Warning do not read unless seen episode.
"Let us play loudly, let us live proudly and then we'll all be walking tall."
Johnny Mathis
This episode is another one of my favorites from the show, favorite episodes in general and it's one of my favorite series finales of all time. I'm thankful they finally got to this point it had to happen sooner or later; it's true this episode isn't action packed as most season and series finales would have, ending with a bang. But sometimes you don't need big battles and events to make a bang, to me it's really in the character drama and what they all do in the moments which can be the most impactful.
I really loved the meeting both Lex and Clark had, it was a welcome gift as Lex/Mike has been long gone from the show. Really like cinematography and geography as we see both are on opposite sides in the same place while there is chaos and conflict happening all around them. Really love that monologue Lex delivers as we see Lex accepts his destiny and place in the fold of things as he lays it out that both will become great men but on opposite sides of the spectrum. I honestly feel there is truth in this as it has always been known how greatness seems to always be made and born from deep conflict between both sides.
When Clark listens, he harbors no hatred for Lex but deep understanding as he also realizes this truth and from how far both have come together and apart, he and we know there is no way back for either of them. Before Clark leaves, he says one thing which carries deep sorrow as he says, "I'm sorry I couldn't save you." I'll admit hearing that was heartbreaking and reflects even the sorrow I had for Lex, as I honestly never wanted any of it to happen and the deep tragedy of it was there was nothing Clark and I could do about it.
However, in part of what happens even near the end of the episode, despite Lex being now a lord of the Sith there is still good in him there is still hope that lives with him. From that drug toxin applied to him which has made him lose great portions of his memory; yeah, I know that amnesia card I don't always like as it's most of the time a lazy writing tactic, but here it works and makes sense. From that you can say this completes Lex's transformation as we see in a pan out shot, the big building sign shines out his name. But it could also mean that Lex has a second chance as we see he becomes president of the United States which did happen in the DC verse. It could me either the rivalry between both Clark and Lex has gone further at this point or it could mean redemption for Lex; that's up to you to decide.
Then there are the moments with Clark and Lois which as usual are always the best. We then see both are faced with a dilemma as we see both suddenly have a reluctance to not just marry but stay together at all. For Lois she fears by staying with him she's dragging him down, keeping him from being all that he can be. Clark thinks by cutting ties with his past from the possibility of selling the far to his relationship with friends and Lois, that it's the best thing for everyone, to be the hero he and everyone wants to be.
Both are wrong, this is not a new road for them as both have been on that road before, they already know where it leads, and I know both don't want to go back there. It's suspenseful but in a different way because knowing both characters we already know both will make the right decision, but we don't know how. We see both having a conversation with only a door standing between them and the dialogue both have together is just beautiful. And after that of course Lois opens the door and lets Clark in, letting him into her life. Seeing this just shows the importance of the significant other not just with heroes/superheroes but with everyone. As the significant other spiritually fuels and supports us, reenforces reason to fight on. But most importantly to simply be more, to be the best person we can be and the others in turn. That part of what love has always been about, at least that's what Lois, Clark, I, and many others believe.
There is also another scene that is just beautiful as it come down to the fateful showdown, we see Clark at the very place where it started and from this you realize how far Clark and everyone else around him has came. And there is Martha along with Johnathan, and we see they each have a final conversation which is beautiful on family and how it will continue. We then see all three hug each other, which is a moment I'll admit put a tear or two in my eye, because in that moment you know they are family.
And of course, we do see most of the aftermath which of course looks and feels familiar but different at the same time. As we see the show has finally arrived at the destination it was always meant to go. And its business as usual in a way in the Superman series as the Daily Planet is under new and rightful management by Perry White. Just seeing his character finally in his rightful place put a smile on my face, especially when he says his trademark line. And there's Jimmy Olsen (younger brother of Jimmy 1 technically), seeing him grown up and of course being well Jimmy. But that also made me smile as it shows how the Olsen legacy lives on. But so does the Kent and L legacy as we see both Lois and Clark are still together and of course we see when duty calls, Clark of course does the thing we always known he was destined to do. Once we hear that iconic music, we know the transformation is complete, Superman has arrived and is here to stay.
And now there is nothing else to say but Farewell Smallville, I'll miss that town, but it will be the people that I'll miss the most as they were the town. It was never about the destination, but the journey and it was an interesting and beautiful journey.
The saying you can never go home again is wrong because home is where the heart is and no matter how far Clark/Superman/Smallville goes along with us, it will always be there; all we must do is look within our hearts.
