Persuasion

Season 9, Episode 14, Aired
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Episode Summary

When Clark is exposed to gemstone kryptonite on Valentine's Day, he unwittingly gains the ability to make wishes come true... and chaos results as Lois agrees to have a traditional relationship, and Chloe vows to watch out over Clark and protect him from Lois.
8.9
out of 10
EPISODE RATING: Great
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Fan Episode Reviews (27)

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  • 913

    8.9
    "Great"
    By Canogaparkcindy, Nov 12, 2010 Report Abuse
    A wildly entertaining episode of Smallville. And even though the idea of Kryptonite affecting Clark in some way isn't original, the writers still managed to pull it off and gives us the most entertaining hour of the season.

    Lois dancing around in a wedding dress was hilarious but it was just too familiar with her transformation in "Crimson" which coincidentally was a Valentine's episode as well. The Valentines scenes weren't the high point about this episode though. The scenes between Tess & Zod, or between Tess & Clark were definitely the best.

    Actually all the scenes with Tess in general were great. Cassidy Freeman may not have been so welcomed by fans when she was introduced as Tess Mercer in season eight, but she has definitely developed as a great actress and has brought us some of the best scenes this season.

    The episode ends with Clark destroying the towers, a great link with "Pandora" and just an enjoyable episode in general from Tess in a ring of fire to the fights between the girls. Great episode.moreless

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    0 0

  • Clark gets a dose of pixie-powder and becomes one of the influential people, but is slow to recognize his new ability. Zod's treachery and lies endanger Tess, but Chloe saves Clark from himself again.moreless

    8.0
    "Great"
    By cxtasy, Nov 03, 2010 Report Abuse
    "Persuasion" gave us the biggest mood swings ever encountered in an SV episode. First it was a lightweight farce about yet another meteor rock (red this time) transformation for Clark, but changed it to a power of suggestion to show his impact on others. Among all the powers he's dealt with, this was the hardest to recognize. By contrast, Zod commits a brutal murder of one of his own, just for revenge for the alleged killing of Zor-El.

    Clark's suggestions to Lois had the most effect, resulting in another "what if" scenario. Ms. Durance played this pretty well, even though it was based on popular stereotypes of '50s-'60 American homemakers. I never saw my mother on her hands and knees scrubbing the floor. Again, Clark was depicted as a bit slow on the uptake, while everyone else recognized that Lois was not herself.

    Mr. Welling still has trouble putting convincing moves on Lois. His kisses on her look abrupt and mechanical, and usually happen in a crowded office. Put more warmth and affection into it, directors! I think he can do it, but needs to slow down, gaze in her eyes, and touch her gently.

    We were satisfied with the reappearance of the Tess - Zod conflict, although Mr. Blue still overuses his snarling threat persona. Ms. Freeman, and the directors, can do so much with a simple look in her eyes - she telegraphs her feelings, or more accurately, we interpret her feelings from subtle clues, and that's good acting.

    The recent phone calls to Martha Kent are surely a hint of the reappearance of Annette O'Toole in an episode toward the end of the season. Some fan's fears that she can only serve as an advice-giving mom to a young man are completely unfounded. The writers can easily devise a more mature relationship between her and Clark, and I'm happy to anticipate her return.

    The script makes nothing of the fact that Zod first accused Tess of Zor-El's murder, sending Clark to a near-fatal encounter with her. But then later, Zod accuses Alia, admits he killed her, and Clark has nothing to say about Zod's duplicity, which nearly cost Tess her life - and bitter regret for Clark.

    Clark's destruction of the tower was only to follow the character-script imperative that he has to demonstrate some super-power in every episode, in this case, heat-vision. There's a sci-fi principle from a well-known novel, involving time-travel, about "minimum possible change for the maximum desired response." In other words, don't create massive change to accomplish a minor goal. Standing back a mile, Clark blasts the tower into a flaming pile of debris, when just walking over and removing a key component would have served the same purpose. And why do the writers have the tower so close to completion before he acts? So Clark's action is for the visual, super-power impact, not because it made sense in the story.

    "Persuasion" had some of the usual flaws and arguable scenes, but was successful as an enjoyable episode. Somehow it was bumped off our DVR, so I rate it a B as a re-run but can't watch it again until the future arrives.moreless

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    3 1

  • After being exposed to a mysterious kryptonite dust on Valentine's Day, Clark temporarily gains the power of persuasion. Meanwhile, Clark learns who really killed Jor-El, and Zod's solar tower is finally completed. (WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD)moreless

