X-Ray

Season 1, Episode 4, Aired
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Episode Summary

Clark begins experiencing "vision problems" as his x-ray vision begins manifesting. Meanwhile a mysterious shapeshifter is going about town using his or her abilities to steal and get others in trouble.
9.3
out of 10
EPISODE RATING: Superb
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Fan Episode Reviews (30)

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  • When Lex or someone who looks like him robs the bank, it emerges that a shapeshifter is at work. Meanwhile, Clark develops x-ray vision, Lana finds out more about her mother, and Lex contends with a blackmailing journalist. Another great ep...moreless

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By Jay-Spacedust, Feb 18, 2011 Report Abuse
    This review contains spoilers.

    Four episodes in, and I'm becoming more and more cross that Channel 4 in the U.K. didn't continue the series in a more secure slot, so I could follow it "first time 'round" as I now really wish I had done (see my review for the Pilot for more on this).

    Anyway, "X-Ray" is another top-notch episode, and just four episodes in things feel to really be firing on all cylinders now.
    Tina Greer is a great nemesis, and Lizzie Caplan adds the perfect level of creepiness to the character. After a weak couple of villains in the first two episodes (as I've said on previous reviews, the "guest mutant character" of the Pilot was almost tacked on as an afterthought, and Bug Boy in "Metamorphosis" had great potential was badly underused), by this stage, the writers & producers seem to have much more of a handle on the Guest Mutant of the Week, and the plot is far better as a result.

    I do agree to a great extent with another reviewer about the use of heavy rock tracks to scenes that don't even require them. While I don't find it as grating as in some shows, I do find it a bit out of place at times and unnecessary. "Back in my day..." (where's me zimmer frame), growing up with shows such as 'The A-Team' and 'Knight Rider', composers would score each episode with it's own specific theme, often created specifically for that episode; whereas by the days of 'Smallville', producers just seem content to throw in rock track after rock track "just to appeal to the kids". Thankfully, the quality of the rest of the show is more than good enough for this not to be a major problem, but I'm glad I'm not the only one who has picked up on it.

    It is maybe slightly convenient that Clark develops x-ray vision in this episode, as it helps greatly with the situation. Thankfully, this isn't played out anywhere near as clunkily as it might have done, and can easily be forgiven.

    One thing I like about this episode, is that Clark goes to parents Jonathan and Martha for advice on various matters (both regarding his x-ray abilities, and the shapeshifter); in a world surrounded by shows and films where the leads must keep their special identities secret from their parents (heck, it was even the case in early seasons of 'Buffy'), it is a refreshing change for it to not only be the case here, but for said superperson to go to them for help and guidance.

    Although there have been vague hints of it in previous episodes, here we get our first real taste of the dark side of Lex, as he deals with the journalist attempting to blackmail him, by attempting to wipe all record of him off the face of the Earth, bribing him into helping him investigate Clark's seeming powers that enabled him to save Lex from the crash off of the bridge in the Pilot.

    As a couple of others have picked up on, this episode does tread again into "Lana in danger" territory, but in fairness, Tina's obsession with Lana and the general strong execution of the story prevent this from being a major issue at this point.

    All-in-all, I really enjoyed "X-Ray". A very enjoyable plot, and I really look forward to the next episode. I give it 9.5.moreless

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  • "I'm a Freak and Obsessed With Lana" Part 2

    8.9
    "Great"
    By lenzinoH20, Feb 18, 2011 Report Abuse
    X-Ray-Clark begins experiencing "vision problems" as his x-ray vision begins manifesting. Meanwhile a mysterious shape shifter is going about town using his or her abilities to steal and get others in trouble.

    Already 4 episodes into the series and Lana is danger from yet another psycho meteor freak! But unlike the first time, "X-Ray" features a creepier meteor freak and is the first episode to see Clark developing a new ability. X-ray vision is one of Superman's signature powers and Smallville's version of that power is quite stunning. Unlike the cheesy see-through effects of say "Lois and Clark", Clark's x-ray vision looks exactly like an x-ray and the effects for the first time look top notch. Tom Welling does the worried farm boy routine well and his reactions to his new power are played off nicely. The scene of where Clark x-rays the girls' locker room by mistake and get a full look at Lana's...uhh...assets is priceless. But I also love how Clark's new power plays a part in the mystery behind Smallville's lastest meteor freak of the week.

