A key element in the mythic story of Superman arrives in the premiere of the fifth season of "Smallville." In the finale of the fourth season, "Commencement," we see Clark uniting the three stones to form a crystal, a crystal that when inserted into a table in the Kawache Caves, transports him to the Arctic. Clark then proceeds to throw the crystal into the sky, ending the fourth season with a major cliffhanger.
'Arrival' completes this tantalizing cliffhanger. The crystal submerges itself in the frigid Arctic ice, producing an upwelling of a complex system of crystallized columns to create the Fortress of Solitude. However, Chloe Sullivan, who was present in the caves near Clark when he inserted the crystal, is transferred to the Arctic as well, and cannot handle the brutal conditions. Clark begins to train in the Fortress of Solitude with his biological father Jor-El before he makes the choice to save his friend- a choice which, according to Jor-El, will have serious consequences. Once Clark can get Chloe to a hospital, Chloe reveals that she knows Clark's secret, and has for at least a month.
Meanwhile, mysterious figures come out of the angular, jet-black ship, looking for Kal-El. As disciples of the Kryptonian warlord Zod, they want revenge. The figures, the woman Aethyr and the man Nam-Ek, discover Clark and try to capture him in the Phantom Zone. However, Clark is able to elude the dangerous foes.
This episode is fantastic. This episode and the Season 7 opener 'Bizarro' are the best season premieres of the series and some of the finest television you will find. The production quality and epic feel of the episode makes it feel like a movie. This episode represents the best of Smallville, captures the mythology of Superman, and is quality entertainment.
'Arrival' completes this tantalizing cliffhanger. The crystal submerges itself in the frigid Arctic ice, producing an upwelling of a complex system of crystallized columns to create the Fortress of Solitude. However, Chloe Sullivan, who was present in the caves near Clark when he inserted the crystal, is transferred to the Arctic as well, and cannot handle the brutal conditions. Clark begins to train in the Fortress of Solitude with his biological father Jor-El before he makes the choice to save his friend- a choice which, according to Jor-El, will have serious consequences. Once Clark can get Chloe to a hospital, Chloe reveals that she knows Clark's secret, and has for at least a month.
Meanwhile, mysterious figures come out of the angular, jet-black ship, looking for Kal-El. As disciples of the Kryptonian warlord Zod, they want revenge. The figures, the woman Aethyr and the man Nam-Ek, discover Clark and try to capture him in the Phantom Zone. However, Clark is able to elude the dangerous foes.
This episode is fantastic. This episode and the Season 7 opener 'Bizarro' are the best season premieres of the series and some of the finest television you will find. The production quality and epic feel of the episode makes it feel like a movie. This episode represents the best of Smallville, captures the mythology of Superman, and is quality entertainment.