Smallville 8.06 Prey

[bop_radar]

I enjoyed this episode while watching it but find I don't have a lot to say about it afterwards.

I am glad they had an episode that explored the naivety and potential problems with the Isis Foundation. This episode showed that goodwill towards the krypto-infected is not enough, and even with the best of intentions, the Foundation can be dangerous for the very people it claims to help. Centralising records for the krypto-infected before they are even widely acknowledged, let alone accepted by the world at large, is dangerous--those could be seized by the government, for instance. What privacy does the Foundation really offer people? A SIGN-IN sheet? Lying around in the open--are you kidding me? Whether or not Clark was right to take it, that shows naivety on a dangerous scale.

The other problem with the Foundation is that it assumes that all krypto-freaks are or want to be harmless. Yet we know that psychosis and psychopathy result in many, if not most, cases where people are infected. It's very heartwarming to believe that such people can be saved--but to do so would surely need professional help and cooperation at the very least. (I'm still not convinced all krypto-freaks can be saved, but the Foundation ignores that problem as well.) Chloe's group therapy sessions (which she controlled badly) assumed that everyone had the same desires and goals--to be recognised and accepted. But clearly some don't. Some embrace their powers and use them for bad, some rebel against society, and without professional medical intervention, I don't really know how anyone can say who's to blame: the krpyo-infection or the person behind it? They are 'victims' yes, but whitewashing them with that term ignores the differences within the krypto-infected community. This was demonstrated very clearly by having one krypto-freak prey on another in this episode.

I'm kind of loving Chloe and Clark fighting, and am entirely on Clark's side but will say no more to avoid offending the Chloe-fans on my f'list. ;)

Clark was AWESOME! Ten million kinds of awesome! And even better with J'onn at his side. I love that J'onn showed up to mentor the minute Clark really took on the mantle of hero in Metropolis. And aww, I kind of love that Clark went from 0 to 100 in terms of thinking of himself as responsible for EVERYTHINGEVEROMG! I was particularly amused by his dialogue with Jimmy where he blamed the unnamed 'hero' for letting something happen... Jimmy must think Clark is really weird, because from his pov he'd be thinking 'well, we don't even know for sure there IS a hero, but immediately you're blaming him for every bad thing that happens??!'

I fanwank that Clark is levelling up with the hero shit partly to impress Lois. :D

Unexpectedly, because I've found him boring so far, I really ended up liking Davis in this episode. The actor put in a very sympathetic performance and I found myself really moved by his character. Once he confessed to Chloe that he thought he was the killer, I was riveted. And I loved the double fake-out. Yay! I am unspoiled but have gathered that Davis is 'someone' in comics canon. Right now he reads as a Jekyl and Hyde character--if he is conscious of what his dark half does, then he's an evil mastermind because it read so genuinely that he was not, though he had come to suspect. I wish he had someone else around to put his trust in other than Chloe--her naive handling of his confession of fears will only make things worse for him longterm I think--but regardless I'm hooked in.

Also, good to see that he's maintaining the high standard of male torsos on SV. :)

Also, was VERY amused by his way of being a 'lone' paramedic... circling the town, wasting petrol, while waiting for a call. Yuh. That's how they do it. And there's always only one of 'em. *nods* Also they would totally only send a paramedic, not a police car, to the scene of an attack. Hmm.

*Loving* J'onn to bits. Love him as a cop, love his loyalty and the fact that he doesn't bitch about his powers, love Clark's determination to get them back... it's all good.

Yeah, Clark's got a lot of learning to do about how to balance being a hero and having a real life, and YAY that they brought up identity issues. This is EXCITING!

Comments

[redteekal.livejournal.com]

You know I did wonder about Davis on his own in the Ambo too! I mean it's not like we haven't seen Third Watch we *know* they are not out there on their own and plus where were the cops?

I was very pleased to see JJ back and what an excellent role to place him in. I won't be writing a post on this epi because apart from Clark's Supermanly moments and an irrational 5 year old urge to see him go Nyah Nyah Nyah Nyah in Chloe's face at the end I really did not get a lot out of this episode. I can see Clark and Chloe having conflict but this was just way too contrived and forced for my liking and the response of Clark to Chloe with the Kumbayah line was just too OOC for me not to groan.