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By texanpeach, Oct 23, 2010 Report Abuse
    I always look forward to when shows have Valentine's Day episodes (same goes for Halloween and Christmas), and the more pink and red hearts that can be crammed in, the better. Thankfully, PERSUASION didn't disappoint. Granted, it wasn't quite the Clois love-fest that CRIMSON was, but in my book, it's pretty hard to top CRIMSON. Besides the Clois moments (which I *adored*!), there was also Clark's new power of persuasion, even if it was only temporary. In fact, I loved Emil telling Clark "whatevs," and that even while under the influence of Clark's new 'power', Emil still managed to help Clark. Also, I loved Lois trying to be a "traditional" housewife, though after Chloe crushed her spirits, she started to grate on my nerves a little. Speaking of which, what Chloe said to her cousin was totally harsh, even if she was under Clark's little spell. Anyway, getting back to Clark's new 'ability', I found it very interesting that Clark was also able to "hypnotize" himself, though I have one question: How did he not notice people's eyes glowing whenever he inadvertantly used his new 'power' on them? Or was that just the show's way of letting the audience know that they had fallen under Clark's spell? In any case, moving on. From what the audience (and comic book fans) knows about Kryptonians, they seem to be very Vulcan-like, but going by Zod's conversations with Clark and Alia in this episode, Kryptonians also seem to be very much like Klingons, with a code of honor and justice befitting a warrior. Being a bit of a Trekkie, I found that intriguing. In fact, I liked that Zod didn't seem to want to kill Alia, but as Alia even pointed out, "justice must be served" and that meant justice in the Kandorian sense. And speaking of Zod, on a side note, Zod watching Tess bathing was creepy; for a second, I thought he was going to try to kill her or something. Anyhow, given my few minor complaints about the episode, I give PERSUASION nine-and-a-half bags of kryptonite dust out of ten. :D

    Highlights -- Lois using Clark as ladder, before falling right into his arms; Lois bitterly ranting and raving against Valentine's Day (I especially liked her silk teddy remark, and the subtle reference to CRIMSON); Lois and Clark bombarded with "pixie dust"; Clark declaring he wants to have a "more traditional relationship" with Lois; Clark coming home to find Lois dressed like "Donna Reed on crack"; Lois's attempt at serving Clark a homemade meal; Clark questioning the woman who sprayed kryptonite dust on him and Lois; Clark inadvertantly using his new 'power' on Emil; Lois prancing around the Kent house wearing Martha's old wedding dress; Chloe and Tess fighting (too bad that scene wasn't a tad longer, as I would've enjoyed seeing Tess get whupped); Clark enveloping himself and Tess in a ring of fire, before confronting her about Jor-El; Martha's message to Lois regarding the wedding dress (and Lois playing dumb/being evasive to Clark); Lois and Clark agreeing to take things slow and be honest with each other (not that either are going to hold completely to it); Alia's funeral; and Clark destroying Zod's solar tower (plus, the music that was playing during that scene rocked!).moreless

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    1 0

  • From other reviews I am guessing I just caught the better part of it toward the end.

    6.5
    "Fair"
    By beowulf579, Oct 18, 2010 Report Abuse
    Due to problems beyond my control, I could only see the episode from the funeral scene onwards. I have to say, I was somewhat impressed by just that little bit I saw.
    The culture of the Kandorians was represented with the funeral. It was fascinating and different enough without looking cheesy. The music chosen for it was even better. The funeral also made me wonder, just how many Kandorians are left? Surely a guy as smart as Zod would know you need a certain controlled population if you would want to continue the race.
    Then came Clark finally doing something ballsy and fried the tower. You could tell on Zod's face that a line had been crossed by young Kal-El.
    Didn't see anything about the gem K-rock and that may have been a good thing I am guessing.moreless

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    1 4

  • Great Episode!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Beer75, Oct 18, 2010 Report Abuse
    I expected this episode to be all about the fun...boy, was I wrong! This episode had everything a good episode needs. We had our portion of good Cloisy stuff, there was mystery, action, special effects, evil sexy Clark, nice sweet Clark, confused Clark...Finally, a good Clark-centered episode. I just loved him in scenes with Lois, and in the final scene, when he burns down the towers. Talk about sexy! Erica Durance as Lois...man, can this woman get any better? I just love her. I laughed my head off when she was being silly, and I cried my heart out when she was sad and hurt. She's just perfect.
    I loved every scene of this epi...Tess and Chloe fight...whoa!
    Awesome episode! 10/10.moreless

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    8 3
 

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • When Lois is serving Clark dinner, and pours his beer, she doesn't pour it properly and has excess head. Then when the camera angle changes and Lois says "You wanted a more traditional relationship," the beer has been perfectly poured and the excess head instantly disappears. Edit

  • Notes

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    • Justin Hartley is credited but doesn't appear. Edit
    • Music: Love'S a Boomerang (Julie Griffin) Edit
    • International Airdates: UK: August 24, 2010 on E4/E4 HD Sweden: August 27, 2010 on TV6 Turkey: April 24, 2011 on CNBC-e Norway: May 8, 2011 on Max Czech Republic: October 13, 2011 on TV Nova Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Clark: Thanks, Chloe. You're a life-saver. Chloe: If by that you mean sweet on the outside and empty in the middle, that's pretty much exactly how I feel right now. Edit
    • Tess: You're digging your own grave. Zod: Then you'd better make sure there's room in there for both of us. Edit
    • Clark: I need to figure out a way to reverse this. I think I breathed in some sort of new meteor rock. Emil: (laughs) Dude, hasn't anyone ever told you not to inhale? Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Lois: Easy with the pixie dust there, Tinkerbell. Referencing the Disney Corporation's ubiquitous corporate representative. The character first appeared in J.M. Barrie's Peter and Wendy, but rose to prominence in the 1953 animated Disney film. Since then, she has appeared in countless films, TV shows, parades, and firework shows, and is one of the main characters in the Disney Fairies franchise. Edit
    • Lois: Donna Reed on crack. Referencing The Donna Reed Show and its title character. As played by actress Donna Reed, the character became synonymous with the perfect and stereotypical housewife of the 1950s: perfectly groomed, well dressed even when doing house chores, and the perfect cook, maid, mother, and wife. Edit

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