Smallville Echo (2001–2011) Online

"Echo" is a flawed but fun episode. Clark's ability to read thoughts is a bit of a rip off of What Women Want, but it's used to create some entertaining scenes between him and Lois. As for the main villain of the week, I liked the first appearance of The Toyman in "Requiem" from season 8, but I disliked the episode itself. Here it's the opposite problem. I think this episode was overall solid, but The Toyman was more out of place. You'd almost think that The Toyman's part in the story was a last minute addition. Just once it would be nice to see him in a well balanced episode. My real problem in "Echo" is the drunk and troubled Oliver Queen. The producers already tried that in season 8, and it didn't work then. Having him in the dumps again only a year later was weak and unoriginal. By this episode it had just become repetitive. The good thing is the climax comes close to bringing the downward spiral of Oliver Queen story arc to a close, and it actually does it effectively. This is a decent episode, just unbalanced.

In my Metallo and Rabid reviews I criticized the relative lack of morality in Smallville's season 9. Indeed in season 8 the topic was covered more seriously in episodes like Bulletproof for example. However this episode proved me wrong as Clark learned to pay more attention to the people around him. His scene with Oliver was quite inspirational as he admitted that he should have been more careful and think less about his own problems. I'm glad we didn't have to wait for the season to end for him to realize that. It's not that he had been selfish so far but it seems he focused too much on his training with Jar-El and just lost focus of things that really matter, like supporting his friends. An other well designed element was the learning of a new ability. In fact it's more the development of an existing one but as I had never heard about it before it was quite surprising. So the story wasn't here to fill a script void but to strengthen the existing arcs and relationships between characters. To tell the truth after Rabid I thought Echo would be an other filler but now I consider it as a sci-fi homage to the film What Women Want. It was refreshing, full of human values and quite funny.

Tom Welling's performance was good and I really liked his attitude when he began to hear people's thoughts. Of course the cherry on the shortcake was the awkward moments with Lois and you won't resist her first lines when Clark caught her in his arms. You can feel how great the chemistry is between them and Erica Durance keeps growing on me because she has proved her talent. I only realized it after watching Bride, season 8 tenth episode, but I hope other viewers don't think of her as only a pretty face anymore. In fact a mistake I made was actually comparing her to Teri Hatcher. Of course the recurring references Lois & Clark don't help but I think it brings a lot to Smallville. I also really appreciated scenes like the phone booth, Clark's article creative checking by Lois… My complain would be that some Clois moments feel like déjà vu. I wish they were mixed more smoothly because I worry that they'll just end up boring me. For example why don't they introduce a new female character ? They could then create a new triangle with Clois. An other solution would be to develop the one with Chloe further, introduced in Metallo.

In this episode Tess was also featured and her scene in the Mexican bar with Oliver was great because it revealed how much she actually cares about him. Moreover Justin Hartley's performance is very convincing and most of the time it feels like if Oliver's story was his own. His palette of emotions is wide and I really like how he quickly changes, from a sad playboy to a man who hates himself for example. His last scene's action will definitely wow you as it took me a few seconds to understand what just happened. It seems his dark passenger is not ready to leave him alone, he'll chase him until he fights his inner demons.

But Echo had a major flaw because I wasn't glad of the Toy Bomber's return. I don't like how the actor performs nor the character. He's some sort of crazy adult who stopped growing at seven and doesn't make a believable villain. Moreover most of his scenes were quite disappointing. First there was the whole timer mumbo jumbo and I still can't believe he didn't place a camera in the puppet because I thought he staged the bombing to catch the Blur on camera. Worst Clark saved everyone but apparently two policemen were hurt in the process and even if we clearly saw them the issue wasn't covered later. I was expecting a controversial article in papers but it never happened. It was quite disappointing considering Lois talked about the event with Clark and she said something about things not always having a happy ending. An other problem was the next attack, the one involving Oliver, because I couldn't believe the Toy Bender was actually a cyborg. But I have to admit that the visual effects were impressive and it reminded me of Terminator. However I wish they had used it as a new nemesis for Clark. Maybe it'll be back considering he's now working for Tess. Indeed their last scene was shocking but it should definitely bring some twisted elements to the existing story arcs. Also let's not forget how ridiculous his arrest was because again Chloe's mysterious abilities were used as she was able to track down a mad scientist who's actually able to clone himself as a cyborg but can't even hide his IP, something like that.

Last but not least let's also not forget how Allison Mack's scene was anecdotic. I think we only saw her for a few seconds and then she just vanished into thin air. It's sad to see that they're not taking care of my favorite Smallville character anymore…

The 'Toy Man' made a recurrence from the 'Previously on Smallville' gave away. I know the 'Previously' usually gives the viewer a chance to be updated, especially if they only began watching Season 9, but it also gives away the exact characters that are going to be starring and the way the plot is unraveled.

For instance, we already know the Toy Man was the mastermind behind the stunning opening with hostages and his revenge plot towards Oliver after the frame up. Nothing was really left up for suspense. The only part that was probably intriguing in the Toy Man-Oliver plot was probably Tess' attempt to portray a hint of romantic feelings for Oliver when he was at his lowest.

Tess' motives does strike up a question mark. Why go through the trouble of getting Oliver to attend an event, she could have easily paid a look-a-like to pose as the real Oliver, or she surely could have worked up some excuse; with the amount of time Tess doesn't have to spare, why was this event so important? The Toy Man does pull the pieces together in the end, since Tess wanted him to utilize Metallo's heart as some kind of Toy. It all suggests everything was a hoax surrounding Tess' true goal.

This wacky world of Smallville is really turning into a merry-go-round. Of course the writers take on the task of bringing Lois and Clark together, but I really don't appreciate them making Lois get stood up all the time and having her act as though she is the only one showing romantic interests in Clark and constantly getting hurt. I know Smallville takes it's own spin to the Superman series, but the next time Lois is stood up I would not only resent Clark for it, but it may even limit my admiration towards her character.

Lois needs to be bold and adamant, showing up at Oliver's event to be Clark's plus one in a monster-truck, really comes off as desperate and unlike the Lois I know in Smallville. I need to see more fist action. I did appreciate her input via thought about Clark's handsome bod, but I would first think about ringing his neck as opposed to what he was wearing, maybe that might come after wards.

How strange was it for Clark to read minds. It's strange how he depends on Chloe to do the dangerous tasks for him especially since she's so busy. Busy doing what? What does Chloe do all day or even for a living to make ends meet? It's strange how she always has the answers.

We are definitely going to see more of Toy Man, or even hear more since Tess took him up on a mission. Even though Green Arrow got rid of his wardrobe, it doesn't mean he's gone for good, he could also get new clothes, or find a Tailor. The writers mentioned something about Green Arrow getting a partner soon, and Zod's absence doesn't really compromise his threat. I expect nothing but the best from Smallville, just two words 'Come Big' and all would be fine, also I want the bossy Lois back.

Lexa Reviews

http://lexabuti.blogspot.com

______________________

Three and a Half Stars

Grade B-

______________________