    Tina Greer is slightly well developed villain who has the ability to shape-shift into any one. Lizzy Caplan is errie in the role and the shape-shifting fake outs become nice little twists. The opening teaser with Tina as Lex robbing the bank and Tina as Lana revealing herself to Pete were both executed well. The final confrontation between Tina and Clark is bit a disappointment though as Tina is disguised as Whitney through the whole fight. While it gives an excuse for Eric Johnson to have more to do in the episode, it would have been more effective fight if Tina was in her regular form. All and All, "X-Ray" is a fresh episode with a nicely developed new power for Clark and a decent opponent.moreless

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  • Yet another superb episode of Smallville. (Spoilers)

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By Jason5550123, Feb 18, 2011 Report Abuse
    This was yet another great character development, reasonably action packed episode of Smallville. After four episodes of this show, I've come to realize that it isn't as much about action as it is character development. And I appreciate that the creators of this show have chosen to actually focus on the characters. They do a great job at making you care about them and what happens to them. Lex showed in this episode that he has a bit of a dark side. Although, I still think he's a great character so far. It's unfortunate though, to see how much Clark goes through to protect Lana, and yet she's still with Whitney. I hope she and Clark become a couple soon. Overall, I give this episode, X-Ray, a 9.5 out of 10.moreless

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  • this was a cool ep

    8.5
    "Great"
    By cube2k8, May 06, 2010 Report Abuse
    in this ep of smallville it begins with a person that looks like lex going into the bank and stealing money . clark gets pushed through a window. and he supposivly sees something but at the time he does not know what it was . and starts to see through obejects through out the day even the girls locker room. and clark and cloe are tring to figure things out and tina is trying to be friends with lana and wants her al to her self . like she tries to move in whith her after killing her mother when she found out about the money. and clark and his mother suspect things with tina and clark then tells the police ther is money in the locker and lana gets taking by tina and clark and whitney are looking for them. and clark stops her.moreless

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  • Another power for Clark begins to manifest, causing him difficulty in controlling it, but also enabling him to help others in danger. A more sinister side of Lex is revealed as a blackmailer confronts him, and Lana discovers more about her mother.moreless

    8.0
    "Great"
    By cxtasy, Dec 02, 2008 Report Abuse
    Smallville's demographic target becomes too obvious, as a loud and inappropriate hard rock track is imposed over a relatively benign scene of Lex entering the local bank to withdraw all his funds. Music accompaniment can make or break a film, but just throwing in unrelated sound tracks means the producers are catering to the teen audience with no regard to the musical score's relationship to the screen action. And it's a cheap form of product placement.

    The bank officer makes a signature check on Lex - it doesn't match the one on file, so Lex pulls a very large revolver, demanding the dough, and escapes down the sidewalk waving the gun, until he runs into Clark, and throws him through a storefront. Clark suddenly sees an x-ray-like view of his assailant - another superpower is being revealed, as indicated by the episode title.

    It's Tina Greer, a shape-shifter, who can morph into another form at will, and the morphing in this episode is well done, with one exception. But in a family dispute over the theft, Tina's mother Rose falls down the stairs and is dead on the spot. As Clark explains the new visual phenomenon to Jonathan and Martha, Lex arrives with a solid alibi for the robbery, and some pretty straight dialog between the two friends.

    As more manifestations of x-ray vision hit Clark, he experiences some as normal vision through a solid object, while others resemble conventional x-rays. The most interesting and arresting variation shows Pete as a complex layer of bone, muscle tissue, and other internal organs. Doubtful this version will be used as it's inconsistent with the comics version of x-ray vision and really wouldn't do much for Clark as a superhero - he needs to see through walls. A headache is the precursor to this phenomenon, and Jonathan advises an upset Clark to practice getting this new skill under control.

    Tina comes to see Lana at Aunt Nell's house; the latter apparently owns a red Studebaker pickup. For car fans, this is a good sign that the producers intend to add another layer of interest to the stories. Tina always feels like an outsider, and wants to glom onto Lana and her family. Scary thought.

    Clark continues to get more x-ray vision - and sees a transparent Tina, too, whose image includes green material in her body. When Clark and Martha enter the Greer's antique shop, Mrs. Greer is still there, but it's obviously Tina in her form. Martha spots a pile of cash on the floor; Tina claims to be an airhead who didn't secure a payment, and Tina-as-Rose lifts Martha's keys and morphs back to herself.

    Is that Clark recklessly driving a blue GMC pickup down the sidwalk and almost hitting Martha? No, it's Tina-as-Clark, and the real Clark reels in a shaken Martha. Later, they discuss Tina's youthful bone disease, right after the meteor shower, so Clark concludes that Tina is the culprit - a meteor-mutant.

    Lana continues reminiscing at the house, cleaning out old mementoes. Now we have an appropriate sound track, somewhat wistful music playing as she looks at her mother's journal, but in so doing discovers that Nell has lied to her about her mother Laura Lang. Her mother hated cheerleading, and wanted to see the world, contrary to the stories told her by Nell. Lana hears that her mother's graduation speech was memorable, and she vows to find the text.

    Lex drives an Aston Martin Vantage, tagged "LEX," but they read "Metropolis USA," rather than "Kansas." Tabloid journalist Roger Nixon of the Metropolis Inquisitor accosts Lex, who rebuffs him. But Nixon threatens Lex with an expose of his wild youth and an incident at the Club Zero in Metropolis. Nixon demands blackmail cash.

