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

[vantheman77]

This is the episode where they destroyed Clark and killed off Jonathan for the wrong reasons. Clark sacrificed everything for Lana when he should've left things as they were. From this episode until Homecoming, we saw Clark blaming himself which was getting tiresome. I was more concerned about what happens with Clark afterwards and we got our answer that was not satisfying.

[hadezown]

I don't know how to feel about this ep. It was edge of your seat stuff but I think the timing of death in the series was wrong. As much as I despised pa kent, he shouldn't have died in this one. I wish they went with the first half, it's sad that Lana would die but the scene just hits you like a ton of bricks. But oh wait, time travelling crystal! Should have seen it coming the second Lex saw speedy Clark.

[Simba_Muffy]

A waste of time and money.

[Simba_Muffy]

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!

It proved what you knew all along, but it was badly executed.

[Supsfan]

On thing I never get is why does Clark specifically choose the day of the election to tell Lana the secret. You think Clark would be smart enough to realize that with his dad running for Senate the day was bound to be Hectic to start off with so why shoot one more thing on top of that. It would be much smarter if he held it off for a few days. It just felt to me another example of TPTB trying to make a "big" event without thinking out stuff logically.

Another thing that bothers me is in the second timeline in terms of logic, you think somebody would notice that Lois is knocked out between the scene of her falling off her chair and the night of the election.

[Arbar]

I really don't like Jonathan...

but I got very teary-eyed during this episode. I even smiled when Lana accepted Clark's proposal. In fact, I liked Lana in this episode, mainly for deciding not to take any more of Clark's wishy-washiness in the second half.

Still hated the episode though

I won't talk about how, judging by Clark and Jor-el, Kryptonians are the anti-Vulcans when it comes to logic, because I think everyone knows that But watching this, it occurred to me that both times Clark makes a rash, uninformed decision with horrible consequences, he's dating Lana (Exodus, Reckoning, and even Requiem if Lana hadn't stopped him) Coincidence? Definitely not

Another small point: when Lex deduces that Lana knows the secret, he doesn't seem upset that she has information he doesn't. Rather, he seems to be crushed and angry that Clark finally trusted her and not him. I think in Lex's mind, he and Lana were united by being outside of Clark's circle of trust, and now he was the only one left.

----- Added 11 Minutes later -----

On thing I never get is why does Clark specifically choose the day of the election to tell Lana the secret. You think Clark would be smart enough to realize that with his dad running for Senate the day was bound to be Hectic to start off with so why shoot one more thing on top of that. It would be much smarter if he held it off for a few days. It just felt to me another example of TPTB trying to make a "big" event without thinking out stuff logically.

Another thing that bothers me is in the second timeline in terms of logic, you think somebody would notice that Lois is knocked out between the scene of her falling off her chair and the night of the election.

Apparently, Kryptonite *and* logical thinking are Clark's greatest weaknesses

I too thought it was weird no-one needed to talk to Lois, the campaign manager(!) from the time she fell until Clark noticed. Surely something needed doing on her part that would have meant she was missed?

[Freawaru]

I won't talk about how, judging by Clark and Jor-el, Kryptonians are the anti-Vulcans when it comes to logic, because I think everyone knows that

Don't know about "everyone" but I have to agree that they are more like Klingons than Vulcans. Or maybe Romulans?

But watching this, it occurred to me that both times Clark makes a rash, uninformed decision with horrible consequences, he's dating Lana (Exodus, Reckoning, and even Requiem if Lana hadn't stopped him) Coincidence? Definitely not

I agree. Lana does have a bad effect on the minds of those she dates. Not only Clark, but also Whitney finally saw that something was wrong and wanted distance. And Jason did tell her that he didn't like how he had changed for her. And Lex, like Clark, was having a Lana problem during Prototype and was not able to concentrate on the serious problem at hand. Lionel had taught him: if it is it important do it yourself. Still, he delegated the problem of the witness with the horrible consequence of Keenan's death. I mean, he didn't even know that Lois was that witness. He never asked and they never told him. Very un-Lex.

Another small point: when Lex deduces that Lana knows the secret, he doesn't seem upset that she has information he doesn't. Rather, he seems to be crushed and angry that Clark finally trusted her and not him. I think in Lex's mind, he and Lana were united by being outside of Clark's circle of trust, and now he was the only one left.

I agree. Lex always wanted to be "one of us". He must have felt that he lost his only remaining friend, Lana.

Apparently, Kryptonite *and* logical thinking are Clark's greatest weaknesses

I don't think that he cannot do it. But he needs to take the time for it and he tends to rash actions. That is not always wrong. During a combat situation instinct is often better than logic. I think it is more that he needs to see the importance and usefullness of logic and planning than him not able to do it if he wants to. And of course no Lanalanalana.

[Arbar]

Don't know about "everyone" but I have to agree that they are more like Klingons than Vulcans. Or maybe Romulans?

