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Smallville Season 9 Episode 17

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AIRED: Apr 16, 2010

8.9

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Episode Summary

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While investigating a secret lab, an explosion occurs and Lois is rescued by John Corben. While investigating, Clark is exposed to red kryptonite and takes Zod to the Fortress. Meanwhile, Tess and Chloe send in Corben to stop Clark from revealing all his secrets.

FAN RECAP

Fan Episode Reviews (15)

It was good.

7.0

By elkirbster, Feb 06, 2011

This was a good episode. It was not the best but was not terrible. I enjoyed it, specially the actor that plays that Corbin guy is cute. i am just wondering, when is Clark finally going to start flying. I mean him and the other guy were at the top of the Seattle Space Needle so that would have been a huge jump for him right. I can;t wait to when he finally starts flying. Where was the green arrow though. I like the episodes with green arrow quite a bit. Maybe the next one he will be in it. Now to watch the next episode...moreless
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917

8.8

By Canogaparkcindy, Nov 14, 2010

Things are starting to heat up for Smallville, and this show has definitely redeemed itself after the stunt it pulled in "Escape." This truly was a great episode, and as the season begins to close, the episodes are remaining to be good. We got some great character interactions, and I liked the interactions between Metallo & Lois the best.

Something I definitely enjoyed seeing was Clark being affected by the red kryptonite, something that we haven't seen in a while. Sure the red K didn't have much of an effect as it did before, but throwing Chloe on the floor definitely merits as Clark on red kryptonite. Metallo falling in love with Lois kind of killed the episode for me, they had a great friendship, it's just like Smallville to turn a platonic friendship in to a romantic relationship. Clark finding out about Chloe stashing kryptonite was definite development, and you might say this episode was as eventful as the last.

The Kandorians getting powers, Clark being on Zod's side, no Chloe/Oliver interactions - Which brings us to a great episode, writing was better too.moreless
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An upgraded Metallo returns, asking for Lois's help. Meanwhile, Clark comes into contact with red-k and teams up with Zod, prompting Chloe and Tess to join forces. (WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD)

8.0

By texanpeach, Nov 11, 2010

As much as I love and look forward to red-k episodes, this one kinda disappointed me. For one thing, I was hoping for an episode where Lois got to meet Kal and actually remember it, and for another, it wasn't so much a red-k episode as the return of Metallo. Now, I didn't like his character to begin with (and I mean that in a good way), and to have him abruptly return as one of the good guys makes no sense, especially since he originally tried to kill Lois and The Blur over a psychotic reason. And speaking of Lois, I hated seeing her try so hard to protect Metallo, considering, as already mentioned, he tried to kill her and her boyfriend last they met. I also hated Clark in his Kal persona allying himself with Zod and showing him the Fortress, although I admit I loved watching them team up against Metallo. And speaking of alliances, I was iffy at best in regards to Chloe joining forces with Tess (even temporarily), though I'm glad those two found a way to put Metallo to good use (key word there being *good*). Now, I hadn't cared much for Chloe for most of season nine, but for once, she had a point, namely how Clark should trust Lois the way Lois trusts him. That and the first scene after the credits seem to be the only Clois bones the writers would throw us because apparently, it was more important to advance the Kandorian storyline. Not that I'm necessarily disagreeing; I just wish they hadn't sacrificed the Clois moments in order to do that. In any case, despite all my issues with this episode, I definitely liked it better than CONSPIRACY, and therefore, am willing to give it eight "upgrades" out of ten.

Highlights -- Lois waking up with Clark beside her, and Clark concerned about the cut on her arm; Chloe verbally sparring with Tess, and finding Tess's stash of red kryptonite; Clark confronting Zod about having powers; Clark and Zod discussing Jor-El and Lex; Clark and Zod teaming up against Metallo; and Zod bringing the Kandorians to the Fortress (if only for the contrast they all make with the snow and crystals).moreless
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Eh...

7.0

By silliputty_23, Jun 26, 2010

I'm sensing more chemistry between Lois Lane and John Corban and I don't like it. Sure, she told him she was with someone else and I'm positive Lois Lane would have said that. But Erica Durance seems to have more chemistry with this guy than with Tom Welling (in my opinion). He does look like Erica's type. Because of the whole thing between him and Lois, I really started out disliking the guy.

Clark didn't act so much like he was on red kryptonite. Maybe he's learning to control himself while on the stuff? Tom Welling was gorgeous in this epi as well as Lois (esp. with the glasses on). I do love all the eye candy on the show...

