MISTRESSES Goes Between the Sheets

Article first published as MISTRESSES Review on Seat42F.

Grade: 88%

ABC is delivering a fresh, new series this summer beginning tonight at 10 p.m. ET called MISTRESSES. Based on the British series of the same name, MISTRESSES follows four female friends (two of them sisters) and their love lives, both with steady partners and while having affairs.

The title can be a bit misleading, since not all four ladies are mistresses at this time. Presumably, should the show go past the thirteen episodes scheduled for this summer, other affairs could happen that would earn them the moniker. But as the “Pilot” starts, only one of the central quartet is a mistress.

The woman I refer to is Dr. Karen Rhodes (Yunjin Kim, Lost), a successful mental health professional who sleeps with her dying patient, Thomas Grey (John Schneider, Smallville). After Thomas’s death, however, she learns that Thomas chooses to spend his final moments with his wife (Penelope Ann Miller, Men of a Certain Age), which hurts her deeply, since she assumes she is his soul mate, causing her to go to her friends for support.

Not all of Karen’s friends, whom she has abandoned during the affair, are all that supportive. They care about her, but don’t necessarily approve of her actions. This is the central issue with MISTRESSES, and why it may have difficulty being accessible to an audience. Is it ever really OK to cheat? Can you judge the act without judging the person? How many people out there will take Karen’s tryst personally, having been betrayed, and consider a turn off they can’t stomach?

Karen’s situation is further complicated when Thomas’s son, Sam (Erik Stocklin, First Day), seeks her counsel. He knows his father was having an affair, but when Karen denies the culprit was her, Sam begins to pursue her romantically. Is he really in love with this much older woman, who he seemingly thinks took good care of his father, or is this a ruse to trap Karen and cost her her license? Karen doesn’t seem ready to fall for him in either instance, but she’s in a very dangerous position.

I’m not sure whether to root for Karen or Sam to win. Both characters are sympathetic, somehow, but also not completely so, as Sam has a dark edge to him.

This type of drama seems along the vein of Desperate Housewives, a previously popular ABC drama which also centered on four women and their various romantic entanglements. It’s interesting that ABC chooses to air it in the summer, considering MISTRESSES follows along the lines of a series that ran so many years with quite a large following on the same network. However, there are some differences, and perhaps ABC worried this new show either wouldn’t land as well, or would be viewed as a copy.

It’s not a copy, and it does make for a very entertaining experience. The other drama in the “Pilot,” Savi (Alyssa Milano, Charmed) facing marital problems at home when her husband, Harry (Brett Tucker, Neighbours), can’t give her kids, a flirtatious co-worker (Jason George, Grey’s Anatomy) hitting on Savi, and April (Rochelle Aytes, Work It) trying to escape the ghost of her dead husband, is as enticing as Karen’s tale. While not completely original, these are human stories that viewers should be able to connect with on some level.

There are a couple of twists at the end of the “Pilot,” some obviously foreshadowed, some not, that set up an interesting rest of the season, and prove that the series has driving power past the first installment. I won’t spoil those surprises for you, but suffice it to say, if you like soapy drama, MISTRESSES has what you are looking for.

Given the excellent cast and the time-proven premise, I’m a little sad that MISTRESSES has been pushed to summer. But should it gain some popularity, perhaps ABC will keep it on in the fall or, better yet, make a serious attempt at good summer programming.

Besides the performers listed above, MISTRESSES also stars Jes Macallan (The Football Fairy) as the fourth member of the titular group.

Glee wants to "Hold on to Sixteen"

     FOX's Glee presents "Hold on to Sixteen." Finn (Cory Monteith) and Rachel (Lea Michele) are worried about Sectionals, so they travel to Kentucky to bring back Sam (Chord Overstreet), whom they find working as a sexy dancer. Sam agrees to return to McKinley, though Blaine (Darren Criss) isn't pleased, feeling shoved out of the group. Finn makes peace with Blaine, and the New Directions win Sectionals. Quinn (Dianna Agron), who decides to keep Shelby's (Idina Menzel) secret, at least for now, convinces Will (Matthew Morrison) to fold the losing Troubletones back into the group, with the caveat that they get to perform a number at all future contests. Thus, the band is back together again.