Rating: 4 stars.
"Let us play loudly, let us live proudly and then we'll all be walking tall."
Johnny Mathis
This episode is another one of my favorites from the show, favorite episodes in general and it's one of my favorite series finales of all time. I'm thankful they finally got to this point it had to happen sooner or later; it's true this episode isn't action packed as most season and series finales would have, ending with a bang. But sometimes you don't need big battles and events to make a bang, to me it's really in the character drama and what they all do in the moments which can be the most impactful.
I really loved the meeting both Lex and Clark had, it was a welcome gift as Lex/Mike has been long gone from the show. Really like cinematography and geography as we see both are on opposite sides in the same place while there is chaos and conflict happening all around them. Really love that monologue Lex delivers as we see Lex accepts his destiny and place in the fold of things as he lays it out that both will become great men but on opposite sides of the spectrum. I honestly feel there is truth in this as it has always been known how greatness seems to always be made and born from deep conflict between both sides.
When Clark listens, he harbors no hatred for Lex but deep understanding as he also realizes this truth and from how far both have come together and apart, he and we know there is no way back for either of them. Before Clark leaves, he says one thing which carries deep sorrow as he says, "I'm sorry I couldn't save you." I'll admit hearing that was heartbreaking and reflects even the sorrow I had for Lex, as I honestly never wanted any of it to happen and the deep tragedy of it was there was nothing Clark and I could do about it.
However, in part of what happens even near the end of the episode, despite Lex being now a lord of the Sith there is still good in him there is still hope that lives with him. From that drug toxin applied to him which has made him lose great portions of his memory; yeah, I know that amnesia card I don't always like as it's most of the time a lazy writing tactic, but here it works and makes sense. From that you can say this completes Lex's transformation as we see in a pan out shot, the big building sign shines out his name. But it could also mean that Lex has a second chance as we see he becomes president of the United States which did happen in the DC verse. It could me either the rivalry between both Clark and Lex has gone further at this point or it could mean redemption for Lex; that's up to you to decide.
Then there are the moments with Clark and Lois which as usual are always the best. We then see both are faced with a dilemma as we see both suddenly have a reluctance to not just marry but stay together at all. For Lois she fears by staying with him she's dragging him down, keeping him from being all that he can be. Clark thinks by cutting ties with his past from the possibility of selling the far to his relationship with friends and Lois, that it's the best thing for everyone, to be the hero he and everyone wants to be.
Both are wrong, this is not a new road for them as both have been on that road before, they already know where it leads, and I know both don't want to go back there. It's suspenseful but in a different way because knowing both characters we already know both will make the right decision, but we don't know how. We see both having a conversation with only a door standing between them and the dialogue both have together is just beautiful. And after that of course Lois opens the door and lets Clark in, letting him into her life. Seeing this just shows the importance of the significant other not just with heroes/superheroes but with everyone. As the significant other spiritually fuels and supports us, reenforces reason to fight on. But most importantly to simply be more, to be the best person we can be and the others in turn. That part of what love has always been about, at least that's what Lois, Clark, I, and many others believe.
There is also another scene that is just beautiful as it come down to the fateful showdown, we see Clark at the very place where it started and from this you realize how far Clark and everyone else around him has came. And there is Martha along with Johnathan, and we see they each have a final conversation which is beautiful on family and how it will continue. We then see all three hug each other, which is a moment I'll admit put a tear or two in my eye, because in that moment you know they are family.
And of course, we do see most of the aftermath which of course looks and feels familiar but different at the same time. As we see the show has finally arrived at the destination it was always meant to go. And its business as usual in a way in the Superman series as the Daily Planet is under new and rightful management by Perry White. Just seeing his character finally in his rightful place put a smile on my face, especially when he says his trademark line. And there's Jimmy Olsen (younger brother of Jimmy 1 technically), seeing him grown up and of course being well Jimmy. But that also made me smile as it shows how the Olsen legacy lives on. But so does the Kent and L legacy as we see both Lois and Clark are still together and of course we see when duty calls, Clark of course does the thing we always known he was destined to do. Once we hear that iconic music, we know the transformation is complete, Superman has arrived and is here to stay.
And now there is nothing else to say but Farewell Smallville, I'll miss that town, but it will be the people that I'll miss the most as they were the town. It was never about the destination, but the journey and it was an interesting and beautiful journey.
The saying you can never go home again is wrong because home is where the heart is and no matter how far Clark/Superman/Smallville goes along with us, it will always be there; all we must do is look within our hearts.
Rating: 4 stars.