    Clark scans Tina at school more closely, trying to control his new talent. We're now aware of Tina's obsession with Lana, which now extends to her proposing to live with Nell and Lana, telling Lana that her mother is moving to Metropolis. But Tina gets hostile quickly, and Lana is puzzled. An angry Tina is a dangerous Tina. Clark x-rays Tina's locker, finding the bank cash.

    The Sheriff comes to Tina's store - she is now Tina-as-Rose. They report the cash find in Tina's locker, based on an anonymous tip, so again, Tina is out to get someone. At the farm, Lana talks to Clark about who she wants to be, and Clark can identify with that. She lays a big one on him, and then she's suddenly Tina, with powers. Barn damage ensues, and that scene is suddenly over. There's more product placement for a computer brand, as Chloe works at the Torch. Lana is looking for the archives, and her mother's graduation speech, but it was squelched by school authorities back then.

    Nixon comes to Lex for payoff, but Lex shows he's no pushover, threatening Nixon with erasing his identity, and the real Lex begins to be revealed - willing to use power and threats to get his way. The price? Lex will feed stories to Nixon, who will have them published, while quashing anything negative about Lex. He shows Nixon the wrecked Porsche 911 which struck Clark and ran off the bridge. Nixon is enlisted to investigate why Lex is still alive and why was Clark not injured.

    In a more poignant scene, Lana sees Clark again, but he's not sure it's her this time. But it is, and they have lost parents to share as a bond between the two.

    Back at school, Whitney gets more affection from Tina-as-Lana, who is actually Ms. Kreuk playing Tina playing Lana, and it's pretty clever acting and effective directing. At the antique store, Clark uses x-ray vision to find the corpse of Rose, and evidence that Tina has been practicing Lana's signature. Clark realizes she's going to hijack Lana's life.

    At the cemetery, Tina-as-Whitney finds Lana, but now Whitney is playing Whitney playing Tina. There's one FX glitch here as Tina morphs from Whitney to herself, but as she does, she winds up the same height as Whitney.

    Lana winds up in a crypt, but how does Clark know to come to the cemetery? Lana's meteor rock necklace almost does in Clark, but Tina-as-Whitney throws that aside and Clark has his opening to bash Tina and rescue Lana.

    The epilog leaves much unclear - the disposition of Tina is mentioned only briefly - she would seem to be a formidable prisoner, with superstrength and shape-shifting. Chloe brings to Lana a cassette of her mother's graduation speech, good friend that she is. Clark has saved everyone, but is left on the outside again - and misuses his vision ability by watching Whitney and Lana embrace in her home. Lana later plays the tape - in the rain, in the Studie pickup, it's a meaningful moment in connecting with her lost parents.

    Tina is a formidable antagonist, and was well-played by Lizzy Caplan. With her fate left open, the producers may be planning future episodes around this character, and that probably will be a popular decision. The easy dialog between Clark and Lana continues without much strain, even though Clark's feelings for her have continued to grow. Character development is in the forefront for Lex, too, as we see another, more sinister side. It's an interesting and well-acted episode - especially with the several cast members who had to channel Tina. Ms. Kreuk has the greatest range to display - acting as Tina, friend to Chloe, romancing Clark, wistful over her mother's past and how this may affect Lana's future - a nice job. Re-run rating C+.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • At the cemetery, Tina-as-Whitney morphs back to her own form, but in so doing, she ends up at the same height as Whitney, who in all other scenes is nearly a foot taller than Tina. In the next cut, she is about the same height as Lana. Edit
    • Trivia: While Lana is listening to the tape of the graduation speech, her mother is introduced as Laura Potter (her maiden name). Edit
    • Clark punches a hole through the concrete lid that is trapping Lana in the crypt, and it explodes inward, which would have landed all over Lana, yet when Clark pulls her from the inside and carries her off, she is clean, in fact her pants are perfectly black. Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • This episode marks Mitchell Kosterman's first on-screen appearance as Sheriff Ethan - he is one of the two policemen talking to Tina-as-Rose. Tina refers to him as a deputy, however, and it's possible he got a promotion before his next appearance. Edit
    • Music: "Movies" by Alien Ant Farm is being played at the beginning of the episode. "Breathe You In" by Stabbing Westward is played after the first one. "Analyse" by The Cranberries is being played while Chloe and Lana were talking in the Torche's office about things. "Ooh La La" by The Wiseguys is playing when we first see the school and the gym class. "Unbroken" by Todd Thibaud is being played after that. "Up All Night" by Unwritten Law is the next song. "Wall In Your Heart" by Shelby Lynne is the last song in the end of the show, when we see Lana in the truck as the screen fades. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Lex: Can I come in? I promise I'm not packing heat. Edit
    • Jonathan: Yeah, you could start with something small. (reaches into pocket) Try to tell me what I have in my hand right now. Clark: Your pocket knife. Jonathan: You could see through my hand. Clark: No, you always carry your knife in that pocket. Edit
    • Clark: You go through life with a gift you have to keep a secret. When you see everyone around you being normal, you get jealous. You just want to be somebody else. Edit

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