Thursday February 7, 2008
3T6311
When Green Arrow's band of heroes thwarts his efforts once too often, Lex employs a super-powered vigilante to take down the Emerald Archer.
Read Full Recap » (warning: possible spoilers!)Oliver and Clark must confront a new adversary - or heroine - allied with Lex against the Green Arrow. Lois makes a key discovery, while Lana must reveal to Clark one of her dark secrets under threat of blackmail by Lionel. hide show
"Siren" offers the best screenwriting I have seen in any Smallville episode. The dialog in numerous scenes between Clark and Lana, Lana and Lionel, Lois and Oliver, Oliver and Clark - mature, challenging, and intriguing. This is no routine weekly action series, this is first-rate drama. One action scene also goes the top of my list of 'best in the series.' The appearance of a new character/hero sets the stage for the character development in this episode, but the quality of the writing doesn't depend just on that.
The new superhero - or supercriminal - is Black Canary (Alaina Huffman), tarted up in black vinyl, fishnet stockings, and lots of eye makeup. I was starting to react negatively to this comic-book redux, but I quickly got past the theatrical lip-gloss to some intense drama.
Chloe hacks into Luthorcorp computers and steals files, and when Canary intercepts her on the roof of a high-rise to nab the disc, she demonstrates her super-skill - ultrasound, which shatters Oliver's arrows flying toward her, but somehow has no effect on either Chloe or Oliver nearby. So maybe her vocals are tuned to the right frequency for arrows only. She's a match for the Green Arrow, and escapes with the stolen files, via some very good special effects, by diving off the roof via a tether to the street below. Fans of the action-adventure themes gotta like it.
The tension between Lana and Clark continues from last week, when Lana believed for a time that Clark was at last becoming what she needed - a man devoted to her. But that was Bizarro talking, and her hopes were dashed when Clark returned, unable to run off with her and leave his destiny. And he's unforgiving of her attraction to a clone - jealousy does not fit this character, and his words cut her deeply.
Lois gets the job of explaining to the viewers that the new heroine is Dinah Lance, a DP columnist and talk-show host, who's effectively disguised with a long wig, masking her alter-ego's short-cropped blonde hair, but not her lovely face. She gets her digs in on Lois with a news article about Oliver returning to town, "minus a certain shrill arm trophy." That would be Lois, who reacts with perfect disgust, maybe about the jibe, maybe about the fact that Oliver didn't call.
Chloe takes to hacking the police database for criminal records on young attractive females, searching for any with heavy eye makeup, and referring to her assailant as a "vicious ninja lady" to Clark. But Clark comes up with the name that will stick - "Canary."
After hearing that Chloe is moonlighting with Oliver, Clark barges into Oliver's loft to accuse him of endangering her. Oliver delivers a wonderfully appropriate response, "So I take it we're skipping over the whole 'Hello, good to see you again,' part of the conversation." And he refers to the Canary as a "leather fetish mystery woman." This sharp writing makes Smallville so entertaining, especially when a friend of Clark meets his anger with good sense and insight that makes Clark realize that he, too, has shortcomings. Harsh words are exchanged, Oliver again provoking Clark into seeing that he could do more for life on Earth than simply protecting a few close friends. They relent; they start sharing ideas on the mystery woman.
At the mansion, Lex pays off Canary for the disc - next assignment offered by Lex is for her to bring in the Green Arrow.
At Isis, Lionel informs Lana about the murder of Grant Gabriel, and believes that Lex is behind it. Lana is disinterested, but Lionel is after her to help him get proof about Lex through her surveillance videos of the mansion. Blackmail is again his tool - he implies he would tell Clark about a woman dying in Lana's care during the Bizarro episodes - she never told Clark. More secrets, and the dark side of Lana - she looks trapped.
Clark is next to ask for her help, and the screenwriters again comes up with a memorable line for Lana: "It's kind of interesting that everyone was quick to turn me into Lady Macbeth when they found out I was watching Lex." She fesses up to Clark about the woman who died, attempting to clear the air with Clark - but he's angry that she's honest only when she's threatened. In turn, she found more affection from a clone, and feels judged by Clark. You have to admit that the feelings expressed in this scene are genuine and valid, but they reveal a great gulf between the two.
