My apologies for the delay on this review, you wouldn’t believe the month I'm having.

 

God, I loved this episode. I really loved this episode. It's one of the few this year that really used everyone to their advantage, but it was awkward at places.

 

They could have handled Chloe's disappearance better. They needed her out of the way so Lois could catch the Swann case, but they didn't need to make it so obvious.

 

Speaking of obvious – Smallville, lay off the T&A with Lois…She's Lois Lane. You do not do T&A with Lois Lane. Not just because Superman will crush you like a bug. Lois would do it herself. It's why we love her.

 

I tell you, I would have loved Veritas period, but those flashbacks put me over the moon. Well, almost. While I loved seeing Edward Teague and Robert Queen, I couldn't help noticing the distinct lack of women in the scene. We know Genevieve was directly involved, it stands to reason Laura knew as well. They should have been there, or at least had their absence addressed.

 

While Jane Seymour was probably busy, there was nothing keeping Laura Queen out of that scene. I'm fairly certain Allison Mack and Laura Vandervoort are not the only blonde actresses in Vancouver.

 

Also, I do think we needed a flashback featuring the children sooner. Having one in Traveler, or even earlier, would have made Patricia's presence less jarring. As it was, after Traveler last week, it did feel a little "Dr. Swann's daughter iz pasted on, yayz!" for me. It almost overwhelmed the sadness at seeing her and young Jason, knowing how they both end up…

 

That said, how cute was little Ollie with his arrows and Alexander with his inhaler? I can never complain at seeing Alexander. The actor they have playing him is the perfect counterpart to the adult Lex.

 

In regards to Veritas, it seems the conspiracy might have undergone a tiny edit, though that remains to be seen. My previous understanding of it was that Jor-El had contacted each family, organizing them into a conspiracy. It seems, now, however, that honor goes to Dr. Swann. (In that case, Virgil, boy you made a bad call on the Teagues and the Luthors)

 

I am enjoying this storyline a lot. It makes a lot of previously contradictory information make more sense. I am assuming one of the conspirators is behind the booby-trapping of the Fortress crystals. I recall fans wondering why, in season 4, crystals left for a Kryptonian would be guarded by Kryptonite.

 

My guess would probably be Lionel.

It's likely that the Teagues wouldn't have left them, but Lionel might. His ultimate goal being to find, and control, the Traveler, those crystals would make pretty good bait.

 

Also drawing from those flashbacks, it seems that Lex now knows his father murdered Ollie's parents. Won't that make for an interesting meeting next time? Not that I expect them to think about it if, and when, we see Oliver again. When it comes to murders, Smallville has a teeny problem with memory loss this year.

 

Remember Grant Gabriel? Yeah, neither do they. Good to know. The editor of a major metropolitan (pardon the pun) newspaper can be shot to death in public and not only does the public forget, but so does his ex-girlfriend and father

As much fun as it was watching Lois and Jimmy investigate Patricia's murder, I spent the entire time thinking "Hello? Grant? Remember him?" Apparently Lex needs new people. The current ones seem to be quite hit and miss when it comes to covering up homicides. You really can't find good help these days.

 

One thing I have absolutely no quibbles about this time? Clark and Kara. I admit, I was nervous about her addition to the show, but no longer. Tom and Laura have finally hit their groove together. They felt like a real family when they confronted Brainiac in the teaser. Their two-shot? Right before Brainiac busted through?

 

Yeah, I loved it. It was absolutely a 'Superman and Supergirl' moment (though, given her age, it would be more appropriate to call her Superwoman.) My DC fangirl sat up and cheered. All we needed was the rest of the League behind them and my fannish glee would have been complete.

 

Can I just say, Al? Miles? We've had our differences. We really have, but whoever came up with the idea that Clark is afraid of heights?

 

I love you. Seriously. The idea that Superman is afraid of heights will never get old. I kept waiting for Kara to push him.

 

Oh, come on, like you weren't?

Jokes aside, their dynamic was wonderful this week and carried all the way through the episode. It felt like a sneak peek into the future. Their helplessness at Lana's condition, Kara's determination to do the right thing no matter what, Clark's refusal to sacrifice one for the other… right up to the end?

 

It was fantastic.  

 

Come on, Smallville, keep it going, and for the love of Pete. Somebody mention Grant Gabriel.  I'm starting to wonder if I hallucinated him.

 

I didn't, right?