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Julian Sands as Jor-El in SMALLVILLE - Season Nine - "Kandor"
Television:
TV Review: SMALLVILLE - SEASON NINE - 'Kandor'
SMALLVILLE fanatics only in this plot heavy but ultimately rewarding episode
Grade: BStars: Tom Welling, Allison Mack, Callum Blue, Cassidy Freeman
Writer(s): Al Septien, Turi Meyer
Release Date: November 7, 2009
Rating: NR
Distributor: Jeannot Szwarc
By CARLOS DELGADO, Associate Editor
Published 11/7/2009
Driving directions from Tired-ville to
This is not the episode of SMALLVILLE that you should choose to introduce someone to the series. My better half decided to visit and enjoy an episode with me, the first time she had ever seen SMALLVILLE. Several pauses of the DVR later, it was decided that “Kandor” was probably too heavy an episode to attempt a debriefing of the past few seasons of SMALLVILLE. She watched TV in my room, I remained, wondering (and secretly rejoicing) how the Lois (Erica Durance) story arc just got wiped from existence with one small utterance from Chloe (Allison Mack): Just give her a little space.
And with that, the Zod (Callum Blue) story gained a ton of momentum, pitching Clark (Tom Welling) against his newest arch nemesis. That sort of hatred happens when you kill someone’s father. Or clone of your father. Same difference.
Jor-El (Julian Sands) appears on Earth, created by the Orb just like Major Zod and the rest of his followers. These clones, however, lack the power that
Not too confusing, right? There is a little wrench in the mix though. These clones have all their memories right up to the point when their DNA was extracted, which was twenty years before the destruction of Krypon. Neither Jor El nor Zod know of
A lot of events are set in motion.
That’s a whole lot of story to take in. Kudos to SMALLVILLE for finally getting off the Lois story arc and giving the viewers some real fodder to chew on. In a nifty sleight of hand, SMALLVILLE uses clones, allowing for some new and creative storylines, such as allowing
This was a “viewer’s only” episode. These are themes that go back seasons. Any first time viewer (such as my better half) would soon pick up the remote and try another channel. This one was for you, dedicated SMALLVILLE fans. Appreciate the risk the writers took on sewing together this story, knowing only the true fans would even bother watching. But hey, that’s what SMALLVILLE needed, an infusion of plotlines to tie together this season that was quickly unraveling. It must be nice to know they’re still thinking about you.
Reader Comments
Nat from FL sez....
Like some of the other commenters have said, acting like the Lois arc was such a chore for the serious fans is a fallacy. I would consider myself a serious fan of not only Smallville but of the Superman story and I love Lois as she's been utilized in season 9. Considering that Lois Lane was in the Superman story before other Superman staples like Lex Luthor, Smallville or the Daily Planet, I consider her a part of the story. Having said that, it was enjoyable to get to a plot that had so much to do with Superman's origins. I love the new season so far and my main complaint is only that Clark needs more screentime.
11/10/2009 1:49:52 AM
Daniel from LA sez....
Smallville actually had some depth, substance this episode & finally did break away from the lame "Adventures of BimboLois" - she slept with her boss, didn't finish high school, shallow. That's a qualified BIMBO. The show really does need to focus more on Clark & his history on the show.
Good review!
11/9/2009 10:36:07 AM
Please from USA sez....
Kevin, Lois is hardly a bimbo. A Bimbo wouldn't run scared because of a single kiss, or did you even WATCH the episode? A bimbo would sleep with Oliver after he confessed he still loved her, and then tried to get with Clark afterwards. What did Lois do? Neither of those things. So stop being a bitch and keep your untrue statements to yourself.
11/9/2009 9:51:57 AM
Kevin from NYC sez....
Smallville focusing on something besides wacky hijinks with BimboLois has to be a Win. There's no depth to her character & she drags the show down. Thanks!
11/9/2009 9:37:52 AM
Bartlett from D.C. sez....
I think you make a lot of good points, but suggesting that the plot in KANDOR was any more "real" than the plots involving Lois this season seems to go too far. I get that it's your personal opinion, but to say that Lois' part of the story is unreal, and as a result, a break from it is something that all viewers would welcome and enjoy, comes off as an extreme generalization. This is particularly true given your statement that this episode was for "dedicated Smallville fans" when I've been watching from the Pilot, and I have appreciated Lois this season. One can like and value a multitude of storylines, and your example of your "better half" sitting this one out attests to the lack of appeal this might have to "viewers" as a whole. So this would be a great review if you stuck to your own opinion without making generalizations about the entire audience and what is and is not of value.
11/9/2009 9:26:17 AM
Matt from Smallville sez....
"General Zod can still appear in the movies."
No, he can't. Zod's body has been destroyed, his phantom presence haunts the zone. The movie does not connect with the show.
11/9/2009 9:01:21 AM
Jack from London sez....
I think itz an absolute joke your down grading an episode cuz itz not a good stand alone episode.IT WAS 1 OF DA BEST EPISODES OF SMALLVILLE EVA!! If da casual viewer wont know watz goin on then WHO CARES!? but 2 not giv the grade it deserves is ridiculous! itz like sayin if u've not watched LOST in like 3 seasons n watch last years finale (which i'm sure u guyz hav given an A grade anyway) dnt hav a clue watz happenin n u the reviewer put the episode rating down jus cuz the casual viewer dnt get it. JUST LUDICROUS!!!
11/8/2009 6:46:44 PM
colenallen from sydney sez....
I love this show...finally has learned how to move on with new characters and tell stories the DC WAY!Love the way they handle Lois...not boring. Hope they will make CLOIS come true but should keep the excitement among fans as it happens!K. souders and the rest of the team are I think doing a FANTASTIC JOB!
11/8/2009 11:43:50 AM
Van Banoovong from Miami sez....
After the last 6 episodes that focused on Lois, a lot had to move forward in relation to the main storyline of the season concerning Zod. A mythology episode that has references to Relic and the explanation of the Orb and the Kandorians. I enjoyed Clark and Oliver respecting each other more because the antagonism between them was getting old. They need to emphasize Clark more.
11/7/2009 3:21:59 PM