     The most glaring thing wrong with "Hold on to Sixteen" is Quinn's conversion back into the good girl. She is ready to spill the beans on Shelby, but a few words from Rachel change her mind? And they're friends now? Though, kudos to Rachel for calling Shelby "Beth's real mom," which she definitely is. Shelby also tells Quinn that she needs to enjoy being a teenager, a concept that Sam echoes to Quinn earlier in the episode. But it just doesn't gel. Quinn acts nice at the end, but all that keeps coming to mind is, "What's her angle?" Is her character so ruined that she cannot be seen as a decent human being anymore? Or is it intentional that Quinn is merely acting that way to further her next schem
e?
     Mike Chang's (Harry Shum Jr.) first, and probably only, real character arc comes to an end in "Hold on to Sixteen." Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz) makes it her personal mission to convert Mike Chang Sr. (Keong Sim) into a believer in his son's dancing. And, of course, she does, even though Mike Sr.'s outlook is much more realistic. This entire plot in "Hang on to Sixteen" is cheesy, and yet, still heart warming. Sometimes a little cheese is OK in a series like Glee, and this is probably one of those times. Let's just hope Glee doesn't shove Mike back into the background for the rest of the season.

     And Tina will never, ever make it as a professional performer of any notability. That's not a slam against Ushkowitz, but rather, her character.

     Annoyingly, it does not appear that Blaine's stalker with the "CW hair," Sebastian (Grant Gustin), is going away. He pops up again in "Hang on to Sixteen," and his exchange with Kurt (Chris Colfer) is quite fun. Yet, he feels like an unnecessary hindrance, and the series would be better off without him.

     Sam's return is welcome, if a bit weird. This is the guy too shy to wear the golden underwear in Rocky Horror last fall, and now he strips down to them in a lecherous crowd, voluntarily, every day? It's also odd that Sam's parents (including Smallville's John Schneider) allow him to go stay with friends and transfer back to a high school four hours away. Top that off with Sam's come back performance of the country talky "Red Solo Cup," and the whole reunion is a little forced. But that doesn't matter, as viewers will be as happy as Santana (Naya Rivera) is, as evidenced by her amusing insult list, to have Sam back.

     When Sam last leaves Ohio, he is in a relationship with Mercedes (Amber Riley). Upon coming back in "Hold on to Sixteen," he vows to win her heart once more. This is complicated by the fact that she already has a boyfriend, albeit one who never gets, but deserves, much screen time. The best part about the inevitable showdown may be if Shane (Lamarcus Tinker) gets some actual story, and maybe even a song. However, Sam will probably win in the end, since fan favorite Overstreet is back to (potentially) stay.

     Sam's rejoining of the New Directions is beneficial, to be sure, though definitely not the only reason that they win Sectionals. With Rachel out of commission, almost every group member gets to sing solos. It's a true team effort, which may be why it sounds fantastic, perhaps even their best Sectionals yet! That, and the fact that they do a Jackson medley, perfectly suited to their voices, including "ABC," "Control," and "Man in the Mirror." Well, admittedly "Control" is a little out of synch, but the opening and closing are awesome from start to finish.

     Small note: glee clubs choose their set lists months before competition and work the same songs tirelessly. Yet, in Glee, the kids pick material days, or hours, before going on. They would never place, let alone win, in the real world.

     Sectionals is a rousing affair, as usual, though lacking any really fun guest judges. Harmony (The Glee Project's Lindsay Pearce) leads her group, the Unitards, in "Buenos Aires." The crazy girl seems very happy to get third, out of three, bragging that she is only a sophomore. Hopefully this means Harmony will return, maybe transferring to McKinley for the next two seasons of Glee? Still, happy about getting last? Come on!

     The Troubletones get the short end of the stick this week. They are overconfident in a win, and are crushed when they don't get it. And only one song is shown in "Hold on to Sixteen," as opposed to all three being seen for the New Directions. Considering that this group is made up of major characters, why are they cut short? Even worse, the New Directions laugh about having things in the bag when the girls sing "I Will Survive," and any take back of those comments when the song morphs into a mash with "Survivor" is on the cutting room floor. This makes our heroes look petty and cruel.

     It is nice that everyone comes back together again with "We Are Young." Though Quinn only delivers her proposal to Mercedes, Santana, and Brittany (Heather Morris), they bring Sugar Motta (Vanessa Lengies) along with them. This is acceptable, since Sugar is a recurring role. But what about the rest of their girls, the ones with no names or speaking roles? Are they just abandoned? That doesn't ring right with the spirit of the whole Troubletones subplot. While it makes sense from a practical perspective, this could have been handled slightly better, perhaps with a humorous scene in which the others feel betrayed by the defectors.