But I concur - good to see Sam Witwer keeping up the SV naked torso standards. When are we going to get to assess Tom's status in that department is what I'm wondering.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Yeah, this episode kind of only had one layer. It was what it was. Clark was SO restrained in not nyah nyah nyah-ing! I loved the Kumbayah line (because it expressed my own feelings) but then I fanwank that Clark has been becoming annoyed with Chloe for sometime now (i.e ever since she told him to kill Lex) and I have always loved bitchy Clark, so I just ran with it. ;)

We need to get Maxima back so she can disrobe Tom a bit further...

[c-mantix.livejournal.com]

"Lone paramedic!" Mwahahahahaha! Great moniker:)

I fanwank that Clark is levelling up with the hero shit partly to impress Lois. :D

So I wasn't alone in thinking that. :-D

I thought the episode was absolute and utter filler that, thankfully, has set Davis' backstory a bit.

It was Vegan Smallville! Where's the beef(cake)?

I did like J'onn as a detective and Jimmy in the role he should have been playing since the beginning. Proactive Clark is always sexy. In Prey, he felt just a little manic, though. I'm so glad Lois is back next week!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

You're right--Jimmy was effective in this episode (for once). I kind of liked the mania, since it was addressed within the text. It seemed very Clarkian to not have any middle gears. He'll get there.

For an ep without Lois it was better than I'd feared, but yay that she's back next week.

[theclexfactor.livejournal.com]

Now this is a review that takes everything that was good about the episode into account, while noting some problems without looking "nitpicky". I personally enjoyed the episode and it was mostly due to Clark's proactive-times-a thousand-ness + the appearance of J'onn + the Clark/Chloe tension (and I agreed more with Clark as well even if not completely. Someone commented that Clark was being hypocritical because he's trusted people without knowing them that well, but I read it as because he's trusted people he didn't know well and it ended badly then he had a perspective that he tried to use as his object lesson to Chloe.)

In other news, I am looking forward to next week.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you!! I am glad I was not too nitpicky. There is very little point in being nitpicky with SV, though I'm sure we all fall into it at times... I liked the same things you did.

I read it as because he's trusted people he didn't know well and it ended badly then he had a perspective that he tried to use as his object lesson to Chloe.)
I agree. In many ways they were in reverse roles there. Clark has grown and learnt and he himself would agree he has been too trusting in the past, I think. Whereas Chloe used to be a natural sceptic, and while I understand why she may wish to see the best in everyone with kryptopowers I think she could listen to Clark more. But I suspect that Chloe is not used to being the one to take/need advice.

I don't know what next week is except that people are excited. And that's yay!

[tigergal05.livejournal.com]

I am back!

Clark was AWESOME! Ten million kinds of awesome! And even better with J'onn at his side. I love that J'onn showed up to mentor the minute Clark really took on the mantle of hero in Metropolis. And aww, I kind of love that Clark went from 0 to 100 in terms of thinking of himself as responsible for EVERYTHINGEVEROMG! I was particularly amused by his dialogue with Jimmy where he blamed the unnamed 'hero' for letting something happen... Jimmy must think Clark is really weird, because from his pov he'd be thinking 'well, we don't even know for sure there IS a hero, but immediately you're blaming him for every bad thing that happens??!'

Clark was completely made of WIN this entire episode..with Chloe not really on his side, he was pretty much on his own this entire episode (with the guiding words of J'onn). I just fell in love with Clark all over again; was I the only one who thought 'Peter Parker!' when the camera panned towards the police signifier? I just loved this episode; Clark really showed his true colors, didn't he?

Unexpectedly, because I've found him boring so far, I really ended up liking Davis in this episode. The actor put in a very sympathetic performance and I found myself really moved by his character. Once he confessed to Chloe that he thought he was the killer, I was riveted. And I loved the double fake-out. Yay! I am unspoiled but have gathered that Davis is 'someone' in comics canon. Right now he reads as a Jekyl and Hyde character--if he is conscious of what his dark half does, then he's an evil mastermind because it read so genuinely that he was not, though he had come to suspect. I wish he had someone else around to put his trust in other than Chloe--her naive handling of his confession of fears will only make things worse for him longterm I think--but regardless I'm hooked in.

