I feel I'm a little of columns B & C: the earlier seasons caught my interest enough to want to follow the show and (stupidly) hope that its ending lives up to expectations, but at the same time, my "investment" isn't going to be shot to hell if I skip out for half a season and just catch the good parts.  I sometimes work late on Friday nights anyways.

Unfortunately, not THIS Friday.  My God, this episode was disappointing.  I agree with you: "Smallville" gives us glimpses of what an awesome action/adventure show it could be.  But the following week, it's hampered down with "Twilight"/teen drama-infused fare that every other CW show (save for maybe "Supernatural") seems almost mandated to deliver.  It worked in the earlier seasons when Clark was, in fact, a kid.  Teen drama is expected.  But these characters are adults now.  Why can't they (and the show) act like it?  Lois and Chloe giggling about "the L-word?"  Are they 12?  And though Lois/Clark is more bearable to watch than the Lana stuff, do we really need another "people keep secrets to protect the ones they love"-scene?  That line's been in about every episode since the beginning, WE GET IT.

Why even bring Maxwell Lord into the show if he's going to be poorly used?  They said everything they needed to in "Checkmate:" they're hunting superheroes down.  We knew that already and so did the characters.  This episode really did nothing to advance that plot; it just gave Clark a chance to save Lois and make goo-goo eyes at her.  Meanwhile, isn't there a deadly army of Kryptonians that should have blown something up by now?  There HAS to be a consistent way to deliver a propelling story that raises the stakes while also incorporating the humor and romance, right? 

I enjoyed parts of it.  Mentioning the search for a new editor at the Daily Planet (coupled with the news that Michael McKean is returning as Perry White before the end of the season along with Annette O'Toole as Ma Kent) appealed to my "Superman" geek.  It was nice to see Lois and Clark being work rivals again, no matter how brief that was.  And I'm glad they're showing off the "S" shield a little more and have him standing on rooftops actually looking like Superman as opposed to close-ups of Clark being all pouty and forlorn.  And, of course, the bunny outfit.  What is that, like the 4th or 5th costume she's worn this season?  No complaints here.  Hell, she should have her own spin-off where that's all she does: run around in skimpy outfits pretending to be a reporter and getting her ass kicked by scrawny pizza delivery guys.

Sorry, yeah.  That part was pretty weak.

Speaking as a member of the Second Group. Being a fan of genre shows I have stayed with Smallville since day one, and believe me, I have also found and criticized certain plot moments and storylines throughout it's run. It's a fun show and one of the few and better shows on CW, including Supernatural. Besides, as you stated, I like the character and the fact that it's about Superman and the inclusion of other chacters of the DCU.

Anyhoo, I have to agree with you on the writer's decision to have Clark just standing and watching as Maxwell Lord stood over Lois trying to extract her memory. I kept asking 'Why is he just standing there?' Was he hesatating at exposing himelf to this new adversary? But the fact that he has super speed would negate that theory. Which leads me the following criticism: Superman always confronts his adversary, and of course there is some back and forth banter, during battle. The writers of Smallville have decided that instead, Clark is just going to rush in at super-speed, knock the bad guy 50 feet across the room and disappear just as fast. Looks great but essentially anti-climactic and It has been done to death.

Lois-Reggie Ray suffers another concussion! One more and she dies.

Speaking of Lois and Clark, why did the writers rush the relationship between them? That just complicates the characters and the story development. Why couldn't the writers just leave them as friends and colleagues? That way Clark can focus on being the Blur (CAN"T STAND THAT NAME!!!) If the writers wanted to get some good ratings, they should have focused on officially bringing together the Justice League and make them regular recurring characters and start putting out some really good action heavy episodes instead of a re-hash of CLANA.

Seems like the writers are stuck inside of a box and are afraid to bust out. Also, ditch the Matrix outfit !

The Red Queen: Tess Mercer was also my first guess, which makes alot of sense. If she is the Red Queen, going undercover boss puts her in the perfect position to get inside info on Waller.
 

 I like watching the show because it's.... entertainment. Some shows I just want to enjoy without anything really serious or heavy with it. Smallville plays between the two on occasion, but mostly I watch it because it makes me smile and I don't take it seriously. Then again, if it's a show I don't like watching, I don't watch it and I don't spend my time talking about it elsewhere. 