     Lastly, if Rachel is only allowed into the school to pick up work during her suspension, as she claims to be, how comes she spends most of "Hold on to Sixteen" there? Is she really skulking around, risking further punishment? Sneaking in for Sectionals, sure, I could see that. But she isn't even acting like she's trying to hide!

     In a night of many great lines, one in particular stands out: "I started the Dalton branch of Fight Club, which I obviously can’t talk about." ~ Blaine


     Tune in next Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET for Glee's Christmas special! Also, watch Community this Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on NBC for a fun parody of the series.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

 

     Click here for all of the Glee reviews I've ever written.

 

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Article first published as TV Review: Glee - "Hold on to Sixteen" on Blogcritics.

Smallville presents the series "Finale"

     Ten years in the making, the CW's Smallville finally comes to a close this weekend. Clark Kent (Tom Welling) realizes that to become the Superman the world needs him to be, he must embrace the past and both of his fathers, as well as what they have taught him. It is not a realization reached easily, but once discovered, his destiny is achieved hard and fast, in time to stop Darkseid from destroying the world. As Clark is doing this, Oliver (Justin Hartley) searches for Darkseid's minions, Lois (Erica Durance) tries to stop the government from making a horrible mistake, and Tess (Cassidy Freeman) squares off with Lex (Michael Rosenbaum) for the family legacy. And there's a wedding.


     There can be much written about what is not in the "Finale" of Smallville (the other heroes in the Justice League, for example), but that would be counterproductive. The most important thing that has to happen in the series finale, as known since the show began, is Clark embracing his destiny once and for all, so of course, a very large part of the hour is about that. And that is done incredibly well, leaving nothing to complain about.
     Since Clark must look to his fathers for who he is supposed to be, bringing back Jonathan Kent (John Schneider) seems a no brainer. While it is never clear how exactly Jonathan appears, it can be assumed that Clark thinking about him being there is represented by a visual image for television viewing audiences. Jonathan isn't a ghost, and he isn't resurrected. Clark can imagine the words his father would say to him in his head, and to make that more digestible to viewers, Smallville gives a physical man in place.

     Martha Kent (Annette O'Toole) also comes to town, a real, life person, to attend Clark's wedding to Lois. Having both of Clark's parents sit together in the front row is a nice treat, and a pleasing image. They are both a very big part of who he is, so it is appropriate to have them there for his special day. As such, she doesn't bring her boyfriend, who it would have been nice to have a cameo from, but it is understandable that he would not fit into this scene.

     Jor-El (Terrence Stamp), by contrast, must remain a voice in a cold, ice prison. It's what he's almost always exclusively been, and so it is the best way for Clark to relate to him. It doesn't make his advice less pertinent, or his words less meaningful. In the ultimate show of cohesion, Jonathan and Jor-El, who have been at odds plenty over the years, come together to give Clark the costume that he will wear when saving the world. It's a big moment, symbolizing all of Clark's experiences coming together to make him Superman.

     Once Clark puts on the suit, there's a little too much CGI, but the point is made. We then see Superman in action. While many wondered what rights Smallville would get to show the caped crusader, since DC has another movie currently in the pipeline, clearly, they were given carte blanche. John William's historic score cinches the moment, and there is no doubt that the figure on screen is the legendary Superman. Ten years, and oh such a satisfying pay off!

     Less satisfying is the payoff of the Clark/Lois relationship. Much of the first hour of "Finale" is spent as each have their doubts about the marriage. Those doubts are soothed by reading each other's vows. They belong together, and that is as plain as day to viewers and characters alike. The jitters are calmed, and they go to the chapel, where, interestingly, the vows are read again. Perhaps repeating those words of love drills it into fans' heads that yes, these two feel very strongly and must be together, despite what is about to happen.

     Then, right as the rings are going on the fingers, disaster strikes, and the wedding guests flee. Clark is able to save the day, and the chapel remains only partially destroyed, a triumph compared to other, similar disasters in like series. Yet, after all is said and done, the ending reveals it take seven more years before Clark and Lois make it back to the altar. Why!? Sure, Clark probably gets a little busy as soon as he becomes Superman, but seven years seems pretty excessive to not be able to find time to make it down to the courthouse. The pair are in love! It just doesn't make sense they would wait so long! The best theory is that it puts the characters more in line with the comic book timeline. But it doesn't make it any less frustrating.

