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Smallville episode 8.12 "Bulletproof"
Airdate: January 22, 2009
Clark Kent (Tom Welling) understands what it means to save somebody, but how far will he go to right a wrong? The one trait of Clark that amazes people around him is his ability to see the good in everyone. Time and again, as in this episode, Clark’s belief will be tested.
Last week’s episode was about Clark Kent’s ability to see the good in others, and to truly save someone “by helping them find their way back to the right side”. But the crux and thrill of the episode was Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk) – who ‘saved’ Tess Mercer by helping her find her way back.
Lana stole a database called Prometheus from LuthorCorp and Tess went to the Isis Foundation to get it back, or kill Lana trying. A very cool karate match (kudos to the stunt coordinators!) went between the girls and Lana overpowered Tess. At gunpoint, Lana showed Tess what Lex has really done for his mini-me: an implant in her optic nerves makes her Lex’s eyes and ears. A disillusioned Tess vows to destroy her former savior and his entire empire.
I would have been cool if the episode ended with this, but of course there’s still Mr. Bulletproof. So, what happened at Clark Kent’s side of the story?
Image: © 2008 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved
John Jones (Phil Morris) was the Martian Manhunter when he had powers. But a sacrifice he did for Clark left him a mortal and without any of his former abilities. He is now a detective with the Metropolis PD. On this particular night, John Jones had just apprehended a drug dealer when a sniper shoots him in the chest. Clark Kent (Tom Welling) immediately investigated how his friend could have been shot, and partially blamed himself for his mortality. With Chloe’s help at the computers (yes, she’s still good at it, though slower without Brainiac), Clark tracked it down to an inside job. So Clark disguises himself as a Carson City cop and partners with a Metropolis PD named Danny. How Clark slipped in so easily without proper credentials is the unsolved mystery.
Clark goes on a police run with Danny and they end up in a warehouse where the murderer of Danny’s former partner was being held by other detectives of the unit. Danny was tempted to kill the suspect but Green Arrow arrives and darts everyone unconscious. Clark stops Oliver and tells him to get out there fast. Danny had seen this and later confronts Clark about it. Clark challenges Danny that the cop can be a force for good, and he can stand up to the other corrupt cops around him. Instead, Danny sets Clark up and he is taken into custody.
Danny and the rest of his unit sets up Green Arrow to kill him. When Oliver shows up, Danny was supposed to be the hit man but could not do it, so the unit leader took the shots. Clark escaped custody just in time to stop him from killing both Danny and Oliver.
So, it was a happy ending after all. Danny is a new man and John Jones recovered. As Clark and Ollie realize, knowing someone has your back made them feel like they can do anything. Another small step to the founding of a JLA. Meantime, could Clark and Lana really be back together? Could that kiss open up buried feelings?
Smallville episode 8.13 “Power” was tonight. And we’ll find out more about that kiss, and Lana Lang’s secret past. Next…
[...] well for the dramatic scenes. As usual, Smallville does not care for long-winded action scenes. Last week’s karate between Lana and Tess was a welcome exception and was really a tribute to Kristin’s new gig as Chun Li (Streetfighter [...]