Ha!  Moz, you may be onto something with the concussion thing.  Maybe that's why she never figures out Clark is Superman even though EVERYONE ELSE knows: a history of severe head/brain trauma. 

I am in the same boat as Duckbeaver, I also fall into the 2nd & 3rd groups.  I started watching in S1 because I've always loved Superman and after 9 years I feel like I would be cheating myself out of seeing how it ends.

Yea, agreee with your review Joe. This episode was definitely average at best, or at least, average for Smallville. It's looking like the Red Queen could be none other than Martha Kent. Props to myself for calling that one out. Could still be wrong. If it turns out to be Tess Mercer, that will be an example of even more poor storytelling on the writers part since they have her supposedly in hiding like someone fearing for her life. Also, even if she was the Red Queen, why would John Jones be working for her? Because he is clearly working for the Red Queen. I think there's only 3 episodes left for the season, so we'll see how things shape up in these last 3 episodes. I personally think its been one of the best seasons overall, but hopefully the finale won't be as disappointing as it was last year.

I started with season one and still watch because I really love Superman and feel like I need to see how they end everything.  Plus, they do on occassion have some really great episodes.  I wished it was every week, but it's better than nothing and it's definitely better than when Lana was still on the show.

Joe, I was wondering the same thing about Max Lord.  Where the HELL did he go?  He was screwing with Lois' brain, then Clark speed/jumps thru the imaging device and Lord is gone?

Moz, I agee with you about the anti-climatic fights.  The problem is that the writers have written themselves into a corner after first couple of seasons by not giving Clark glasses to wear full-time.  Granted, the glasses are a lame disguise, but now Clark can't really go toe-to-toe with anyone and have good back and forth banter unless they aleady no his secret or unless their fight will automatically lead to his opponents immediate death or a coma that they will never wake up from.

Duckbeaver, again, this show continues to frustrate me. Every time I write them off and assume anything enjoyable was a fluke, they deliver a good enough episode to build up my hoped for the future. Fool me once, shame on you...

Moz, great to hear from you, sir. I'm in agreement as I stated above - some times this show is enjoyable, but too often I'm annoyed that they aren't trying hard enough, and really the extra effort wouldn't be so difficult. This show is within reach of being consistently entertaining. I'm not expecting brilliance, just entertainment. They've prove they can do that now and then. Seems like they almost refuse to deliver on a consistent basis on purpose.

Chris, you have an advantage over me in that you're noot paid to watch and comment. I'd probably not watch at all if this weren't a paid gig. I've tried over the years to watch, but more often than not I would leave disappointed, but not angry. Nowadays, I do get mad at the mistakes, and the lazy writing and the logic gaps. Come on, that Sacks guy is going to kill Lois now why? He just got out of prison (and was tried and paroled within 2 months) He needs to keep his nose clean. If he makes another attempt on Lois' life the judge may throw the book at him and give him an extra 2 weeks in the pokey.

Fluffhead, I get it. Not sure if I'll review this show next season, but I'll probably still DVR it and if I hear it's a good one I'll watch. Of course if he finally puts on the iconic uni, I'll sign up for another tour of duty. He needs to be Superman already. I hate that "Blur" moniker.

Page, you will get your props if the Red Queen does turn out to be Martha - and I'm pulling for you. No way Lana's legs are that shapely. Kruek is a pretty girl, but her legs are too skinny. I'm still holding out for Lex in drag. That prediction is all mine.

redhairs, I too am a Superman fan, and whiile this show does deliver, it is never on a consistent enough basis. Max Lord just disappears. Why? Couldn't Clark superspeed clobber him and get back to Lois in a nanosecond? Look, writing a character like Superman is a difficult task because he's got so manystrengths, and his weaknesses are few (and should be rare, but 6 out of 10 people in this city seem to carry some version of Kryptonite around at all times.)

Letting Max escape without a plausible explanation is the exact crap that makes me hate this show at times. A clever writer should be able to figure that out with the (cheap and overused) assistance of Kryptonite.

I couldnt get past the fact Lois punched Clark, suprised you didnt mention this Joe.  All through the episode I was thinking about it, couldnt get past it.  She punched Superman...