Hmm, I would say that their reputation in general (across all the media) is that they *are* like Vulcans, but the examples we were shown in Smallville sometime remind me of Nausicaans Klingons probably is the best analogy though

[Freawaru]

Hmm, I would say that their reputation in general (across all the media) is that they *are* like Vulcans,

Really? I didn't know.

but the examples we were shown in Smallville sometime remind me of Nausicaans

Klingons probably is the best analogy though

I don't see how they can be considered like Vulcans. They are not logical at all and are expressing and living their emotions. I mean, not only Clark who had been raised human but also Kara. She is very emotional and not all that strategic and logical in thinking. Jor El wasn't exactly like a Vulcan, either, especially not when young. Not to mention Zor El. And Dax Ur? And the Kandorians... no, I can't see similarities to Vulcans in them.

The Luthors are more like Vulcans than any Kryptonian we were shown in SV, but they can be very emotional, too.

[LoveHurts38]

The imagery was very nice the proposal but, it was empty because it was like Lana I am this and that will you marry me O_O no wonder Lana felt confused & Johnathan's death that has haunted Clark for many years blaming himself of what he did and what he say's to Chloe in S9 episode 1 until, S10 Homecoming episode 200 gives closure.

[Supsfan]

The imagery was very nice the proposal but, it was empty because it was like Lana I am this and that will you marry me O_O no wonder Lana felt confused & Johnathan's death that has haunted Clark for many years blaming himself of what he did and what he say's to Chloe in S9 episode 1 until, S10 Homecoming episode 200 gives closure.

The whole problem with the proposal for me was it felt like, ok we know time will be reversed so let's shoot everything at the wall before it does and give Clana fans something they can youtube, even though it doesn't really make sense from a logical standpoint(ie Clark might have been smarter telling her the secret first, then proposing in a later episode, and the fact why wait till the day you dad is going to get elected to tell the secret)

In general I hated Time Reversal episodes in this series because to often it felt like the producers used it to pander to shippers and Clark ends up looking stupid in the process.

[Arbar]

You, know maybe I wouldn't have minded pandering to shippers if they'd actually pandered to either of the ships I liked - spread around the pandering a bit . But nope, until season 8,
any Lana-ship was their flag-ship.

(Okay, so the chances of the Clex ship getting blatent were slim, but seriously, no Chlark arc? After everything that was set-up?)


Ooh, and I just wanted to add two things that cracked me up when I watched - in the first Lana-Lex scene where he's gets angry with her, she does her usual whisper talk, and I don't know if it was intentional or not, but Lex totally mimicks her sarcastically when he says 'Really?!'

The second is the series of shots of the farm after Jonathan dies (I know, it was sad), there are two long, lingering shots of the cows looking mournful, as though the show is saying, 'Truly, the cows were his first real love'.

[LoveHurts38]

The whole problem with the proposal for me was it felt like, ok we know time will be reversed so let's shoot everything at the wall before it does and give Clana fans something they can youtube, even though it doesn't really make sense from a logical standpoint(ie Clark might have been smarter telling her the secret first, then proposing in a later episode, and the fact why wait till the day you dad is going to get elected to tell the secret)

In general I hated Time Reversal episodes in this series because to often it felt like the producers used it to pander to shippers and Clark ends up looking stupid in the process.

That's the thing he could of told her first let it sink in and later proposed and enjoy being engaged but, they did not have none of that even in Promise he wanted to propose at the wrong time in her wedding day to me all of it was a whole joke.

[Supsfan]

That's the thing he could of told her first let it sink in and later proposed and enjoy being engaged but, they did not have none of that even in Promise he wanted to propose at the wrong time in her wedding day to me all of it was a whole joke.

Basically it's like let's wait till the last minute or worst possible time to do something that will be overly dramatic

[jon-el87]

The first of four episodes to have Clark time travel. Upon rewatching it I began thinking about Superman the Movie. In the film's funeral scene, Clark notes that he couldn't save Jonathan, despite all of his powers... then, at the end of the film, he reverses time and undoes Lois' death. Thus he can save people, even after they've died. And there's no sign of Reeve's Superman having to pay a price, for having prevented/undone Lois' death. Meaning, he could reverse time, whenever he fails to rescue someone.

SV's Clark is instantly shown to not have that option. When he travels back a few hours and prevents Lana's death, he has to pay a great price for it: the life of his adoptive father. He was able to change the timeline, but the universe found a way to balance it out. Meaning he doesn't have the option to just go back in time, whenever he fails to save someone. And messing with the timeline will have consequences (Clark even acknowledges it himself, the second time he changes the timeline in "Infamous"). If Clark had let Lana remain dead, Jonathan would've lived. Blinded by grief, he jumped the gun and only thought about saving her, not Jor-El's warning that the universe will find a balance.

This episode also shows Clark proposing to Lana. It showed how impulsive an naive he is, at this point in his life. They've only dated for a few months. They're both 18 (as established in "Aqua") and freshmen in College (and they don't even go to the same university and the universities are in different cities. Meaning one of them would have to move and change university or drop out entirely, to help support them. And where are they going to live? In Clark's bedroom on the farm?). It's way too early to be talking about marriage. It really demonstrates how much more mature the future Clark-Lois relationship is, where we're shown them getting prepared to getting married in 2018. By which point, they're about 31-32 (Lois is about a year older) and have dated for over seven years.