I have been pleased with how the writers have dealt with Davis' character up to this point (and Sam Witwers acting!)..not only do they give him layers, they also give him a conscience. I have a feeling that Chloe's sudden attraction (of sorts) to Davis has something to do with Brainiac..should I go as far to say that I think Davis is knowingly involved? I am not sure about that one, yet.

Yeah, Clark's got a lot of learning to do about how to balance being a hero and having a real life, and YAY that they brought up identity issues. This is EXCITING!

You think this is exciting? Just wait until next week! ;-)

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Clark was completely made of WIN this entire episode..with Chloe not really on his side, he was pretty much on his own this entire episode (with the guiding words of J'onn). I just fell in love with Clark all over again;
Same! I looooved him obsessing (J'onn glancing at his littered desk was adorable) and I know he's at Hero 101 level here, but I was completely delighted to see him speeding around saving people. He's got the bug! I know he always had it but there was so much less to do in Smallville.

was I the only one who thought 'Peter Parker!' when the camera panned towards the police signifier?
Oh, I did not think of htat!

not only do they give him layers, they also give him a conscience. I have a feeling that Chloe's sudden attraction (of sorts) to Davis has something to do with Brainiac..should I go as far to say that I think Davis is knowingly involved?
Hmm, interesting. I am glad I am unspoiled for Davis's plot--it's giving it lots of suspense now, and I do want to see how the whole Brainiac-Chloe connection plays out. Witner impressed me a lot in this ep.

Everyone seems buzzy about next week. Me, I know nothing. :)

[tigergal05.livejournal.com]

Everyone seems buzzy about next week. Me, I know nothing. :)
Sometimes not knowing anything makes the episode all the better! ;-)

[svgurl.livejournal.com]

Great review! I always enjoy reading your thoughts.

"Lone paramedic"! LOL!

I fanwank that Clark is levelling up with the hero shit partly to impress Lois. :D

I can work with that! Yes, that's a brilliant theory. *nods*

Good point about the Isis and the list thing.

And I love J'onn too! He's awesome. :D

Clark trying to balance everything is very interesting ... I can't wait to see more of that.

On a superficial note, he looked really hot in that shirt in the beginning. :) We have such a pretty cast!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yes, Clark was both pretty and interesting. I'm excited to see them pushing his development along.

[serenography.livejournal.com]

This episode just felt "off" to me in a lot of ways. LaT expressed things better than I ever could in her review.

Also they would totally only send a paramedic, not a police car, to the scene of an attack. Hmm.

Omg.. I know I have to handwave all this super-paramedic stuff, but it was more ridiculous than normal in this episode.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

I couldn't read LaT's review this week because I am (miraculously) unspoiled about who Davis becomes. :)

[legendsinlove.livejournal.com]

I fanwank that Clark is levelling up with the hero shit partly to impress Lois. :D

Ha! I like the way you think!

I also side with Clark. But I tend to when it comes to Clark vs. anyone. Especially Chloe.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

I don't always side with Clark so I enjoy it doubly when I do. :D And someone needs to argue with Chloe--she's being hopelessly annoying.

[goodvibe.livejournal.com]

ITA about the Isis observation. There are so many variables to take into account, all sorts of shades of grey. It seems as if Chloe either can't or doesn't want to acknowledge this.

I didn't care much for this ep, I'm afraid. There were aspects about it I appreciated but on the whole it really annoyed me.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

*nods* I find Chloe a very black and white thinker these day and she's also scarily able to box ideas off from one another: it's ok for Clark to kill someone but not for anyone else to do so, it's not ok to lie about some things, but it's fine to about others.

It seems to have annoyed a lot of people. Honestly, I didn't mind it that much considering half the cast were missing, and have found other eps more painful.

[seeyaroundsv.livejournal.com]

Being as it was Lo-less I didn't watch. But your review sounded good! And I wanted to say I'm impressed that you are in the dark about Davis and it was interesting to read your viewpoint on him. Since I know, I honestly think it has ruined him for me as far as caring about him. I didn't see him here but felt Sam's done a nice job, it's just that being in the know makes him uninteresting to me. You definitely went about it the right way not reading spoilers for him!

