Arctic
- Episode aired May 15, 2008
- TV-PG
- 41m
Clark feels that Kara is under the effects of red kryptonite when he discovers that she is the reason for the plane containing the last member of the Veritas exploding. Lex is directed to lo... Read allClark feels that Kara is under the effects of red kryptonite when he discovers that she is the reason for the plane containing the last member of the Veritas exploding. Lex is directed to look for answers surrounding the traveler in the Arctic Circle, where Clark's Fortress of So... Read allClark feels that Kara is under the effects of red kryptonite when he discovers that she is the reason for the plane containing the last member of the Veritas exploding. Lex is directed to look for answers surrounding the traveler in the Arctic Circle, where Clark's Fortress of Solitude rests.
- Lionel Luthor
- (credit only)
- Nurse
- (as Julia Anderson)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIt's possible that Lex remembered the name Kal-El from the Disciples of Zod in Season Five's "Arrival".
- GoofsAt the end of the 7th Season Finale when Lex and Clark are at the Fortress, it is dark. However, in May, on the North Pole, it would be light all day long.
- Quotes
[last lines]
Lex Luthor: I must admit, Clark. This is a big step up from the barn.
Clark Kent: It's not what you think, Lex. You don't understand.
Lex Luthor: For the first time, I think I do. You see, you live among us as a mild-mannered farm boy. But secretly, you're a strange visitor from another planet, plotting our demise.
Clark Kent: That's not what I'm doing at all.
Lex Luthor: It's a brilliant disguise, Clark. You don't even need a mask.
Clark Kent: I'm not your enemy, Lex. I've never done anything to hurt you.
Lex Luthor: Yes, you did. You didn't trust me. With everything you had, with everything you could do, did you ever think about what we could have accomplished together? I would have helped you become a hero.
Clark Kent: When have you thought of anyone else but yourself?
Lex Luthor: Right now. I'm doing this for the world. I have to protect the human race.
Clark Kent: This is my life. You have no right to control it.
Lex Luthor: It's my birthright! The Luthor family has always been about power and having control over everything. After all my sacrifices, after all the pain... I finally understand. I was being prepared for a much greater destiny. Everything led me to this moment.
Clark Kent: And we're both here. We're in that moment. And what happens next is your choice. But no one is controlling you, Lex. No one is forcing you to do this.
Lex Luthor: Who am I to turn my back on my fellow man? Especially after you turned your back on me? I'm sorry, Clark. But you are the Traveler. You hold the future of the entire planet in your hands. I'm here to take it back into mine.
[Lex walks over to the console]
Clark Kent: Lex...
Lex Luthor: You'll never threaten the world again... Kal-El.
Clark Kent: Lex, don't!
[Lex plugs the Orb onto the console. The Fortress begins collapsing as Clark falls to his feet. Lex kneels down to him]
Lex Luthor: I loved you like a brother, Clark. But it has to end this way. I'm sorry.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Smallville: Power (2009)
Like I said, the main issue with S7 is that every character arc is completely and utterly played out at this point...
Lana (Kristin Kreuk) has been ruined to irredeemable heights. Lois (Erica Durance) can't have a bigger role until Lana is fully out of the picture. Chloe (Allison Mack) has absolutely nothing going for her besides a meteor-freak angle and a soapy romance with Jimmy Olsen (Aaron Ashmore). Even Clark (Tom Welling) himself largely sits around and whines/mopes because everyone knows he should be wearing the "suit & S" by now but isn't because there is no series finale in sight.
Add all that up and you have characters that are utterly played out--not exactly ideal for TV drama. There are, however, three elements here that do liven up the proceedings from time to time:
First, the introduction of Kara Jor-El--Supergirl in layman's terms--(Laura Vandervoort). Equal parts beautiful and confident (in a way Clark is not, to be frank), this character is a welcome breath of fresh air. It also leads to some Kryptonian family backstory that doesn't really lead anywhere (like everything else in S7) but is fun.
Also, the episode "Descent" finally does turn Lex (Michael Rosenbaum) fully evil like his comics counterpart. This is truly a landmark episode and stands out even further in the midst of such otherwise average work. When Smallville is firing on all cylinders it requires strong Rosenbaum performances and that is certainly the case here.
Finally, the 2-3 episodes leading up to the finale--the Veritas angle--are fun in a Da Vinci Code mystery/chase sort of way. At very least, it gives the season a climax to build towards.
Sadly, the season finale "Arctic" once again is the paramount example of S7's laconic nature. After a decent lead-in, it takes that precious goodwill and instantly flushes it because it can't commit to an ending. This is easily the worst season finale for Smallville thus far for that exact reason.
All in all, Smallville's seventh season got caught in the middle of a great many events. It clearly needed to wrap up--but was never going to be cancelled by the network at such high ratings. It brings back some old favorites (like Sam Jones III as Pete Ross) and tries to advance the mythology--but again can't really capitalize on a farewell nature because the series would ultimately go three more seasons! Just as it was maybe finding some interesting angles--a writer's strike threw things off course for a bit.
I still hold that S7 is better than the out-and-out soap opera (5/10 star) sixth season--but not by much. Besides Supergirl, Veritas, and Lex's final turn, there are a lot of 3-6 star episodes present here. I consider this season to end the original vision of Smallville, and it's too bad it had to go out with such a whimper.
- zkonedog
- Jul 3, 2019
Details
- Runtime41 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1