9.15 - Conspiracy - Discussion Thread (Spoilers)

[Prison Mike]

the episode was pretty boring overall. It didn't have the same surprising moments that last episode had (probably because of the way the episode was promoted). Seriously, Chloe needs to go away now. I swear the writers make her mental by saying one thing in one episode and saying the opposite in the next episode. Now she doesn't trust Clark? At all? It's like she doesn't even remember the events from last year with Doomsday. Zod getting his powers was sooooo predictable. And the flight at the end just made my eyes roll even more. He must be the millionth Kryptonian who can fly before Clark. What's even worse is that he's only had his powers for a day or two and suddenly he can fly! This episode could have been so much than what it was.

 

[Webhead2006]

Well tonight was the last new episode to April 2nd. Which i hate we are on another break. But the episode for me didnt disapoint at all. So it was nice to go out on a strong episode. The preview for the return on april 2nd looks great. Some very cool stuff there with the kandorians, checkmate, metallo. All should be great to see where things close out on the season with the last 7 episodes.

So tonight's episode was titled "Conspiracy" written by Al Septien & Turi Meyer and directed by Turi Meyer. I thought they wrote a very interesting story. I thought it flowed well and we got a bunch of different things going on. First more on the kandorians trying to asslimate to human lives. Then the evil doctor guy kidnapping the kandorians to prove that aliens are real and are on earth.

It was cool learning more about Faoroa and why she is with zod and we also learn she has a sister called vala who was with the kandorians too. Looks like she has a little crush on clarkie boy. So it was cool getting more insight on thier lives on earth.

The kidnap guy was very creppy. He had a very cool look. Also the actor wasnt that bad. I thought he played the role well. I believe he is a SG alum. Also the deal with his head was pretty dam sick. But looked very cool. So cudos on the smallville makeup guys.

As for lois and clark relationship it seeks like with her work at the planet and clark trying to help the kandorians out they are not getting much alone time together. I can see why they are probably going to go to the B and B in the next episode. Also it was cool to see that checkmate via amanda waller is still being played up with her not showing up in the episode. So it was neat to see the phone call and lois giving them the sample of the kandorian blood. I wonder what that is going to do with the kandorians and checkmate now.

As for Zod i thought he had some great scenes with clark through out the episode. At the bookstore, the lab, and at the daily planet. Also it was an interesting move with zod pretending to be a reporter to look up what is going on with the kandorians on his own. Since he doesnt really trust clark at all. Also interesting that zod thinks it was clark who destroyed the tower and then clark pretty much confirming to him.

I did like that the towers going down got a mention. With them saying it was a freak accident. I was glad we got to hear a reason about the towers going down. Cudos for them for not making the towers gone a done storyline plot. That should help shut up folks wondering about clark's actions last week.

Also interesting plot with tess spying on ollie and chloe about funds missing from the company. Though i think chloe was being a bit stupid taking money from ollie through the company. I would have thought he had a separate place for funds for watchtower and the jl and all that. So calk that up for a stupid thing there.

Also i first thought there was going to be some chloe/ollie loving going on. But i glad there wasnt. It was just ollie trying to figure out what is chloe up to and to warn her that tess is on to her. Also it was interesting to see chloe hording the kryptonite weapons we saw from the future. As for her thinking to have them as a backup in case clark's plan doesnt go off well. Which we will probably need it now with how the episode went. also it was interesting to see tess had a spy on chloe and ollie.

This is probably not good for ollie and chloe. Tess is probably going to find out either ollie's green arrow, or about chloe being watchtower to the superheroes and all that. So i cant wait to see where things play out there. I also wonder where did ollie hide the weapons. I do think its a bad move they are not working with clark and making sure everyone is on the right page. I would have tought after the whole JSA Thing they would be more together and all that like the JSA said to them they should be.

The kidnap guy getting lois was a cliche move but it worked for the storyline with him trying to prove on the aliens. His lab was freaky as hell with all the tools and all that. Poor news to the two other kandorians he killed for body parts. But it was nice that Vala didnt die and clark saved her. Also Zod getting shot by the kidnaper was interesting move with him saving lois to for his own games. It was funny that lois thought zod is a goverment agent.

It was pretty funny though the guy killed him self. Lol i laughed so hard on that. With being a doctor and all that he got killed by his electric saw hitting a power line. But it was still a cool death all and all. Also interesting move with clark saving zod's life with his blood. We havent seen clark's blood healing someone since season 3. So it was great to have a cool continuity moment there. And boy did i and i sure alot of other fans wonder if zod would get powers or not due to that. I was kinda hoping it wouldnt.

But the end scene with clark and zod on the roof was pretty cool. And at that moment i totally knew zod was lying and had powers. So this should be an interesting change in things now that zod has powers. Also it was a wicked flying scene with him.

So Directing i thought was pretty good. The camera movements was good and blocking was cool. The lighting and sfx tonight was great. I dont know if turi has done other episodes in the past. So if this was his first i thought he did pretty well. I enjoyed how the episode went.

Writing it was a solid story, didnt really see any flaws in it. There was good story, and moved the kandorian plot more. Plus we got some movement also on checkmate and waller without even seeing them.

Acting as always was pretty good. Tom was great tonight as clark. His scenes with faora/vala were very sweet and caring, and his scenes with zod were great as aways. I think tom and callum work great together. They have great chemistry together.

Callum as zod had some great scenes as i pointed out with tom as clark. Also some good scenes at the lab with lois. Then his daily planet scene was pretty cool too.

Cassidy wasnt in the episode much. But i enjoyed her scenes with justin and that other guy. I cant wait to see how she will be playing up with checkmate storyline. Plus with her knowing of the altnerate future. She sure is worried about what chloe did to her there. So i am sure she is keeping a watchful eye on her.

