'Smallville' - 'Escape' Recap

(S09E15) 'Smallville' is back! For a tenth season, no less.

Six more episodes remain in this season, and tonight we got some advancement in the Lois/Clark relationship, plus some sort of relationship between Chloe and Oliver which remains vague. But then, if relationships on television weren't fluid, they'd be far more boring.

When we last left the show, Zod had obtained his Kryptonian powers from Clark's blood. Now, instead of one of the 'Saw' movies, the episode has become an 80's horror flick with Silver Banshee becoming the equivalent of Freddy or Jason (or perhaps one of the 'Leprechaun' movies, if you want to keep with the same Irish heritage as the Banshee).

Zod's cell phone was running Windows. We have our proof that he is evil. No surprise that Tess has Kryptonite on hand since Lex probably had a ton of the stuff lying around. Why didn't she get superpowers from exposure? Or have the producers decided to abandon that aspect of the show?

What's with the whole "cabin in the woods" storyline anyway? Would you really trust staying at such a place that is being run in the middle of nowhere by a 20-something with apparently no other help?

Having recently encountered a mold problem in my own home, I wish Clark would stop by here and fix my leak problems, as well. He missed his calling as a plumber.

It seems like the whole Chloe/Oliver relationship was thrown together because both were single and have had tragedy in their love lives. It doesn't seem like they're meant to be together. It's a temporary thing at best. The whole episode seemed to have a male/female relationship motif, particularly with its use of the Silver Banshee.

It's ironic that Clark suggested that "Bart was in town" and Chloe should hang out with him while she's having a "sex buddy" relationship with another member of the Justice League.

For those who care about such details, that was not Erica Durance in the Silver Banshee outfit, despite Lois' apparent metamorphosis into the Banshee. It was guest-star Odessa Rae. It would have been more interesting if they put Erica Durance in the outfit.

Guys are so oblivious. Didn't anybody notice the white streak that appeared in the hair of any of the possessed women? Okay, Chloe's blond locks might have obscured it, but it was pretty obvious with Lois. Chloe came to her conclusion of possession pretty quickly, but given the life she leads it's not all that surprising.

Whatever training that Jor-El has given Clark with regards to having sex with humans without killing them, Zod must know it instinctively, otherwise Tess would be a smear on the floor. Or perhaps he took the same class with Jor-El.

At least two photos of Jonathan Kent (played by Jon Schneider) turned up in tonight's episode. It could be more set-up for the appearance of Martha Kent later in the season.

It was a decent episode that gave some character development, but hopefully, it will be better in the context of the entire season. Next week, we see more of Amanda Waller and the Checkmate story arc, and hopefully, we'll get a clearer view of where the season is heading.

[(Check out free episodes of 'Smallville' at Slashcontrol.]