Forever

DVD, Smallville S4 (Forever)

"The big question mark hanging out there," Clark says, referring to the big wide world and their future in it. 'Smallville' has changed, not exactly beyond all recognition, but certainly a long way from its origins, and it seems nearing the end of Season Four that the series was about to change more potently than the steady growth (or decline depending on which seasons you prefer) to this point. Not having seen the end of the season or anything beyond this point, I wonder what's to come, just as the characters do in the startling ending to this episode. Startling in that they haven't always got this kind of thing right, but the mood of the end of the school/college life is so well achieved and Chloe, Lana and Clark are so right, walking along together away from Smallville High, wondering what life has in store for them and I wish they could have done it this well more often.

The episode started well, with a creepiness that left expectations of a different story than it turned out to be. That's not a bad thing, as it wasn't all about another crazy guy, but his delusion presented an excuse to examine leaving the past behind and moving onto a new stage in life, which is relevant for most people. The theme carries through beyond leaving friends and somewhere you've spent years at, but spills into Jonathan Kent's worries about tying Clark down, Martha's dismay at Jonathan's willingness to let Clark go - if ever there was a sign of impending doom it's the mention of Mr. Kent's heart problems, especially knowing he was to leave the series.

Not everything was worked so well, as the bothersome plot of the 'stones' is once again forced in, mainly because the Luthors and Jason wouldn't have anything to do otherwise. I kept waiting for Jason to wake up, but it seems he hasn't been drugged, hypnotised or any other form of control, but really was working for his Mother all along. This doesn't tally with his character and behaviour in the early episodes, because I don't believe Jason was that good an actor. It also repeats what happened to Lana last season with Adam, like they couldn't come up with something new. That's true of the old chestnut of Lex... wait for it... being kidnapped! He really should do something about his personal security because it got ridiculous a long time ago. I could imagine the red hot poker scene done much better - Lionel should have refused to tell until an interruption occurs so the Teague's stop their torture. Lionel's capitulation makes him appear weaker, when in earlier seasons he would have apologised to Lex and refused to tell at any cost. Are we meant to think he really has changed to an extent?

There was something quite fantastic about seeing the two Luthors on the run together, and parents are again a strong theme for the episode. Whether it be Jason reluctantly obeying his Mother's plans, to Lionel and Lex' experiences as captives, but most importantly Jonathan Kent with Clark or Martha. John Schneider finally gets some scenes he deserves!

In places I was quite surprised at how grisly it became, with frozen bodies smashing to pieces, particularly the heads. It's been a long while since the series has had regular shocks that push the envelope of what you'd expect, so perhaps that was why it seemed so surprising. The effect of the ice or porcelain was very good however, and especially disturbing to see the eyes move inside the encasing freeze.

It was brave in a way that they decided to do the series within the school life and have now come to its end, whereas they could have made the series like the guy in this episode longed for where they're forever at school and nothing much changes. Of all that happened it was seeing Chloe shut up the Torch and take down her Wall of Weird that hit me hard as it's been such a hub over the years and represented the series in some ways. There's a strong feeling of coming to an end, and of what was familiar reaching its natural conclusion, although Chloe does tantalisingly wonder to herself if things might not be so different after all... I have to wonder myself whether they should have ended the series here, called it a day and admitted they lost their edge a bit, but success means continuation and it seems 'Smallville' still appealed.

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