Covenant (2)

Season 3, Episode 22, Aired
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Episode Summary

Kara, a beautiful superpowered girl from Krypton, entices Clark to join with his father and embrace his destiny. Clark is left without support after Pete's departure when Jonathan reveals the deal he made with Jor-El. At the same time, Clark's relationships with Lex and Lana take unexpected turns, leaving him with no one but Kara to turn to.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (22)

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  • Supergirl 2.0

    9.6
    "Superb"
    By lenzinoH20, Feb 10, 2011 Report Abuse
    Covenant-Kara, a beautiful superpowered girl from Krypton, entices Clark to join with his father and embrace his destiny. Clark is left without support after Pete's departure when Jonathan reveals the deal he made with Jor-El. At the same time, Clark's relationships with Lex and Lana take unexpected turns, leaving him with no one but Kara to turn to.

    A strong finale that feels more like a huge build up to the last 10 mintues, then rapping up all the storylines of the season. The introduction of Kara Zor-El aka Supergirl was a real treat and Adrianne Palicki (Kara/Lindsey Harrison) has great presence even undeniable wonder she brings to the character. It's actually a real shame when Kara turns out not to be the iconic hero but Jor-El's lastest scheme of luring his son back to his destiny. Looking back on it, this version of Kara seems a lot more interesting and better portrayed than the real Kara who appears 4 seasons later (Sorry, Laura Vandarvoort!). I especially loved the display of Kara's powers, like how she flips the car over in the teaser and when she shoots some powerful energy out of her hands and kills that FBI agent in the car.

    The tension surrounding Lionel's trial and jail sentence is played out well, especially how it effects everyone's safety. The most interesting development is how Lionel gives Clark the key to Lex's secret room in the mansion. It's a excellent development that Lionel use this as an opportunity to break Clark and Lex up. You actually feel bad that Clark and Lex might finally have a rift in their friendship but Lex's obsession is quite disturbing at the same time. Other great developments are when Kara reminds Jonathan about his deal with Jor-El and finding out it was an exchange for Clark to return to Jor-El one day. I was also impressed by Lana's depature scene as Clark disappears and leaves a white rose for her on the ground. It also saves from more mushy, fussy Clana dialogue.

    The cliffhangers of the episode really make this episode as the last 5 minutes are the most epic and shocking moments of the series. First, Chloe and her father are escorted into a saftey house only for it to explode seconds later. Then, Lex's drink turns out to be poision and he collapses to the ground in his mansion. Lastly, a kryptonian symbol appears on the Kent farm in a large fire. It's a truly powerful sequence which encorporates a really moving opera piece and the sight of Lionel getting his head shaved then smiling at the end is just so incredibly evil as he seems to win despite his defeat. Not to mention, the sight of Clark floating away naked into a black hole of nothingness leaves a dark tone as you wonder what Jor-El will do with him and what has happened to Jonathan who is now unconscious. "Covenant" isn't the biggest finale, but it's one of the most ambitious, with shocking cliffhangers and amazing developments that make it another highlight of Smallville's finest season to date!moreless

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  • Wow.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By dmarex, Aug 28, 2010 Report Abuse
    A finale that had so much promise kept me wondering almost all the way through if it would be as captivating as the last two season finales. And surprise, surprise - it was!

    The appearance of the mystery girl had me wondering if this was Kara the Supergirl, only to have it turn out to be a girl used by Jor-El to lure Clark to him. I was wondering when Jor-El would finally want Clark for himself. The episode in itself was above average until the last five minutes, where it turns into pure gold.

    So many things happened before that - Pete already left, Lana flew to Paris, Chloe was willing to give up her freedom, and Clark learned about Lex's investigation. But that was only the beginning. The last five minutes were pure brilliance - I couldn't believe how great it was.

    Now I can't wait to begin watching the following season to see if Chloe is alive (okay, I know this one, but still, that was a damn finale), how Clark will return, what will happen Lana, and so much more. Now this is how you do a finale.moreless

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  • this was a good ep

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By cube2k8, Jun 07, 2010 Report Abuse
    in the season 3 final of smallville and big things are going to take place clark meets this women claming to be from krpton and she knows his father and she wants him to come with her to forfill his destiny and pete is gone and lex is not really friend at this point and lana is leaving for paris and so he must make this decision and clarks dad reaveals the deal he make with jor el clarks real dad this was a good ep for season 3 final and that is why i gave this ep a 9moreless

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  • The season climax - a young woman claiming to be from Krypton urges Clark to leave Earth with her, Lionel is imprisoned but still ruthless, Lex has turned against him, Lana is leaving for Paris, Chloe is threatened over her testimony. It's spectacular.moreless

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By cxtasy, Nov 21, 2008 Report Abuse
    The setup scene for "Covenant" resembles the first "Terminator" film - an unclothed person performs an amazing feat of destruction (beautiful young woman wandering in the night whacks an approaching car and flips it into a pile of flaming wreckage). Can hardly wait to see if she'll enter a bar, demand someone's outfit, and head out on a Harley. Close - the bar is instead the Kent home, what a nice trick or treat outfit. Clark gets to answer the knock - "Hello Clark. My name is Kara. I'm from Krypton." Sounds like a fun new playmate - anyone who knows that planet should be welcomed.

