in the interview with al gough he says we're not trying to copy the movie and we like to do our own thing so to speak, yet he couldn't do his own thing here and allow lana to know the secret moving forward. heck ironically they did that in the end of spiderman 2. give lana the respect to make her own choices. i do believe the producers chickened out in this respect.

a side note: also i wish they would skip the episodes that have nothing to do with the main story. its annoying, its like we have the season premiere, sometimes something in the middle like this 100th episode, and then the finale. in the middle its always about some guy or girl with meteor shower powers doing something bad..cmon alittle tired of the same over and over..:eek:

[Superbearcub]

I was really, really disappointed with this episode.

First of all, Clark's keeping the secret to "protect" Lana is beyond old and lame. After finally showing some courage by telling her in the first half of the episode, and then taking it all back the writers just emphasized how asinine Clark is. Chloe is living proof (for now) that a girl can know his secret and still somehow survive, so why can't he be honest with the girl he supposedly loves? It's the same dilemma Lex faced in the Christmas episode. Instead of living with some integrity and truly having Lana love him, Lex gives it all up because Lana could die. Clark failed the test just like Lex did. People die. No one lives forever. You can't live life shutting out the people you love by keeping secrets or, like Lex, becoming ruthless just because you're afraid of death. And that's what Clark and Lex both give in to: fear.

When Lois collapsed toward the end, I thought, just for a moment, that the writers were really going to do something interesting and kill her off, but no. They had to go for the cop out of killing Jonathan. My objection is not just that I really liked the character, but that his death is, perhaps, the least significant of all the possible deaths. If Lana had died, or Lois, or maybe even Chloe, there would have been much more impetus for Clark to grow and change. The show could have actually GONE somewhere.

[lanaandclarkfan66]

I hated the time lapse thing. The writers said that it was going to be bold and everything u wanted to see would happen. Well i didn't want to see lana and lex lose there memory or see Pa Kent die. Beginning was great second half sucked

[ryb]

I suppose the entry I'm about to type probably is more appropriate to be split up into about 10 different threads, but I want all of my thoughts collected here in the "review" thread.

First, let me say that the reaction to this episode is entirely expected, and my guess is no matter the format of the episode, a significant number of viewers would have had qualms with it. After all, a character dies in the episode...and with one as especially popular as Jonathan Kent, it is not at all surprising to see a backlash from some fans.

This brings me to the first of several points in my review. No matter what any of you think about the episode, it is absolutely incorrect to call the episode a "copout". To kill a character as universally popular as Jonathan Kent in the format that was presented here was daring (somewhat blindingly so, but that's for a different portion of my review). A true copout would have been if no character truly died, or if the character had as little screen time as Pete, or if the character had no mutual love for Clark (e.g., Lionel).

Some of you may think the episode was lame, underwhelming, etc., and there's certainly evidence to support your argument...but this episode was not a copout.

Now, having said the above, let's get to the grains of sand...then I'll talk more about the beach...

First up, the acting. Everyone performed at or above their level of excellence in this episode. Tom Welling had his second best performance of the year (only outdone by his exceptional performance in Splinter); Kristin Kreuk was somewhat variable throughout the episode but was generally better than her usual self; Annette O'Toole gave an astoundingly harrowing performance -- her last scene with Clark was astonishing; Allison Mack was excellent, as usual; Erica Durance gave her usual bite to the episode; John Glover was absolutely terrific in just screaming evil on screen; Michael Rosenbaum performed like a man on the edge -- terrific; and John Schneider gave a valiant, courageous, and humbling last performance as good ol' JK. Mr. Schneider, you will be missed a great deal by this fan. If you had problems with the acting in this episode, you are looking for things to complain about (exception may be Kreuk, who was undoubtedly uneven in this episode).

Second to bat, the photography. Smallville may be the best "shot" program on television (It has fierce competition from Veronica Mars, Battlestar Galactica, and others, but I think it's at, or near, the top of the pack). The last ten minutes of the episode were absolutely haunting with the dead calm snow, the peacefully falling snow, the aged tombstones, etc. Terrifically shot and directed here. Kudos also to the Fortress of Solitude scenes, some of the best visuals on television to date. Barry Donlevy and Glen Winter should get awards for their work; they do a fantastic job.

