Hereafter

DVD, Smallville S3 (Hereafter)

Well what was that all about? I'm not talking about the episode, but the shocking and mysterious cliffhanger. I don't expect something like that, plonk in the middle of the season! The episode itself was a good one, successfully harking back to what made the Season One/Two stories good. A good, layered freak-of-the-week, a sympathetic villain, and quite a lot going on.

My only complaints are the superspeed Clark uses to save the coach, which happened in front of everyone, yet they didn't seem to notice. That stretched credibility too far, within the series' established constraints, where usually he can't do anything like that if people are watching. The other thing was the lack of the older generation; Lionel, Jonathan and Martha. If Jonathan had been more central to the episode his shock ending might have made more connection. As it was it was purely a surprise. Pete again doesn't appear much. It seems there simply isn't room for him among so many others. When he does appear it does feel like an old S1 or S2, with the gang discussing a freak-o-t-w.

As usual with S3 they don't band together to solve the mystery. In this case it didn't matter - I was just glad everyone was getting on fine. Which was a very great relief indeed! Adam showed up again (ergh), but at least this time he was a meaningful part of the story. As the events unfolded I wondered if he'd gone off the rails and kidnapped Lana (forgetting the Dad had heard Lana and friend talking about his daughter earlier). Then I began to wonder if his secret was something to do with the army, amd maybe he'd been a soldier with Whitney. Perhaps he'd been near when he died and Whits had asked him to take care of Lana? Now I just don't know.

There was a pleasingly smooth opening, the central concept that the guy could see people's deaths made you want to see what would happen (unlike some superpowers this season, like the vocal chord one!). The episode had an air of upbeat and positive feeling, when often in this season it's been a drag. People moaning and feeling and worrying. For once it was the new guy who had the problem. And the cliffhanger makes me want to turn over to the next disc right away!

***