I give it a 7. Nothing entirely important happened. "Upgrade" just wasn't memorable.moreless
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Villain turns out not to be such a villain after all. A tense partnership is formed if only for one episode. Excited about one couple that was not for an episode.moreless

8.0

By c07111, Jun 08, 2010

Firstly, I missed Oliver. Secondly, loving the guest star Brian Austin Green. Loved the way he made us love John Corbin who is suppose to be a villain. I was even heartbroken when Lois let him down. BG and ED had a chemistry as friends that I found refreshing and honest. It kind of showed us what could be for Clark and Lois if Clark would only be honest. Clark and the red K, never a good mix. To tell you the truth I kept switching back and forth so I missed when Clark was infected by the Red K. I thought he was being himself, quick to judge his friends of the worst. It's only when he did what he did to Chloe that I knew something was up with our Hero. The scenes with Zod and Clark made me miss Lex (MR) and Clark as adversaries and friends. Tess delivers as usual, but I have to say Cassidy must be somewhat confused about who Tess really is. One week they want us to view her as a woman who is locked down in Checkmate who fears for her life and the next we are to see a woman who is seemingly in control in every aspect of her life and fears no one. Now we get to Chloe, I must say when I found out she was buying in supply the one thing that could kill Clark, I was thoroughly disappointed in her. But then I realized that in the past Clark has made some very bad decisions in the past that caused alot of heartache. Chloe wasn't buying it for Clark but for Zod, who she knows will eventually turn on Clark. We forget that the future showed Chloe dead. Although I only gave it an 8, I loved this episode because of Brian Austin Green's play of John Corbin. Hope to see him again.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Tom Welling	Clark Kent/Kal-El of Krypton
Allison Mack	Chloe Sullivan
Erica Durance	Lois Lane
Cassidy Freeman	Tess Mercer
Callum Blue	Major Zod

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Brian Austin Green	John Corben/Metallo	Guest Star
Paul Jarrett	Tess' Scientist	Guest Star
Dean Redman	Security Guard	Guest Star

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Episode Photos

Tom Welling as Clark Kent and Callum Blu...

© 2010 The CW
Brian Austin Green as Metallo and Tom We...

© 2010 The CW
Erica Durance as Lois Lane and Brian Aus...

© 2010 The CW
Brian Austin Green as Metallo on Smallvi...

© 2010 The CW

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (1)
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- In the scene where Clark and Chloe are discussing the hidden Kryptonite weapons stored around the country, Clark turns to walk away and runs into the table.
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QUOTES (6)
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- Chloe: I should have known that Clark took a walk down the ruby-red road. That's explains his lack of edit button.
  Tess: I thought Clark was only affected by green meteor. What's the red do?
  Chloe: Basically it turns him to the bad boy every girl dreams of... in her nightmares.
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- Chloe: Clark Kent at the keyboard? Have I been downsized in the bureaucratic world of superheroes?
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- Zod: Religion is science. Not some... mystical questioning of it.
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- Lois: By the way, this is the least-secret secret lab I've ever been in… twice.
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- Clark: This is my lucky day to be saved.
  Corben: Kal-El... take it from someone who's been there. We don't always know when we need saving.
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- Lois: God, do you take lessons in how to do that?
  Corben: Okay. Isn't the appropriate response "Thank God you're still alive. Too bad you're wearing clothes this time."?
  Lois: Yes, that's it. The first part.
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NOTES (4)
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- International Airdates:
  Sweden: September 17, 2010 on TV6
  UK: September 21, 2010 on E4/E4 HD
  Turkey: May 22, 2011 on CNBC-e
  Norway: June 5, 2011 on Max
  Czech Republic: October 19, 2011 on TV Nova
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- Lois mentions a Dr. Vale that her father has lined up to help Corbin. In the comics, it is a doctor named Vale who creates Metallo in the first place.
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- Justin Hartley is credited but doesn't appear.
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- Brian Austin Green is billed as Special Guest Star.
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ALLUSIONS (3)
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- Chloe: Have I sunk Lois' battleship?
  Referencing Battleship, the paper-and-pencil game first created in the 1900s, which was later made into a pad-and-pencil game by Milton Bradley in 1943. Since then, it has been published in many board and electronic variations. Typically, each player secretly places five ships of varying length on a 10 x 10 grid, and then take turns targeting a square. The opponent announces a hit or miss, and the player with the last ship remaining wins. "You sunk my battleship!" (the longest ship) was the promoted phrase in commercials of the 60s and 70s.
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- Chloe: But if you two are playing Mr. and Mrs. Smith now...
  Referencing the 2005 movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith, which features two rival assassins who have never met face-to-face. They meet as civilians and marry, and comedy ensues when they conceal their activities from each other but eventually discover the other's profession.
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- Chloe: Guess who's coming for dinner, together… with powers.
  Referencing the 1967 movie Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, starring Sidney Poitier and Katharine Houghton as an interracial couple who come to see her parents, liberals who are not comfortable with the relationship despite their professed beliefs.
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