Oh yes, I made a video! I hope you don't mind, I couldn't resist after hearing this ep had a montage. ;) - http://seeyaroundsv.livejournal.com/11944.html

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's pretty weird that I managed to stay unspoiled about Davis. I try really hard, but even so... it surprises even me! Sam put in an amazing performance in this episode--without him it would have been very boring, but he really carried his scenes well and I guess not knowing about him made it have some suspense (whereas I gather it didn't for people that know).

[penumbra.livejournal.com]

I also loved Clark this episode. He made the episode better than I thought it would be.

But I want Lois back.

Jimmy must think Clark is really weird, because from his pov he'd be thinking 'well, we don't even know for sure there IS a hero, but immediately you're blaming him for every bad thing that happens??!'

I know, right? I loved that, though, and it struck me as a very Clark thing to do. And I think there are probably examples of other incarnations of Clark bemoaning Superman's "shortcomings" as a hero in the third person.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

I want Lois back too. But yes, Clark being very Clark made the episode better.

[daybreak777.livejournal.com]

You loved Chloe and Clark fighting? How interesting. You know what? They do have a spark of something. When they argue you see it underneath. She pushes back because she is supposedly over him and he tries to pretend he doesn't care that he's losing his best friend to her future husband. I did like her pushback though. She's no longer the girl with the crush on him and he knows it. Clark seemed . . . lonely. Chloe also got to be on the receiving end of a crush to find that 1) it's not so cool on the other side and 2) you can't always act on reciprocal feelings to said crush when you don't really want to understand what those feelings are.

Unexpectedly, because I've found him boring so far, I really ended up liking Davis in this episode.
Me too! Me too! Up until this episode he was the actor formally known as Crashdown but when he hugged Chloe and nearly broke down, I may have gotten misty! What? Gosh, he's a good actor. I shouldn't be surprised but was and pleasantly. :-) Now, I'm worried about him. He's certainly not out of the woods and has fallen in love with Chloe (both equally bad in my view, poor Davis).

Also, good to see that he's maintaining the high standard of male torsos on SV. :)
I swear when you audition for this show, it must involves shirt removal. Or maybe the actors send torso shots instead of headshots? And I meant what I said last episode, Justin's torso is totally in the opening credits. Sigh. I may have to name his torso. JT. Yes. Sam's can be ST. My not-so-sekrit code. ;-) I do think there has been a nice male torso in every ep so far this season. Excellent.

Yeah, Clark's got a lot of learning to do about how to balance being a hero and having a real life, and YAY that they brought up identity issues. This is EXCITING!
Dude, they are certainly pushing this season. Can a pair of glasses be far behind? I think not. I tell you, as I reread my comments, you gotta love a show where you can spend a paragraph commenting on the actors's chests alone. Oh, Smallville. :-)

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

You know what? They do have a spark of something
Heh. I didn't love it for that reason.

I swear when you audition for this show, it must involves shirt removal.
It MUST. Also, you need these (http://supacat.livejournal.com/119043.html).

I want GLASSES! :)

[huzzlewhat.livejournal.com]

I'm going to be following your reviews avidly for this season, because I really wish I wasn't spoiled regarding Davis, and I'm fascinated to see what kind of effect not knowing is going to have on your take on things. I may not comment much, because I'm completely paranoid about spoiling inadvertently... I'd have to give up my Internet usage entirely if I ruined this surprise for you!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Yeah, judging by the blah-ness on my f'list this week about the ep, it seems that being spoiled for who Davis is changes your viewing a lot. I did think they introduced him oddly (why would I care that he was shivering in an alley naked? I've only just met the guy!) but I found this episode 'successful' where his storyline was concerned.

[suex.livejournal.com]

Just curious, do you have any suspicions as to who Davis may be?

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

No, I don't.

[suex.livejournal.com]

Good for you. I'm enjoying him, even though I know his identity, in fact I'm enjoying him more than Tess, but I'll also be interested to keep reading your reviews and reading your reactions on the development of his character.

Happy Melbourne Cup Day!!!