    The Kent family has a nice chat with the newcomer - she claims to have entered our planet through a passage in the cave wall. Jonathan is challenging; she rebuffs him and uses the name Kal-El, saying she's come to take him home. Proceedings interrupted by the entrance of Lex, and Kara is gone in a flash. Clark clues us in to Lionel being jailed after his arrest last week, but Lex explains he may be out on bail soon unless witnesses attest to him doing harm. Clark volunteers to testify about Lionel's electroshock treatment of Lex at Belle Reve, against medical advice.

    Lex realizes angrily that Clark has known about Lionel's murder of his parents - but Clark never told him - to protect him. Lex relents. And Lionel is led into confinement - with his FBI friend nearby, who is defensive of his deal with Lionel, but then there was that new murder evidence dug up by Chloe, whom he referrs to as a "bleached-blonde Pulitzer wannabe." Lionel calmly asks agent Loder about details on Clark - expecting to be out on bail soon. Loder tells him their deal is over. At the Kents, Lex leaves in his M-B CL 550, and of course Kara reappears, clad this time, and telling Clark he was not meant for this world, but for hers. He refers to himself as Clark, expressing his independence of any alien's expectations. Not so easy to brush her off when she grasps his arm and they float slowly into the night sky. Since this is all too easy and convenient, one could expect Kara to be some sort of shape-shifter like Brainiac/Fine, so the writers have telegraphed something sinister simply by the absence of same. Clark is portrayed as too trusting yet again.

    She takes him to the cave - a fissure has indeed appeared in the wall. And Clark begins to suspect Jor-El is behind this event, and the dilemma is whether to follow Kara into the portal, or stay put. He declines the offer.

    Lionel remains in federal prison, when Lex arrives and jabs him with "Orange is a good color for you, Dad." Lionel admits failing Lex, but as underhanded as these two have always been, we can only suspect he's trying to control the situation again. He does reveal his fatal liver disease - and begs Lex to keep him from dying in prison. Lex sarcastically rejects the appeal.

    The plot is beginning to break down a bit - are the Kents going to keep Kara as a house guest indefinitely? If she has superpowers, they may as well put her to work mucking the stalls or tossing hay bales. Kara reveals Jonathan's failure to keep the "Covenant" with Jor-El, which required him to return Clark to Jor-El if Jonathan was given the power to return Clark from Metropolis, all in the season 3 premiere, "Exile."

    Kara detects someone listening in - it's agent Loder out on the highway - Kara intercepts him and fries the whole car and Loder into digital vapor. Clark is upset at this murder, Martha is angry at Jonathan for his secret deal, and Kara just has no emotions at all. Now the Kents may lose Clark, so the script builds up some tension by this point, and no one has to overact at all, directing is just right.

    Jonathan makes an unusual visit to Chloe at the Torch - asking her to get fingerprints off Kara's teacup. Does he really think she's an earthling? A zombie inhabited by a Zoner? Meanwhile, Lana drives out to see Clark. She's still Paris-bound, hoping yet again that Clark will tell her what she missed at their aborted dinner engagement. Ms. Kreuk has an entirely new hairstyle, and manages to make even this slightly disheveled look appear attractive. Clark starts to speak...but no, they're interrupted by the sight of Kara in the distance, Clark identifying her as his cousin.

    As Lana leaves, Kara begins to speak of the strong love that will come between her and Clark, as the only ones who can preserve the Kryptonian race. Now we begin to see the true motives of Kara, but really, Clark is not so easily seduced. Power, destiny, another's vision of how his life should be - these have all been rejected by Clark in many episodes - no different here. But he does have to fear her power and potential threats to family and friends - he puts their safety above all else. After this encounter, Clark receives a package from Lionel, containing only a door key.

    Lex has learned that Lionel's disease is as claimed, and confers with Chloe about continuing the case against him with her evidence. Lex does not relent - Lionel will die in prison - but this puts Chloe in a dilemma - she's not as hard-hearted as Lex, and she's going into protective custody until the trial. But she won't back down either. When one can't see the plot developments coming, it's evidence of a well-thought out story line, and excellent script writing, and this scene is more testimony to the skill of the Smallville production staff.

    Clark storms in on Lionel about the key - another surprise, as I expected Clark to use it somehow in Lionel's office - secret files, Swann stuff, kryptonian artifacts, something. Of course the plot ignores the potential conflict of a potential witness visiting the accused in prison. Lionel knows Clark will be a witness at his trial, buying into the version of events proposed by Lex. A sharp reply by Clark works well; "Buy into this - you're a murderer." He denies that, and says the key opens a door at the mansion. But Lionel offers answers Clark won't believe, behind the door.

    Clark enters the room - it's a secret cache of information about him, collected by Lex in his relentless pursuit of the mystery that is Clark. Even a pile of meteor rock, and he's careless again, as Lex finds him there. Lex claims it's all about him, not Clark - "More lies," Clark responds, reiterating his years of defending Lex to everyone. He storms out, later agonizing over his life with Martha, until realizing - Lana is leaving that day.

