DtS Review – Identity
By: Kevin
WARNING: Spoilers ahead if you haven’t watched the rest of the season
“It’s mysterious, tantalizing; full of hope and just a hint of danger.”
~ Tess Mercer
Alright, getting to review these older episodes from season 8 after having watched the whole season is a mixed bag. It’s good to re-watch to refresh the mind on what happened, but, as is the case of plot-lines with Jimmy, not so good knowing that Aaron Ashmore’s run on the show is over. But Identity is a good episode for a display of Aaron’s talents. This episode also has, in my opinion, one of the best “super moments” in the show’s history. And it’s right at the beginning. Lois & Jimmy are casually walking (and why don’t they just take a cab? Oh right, the plot) the mean-streets of Metropolis at night to meet Clark for a work-related dinner. Jimmy’s got a new quest – find out the identity of Metropolis’s mystery hero. Lois isn’t to keen on this, but whether that’s because she doesn’t want to be out-scooped by The Wholesome Olsen remains hidden. Just as Jimmy is about to get Lois to elaborate on a Clark-related compliment, a street-thug stops by to say hello with a fist to Jimmy’s face. Lois breaks out her kung fu and starts to give the thug a run for his money. She gets pushed into the street in front of an on-coming car. Clark witnesses this from down the road and super-speeds over, knocks the thug back and grabbing Lois, but not before Jimmy snags the photo of a lifetime.
I gotta say I like Clark’s wardrobe transition this year as he has joined The Daily Planet. Even though he oft times wears the red/blue combo, Clark (and Tom) look so much better in a suit. It definitely makes him seem more adult. Yeah, just a random sidetrack there…
Alright, so Jimmy’s got the photo and he shows it to Clark. Clark is obviously flustered by this but he’s gotta be relieved that the blur that was captured is not a clear look at his face. That would have been the end for Clark’s anonymity but luckily, a blur is all the camera got. But, it’s still a big deal, because – unless I am mistaken, so far only Lionel has been able to get a snapshot of Clark in action. I love that Jimmy gets so passionate about this too. He wants to nail this story for the recognition it will bring, but you can also tell, especially after Clark says no human can move that fast, and Jimmy replies, “That’s how good he is.”, that Jimmy admires the heck out of this mystery man.
As Lois tries in vain to find out why the mugger slipped through the police’s fingers, enter one Sebastian Kane, the Planet’s new city reporter. He’s a charming fellow who just happens to be able to see the immediate past of anyone he touches. And as he rattles off some impressive resume points and successfully charms his way into a first date, it seems Lois has yet again found another future ex. But just as I am about to scream, “Not another Grant Gabriel!!!!” he leaves. Lois’ smile soon fades and she looks as if she is already tired of the guy. Score one for keeping it Clois… er… for now.
Sebastian goes from The Daily Planet to Luthor Mansion where Tess (who’s sad for some, as yet, unknown reason) is waiting to see if he found out anything about Lois. It turns out that Mr. Kane is a former resident (and former stalking psycho-killer) of Black Creek, the place that held Chloe, Black Canary & Aquaman back in the premiere episode, Odyssey. Tess has released Sebastian to help her track down the thief who stole the blue crystal she found in the arctic. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Cassidy Freeman is a great addition to the cast of Smallville. She plays Tess best when she is cold as ice and tough as nails (and it’s even better when Tess has good writers behind her). Identity is one of the better episodes for that side of Tess’s personality. She hardly ever lets her guard down and for this reason, keeps Sebastian at arms length. When he refuses to mess with Lois’ memories, Tess tells him he had better do it, or else.
