Spell

Season 4, Episode 8, Aired
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Episode Summary

Lana reads a spell book belonging to her 17th century ancestor, the witch Isabelle, and becomes possessed by her spirit. Isabelle resurrects her other two witches and together they seek out the kryptonian crystals, using their magic to render Clark powerless.
8.8
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Fan Episode Reviews (33)

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  • Lana's French ancestor manifests in the present and takes possession of Lana, who creates a lot of trouble throwing around witch-magic, even robbing Clark of his powers. Only the cave crystals can save him.moreless

    7.4
    "Good"
    By cxtasy, Apr 20, 2011 Report Abuse
    We interrupt our series on the development of Superman to sidetrack into a witches' brew, featuring Kristin as a 15th century stake-burning victim of witch hunters. However, this strange story line does give Ms. Kreuk a chance at a wholly different role, even if it is a bit over-the-top. So let the bonfire begin, but the three accused ladies will be back...in a few centuries. FF to the future, where Lana had acquired in France her ancestor Isabelle's old spell (not spelling) book. A symbol from Isabelle's tombstone was imprinted on Lana's back, and when Lana touches the same symbol in the book, she goes all violet-eyes and suddenly she's possessed by Isabelle's spirit.

    Lois is planning Chloe's 18th birthday party in Clark's barn, over Clark's objections - it's always refreshing to see Lois take him oh-so-unseriously. Lana cooks up some potions when Chloe and Lios, arrive, barely noticing that Lana has had a personality transplant. Ms. Kreuk has the big role in this episode, perhaps making up for last week, when she barely had one scene. She visits Clark, much to his surprise, since they haven't been speaking, but she's not herself. Comin' on to ya, Clark, but she's really after hair samples for the potion recipe. After breaking the scissors on Clark's hair (even that has superpower), he pulls out a hair for her.

    Over at the mansion, Lex, or rather his keyboard double, is at the piano, but Lana/Isabelle is a big distraction. She's looking for a rare wine for Chloe's 18th, and Lex reluctantly pulls out a nice one, thereby contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Lana spots the illuminated manuscript, and she knows there's a map hidden under the page - she makes it disappear, and hexes Lex to the piano for nonstop playing, to infinity.

    Out in the woods, Chloe is being led around by Lois prior to the surprise party, but clever Chloe tosses off, "Why am I a wood nymph when there's a party waiting for me?" So it's no surprise to our ace investigative reporter. Lana/Isabelle puts the spell on them, too, and they're possessed by the spirits of Isabelle's French fry-mates. Lana explains how they all got back to life, aiming to seize the power of the crystals. The birthday party is a bit more elaborate than Clark expected, then the black-clad witches appear, and Lana/Isabelle brushes off Jason, poor guy. With a quick medieval spell from Lana, the party goes rave in a hurry, even affecting Clark, who's gyrating shirtless when the Princeton alum arrives to talk to him about scholarships - bad timing, Clark.

    Next day, Clark finds Lex still at the piano, fingertips bloodied, and mumbling about Lana. Jason realizes he's in trouble when he gets thrown out of the Talon window by Lana/Isabelle, forcing a speed-rescue by Clark. Meeting Lana/Isabelle at the appointed time, Clark is knocked for a loop by the unholy trio - he can match their powers, but Lana/Isabelle robs him of his strength. Lana/Isabelle is looking for the stones of power, and the three glam-witches head to the caves, searching for the crystals. Lana/Isabelle tries quick incantations over the Kryptonian symbols, but Clark arrives, and only he can regain power from the one stone. Clark wisely uses heat vision to burn that troublesome spell-book and our three favorite gals come back to the future on the cave floor wondering what happened. Good thing they can't remember anything, such as Clark's abilities.