     That being said, the rest of the seven years later glimpse is nearly perfect, with Clark and Lois at the Daily Planet, a screaming Perry White (Michael McKean), who we sadly never see, and young Jimmy Olsen (Aaron Ashmore) being told he has big shoes to live up to (his brother, also played by Ashmore, was a beloved central character on Smallville before being killed off). Also, a mention on TV of Lex becoming president in 2018 (that's not an election year!). Only thing missing is, no Cat (Keri Lynn Pratt)? Then one last look at Superman as he takes off to save the world.

     One quick note about Ashmore's cameo. While it is more than welcome to see another Jimmy played by the same, very talented actor, it would have been nice if the surprise were not spoiled in the opening credits. Once Ashmore's name pops up on screen, it isn't hard for long-time fans to summarize just why he is here, especially since the episode begins with the seven years later framework, so it is likely to end in the same time frame. Couldn't Ashmore's name have been saved for the ending credits?

     Chloe (Allison Mack) gets the honor of opening the show, reading to a little blond boy who has to be her and Oliver's son, seven years in the future. She is reading him a story called Smallville, about Clark's journey into becoming the great superhero. As a participant in most of the journey, it is an appropriate story for Chloe to be sharing with her child. It's also nice to know that she gets a happy ending, as she has had plenty of pain in her life.

     It is unclear if Chloe and Oliver stay together, though they must have at least had a child together, because the resemblance in the kid is uncanny. In comic lore, Chloe has been added late, after her popularity among Smallville fans, as she is a character created just for this TV series. Oliver, who is the Green Arrow, has a relationship with Black Canary, who has been seen on Smallville, but not in "Finale." Not establishing that Oliver is with Chloe, while leaving room to stay comic canon, does hang a slight bit of sadness over Chloe's happy ending, though.

     Oliver isn't seen in the future sequences at all, but he is more than triumphant in the present. He has been marked with the Omega, a symbol for Darkseid, for awhile, which causes Oliver to betray his friends. While much of Oliver's struggle for redemption in the series is self-driven, this time, Clark comes to Oliver's rescue. Because Oliver is a hero, too, with his own story, this would have been a very unsatisfying end for him. It is nice that Clark can help a friend out, but fans of the show need to see Oliver being personally triumphant, too.

     And so he goes after Darkseid's three minions, and single-handedly takes them down with one shot. It's actually three separate arrows fired at the same time, but still hella impressive. Would Darkseid's minions be quite so easy to take out? It almost seems a cheat, though Oliver already got his fight sequence with Clark, so another is not necessary. It's a slightly weak sequence if over thought, but if emotion is allowed to rule, Oliver is served well.

     Perhaps the second most anticipated thing about "Finale," after Clark putting on the Superman suit, is the return of Lex Luthor. While longtime Superman fans knew that Lex would have to return at some point as Clark's greatest foe, the detaile were sketchy. In Smallville, the writers chose to have the new Lex assembled from the best parts of imperfect clones, then given life by Darkseid in exchange for Lex's father, Lionel's (John Glover) soul. That'll do.

     Lionel himself is dispatched with. Darkseid takes him over, zombie like, and in an encounter where Clark learns to fly (another momentous moment!) Clark destroys both Lionel and Darkseid. At least, that's what appears to happen. The real Lionel's death several seasons ago was shocking and moving. This Lionel has never been more than a shadow than the other one, and he deserves no less than a quick ending, without frills. Which is what he gets.

     Sadly, Tess also meets her fate, as she confronts her brother, Lex. Tess has struggled with her goodness after learning she is a Luthor. In the end, she proves herself on the right side, though that is little comfort as Lex guts her with a knife. She manages to rub something on his face first that wipes his memory, thus making her death heroic, though regrettable. Presumably, since Tess was created just for Smallville, and not part of comic lore, the writers wanted to remove her from play. That's too bad, because she has been a complicated, interesting character, and could have had plenty of story left.

     Lex and Clark's conversation, before Lex's memory goes, is everything Smallville needs for a scene between the two. Lex tells Clark they are connected, and one can only be as great as the other. They do not physically fight, as this Lex is not ready for their first battle yet, and Clark doesn't seek one out. But there is a real sense of set up between the two, a hint of their shared destiny. It's chilling, and perfectly executed between two wonderful actors. Thank goodness Rosenbaum agreed to return for "Finale," as losing this small bit would have weakened the overall episode noticeably.