Meanwhile, back at the Isis Foundation, Chloe and Clark have a battle of wills and words about Jimmy’s photo. Delete it, or not to delete it. That is the question. Clark, who in his defense has been hiding everything about his alien heritage/powers/etc. since he can remember, wants to get rid of the picture and move on. Chloe, who understands Clark’s reasoning, sees this as a great opportunity for Clark to show the world that someone is out there. And, as the image reveals nothing, especially about Clark Kent, why not let it spread like wildfire? The world needs a hero. And it makes me wonder, as I watch this again, what will finally make Clark decide that the time is right to reveal himself to the world? Good food for thought.
After a similar argument with Tess at The Daily Planet, Clark speeds over the Talon to find a copy of the photograph and stumbles upon Lois getting ready for her date with Sebastian. Before he leaves, Lois has one simple demand – “Zip.” The sexual tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife. Clark is caught off-guard and rightfully so. For any guy (or girl in the opposite position) a situation like this is always a little awkward. Especially, if like Clark with Lois, there’s some un-requited feeling starting to brew under the surface already. The closeness, the half-unzipped dress, the bare-skin, the bra strap – all good the right ingredients and this scene is very well put-together to portray all of this too, especially when Lois & Clark start to cover up any of that tension with their usual sarcastic, jab-filled banter.
Back at the farm, Jimmy shows up with a theory on all of the research he’s been up to his elbows in – the man of mystery started his life-saving adventures right there in Smallville. As Jimmy is laying out this theory, amid Clark’s skepticism, it dawns on Jimmy that the person he is looking for is right in front of him – Clark Kent. It all fits. The clarity in Jimmy’s face is so good to see. He finally sees the whole picture – including why Chloe always protects Clark. That alone makes me want Jimmy to be able to know the truth, so that he & Chloe can have all that angst removed from their relationship. And I so wanted Clark to be able to let Jimmy into his circle of secret-knowing friends. Jimmy deserved it. I mean, after all, he’d be the only one in that group that actually discovered it on his own. But alas, it’s not to be. At least, not yet…
So, what’s Oliver been up to since he learned to truth about his parent’s death at the hands of Lionel Luthor? Ah yes, partying it up with a bevy of beauties on his private jet. Good times! But Clark has to step in and ruin Oliver’s happy fun time by giving him a ride on the guilt trip. Will it make Oliver stop his philandering ways and get back to fighting crime 24/7? Probably not, but it should at least be enough to help resolve this episodes troubles. And say what you will about the increasing presence of Oliver Queen is Smallville & his possible nudging of Clark out of his own limelight, but I love watching Justin Hartley. He’s got a great screen presence – full of charisma.
And, now for the post-date wrap-up: just as Sebastian was thinking he’d be getting to round 2nd base with Lois later that night, he has a run-in with Tess that ends with Sebastian wanting Lois dead and buried. Too bad for him, he’s not anchored in Superman mythology; poor guy, he might have had a better chance.
Okay, can we get a round of applause for Oliver? He came to his senses and decided to help Clark out with throwing Jimmy off his scent. It’s a pretty funny scene actually. To have Oliver stand in for the mystery man just as Clark did for him in season 6 to throw Lois off his scent. And, as Ollie points out, Clark’s job was much more enjoyable that time. The plan is simple, Clark & Jimmy walk across the street, Chloe drives up in her car, there’s some fake danger, Ollie swoops down for the save, and Jimmy sees Clark and the hero in the same place. Problem solved. Only they didn’t count on Lois’ bad date cutting into their production. Chloe’s face is priceless as she drives by, clueless as to what’s really happening. So, Clark sneaks away to save Lois and the thug from the beginning shows up, who’s now under the employ of Tess, to take Jimmy out of the equation. Then Oliver, who is still around with his huge arrow/canon hybrid, swoops in and saves the day after all. Jimmy sees Clark and the mystery man (complete with snazzy CGI red cape) and all is well for another week. That is, until Lois takes over Jimmy’s quest…
To close out the episode, we end with a pretty sweet twist – Chloe, who has been working some major Brainiac-induced mind mojo, shows up at Sebastian’s hospital room and short circuits his brain. YIKES. Brainiac is back, baby!
