Fade

DVD, Smallville S5 (Fade)

Lois Lane is the new Pete, she's always attracting dangerous, psychopathic types, and you have to feel sympathy for her really. I don't know if the Chameleon, as he called himself, was an original 'Smallville' creation or an existing DC villain (I know Marvel had one of the same name in the Spiderman universe), but it seems likely the former since he admits to gaining his power of invisibility from the meteor rocks on a trip through the area when the first strike hit. Plus it looked like he died at the end, so we can assume he was a one-episode guest villain. As much as Lois falling for the bad boys is a cliche, I'm sure Clark making a powerful friend who then helps him out by doing things for him (such as attempting to kill Lex) has been done before, though episode specifics don't 'fade' into mind. Invisibility certainly had been used in Season 1's 'Shimmer' so I don't know why Chloe's Wall of Weird, now seemingly transformed into a searchable database, has no occurrences listed.

The Database of Weird doesn't have the same attraction as a crazy wall full of papers, but it's not her office at the Torch any more, it's the basement of the Daily Planet, so such displays of personal oddness would be frowned upon. There are links back to those Torch days when Chloe tries to get Clark back into reporter mode, one aspect of his character that has fallen by the wayside after being so successfully set up in the early seasons. But there are echoes of destiny too, with his continued presence at the Planet, and his decision to save Graham Garrett at the start, as well as his interesting discussion with Chloe on whether it was right to save people who had done, or would do evil - a theme that could have stretched out to the length of an episode, but sadly 'Smallville' doesn't do a lot of 'thoughtful'. Lois and Martha's conversation at the end also hints at the possible future Lois and Clark could have if she realised what a good chap he is, without openly saying anything.

The episode begins strongly with a pretty good effects sequence of Clark saving Garrett, but didn't live up to the promise shown in the teaser, which was well shot, exciting and impressive. I'm amazed not one person in the busy street noticed the guy with the bright red jacket was one side of the road, then a few seconds later he's over the other side having pushed the guy out of the way of a speeding car! The episode comes full circle with another sequence in which Clark saves the unknowing Lex and his now-public girlfriend Lana, from the bullet of the baddie, except Lana thinks Lex saved her life now! I really hoped, futilely, as it turns out, that the big circle of doom had been broken and we wouldn't have to see scenes between Clark and Lana where they softly rant at each other, moan about trust, etc, etc, etc. It's like they can't go too many episodes without ending one with the pair getting all het up with each other, but there was a time when it didn't happen, honest it really didn't! Those happier days are long since gone, and signs are there that spell further trouble - Lana's trust in Lex may be misplaced since he appeared to be in email contact with Milton Fine, the missing Kryptonian, who is still sure to show up for a rematch with Clark before long.

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