Third on the plate, the direction. Greg Beeman, well done. The episode flowed very well. The actors made good sense with their relative roles. Camera angles, movements, and transitions were excellently atmospheric and never were annoyingly manipulative. The Lex/Lana scenes were brilliantly shot and directed. Note the stunning similarity in Rosenbaum's performance in the two scenes. Just fantastically done.

And now for the fourth to bat -- the writing.

It is hard to deny that the writing was controversial. It is hard to deny that the use of plot devices in this episode was a bit forceful (if not manipulative). It is hard to deny that the writing was not ground-breaking. However, and this is a big however, the plot set-up and payoff for an episode like this is amazingly complex with little room for error.

This is what I would call a Socratic episode. If any of you have ever seen Road to Perdition, you know what I am talking about. The fate of the characters is determined about five minutes into the film (similar to this episode). It's the path that leads them to their collective (or individual) fates that is the real story (i.e., the real joy is the journey and not the destination).

I went into this episode with virtually no information about what the episode contained except for evidence from the previous episodes this season and a couple of press releases by the WB and Al Gough. There is no doubt that if I had read many of the spoilers, or a great number of the interviews, etc., this episode would not have been as easy to digest. But, there's a reason the root word of "spoiler" is "spoil". For many of you who have a sour taste in their mouth after this episode who also read almost all of the spoilers -- I have little sympathy. This episode is proof why patience with TV is a virtue.

As a digression, today I saw the preview of Reckoning that was released on the WB before it was aired...and I have to say that the WB did a horrific job. They virtually destroyed the importance of the first thirty minutes of the episode and, thus, ruined the whole premise of the show. I may write a letter to WB advertisers regarding that travesty of a preview. A misleading spoiler-filled teaser like that is uncalled for and my guess is has contributed to much of the fallout from this episode.

Anyway, back to the writing...

It is revealed with red flags at the beginning of the episode that something will happen to change these events. Note the music used in the teaser, or the ominous foreshadowing in the conversation between Clark and his parents ("I could never live without you, Dad"...for blaring example). This is the writers telling you who will die. They tell you five minutes into the episode. Thus, calling this show predictable is like calling a Seinfeld episode comedic. It was INTENTIONALLY predictable. This is what a Socratic episode is. A determined fate by an interesting journey.

Thus, when we see the scene with Clark and Chloe in the Daily Planet, alarm bells should have been ringing when one employee jumped for joy when she received flowers while another yelled in anger as he was fired. This was director Greg Beeman's way of telling the viewer -- Pay attention to the details of the scene.

And if that wasn't enough, Lois's dramatic announcement in the Talon and Jonathan's mysterious phone call after he won the election should have been further hints.

So when Jonathan mysteriously shows up seconds after Lana's accident, his fate was sealed when Clark received his second chance. Of course, Clark doesn't know that, so he makes the day "different" to prevent Lana's accident. Unfortunately for him, other incidents make this more difficult than he expected. This being Lois's accident in her apartment, Chloe's loss of Lana by her side, etc.

The plot development seems simple to us omniscient viewers, but the development of such a web of entanglements is amazingly complex. For the simplicity that came out of it, these writers succeeded in making an easy-to-interpret episode.

The Lionel-Jonathan scene was superb. John Glover was as-usual brilliantly (and subtly) brimming with evil. And Jonathan's increasingly slurred and incoherent speech was a terrific and horrifying touch. This was exceptional work here.

So was the "second chance" contrived -- if not manipulative? Yes, and yes. The first is a weakness, and the second was intentional. Episodes like these MUST be manipulative because it is the journey that is drawn -- not the destination. The destination is already known. Calling this episode manipulative is not an insult -- it's factual and intentional.

Contrived, however, is another can of worms. Yes, the "second chance" is an all-too-often used plot device to make a different set of results. However, in this case, I give the writers some exception because the results were worse the second time.

"What can be worse than losing the one you love?"
"Nothing."

Well, Clark did lose the one he loved, and he paid an even bigger price the second time around. He had the heavy shoulders of guilt. He may have saved Lana's life, but his relationship with her took a serious two-by-four. And now he lost his father. Quite a high price to pay for changing fate.

Could they have used a better plot device? Probably. Could they have avoided pre-destination altogether? Certainly. But, if you didn't look too far into the episode before it was aired (i.e., if you didn't read many of the spoilers), this made for a compelling and taut hour of television.