Lois drops in on Oliver, greeting him with a left cross to the jaw, which he handles really well. But he has tactfully set up a romantic candle-lit dinner for her, apologetic for his absence, and melting her anger with charm. Their make-up session is the victim of bad timing when Canary appears in a provocative pose on the parapet, who Lois amusingly takes as another close friend of Oliver. She blasts in the window and shatters almost all the glass in the loft, giving Lois a quick glimpse of Oliver's secret cache of bows and arrows. Here I'm surprised by a major series development - Lois discovers he's the G.A., and it seems there will be no amnesia coming along for Lois. Immediately we are set to wondering how their relationship will change. There's more great dialog here between the two as Canary ties them up together and calls Lex.
Clark sees Chloe at the DP, where she quips, "We could all breathe easier if we could find a lead on blonde ambition," a clever allusion. They discover Dinah was logged into a DP server late at night, and realize she's the Canary. A bit of hacking by Chloe is enough to intercept a wire transfer of funds from Lex to the Canary, another payoff for her misguided campaign for justice. But there's a rare grammar slippage when Chloe has to say, "Looks like there's a transfer 'in occurrence' right now (maybe "in progress.")
Clark confronts Canary, urging her to reconsider her pursuit of the G.A. - her kicking skills have no effect on Clark but her "siren" does, causing his ears to bleed and allowing her to escape. It's a script surprise that any other JLA candidate has power over Clark.
Lana sees Lionel again, this time to reject his blackmail attempt - she will not look for evidence of Lex being involved in Grant's murder. She detours Lionel's plot by simple honesty with Clark, and vows to continue in that vein with him. To Lionel's assertion that he knows his son better than anyone, she retorts, "No, you don't," prophetic words warning him against his own son. The dialog in this scene is again impressive - taut, believable, right in line with these characters and their conflict.
Dinah/Canary returns to collect from Lex, without the G.A., first demanding proof that he's breaking into Luthorcorp plants. She has found those plants are not producing what they advertise, and the partnership ends abruptly when Lex pulls a gun, but Oliver suddenly appears. One of the best hand-to-hand combat scenes follows, with terrific stop-motion when the gun fires, and Lex and Oliver showing fight skills not seen in the series before. Finally an arrow is launched toward Lex, a bullet toward Oliver, and one toward Canary, and superspeeding Clark intervenes. Faster-than-a-speeding-bullet scenes have been used numerous times in the series, but this is one of the best - Clark has time to decide which projectiles to stop - two bullets and one arrow, leaving Canary's knife on course to wound Lex. Our heroes leave.
Oliver is cleaning up the Canary-debris when Lois arrives. Her discovery of his hero-persona is of such significance to the series that we know she'll have to confront him. How will she feel about him? What will become of their relationship? They are facing the dilemma that has torn apart Lana and Clark innumerable times - it's another hero-with-secrets trying to protect the one they love. He asks for another chance - but Lois can't give it - as difficult as this is for her, staying in Oliver's orbit would mean a long-distance relationship. Maybe she's selfish, she admits, wondering where he would be, in what danger. She wouldn't be good at the dual-identity thing. "I can't share you with the rest of the world," she says, and we can see this is the end of these two as a couple. But the dialog here is also a precursor for her future relationship with Clark. Can any romance between Lois and Clark end up differently from this one? Or will Clark forever conceal his identity to become the one she seeks? Interesting scene - it's not just about Lois and Oliver.
Later at the Talon, Lois is comforting herself with Rocky Road ice cream, when Clark drops in, offering understanding and support, even encouraging her to stay committed to Oliver. But it's over for her, and the writers have provided another intensely emotional epilog as Lois concludes, "We are not destined for each other." Yes, we know, but The One is standing before you. But neither is aware of what may come between them. Clark gives no indication of anything other than friendship, while tears fill the eyes of Ms. Durance, giving one of her most striking acting scenes of the series. She just gets better and better.