     All in all, a very strong "Finale" for Smallville. At times, it has the epic power of a movie. Others, it resorts back to a long running, successful TV show. Clark Kent, the boy on his journey will live on on DVD, but Superman has a lot more adventures to come. Is it too soon to start campaigning for a Tom Welling / Erica Durance / Michael Rosenbaum starring full length feature?

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Current Season Reviews.

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Article first published as TV Review: Smallville - "Finale" on Blogcritics.

Smallville explores what it means to be a "Kent"

     Four weeks are left until the CW's Smallville series finale. The show has been on there air for a decade. Ten full years. There aren't many series that can boast such a long run, and the show now is drastically different from the way it began. With a primary cast of only four characters (five, if counting Allison Mack's Chloe, though she is only doing a handful of episodes this season), the focus has shifted fully into Clark Kent (Tom Welling) becoming Superman. Sure, that has always been the understood journey of the show, but with the end fast approaching, it is more prevalent than ever.

     This week, in "Kent", Clark is sent back to the alternate universe by his doppelgänger, Clark Luthor. Luthor is hunted in his world, and everyone knows how to kill him, thanks to the now deceased Oliver Queen (Justin Hartley). Clark Kent runs into Oliver's widow, Lois (Erica Durance), and then finds the shell of a man that is Jonathan Kent (John Schneider). Jonathan captures Clark, intending to hand him in for the reward money. But would-be father and son bond, and Jonathan lets Clark go, both having new perspectives on their lives.

     Jonathan Kent died in the regular universe years ago, but having Clark face his father once more, right before the end, is not just a throwback to who he was. Jonathan has shaped who Clark has become. He also helps his son see that things in life aren't nearly as important as the people. Clark does know Lois is the most cherished element in his life, but this bit of advice gives him the courage to go through with a momentous event in his life: selling the Kent family farm.

     Giving up his boyhood home may not seen like a major step to many. In fact, many origin Superman stories on screen have dispersed with the farmhouse early in the movie or series. But as the entirety of Smallville takes place prior to Clark putting on the cape and tights, getting rid of the homestead reminds us that the end is very near, and he will soon become the hero he is meant to be. This particular Clark's journey is finishing, as he is about to become the character beloved for decades.

     Back in the 'real' universe, Lois quickly realizes the imposter. She enlists Emil's (Alessandro Juliani) assistance in repairing the one device that can bring her love back home again. Unlike other incarnations of Superman, where Lois is a fiercely independent woman who doesn't 'need' Clark, this Lois has known him since his geeky days, and understands the role they play in each other's lives. It does not detract from her strength to be so bonded to Clark. Rather, it makes them both more complex, interesting individuals as they balance the duality of individualism with their romance. Smallville shows this better than any other version of the story told before. This may be the closest look at Lois and Clark's relationship ever shown on screen.

     Clark Luthor has come to the commonly considered standard reality to find Lionel Luthor (John Glover), his adopted father, who escaped to this side months ago, and kill him. It is a really well illustrated example of nurture winning out over nature. Yet, while Clark Luthor does not accomplish his wicked goal, Clark Kent sees something in his counterpart that may be redeemable. When Clark Luthor is sent back to his universe in the Fortress, it appears he may finally consider Jor-El's (Terence Stamp) wisdom. Even after everything that has happened, a good father figure, as well as a peek into what might have been, could still save his soul. If nothing else, it's a comforting idea. And a reminder that Superman is, at his core, optimistic.

     Caught up in Clark Luthor's games is his half sister, Tess (Cassidy Freeman). Recently realizing she is a Luthor, and struggling over how to deal with her biological father, Lionel, Clark Luthor tells Tess she must help him kill their daddy, or face death herself. She pretends to go along with Clark's wishes, but betrays him, almost resulting in her death. Thanks to a timely rescue, which is never assured so close to a series' end, Tess will breathe for at least another week.

     The fact that Tess chose good shows a real character development for her. Ever since her introduction, she has straddled the line between good and evil, much as Lex (Michael Rosenbaum) used to. As his replacement, that is appropriate. But she is making the opposite decision than her brother did. While Tess's ultimate loyalty may still be up in the air, it seems likely she will stick to the right choice.