And even if you were spoiled, there were many other things to entertain here. The acting, directing, and photography (read above). Or the music. How about Peter Gabriel, huh? One of my favorite musicians...made for a terrifically haunting final 5 minutes to the show. As usual, Mark Snow did a terrific job with his portion of the soundtrack. Episode atmosphere was perfect. Overcast skies with snow on the ground -- reminiscent of many Road to Perdition and Fargo scenes (Fargo, btw, is another Socratic movie).

Souders and Peterson wrote a jam-packed hour -- probably too much for 42 minutes. This is not unusual for this writing pair (Think Hidden, e.g.). Overall, though, I think they did well given the circumstances.

To summarize, I admire the episode for many reasons. Although far from perfect, I think it rose to the occasion with an interesting twist. It was a touching farewell to Schneider (and Jonathan Kent). It was a tour de force for the acting team. It was a visual masterpiece. Although the plot development left a few thorns in some viewers' sides, this is not unexpected for such a high stakes episode. Overall, I'm impressed with what I saw.

Thanks a mil, John Schneider. You should be proud.

Reckoning: A

Review coda: One comment on some of the reaction to this episode. I've read several of your entries, and I can't help but wonder if some of you are taking words out of television critics' mouths. I read some of the episode reviews (from professional critics), and I think some of the comments on this (and many other threads) are uncannily similar to some of the actual media releases of critical reviews of the episode. All I'm saying is that I hope your comments on here are your opinions and were not swayed by what other critics are saying.

[paulriver]

all that stuff about the time travel sucks!! A very good excuse, they show us thrilling things that, indeed, don´t have any influence in the story, they can keep us going backwards anytime they want. Bad script, poor done death. I think the idea of JK dying was good, they link us to the first movie, but the actual show is loosing connection with the path that leads to the essence of Superman. Lana is a too much weak character, they tried to develop her beyond the nice-girl thing, but whenever she tries to grow you know she will finish crying in somebody´s arms.
I write from Spain, and my english isn´t the best. But all that about the time jump ......I think doesn´t fit anyways. Bad excuseeeee

I think that if a thing is manipulative and you can see it...it must have been bad done, doesn´t it?. The hability is not to let the viewer being conscious of it.....
If you pull the strings of our feelings don´t let the puppets realize.
(sorry for my english..). And I´ll miss JK too, and I like the idea of clark having to grow with the memory of his father behind him.

[I am the Superman]

The episode obviously had IMMENSE POTENTIAL to be one of the best of the series, but since the producers dont care about the shows writing anymore, it failed miserably. They rushed everything in this episode, its almost like the tv was in fast forward. This episode should of been a 90 minute special, no dout about it. There was to much to cover in 1 hour.

The proposal scene is the one that sticks out in my mind. SO MUCH DIALOG COULD OF BEEN SAID BETWEEN CLARK AND LANA RIGHT THERE, but how did it play out? all that happend was a puzzled look from lana and clark just staring at her for a minute. Then we see clark "float" lana up to a peak and QUICKLY "POP" the question. Gosh, i liked the thought of the whole sequence, but as i was watching it im like geeze thats all they are going to say? thats all hes going to tell her.

If i were clark i would of told lana everything id been wanting to tell her all these years, I mean good god man shes been putting you down all this time and now that you finally have a chance to get a little bit if recognition and apologys you dont even tell her one incident?

Clark: Lana, ive been wanting to tell you for so long, you have no idea. Its been so hard for me to keep this from you all this time because ive loved you since the first time i set eyes on you. Remember the tornado? I was there, i was the one who pulled you from it. Remember that weird ass bug guy who wanted to mate with you? I was there, remember ahh hell i dont even remember how many times hes saved her from death.

Bottom line is this show is ruining an opportunity to have the best show on television each and every week. I just wish i was a consultant for the show or somthing good god.

[dmudgeau]

I thought the episode was too rushed. The death of JK came out of nowhere and was done and dusted in half an episode.

I fell that the JK death should have been done over at least 2 episodes and probably should have been done as a season cliffhanger to have him die right at the end of the season or show him possibly dying at the end and you will wonder did he didnt he?

And I'm annoyed now that next episode looks like its back to normal freak of the week etc..

the death of JK is a big event for the series and should have been handled as such

BTW I am sick of having eps where lana finds out secret but some annomoly causes her to forget etc..

When I say lana this ep was to find out again I thought there is no way they can do this angle again where she finds out and forgets I thought she would find out and that would be it she would know forever but yep you guessed it, it happened again and now she does not know again..