The epilog is fun, too, as Canary drops in on Oliver and Clark, minus the disguise. Another minor script gaffe has her asking, "Is it too late to ask for an apology?" (They meant "offer" an apology.) She realizes she was on the wrong side of justice, and intends to go east and diminish. But that can't happen - Oliver suggests a new role for Canary as "den mother" for his band of merry men, and they stroll off together. The second closeout is not much fun - Lana is leaving to stay with Chloe, but Clark then admits some of his flaws, such as, "I stole a Lamborghini," easing some of the tension, as he shows he has gained understanding of Lana's feelings through Lois. They remain committed to each other, for now. Clark: "I don't want this to be over." But we know that's coming anyway.
No contest - "Siren" has the best dialog and the most emotional depth of any Smallville episode I have seen. The screenwriters have outdone themselves by creating believable tension and heartbreak between the couples in this episode, with Ms. Durance and Ms. Kreuk taking words on paper to dynamic and intriguing scenes with Oliver and Clark. This is accomplished in the middle of introducing and developing an entirely new character. Lois breaking up with a superhero suggests that the writers and producers will have a challenge developing a romance between Clark and Lois. Given her determination not to be left behind in a relationship with a dual-identity hero, they may have to keep Clark's powers a secret from her, but that angle sounds much like the first few seasons of the Clark-Lana relationship. Re-run rating for the fine writing in "Siren," A-.
This episode was in continuation to the last episode aster the whole awkwardness when Lana admits she loves Bizarro more than Clark cause it was easier. I love the confrontation when they are in Isis, and they argue & argue, it seems like they are almost going to break up but Clark says he doesn't want to and then he says he wants to try at it, and they get back together, it is revealed Chloe is working with Oliver, I didn't like how Lois didn' even grieve over Grant's death, that is just nuts, The Black Canary was awesome! The action in the end between all three of them was simply amazing. Great episode!
The debut of the Black Canary hide show
"Canary" brings the return of Green Arrow and the debut of the Black Canary. And Lois finds out about Oliver's secret identity. That's pretty much the whole episode in a nutshell. Not very interesting. The whole plot involving Lex and Black Canary working together just didn't do much to keep me entertained throughout the 40 minutes.
However, I did like the breakup of Lois and Oliver, and Lois' reasons for the break up. The parallels of what she gets into with Clark is a sign that she still has a ways to go to become the person we know later in lore. Plus, the scene where Clark and Lois have the talk about said break up, is one of the few good moments where the two characters get to do something other than some comedic playing off each other.
The episode ends with the Justice League gaining another member and another riveting conversation between Lana and Clark, just let that relationship die already. Please?
Green Arrow is back, Black Canary is introduced and two relationships end. hide show
It was a decent episode. Personally, the story line wasn't one of my favorites. I thought the black canary could bring down buildings with her power, but instead she just breaks some glass and makes Clark and a few others cover their ears. She does realize just like everyone else that Lex isn't the nice guy he seems to be. Lois ends her relationship with Oliver/Green Arrow because he has a much greater destiny. Ironic much? She doesn't even care that her previous boyfriend, Gabriel/Julien was shot the night before. To continue, Lana finally leaves Clark for the same reason as Lois. You could say alot happened, but honestly, barely anything did. Hopefully, the next episode is better and Clark and Lois start to have some heat sometime soon.
I don't know about anyone else but in my opinion the Smallville episodes with other DC heroes in them are sometimes make the best episodes of the series. Green Arrow is one of my favorite characters and I was glad to see him back although I would have liked to see him in more than one episode this season. But I really liked this version of black canary. I didn't like evrything about her for one her supersonic cry I just didn't like the sound of it and her hair. Wasn't she supposed to have a wig on with her costume? But I suppose it is for the better because a wig may fall of a little easy. The best part was the fight scene at the end between Green Arrow and Lex. Clark comes in at the last second and stops bullets and arrows from hitting people.
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