Wow, this has to go down as one of the worst episodes this season. It wasn't bad as in 'Spell' bad, but in terms of the season as a whole it has to be one of the poorest so far.
The A story was pretty weak, and essentially a FOW. No real explanation as to why or how our freak got his powers, until he let slip that he'd been in Smallville some time last year i.e. when the second meteor shower hit, but then we have Clark and Chloe making this point at the end when it had all been figured out. At least with previous FOW we had an explanation of why certain people got certain powers, their surroundings and environment at the time. There was also little reasons on why he killed the guy at the time, he was a witness in a big a trial. Could have done with a bit more back story to this in my opinion.
Unfortunately, it seemed that this weeks episode was a filler, with very little given away for the final 2 episodes. Other than Lex having a bried conversation with Fine on the phone, and a conversation on AOL instant messenger!!! in which Milton Fine and Lex Luthor (their screen names would you believe it) discuss whether the 'compound virus' is ready. Are we really expected to believe such a secret and potentially sensitive subject would be discussed in a generic chat programme?
We also had the Clark finds out about Lex and Lana inevitable conversation, and it went as form dictates. No Clark, Lana won't listen to you about Lex being dangerous, and of course Lana is going to think Lex saved her life and love him more, even though it was Clark, and Clark has to look on yawn yawn yawn. We've seen this too many times before and it's getting very old and hackneyed now.
The writers also gave us a clue that Clark and Lois won't get together in Smallville, as when asked if she was his boyfriend, she replied "Not in this lifetime." So it seems we are going to have the Lana and Clark dance for the forseeable future. I really hope this doesn't dominate season 6.
Still looking forward with dread to the season finale, having read the official decriptions for both. I think that they may just screw up what has been a really good season, as the writers appear unable to craft a proper story arc for the whole season and the characters, and whereas season 4 was poor but had a great finale, I fear the reverse maybe true this year round.
I hope I'm wrong.
"One must be a fox in order to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten off wolves."