Great!!

[dhacker615]

Originally posted by dmudgeau
BTW I am sick of having eps where lana finds out secret but some annomoly causes her to forget etc..


That is my big complaint with 'Smallville' in general. Reckoning was probably the most extreme example, but the volume of memory loss and other 'take it back' devices is getting to be too much. Probably the #1 moment I had been waiting for since the start of the series was Lana learning Clark's secret. It was a moment that was set up in the pilot. Four and a half years later, it is time to pay off that plot thread already.

Using that moment as a tease for the Death of Jonathan Kent made the death less important that was supposed to be. The first half of the episode was rushed, but fairly amazing. They skipped a few key beats. However, the suspense certainly was there. I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through.

The second half felt, deflated somehow. The scene in the Fortress didn't make a whole lot of sense. You'd think Clark would have more questions about the whole 'trading lives' thing by now. It is a cheesy device, but come on ...

The death itself was handled really well. The funeral and everything else was pretty touching. I just thought Jonathan Kent deserved better.

[hakoreh]

i'm sick of that but also back to every day a new guy with new powers that had something to do with the meteor showers..

[SamBanksJLA]

A 'FOTW' is allright a few times a season, but not every week. I always hated them. I'm glad they don't do that every week now.

I'm sick of having people finding out his secret and then somehow getting their memory erased or something stupid like that.

I absolutley HATED when Lois and Sheriff Adams found out and then that douche bag erased their memories. I loved Lois' reaction after finding out.

[Flight_Without_Wings]

Originally posted by Superbearcub
I was really, really disappointed with this episode.

First of all, Clark's keeping the secret to "protect" Lana is beyond old and lame. After finally showing some courage by telling her in the first half of the episode, and then taking it all back the writers just emphasized how asinine Clark is. Chloe is living proof (for now) that a girl can know his secret and still somehow survive, so why can't he be honest with the girl he supposedly loves? It's the same dilemma Lex faced in the Christmas episode. Instead of living with some integrity and truly having Lana love him, Lex gives it all up because Lana could die. Clark failed the test just like Lex did. People die. No one lives forever. You can't live life shutting out the people you love by keeping secrets or, like Lex, becoming ruthless just because you're afraid of death. And that's what Clark and Lex both give in to: fear.

I agree with the Lameless excuse of protecting her. Let's see, we have had 100 episodes and he has had to save her in probably 90 of those episodes and sometimes twice an episode. Can she really be in any more danger?

When Lois collapsed toward the end, I thought, just for a moment, that the writers were really going to do something interesting and kill her off, but no. They had to go for the cop out of killing Jonathan. My objection is not just that I really liked the character, but that his death is, perhaps, the least significant of all the possible deaths. If Lana had died, or Lois, or maybe even Chloe, there would have been much more impetus for Clark to grow and change. The show could have actually GONE somewhere.

I don't think that killing Jonathan was a cop out. The fact that they killed anyone was a copout because the only reason someone died in the first place was because TPTB said someone was going to die to increase ratings. I really did not care who dies as long as something was accomplished. This episode did nothing but put us back to Season 1 and use a totally tired excuse of time travel and memory wiping to get back there.

And on that subject, how come all the bad guys get to keep Clark's secret and none of the good guys???

[margroks]

Of course it was a trade-off for Lana. Jor-El made it as plain as he could that another person would have to pay the price for Lana's revival. If Clark has the brains of a turnip, he' could have guessed it might be his own father who's been ill for a long time due to his earlier screwing up and running away to Metropolis but no...his obsession with Lana, the girl completely lacking in a real personality and who has no redeeming characteristics that would make her so special and worthy of such devotion that we've ever been shown, knows no bounds.

And now he gets the full force of Lana in a snit because he didn't do what she wanted. I have no sympathy fo Clark at all when it comes to Lana because Clark has been on the receiving end of her little snits and diatribes that he ought to know what kind of person she really is. Only sweet and nice unless you cross her and then she'll turn on you in a heartbeat. If we were actually supposed to feel bad for Lana or Clark either one after this little debacle or any other, then the producers should have taken the time to make Lana likeable and Clark not an idiot. Clark should feel bad because he was responsible for his father's demise by running away to begin with, by passively accepting that losing his powers was fine because then he could justify lying to himself and Lana so he could sleep with her, disgusting all on its own and being such an idiot as to think he's bind her to him with a proposal. All in all, Clark screwed up completely and it's very much tied to his stupid obsession over this pathetic girl.

