Okay, I loved this episode. It was practically hardwired to all my personal triggers, so it was hard for me to hate it. For starters, putting Lex and Kara together again guaranteed my full attention. It's so terribly wrong of me, but I really enjoy the dynamic between them. It comes as no surprise,  Michael Rosenbaum can have chemistry with a water bottle, but still. While their chemistry's been good in previous episodes, in "Fracture" the heat between Lex and Kara was positively simmering.

It was so very wrong, but also so very good. I'm eager to see how Lex manipulates Kara's amnesia to his own ends. I'm even more eager to see how their characters play off each other personally. One must wonder. Lex certainly does seem fascinated by the women in Clark's life.

Before I get to the meat of the episode, I have to say I'm still not happy that, again, nobody asked about Grant. I know, Smallville, you're saving that for some big episode, but seriously, can you hurry up?

Also straining the credibility was Lex's bullet wound. He gets shot in the head, between the eyes practically, and lives? Yes, Chloe saved him in the end (please, Smallville, don't kill her off), but prior to that, where he was shot...

Right. So, I'm just going to save my own brain and let that one go. Let's just mark it down as one of those oh-so-convenient medical miracles. They do happen, right? Besides, this particular  miracle gave us an opportunity for a fantastic episode, so I'm inclined to be forgiving.

I don't think I'm overstating it when I call Fracture fantastic. As Smallville, goes, it certainly qualifies.

The episode's strongest ground was, as usual, found in its main characters. While Lois felt a little superfluous to the story, the others all hit their marks. Lex and Clark carried the episode really well. It was so good to see Tom and Michael sparking off each other again. Likewise, anytime we let Michael and John Glover go at it, it's going to be a good day.

The briefcase scene with Lionel, while heavy handed, did serve to remind us of something important. Lionel Luthor didn't start out as Jor-El's puppet. This is a man who murdered his parents, destroyed his wife, and drove her to infanticide.

With the stage being set between Lex and Lionel for some major - almost Shakespearean - drama we needed the reminder.

I found the last scene between them to be striking. Remember when Lex's greatest desire was to know his father loved him? He got that in Fracture. He got it, and he didn't care.

If I were Lionel? I'd be nervous right now. Very nervous.

This is Lex Luthor we are dealing with. When he turns on someone, it takes Superman to stop him and we don't have Superman yet.

On the opposite end of the emotional spectrum, we find another scene. I thought the inclusion of Alexander to be perfect. Yes, obviously Clark needed an ally in Lex's mind, but Alexander's role went beyond that.

His final scene with Clark gave us a poignant new depth to the future dynamic between Superman and Lex.

After all, haven't we all thought it? Superman could easily rid himself of Lex. It wouldn't take much to permanently deal with him. He wouldn't even have to kill him to do it.

Yes, Superman's respect for our legal system prevents him from doing that, but only to a point. There comes a point when something else intervenes.

Clark's promise to Alexander gave us that something. Something I never thought Smallville would acknowledge.

It started seven years ago on a bridge outside Smallville. Years from now, in Metropolis, Clark will still be there. He made promise and he's going to stick to it. Through everything that lies ahead of them, that promise is going to hold fast. Clark will carry it with him every time he puts on that at suit.

At the heart of everything, beneath the animosity and the hate, it will still be there.

Clark is never going to stop trying to save his friend.