After leaving 3 years earlier, Annette O'Toole returns to Smallville as Martha Kent. This episode helped remind me of something that had been lost since her departure. If you've ever heard interviews with show creators Gough and Millar, they've always said that the show was built around the Kents, and the idea that Superman became who he was because of his parents. What Smallville added to that was Clark's need for an emotional connection to someone who he doesn't have to hide his powers from. Season 7 tried to fill that void with Kara, but she was too often the one needing support. Season 8 had a brief return of Lana, but her exit from the show was long overdue. Chloe has always been there, but her relationship to Clark has always been more professional. To write Clark's character realistically, you need to give him some problems to deal with, but without someone for him to look up to and get advice from, Clark tends to come across as whiny. I don't want to imply that the show couldn't work without Martha and Jonathan. This episode just helped remind me of a strong presence that had been missing.
The other story in this episode involves Michael McKean's long overdue return in the role of Perry White. Although he plays the character very different from the comic version, he brings so much enthusiasm to the role, and I loved his first episode. In "Hostage" we get to see him and Lois one step closer to the comics, with them working together on a story. Perry even utters his most famous line.
**SPOILER**
My one complaint would be putting Martha in the role of the Red Queen. It was a little bit over the top. At the same time, it's not completely unbelievable. I always found it hard to believe that Martha would be so far removed from Clark's life for 3 years after being so incredibly protective for close to 20 years, so it's at least plausible to have her assume that kind of role. Thankfully this episode improves on, and brings the boring Checkmate story close to an end. Of all the DC comics characters or organizations that Smallville brought in over 10 seasons, this was by far the worst execution.
Smallville occasionally tends to lose momentum leading into the finale. In seasons past, there have been far too many times when pointless filler episodes are put back to back with overly complex plots. Between the previous episode "Sacrifice", and this one "Hostage", the show reached a good balance of character development and story progression, while ditching most of the filler entertainment.
The other story in this episode involves Michael McKean's long overdue return in the role of Perry White. Although he plays the character very different from the comic version, he brings so much enthusiasm to the role, and I loved his first episode. In "Hostage" we get to see him and Lois one step closer to the comics, with them working together on a story. Perry even utters his most famous line.
**SPOILER**
My one complaint would be putting Martha in the role of the Red Queen. It was a little bit over the top. At the same time, it's not completely unbelievable. I always found it hard to believe that Martha would be so far removed from Clark's life for 3 years after being so incredibly protective for close to 20 years, so it's at least plausible to have her assume that kind of role. Thankfully this episode improves on, and brings the boring Checkmate story close to an end. Of all the DC comics characters or organizations that Smallville brought in over 10 seasons, this was by far the worst execution.
Smallville occasionally tends to lose momentum leading into the finale. In seasons past, there have been far too many times when pointless filler episodes are put back to back with overly complex plots. Between the previous episode "Sacrifice", and this one "Hostage", the show reached a good balance of character development and story progression, while ditching most of the filler entertainment.