Clark Kent would never be this dumb in any universe and the producers have made this story needlessly unpleasant.

[Iowa_Gent]

I think the desire to have a blockbuster show for the 100th episode lead to some disappointment for the viewers. The writers put too much in a one hour show. So things got rushed around to fit the time slot. Plus you are left wondering in some scenes when did they do that?

They needed to make it a two hour show to fill those gaps and give more time on Johathan's death and funeral. In the end I felt like okay Johnathan is dead lets hurry up and have him buried quickly as possible and maybe people will forget him sooner and forgive us for killing him off.

I also they missed a great chance to fill the need for someone close to Clark to die and not loss one of the current main charcters. In the episode "Lockdown" Clark is talking to Chloe about his troubles with Lana. Chloe tells Clark he needs to tell Lana about his powers. As she put it Pete knew about them and was able to accept Clark knowing about his powers.

This is a great prelude in writing and why the writers didn't use this to have Pete come back to Smallville for the election celebration. Then have him get killed in a wreck or some how. Not that I didn't like Pete but I have seen no signs of him returning the show. So it would be even more powerful show to have Clark standing by his friend's grave knowing his decisions cost his friend's life. Also let him know his decisions as Superman in the future could lead to someone close to him or innocent people being killed.

This way the life is exchanged and lesson is learned and one of the current characters isn't lost.

[KRAM-el]

Originally posted by margroks
Clark Kent would never be this dumb in any universe and the producers have made this story needlessly unpleasant.

I back you up 110%. It IS all about the writing. And it's NOT hate, as has been thrown around so much (a much-overused term)... it is FRUSTRATION & DISGUST. I for one am tired of having to defend my position that "could you do any better?" --
I don't know -- maybe I could. I've never been offered the chance. I do know for sure, I'd certainly fight in a writer's room to keep things consistent (whether it be story arc, characterization, etc).
Hacks? Absolutely. It's time for change. Before it's too late. :(

[Dannyblue1]

Could I do better than the writers of SV are currently doing? I have no idea. Then again, I'm not being paid to do what they do, and haven't had the experience they've had.

The point is, they can do better. We've seen it, in brief flashes here and there, over these five seasons. Unfortunately, we haven't seen it consistently. Instead, we get storylines that don't seem to have been well thought out, so they end with a whimper instead of a bang. We get gimicks instead of good, solid, consistent storytelling. We get a show that seems terrified to take any kind of a risk. So, they take a step forward, and it looks like, finally, something interesting and plain cool will happen...then, they take a huge step back, and things are pretty much right back where they started.

The writers of SV can do better. I truly believe that, which is why I've kept watching this long. But watching anyone (or anything) slack off and not live up to their full potential can be frustrating as heck. And that's what a lot of people are feeling with SV right now. Frustration.

[KrissO]

Originally posted by WeezMa619
I've shared my thoughts here seldom, but have followed and read the forums for a while now.

Reckoning was an amazingly standout episode. Sadly, it seems the vast majority of you on these boards disliked it with a passion. Where's the loyalty? I've seen (like many of you) all prior 99 episodes, and was gladly prepared to see the show go in whatever direction The Powers That Be had chosen.

I've read countless topics, mainly in the Spoiler forum, and have come to understand a few things.

1. Many of you hate the character of Lana Lang
2. Many of you crack jokes on the writing ( :rolleyes: )

This episode angered you double. Lana Lang didn't die, and Time Travel was involved. I guess according to you guys, whenever Time Travel is written into a story it's bad writing.

This topic is calling out all the absurdity. I agree with the nature of this thread.

One thing that truly bothers me is wishing upon a character's death. Now that's ridiculous. I stumble upon these type comments frequently every visit to the KSite Boards. It never fails. Mindless posts like "Chloe should die", or "Lana Lang is worthless and should meet her end". Anytime I read one of these ignorant posts, I have to roll my eyes. Every time I read some crack at the originality or strength in writing of TPTB, again, I have to roll my eyes.

The writing won't make Smallville go down cancellation road, it'll be the disloyal, impossible to please fanbase.

A very nice post. I actually agree with it all I think, unbelievably.


Originally posted by Dannyblue1
Could I do better than the writers of SV are currently doing? I have no idea. Then again, I'm not being paid to do what they do, and haven't had the experience they've had.