    Back on the farm, Clark has to try to explain certain party leftovers to Johathan and Martha. Was it really magic that hurt Clark, or the stone's powers? At least Lex confesses to Lana that he was the one who exposed her relationship with Jason - just trying to protect her from coercion into a relationship with an authority figure. Lana has had enough of this protectionism. She sees Clark, wryly remarking that she was "possessed by an evil slut." To avoid more secrets, she tells Clark how she received the mark on her back - but Clark has to deny his knowledge of the counterpart cave symbol, so there goes another secret.

    Lex is in the cave, looking at that same symbol on the wall - he's on to you, Lana. Not much movement in this episode on the overall Smallville legend, and the wicked witch possession story line borders on silly, but that eye makeup is something to behold. So, we can watch again with a re-run rating of C+.moreless

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    0 3

  • Lana, Chloe, and Lois become possessed by witches and use their powers on Clark, Lex, Jason, and everyone else.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By angeltky, Apr 20, 2011 Report Abuse
    Loved this episode. It was cleverly written and truly entertaining. Some parts were really funny- like Clark dancing at the party while under the witches' spell. Other parts were sexy and allowed us to see Lana play a whole different character. The action and spells were cool - like Lex playing the piano as his fingers bled. The storyline was cool and interesting. I liked the whole history of the witches at the beginning burning at the stake and how we start to finally understand what the tattoo was all about, and how Jason's mom (and Jason meeting her in Paris) all came together. Seeing Lana, Chloe, and Lois team up together was the best part.moreless

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    0 3

  • bad one!.. they lost it and could never find the story...

    1.0
    "Abysmal"
    By FEVERRR, Aug 15, 2008 Report Abuse
    this new season was suppose to be lighter but its actually been boring instead. they're losing there edginess the darkness ...its been dull and the stories start but somehow dont have the right end...i wanna see lux and clark fight it out big time and i want it to get darker and darker not lighter....i was hoping to see bigger monster bigger issues but instead of moving forward the season is going back to season one and losing its charm...sadly!...although the good stuff...clark is getting older thus more mature, i like lana's new boyfriend and i do like choe's cuzin but choe's love angle has to end with clark now...they need to give her someone new to work with.. =)moreless

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    4 0

  • Witches Just Wanna Have Fun

    2.2
    "Terrible"
    By lenzinoH20, Jun 25, 2008 Report Abuse
    Spell-Lana reads a spell book belonging to her 17th century ancestor, the witch Isabelle, and becomes possessed by her spirit. Isabelle resurrects her other two witches and together they seek out the kryptonian crystals, using their magic to render Clark powerless.

    Okay, we know this is sci-fi/supernatural series that features character that can shoot fire from their eyes and have superspeed as well as aliens, clones and other supernaural beings. Yet "Spell" is the perfect example how too fantasy isn't necessarially a good thing! It can actually create one of the most dreadful hours of TV you'll ever witness. Now Smallville has had bad episodes before, "Spell", at this point, took the cake for worst episode of the series. Nothing can describe how incredble cheesy and ridiculous this episode is. For some fans is awful, for others, it's so bad, its good! But for me, I can't stand it. This episode introduces the witch storyline, which is one of the reasons why Season 4 suffered immensely, and it doesn't get any better after this episode.

    Kristin Kreuk is laugable as Lana's 17th century ancestor who so happens to be an evil witch Isabelle. Her performance is way over-the-top, especially in the opening flashback and you just can't take the character seriously as a villain or anything remotely serious. Isabelle is also written too gimicky and campy, not to mention she's quite cliche. It also makes matters worse when Chloe and Lois become possessed by by Isobel's 2 fellow witches. Allison Mack and Erica Durance are just annoying throughout, touching themselves and making comments about how big their breasts are! The most cringe-worthy moment has to be when 3 of them take over the party in Clark's barn, which just get more embarrasing to watch with every second. Although, Tom's incompetent dance moves make me laugh a bit.