     Tess, more than anyone, is not given her due. She is a complicated person, with deeply dark hues. Freeman is an excellent actress, managing to do much with what little she is given. With only four weeks left, Tess will be the one character that provides the least satisfaction. She could be taken so much further than she will be. Freeman deserves much gratitude from the fan base for her contribution to the show.
  
     Smallville still airs Friday nights at 8 p.m. ET on the CW, though not for much longer.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Current Season Reviews.

Article first published as TV Review: Smallville - "Kent" on Blogcritics.

Smallville's final season and the return of Lex Luthor

If you have not watched Smallville's 10th Season premiere, "Lazarus", please watch it before reading this review, as it contains plenty of spoilers about that episode.

You may want to click here to read my review of Smallville's 9th season finale, "Salvation", last May.

     The single most important thing in Smallville's 10th season is this: Lex Luthor is back.  Michael Rosenbaum, the actor who played him for most of the series, is not, but the writers have gotten creative in getting around that absence.  In the first episode, Clark (Tom Welling) is told once again that Lex will be his biggest foe, but he wonders at that, as Lex was last seen blowing up two years ago.  Tess (Cassidy Freeman), who was seen dying the in the hospital at the end of season nine, wakes up in a lab miraculously healed.  She is surrounded by Lex clones, some closer to the real Lex than others.  The worst of the batch escapes, killing almost all of the others, except for a young child version named Alexander (Jakob Davies), whom Tess takes home with her.

     I don't believe that the bad Lex clone will be the true nemesis that Clark will have to face.   He's already dying, and he lis considerably older than Lex.  Even though the bad clone says that the creator died two years ago, I have my doubts.  For one thing, who was in the hood, rescuing Tess? Sure, there will be other villains besides Lex this season, but without a strong Lex presence in the series finale, the last episode is sure to feel off.  I don't know why Rosenbaum keeps resisting overtures, but his return would be much more satisfying than having another actor take over this late in the game.

     The most compelling plot in the premiere, and likely throughout the season, is Clark's battle with inner darkness.  In the premiere, we see both a supportive Jor-El (Terrence Stamp), who wants Clark to vanquish his foes, and one who has deep doubts about whether Clark will ultimately be a villain or a hero.  Because Clark's encounters with Jor-El are dream-like sequences, there is no real way to tell which, if either, actually happened.  However, as Clark's Superman suit ended up in the Fortress at the end of the episode, the disappointed Jor-El is more likely the correct one.  The nice one may well have been Jonathan Kent (John Schneider), who returned to tell Clark how proud he was of his son, and express his faith that Clark would do the right thing.  Jonathan died years ago on the show, but his trippy return may have been something real in some way.  If Clark can talk to his deceased Kryptonian father, why not his human one, too?  Whatever it was, Schneider's return was welcome.

     With only four and a half main characters this year, Smallville is spending the money saved on principal actors by bringing back plenty of important guest stars.  Besides Jonathan Kent, also set to return this season are John Glover as Lionel Luther, who is also dead, Laura Vandervoort (V) as Clark's cousin, Kara, and quite likely Kristin Kreuk as Lana Lang, at least in flashback.  I don't much care if the deal with Kruek is finalized or not, as Lana had a fine ending, and there is no real need to see her again.  Keri Lynn Pratt will be bringing to life the comic book character of Kat Grant beginning with next week's episode, "Shield".  As long as Momma Kent (Annette O'Toole) and Perry White (her real-life husband, Michael McKean) come back as well, everyone essential will be covered.

     It must also be noted that Allison Mack, who plays the only original cast member left besides Clark, Chloe Sullivan, is only doing a limited number of episodes in the final season.  She remains in the theme song, at least in the first episode, but she traded herself to save Oliver (Justin Hartley) from his torturers, so I think it unlikely we will be seeing her again soon.  She has promised to return, and we can only hope she does a sizeable arc that includes the finale, as Chloe is such an essential part of the show.

     And with all that going on, Lois (Erica Durance) discovering Clark's secret was actually played quite minorly in the episode.  It's a huge event in the Superman saga, so I was surprised at how little it impacted the main plot, though she did have to be saved by evil Lex, and it did spur her to leave for Africa.  Her discovery will surely have lasting effects, though, and I doubt that the meat of it has been played out.

     Smallville airs Friday nights at 8pm on the CW.