The point is, they can do better. We've seen it, in brief flashes here and there, over these five seasons. Unfortunately, we haven't seen it consistently. Instead, we get storylines that don't seem to have been well thought out, so they end with a whimper instead of a bang. We get gimicks instead of good, solid, consistent storytelling. We get a show that seems terrified to take any kind of a risk. So, they take a step forward, and it looks like, finally, something interesting and plain cool will happen...then, they take a huge step back, and things are pretty much right back where they started.

The writers of SV can do better. I truly believe that, which is why I've kept watching this long. But watching anyone (or anything) slack off and not live up to their full potential can be frustrating as heck. And that's what a lot of people are feeling with SV right now. Frustration.

Well I still can't believe that they don't have a "plan b" coming up.
We'll just have to wait and see, although most people will think I'm just being naive and optimistic.

[DarthRageFist]

Look, just because most of us didn't like the 100th episode does not make us "haters" of the show. Many of us are just plain frustrated with the same old storylines coming back to haunt us and the lies the producers fed us about the 100th episode.

The producers said that the death would be "a surprise to the fans". Since most fans know that Jonathan Kent dies in the movies most people thought that the staff was going to actually take this show into new, bold territory and not just copy the mythology that the movies laid down. The producers also said that the death would be "bold and take the show in a new direction".

Johnathan's death is not a surprise. Many of you who liked this episode have admitted that yourselves. This pretty much proves that the producers lied on that part. Also, Jonathan's death is not bold because it's been done before. Another lie. So, how does his death move the show in a new direction? Now we're back to the season 3 Clark and Lana storyline of "Clark, you just have too many secrets". Wow, that's a bold new direction. Now we're getting back to Lionel going after Clark's mom. Wow, that's something we have not seen before. :rolleyes:

I don't hate Smallville but I'm growing more and more frustrated with it. Lana's death actually would have been bold and moved the show in a completely different direction like the producers promised. It would have moved the show forward. Because of Jonathan's death it looks like the show is moving backwards. Do you really want to see the same things over and over again? I know that I don't. That's why I didn't like the 100th episode.

Just my opinion. Have fun calling me a hater and telling me how wrong I am for disliking the 100th episode.

[boogalou86]

Okay. Clana fan here and I absoutely loved the first half of the show. The death of Lana and Clark's reaction was just wonderful. I think this is the better way to split them apart for Clark to continue his journey to Superman and Lois.

Clark's scene in the FOS, begging Jor-El for chance to change things was a good transition to the second half of the show.

But, for me watching Clark lie in the second loft scene with Lana was just painful. So painful in fact that I fastforward through that part to the victory party when I am rewatching the show.

I hate the continuing theme of Clark lying to Lana. Like some other posters here at Ksite, I think we are back to Clark pushing Lana away in an attempt to protect her...but I think he could better protect her if she knew the truth.

[Iowa_Gent]

I got to agree DarthRageFist people don't need to hate the series but as you put be disappointed in the how we were suppose to be shocked.

Far more shocking would have Lex die and Lionel spirit the body off and have him cloned. Then have the cloning process is what drives him to be completely evil.

But as you stated we all knew it would be Johnathan who died since he died in other versions of Superman and it was being hinted at with Johnathan's heart problems. Now it would be a shocker if they faked Johnathan's death to get something on Lionel aka Chloe's death. I know they said this was finial but they said a lot of things in previous shows and back out of those.

That would explain as one person put in another thread why no CPR and why no hospital scenes. Is this ends up being faked to fool someone.

[Eh,Man?You-El?]

Stop the hater hating!
It's an erroneous assumption to think of criticism as "hating"
but it is blind impertinence (and a throwback to weak, over-used, MTV-ghetto-wannabe slang) to characterize people who have critical opinions as "Haters".
To keep it simple, let me explain:
"Hate'n'" may or may not be what I DO, not who I AM.
:(
:p

[criticalmass]

Originally posted by boogalou86
I hate the continuing theme of Clark lying to Lana. Like some other posters here at Ksite, I think we are back to Clark pushing Lana away in an attempt to protect her...but I think he could better protect her if she knew the truth.

You're right, the story reversal just seemed like an exercise in cowardice by AlMiles and the writers. Frankly I feel I've time travelled back to when I started watching the show.