    Just all the scenes where they hexs on people are unintentionally hilarious. Lex has to play the piano forever (ehw!), Jason is held to the wall by Isabelle (SNORE!) and the cheesy fight scene with Clark against Isobel and her clowns with fake CGI all around (kill me now!). Then they depower Clark and torture him which isn't nearly as painful as watching this episode at the point! Of course, Clark gets his powers back and saves the day, but you really don't care at this point as this episode seems like one big joke! I wonder if the writers were watching "Charmed" one day and said, "hey, we can do that on Smallville and have Lana, Chloe, and Lois be like the evil power of 3 against Clark, that might work!" Wrong! "Spell" is an unbearable episode that has pitiful dialogue, bad performances and even the writers know it sucked, which is saying a lot since they admit it!moreless

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    4 0

  • Witches come to Smallville.

    2.0
    "Terrible"
    By addict666, Jun 02, 2008 Report Abuse
    This is by far the worst episode from the whole series. First of all it goes against the general mythology that surrounds Smallville. I get that they weren't really witches or whatever and there was some connection to aliens but the overall effect of the episode implied that witchcraft was real which makes absolutely no sense in this world which is based upon Clark coming from another planet. Normally I like when character's go evil on this show, but this was just hard to watch. Lana, Lois and Chloe all looked and acted horribly in this episode and Clark's reactions were just plain dumb. I cannot stand this whole storyline and this episode had no redeeming characteristics.moreless

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    3 0
 

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

    ADD TRIVIA
    • After Lois and Chloe become possessed, the three witches find the time to go home, change into elaborate outfits, put on complex makeup, and insert extensions all before going to the party. And where did the 16th century witches pick up the skills to apply such makeup? Edit
    • Why didn't the angry mob burn the spell book along with the witches? It wouldn't have been the first time that books of witchcraft have been burned. Edit
    • At 34:04 when Clark gives his "I'm sorry" line, the wire used to yank the shotgun out of his hands is visible, at the lower right of the shot. Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • This episode was nominated for a Leo Award for Dramatic Series: Best Costume Design. Edit
    • The scene where Clark appeals to (the possessed) Chloe for help right before being stripped of his powers, wasn't originally in the script. Tom Welling thought it'd be a nice touch to add. Edit
    • Michael Rosenbaum is actually playing Impromptu No. 2 In E Flat by Schubert on the piano when Isabelle/Lana casts a spell on him. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Magistrate Wilkins: You have been found guilty of committing the darkest art, witchcraft. For this affront against God, I hereby condemn you to burn in the fire of hell of which you so eagerly seek communion. Isobel: You think this ends with the lick of flame? I sleep but a while. And when the time is appointed my heir will awaken me and I will have my vengeance. Edit
    • Clark: I don't know what's going on, but this needs to stop before it gets out of hand. Isobel/Lana: So you're more than just fast. Well, that'll make this a whole lot more exciting. Edit
    • (Isobel/Lana takes her spell book away from Jason) Isobel/Lana: You have no idea what you're dealing with, little man. (she casts a spell that sends Jason flying up against the wall) So now you begin to understand. You are not but an insect in my path to be crushed on the journey toward greater things. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Lois: It's not even going to be Sodom and Gomorrah. Referring to Sodom and Gomorrah in the Old Testament, in which the people who lived in these two cities were known to be the most sinful people at the time. Edit
    • Lana: Cutting Clark's hair. The breaking of the scissors, when Lana tries to cut Clark's hair, is borrowed from the cover of an old Superman comic book where a barber is trying to give Superman a haircut. Broken scissors are strewn on the floor and Superman is reading a Batman comic book. Pre-Crisis scissors seemed to be the preferred way to test Clark Kent to see if he was Superman - both Lois Lane and Perry White tried it a couple of times. Finally, the scene might be a parody of Superman IV, when Lex Luthor and his nephew stole a strand of Superman's hair from a museum where it was holding up a boulder. Edit
    • Lex: Just in case there was any Evil Dead action still brewing . . .
      Referring the famous trilogy (as of this episode's original airing) of movies starring Bruce Campbell. They also feature a magic book, the Necronomicon Ex Mortis. Edit

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