After several weeks of fun, exciting Smallville episodes that brought squeals of glee from comic fans everywhere, it was time to slap us down and remind us that we must suffer mightily for the precious nuggets of comic joy rationed out to us by the mainstream media.

Bitter? Yes. Yes, I am.

I expected a rebound back to the more relationship oriented plot lines (Shipper) but I wasn't expecting the level of pain I experienced last night. (image: clubbed baby seal) As a reviewer I (more or less) forced myself to watch the entire episode. I am scarred for life.

Last night was the Smallville regurgitation of the tried, overused, dream/head trip plot-line that dates back to The Prisoner in the mid 60s and has been reused more times then IMDB can keep track of. Clark is attacked by a parasite for the Phantom Zone in an attempt to possess his super powered body.

Of course, Clark is resistant due to his alien genetics, so the parasite has to trick him to acquiescing by subjecting Clark's mind to an elaborate hallucination. This hallucination consists of, of course, a psychiatric hospital where Clark has been an inmate for the past 5 years to treat his delusion that he is an alien with super powers. All the main characters make their obligatory appearances as the parasite tries to slowly wear down Clark’s resistance. Clark is inexplicably confused and easily manipulated by all this (required for the plot to have the smallest chance of working) and only the intervention of the Martian Manhunter saves him.

That’s right, the Martian Manhunter. Somehow (not explained) he manages to insert himself into the hallucination and help Clark fight back and escape. Of course, mentioning that he was from Mars while trapped in an insane asylum was probably not the best of moves credibility wise. His appearance was the only joy to be had from this hour of pain. You finally get to see him as more then just a silhouette with red glowing eyes. Exciting to see him but you are left with the odd impression that he is either stalking Kent or shadowing him very closely, evidently to help with Clark's fight against the escapees from the Phantom Zone. (Clark inadvertently let them loose earlier in the season.)

He looks good, and is portrayed by an engaging actor (Phil Morris) so there is hope for future episodes. Honestly, if you missed it last night (or Tivo'ed it), just watch the last 15 minutes to check out the Martian Manhunter cameo and a key shipper scene with Lana.

Lana... She was used in the hallucination to almost convince Clark to give it all up. This caused Clark to finally realizes that she is still too much of an influence on his life and that he needs to cut her loose if he is going to pursue his career as a Super Hero. (Hazzah!)

There is fine little scene at the end where it "appears" that he makes this break, at least it is strongly implied. As joyful as this event is, it bodes poorly for his probable future romance with Lois Lane. I predict much angst as Clark wrestles with his sense of duty telling him to stay aloof conflicting with his growing attraction for Lois. Call that my official 2007 Smallville prediction.

Bad episode, cool Martian Manhunter cameo, but I feel that this is just a painful aberration in an otherwise stellar season. See you next week, hopefully with more Super Hero goodness to share.

Ron Talbot