(And, I know you have to respect the opinions of others, but Triplets review came across a little like PR after Exxon Valdez..);)

[SmallvilleFanBlue]

This is my first post ever.. a lot of the words some people put on I don't quite understand.. Chlarck, etc.
Anyways.. I used to frequently view this forum, and what not, til after I saw this episode I had to sign up and give my .02
First off, I am quite upset that it was Jonathan Kent, I was actually hoping for Lana... But seeing the previews, and the spoilers, I expected Jonathan, and hope it wasn't.. Too bad it was what I was not hoping for but knew it would happen..
My thoughts on this, Clark new when he went to go back that he'd have a chance to save Lana again, but one person that he loved had to go, it was regardless, he should of let what was done be done.. Cuz either way he was going to end up at a funeral of someone that he loved.. Obviously selfishness took over on that.. I was a Big J-K fan, never cared for Lana, she seemed to undecided on life, moved extremely slow, and also hyprotical when she obviously had a thing for Clark too, and complained about Clark not letting out enough emotions, etc.
Some of the other things that bother me, is the fact that people would rely on the fact that in some of the movies, comics J-K was one of them to go, but I also recall in a comic(s) that J-K was alive, he was also one who insisted on the idea of Clark to wear a super-hero costume.. Also another route was the idea that Lana knew of Clarks powers even in childhood...
But WB obviously wanted to go their own route on this, but still knocking off J-K... I could go on this forever, but a few things even in this episode, after Jon told Clark after he proposed to Lana, how Clark was turning into a man, and he didn't need his advice anymore, I knew he was a gonner, :( I knew it was coming, I was like dang!!!!! This show is going to suck!!!
But what boggles me, is what was on that piece of Paper that Lionel had, anyone got suggestion/ideas on that..?
But the outcome of this show showed two things, he lost a father, and also lost Lana, which looks to be for good, or so I hope.. Maybe he'll finally get over her and he'll move on..
Ya never know, let's hear some thoughts, I can get more into detail on this...

[jlblake]

Well I have to say that I loved the episode! I was wondering when Jonathan was going to die. I think a lot of people don't realize that he dies in the original Superman. I am excited to see if and when Lana and Lex get together. And you know Lois and Clark will get together, it will be interesting to see what happens with Clark and Chloe until then! I loved the ending, you don't know what happened between Lionel and Martha at the end, you just see him walk up to her, and then you see him walk away, same with Lana, she walks away, but you don't see where she goes. You can only assume she goes with Lex. It will be interesting to see a flash back to that sometime and see what goes on. Although I was sad to see Jonathan go, I was glad to see they are still following some of the original plot from the movies. I can't wait to see what happens next!

[PikeyUK]

Still annoyed myself that somehow Clark can't get there in time to save her, yet in other episodes he has managed to get to metropolis and catch a bullet before it hit Lana, when he heard it fired on the phone!

"I'm on route 40" Noop, not enough for him to go
"Omg he's coming after me" Still not enough to go
"Arr!" Now even now he could have go there in time if you go by his previous speed but he manages to only get there after the crash and cant help it.

Then decides to not even bother about telling Lana about him, even though he now knows what he was always scared of; Lana will accept him for who he is!

The whole thing made no sense to me at all, if he is going back and knows he is going to lose somebody in order to save Lana, then its an insult to their life to not make it worth while. By not telling Lana he loses her and somebody else close to him and gains nothing.


Terrible, terrible writing and as others have said a total cop-out on what they have built up for the last 5 years.

Sack the lot of them and remake the episode please.

[vyperman7]

There is a thread at the top where you can post your thoughts. No need to make a seperate thread.

[PikeyUK]

Still annoyed myself that somehow Clark can't get there in time to save her, yet in other episodes he has managed to get to metropolis and catch a bullet before it hit Lana, when he heard it fired on the phone!

"I'm on route 40" Noop, not enough for him to go
"Omg he's coming after me" Still not enough to go
"Arr!" Now even now he could have go there in time if you go by his previous speed but he manages to only get there after the crash and cant help it.

Then decides to not even bother about telling Lana about him, even though he now knows what he was always scared of; Lana will accept him for who he is!

The whole thing made no sense to me at all, if he is going back and knows he is going to lose somebody in order to save Lana, then its an insult to their life to not make it worth while. By not telling Lana he loses her and somebody else close to him and gains nothing.


Terrible, terrible writing and as others have said a total cop-out on what they have built up for the last 5 years.

Sack the lot of them and remake the episode please.