    With a tear-jerking background score, Lana is at the airport - but it's Lex who shows up for goodbyes. Their embrace is seen by Clark, too late again. She sees him there, but he's gone, leaving only the white rose he brought for her. This could be the sad ending of the episode, but there's more.

    At the courthouse, Chloe and Lex are alarmed that Clark has not shown up, but he arrives in time to testify, so Lionel does not get bail. Clark announces to Lex, "This friendship is over." This brings to mind many losses of relationship at this season-ender - even those that are troublesome are hard to release. Is all this enough to get Clark to jump the portal? Kara entices Clark with the promise of meeting his mother - Lara. "I'm ready," he says. Jonathan receives from Chloe the fingerprint i.d. on Kara. Hand-in-hand, Clark and Kara prepare to enter the brilliant light of the cave portal - just as Jonathan arrives, shouting that Kara is a human, a meteor-rock victim, being used by Jor-El to capture Clark. Jor-El's voice calls out - and "Kara" disappears into the light, her purpose served, as Clark shouts his defiance of Jor-El. Jonathan is enveloped in a rope of light, telling Clark to stay and be free, but Clark cannot let this happen to his father, and he is drawn into Jor-El's light.

    Packing even more into this episode, the finale is a stunning series of scenes set to a chorale without script - Lionel having his head shaved, Chloe arriving at a safe house in protective custody only to have the building explode in flames, Martha witnessing a burning kryptonian symbol in the pasture, Lex collapsing in agony after a drink, Jonathan prone on the cave floor, and...

    Clark, being transported away in an El family shield, into the clouds, as Jor-El intones, "Kal-El, my son, now you shall be re-born."

    What a finish. What a script. What a story-line. Smallville at it's finest, one of the essential episodes. Perfect season ender. Could not be better. Terrific. Let's hope that Season 4's premiere does not resolve these stirring events too quickly - they merit several episodes to play out, just to let us enjoy this tremendous dramatic build-up. Re-run rating A.moreless

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    0 0

  • Great Episode

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Beer75, Aug 22, 2007 Report Abuse
    In Kent Farm, Clark Kent is surprised in the middle of the night by a naked young woman claiming that she is Kara (Adrianne Palicki) from Krypton, and asking him to go with her somewhere through the Kawatche caves. Meanwhile, he decides to testify against Lionel Luthor to keep him in prison. Lionel sends a key of the secret chamber in the Mansion Luthor to Clark, and he finishes his friendship with Lex Luthor. Lana Lang travels to Paris and Chloe Sullivan and her father are included in the witness protection program. In "Covenant", there are many new situations to be explored in the Fourth Season, such as the travel of Lana Lang to Paris; the incident of Chloe Sullivan and her father in their new home; Lionel Luthor in the prison; but the most important, the end of the friendship of Clark and Lex. The "reborn" Clark will certainly be another possible attraction.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

    ADD TRIVIA
    • At 28:26 the reflection of the boom-mic and operator is very visible in the TV, as Lex turns and walks to Clark. Edit
    • As she runs to kill Loder, Kara runs through a fence on the Kent's farm. The fence is not damaged. Can she also pass through solid matter? Edit
    • When did Clark hear Lionel tell the doctor to up Lex's electroshock dosage? It wasn't at the actual therapy session itself, as Clark only arrived just as it was finished. Nor was it when Lionel was talking to Dr. Foster. So when did he hear it? Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • Terence Stamp is listed as "Special Guest Star." Edit
    • In the Superman comics, Kara is one version or another of Supergirl. When Lana is talking to Clark at the Kent farm and notices "Kara", Clark identifies her as his cousin who is visiting from California. In pre-Crisis (before 1986) DC comic book continuity, Supergirl is Superman's cousin. Her Krpytonian name is Kara and her father, Zor-El is Jor-El's younger brother. Edit
    • In the repeats the scene where Chloe looks out the door before the building blows up is cut. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Lex: There's so much of my own life I can't explain. I've survived countless brushes with death, and it all started with this car crash. If I'm guilty of anything, it's that I've inherited my father's eccentric curiosity for the unexplained. Clark: You've inherited his dishonesty. Lex: Clark, look me in the eye and tell me you don't have any hidden places of your own where you keep your deep, dark secrets. Clark: Ever since I've met you, I've been defending you, making excuses for you to people like Pete, like my parents. Telling them, "You can trust Lex Luthor. He's a good guy. He's nothing like his father." I was wrong. Edit
    • Martha: (Kara) killed a man, Jonathan. We have to call the sheriff. Jonathan: What are we gonna tell the sheriff, sweetheart, that a Kryptonian girl vaporized a federal agent? Edit
    • Lionel: You have no idea what it's like to grow up under the thumb of an abusive father... someone who'd stop at nothing to establish absolute control over you. Clark: Your son does. Lex is an expert by now. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Final Scenes: Lionel getting his hair shaved while (presumably) his underlings dispose of Chloe and Lex bears a strong resemblance to a similar sequence in The Godfather. Edit

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