This week's episode was a lot like the Flash episode last year, just a bunch of cool fanboy stuff. I think I may have even liked it more than that episode, too. To tell you the truth, when they first announced who was going to play Arthur Curry (or AC, as he's known in this episode), I was more than a little worried. I mean, come on, the guy was an Americal Idol dropout. But Alan Ritchson actually pulls it off just about as good as I can imagine now. He's not some overactor and pulls off the jerkishness and self-righteousness of Aquaman perfect. Well, the guy is the king of the seas. Aquaman, not Alan Ritchson. On with the show!

So this week starts at the old watering hole in Smallville, convenient since this episode revolves around Aquaman. Lois finds herself in need of rescuing, but it's not Clark who does the saving this time, though not from lack of trying. A new guy who happens to be very adept in the water appears and saves her. After the obligatory misunderstood hero fight, Clark and AC go to visit Lex, who's new defense system for the Navy also happens to kill any and all marine life in the immediate vicinity. Well, you can see how this wouldn't go over well with the "king of the seas".

Lex captures Arthur and learns his weakness of being without water. Lex dries him out in a bid to keep him "unavailable" during his demonstration of the defense array for the Navy. Clark finds AC, rescues him, and the two of them stop Lex from activating the weapon. Lex ends up with egg on his face. Clark confronts Lex and tells him that he stuck up for him in his college class, but it's becoming harder and harder too.

It's a shame that The WB doesn't receive more any recognition from the awarding bodies because, although I'm a fanboy, I do believe Smallville is one of the finest dramas on TV. Once again the best parts of this show weren't the action or the winks at the camera (they were a plenty this week), but in the interpersonal dramas that we've watched unfold for four years. That's not to say that Smallville doesn't have great action or awesome "in-jokes", but watching Lex's slip into evilness is astonishing to watch, and it's a shame that Michael Rosenbaum will, more than likely, never be acknowledged for his fabulous portrayal. You can feel for him and question whether or not you'd do the same thing in his situation. I liked the Mexican stand-off between him and Clark, with neither willing to admit what they really know, yet knowing the other probably knows. GREAT!! Man, that's not even getting into the Braniac stuff!!!

Comic References of the Week:
"My dad works in a lighthouse down on the coast"
"The orange and green getup that you have on is like a dolphin threw up."
"I don't know how you put up with him, Lana."
"Maybe we should start a Junior Lifeguard Association or something." "I don't think I'm ready for the JLA yet."