Allison wasnt bad at all. All here scenes were with justin. They worked pretty well. The story with chloe's big bother spying is getting interesting. Also that she is playing around with the krypto weapons. It is good that she has that as a backup plan in case things go south with clark and the kandorians. But she should be working with clark and be on the same page.

Justin was pretty good as ollie. I was glad he wasnt in the episode to much. Since it was a more clark/zod-kandorian plot. But his scenes with chloe moved the storyline well. So justin did good tonight.

Erica as lois was also on fire tonight. With her wondering whats up with clark. She had a good scene with zod at the lab. So i cant wait to see how things play out with zod and lois in upcoming episodes. Also her scenes with the doctor guy were well. Also as i said earlier looks like work and the kandorians are putting a bit of a strain on lois and clark love life. So hopefully they will have more time with each other soon. Also with her wondering whats up is probably not good with her. But its classic lois getting way over her head on things. And clark will have to save the day.

So all in all a very solid episode. I enjoyed it alot. Sucked it was the last new episode for a month. But like i said earlier in review it was a nice episode to end on. It is great to see the kandorian storyline at the forefront now. I know some other fans didnt like we didnt get much with zod or the kandorians in the first 8 episodes. But they were building up to it so it worked. Cant wait to see how rating do tomorrow. I hope we end at 2.4-2.5 million. I am sure we will probaly end up between 2.42-2.48 since the winter games are still on going. But ratings have held up pretty well against the games. Plus with other shows in reruns or the networks playing a movie instead. Also hopefully during this month off we will finally get the official word on season 10 being confirmed. Cant wait.

 

[epc11223]

what chloe did in this episode with the kryptonite weapons and stealing fundsreminded me soo much about what lionel might do. the only difference is that when lionel did things like this, it was cool and mysteriously. chloe has no right to be suspicious of clark. especially after all that they've been through. this whole episode was just a way for zod to get his powers back. seems pretty lame and i think clark took too big a chance at zod getting his powers. he knows what the future may be and it's just too big a risk. overall i found this episode boring and i'm so aggravated that zod has a scene that could/should have been clarks. that was a pretty cool flying scene and i don't see how they're going to make clarks first flight special. i've read in interviews that his first flight is supposed to be out of the fortress like in superman I, but whats the point when this is so clearly supposed to be a different universe? a little nitpick for me is also clarks hair. when he's in his krypto garb he should have a hairstyle like superman and when he's clark the reporter it should be a bit messy like the way he grew up. for about six seasons his hair was never neatly done and now he has superman hair when he's clark. ok thats nitpicking but i wanted to get it off my chest lol.

 

[Webhead2006]

yea i too agree the blood for zod's power was a bit cliche but it works for the story they were telling. Cant wait to see how this changes things with zod and clark. I agree its a bad move that chloe/ollie are hiding the weapons on clark. He should know of them so they can create plans together and all that.

 

[Batgort]

I don't see why flight=superman=end of show, he could certainly be the pre-superman and fly, just like any other power. superman = out in front of everyone in a suit. the blur flying = just another power to be used to zoom around fast w/o being noticed After all the people flying, I agree it's getting a little ridiculous How does Zod beat Clark? Float up.

 

[Webhead2006]

yea i know, but maybe that really isnt the plan now. Maybe with zod flying and powers they will have clark flying too. But then of course probably not seeing clark use it all the time.

 

[Nirvana]

I really enjoyed this episode. It was really solid and another good episode in a strong season. I'm really happy that Zod finally got his powers back. I'm not terribly happy about another break after five weeks. Looking forward to April 2nd.

 

[KBX]

A decent episode, not better than last week, but decent. Dr. Death did move the story along by shooting Zod, to get his powers back and got Lois blood samples for Waller, prove that Aliens do exist. lol

Though you know Clark is going to regret giving Zod his powers back, I mean when was the last time Clark made a decision that was right? This show has made do mistake after mistake I lost track. Sad really... Hes got good intentions, but because of it, it always comes back to bite him in the ass. Did Jor-El really need to tell him he needed to "save" Zod. sigh...

Tess=Awesome, Lois=Amazing

Chloe and Oliver interest me, that they don't 100% trust Clark, because in fact he is alien. Now Oliver I can understand, not knowing Clark his whole life, he does try to keep away from Clark's kryption roots. Chloe doesn't because of what happened to her husband, Jimmy. But she is bring this up now? I think Clark has given you the benefit of the doubt. Now both these humans in their line of working do work with people with extraordinary power, so how do you level the playing field? Kryptonite, and lost of it as you saw it.

Chloe is a member of Checkmate, shes not doing this randomly, but I do think Waller has made sense of this "Alien invasion" to her, which I can understand.

 

[lespaul59]

Personaly this is my least favorite episode so far this year. And really another Krytonian flying before Clark after having thier powers no time. Has the powers building in strength just been compleatly retconed away or did that just go for Clark. Also has Chloe forgotten that she stoped Clark from sending Doomsday to the Phantom Zone? For me this was one of those episodes that just makes me shake my head.

 

[Mikelus]

Though you know Clark is going to regret giving Zod his powers back, I mean when was the last time Clark made a decision that was right? This show has made do mistake after mistake I lost track. Sad really... Hes got good intentions, but because of it, it always comes back to bite him in the ass. Did Jor-El really need to tell him he needed to "save" Zod. sigh...

Tess=Awesome, Lois=Amazing

Chloe and Oliver interest me, that they don't 100% trust Clark, because in fact he is alien. Now Oliver I can understand, not knowing Clark his whole life, he does try to keep away from Clark's kryption roots. Chloe doesn't because of what happened to her husband, Jimmy. But she is bring this up now? I think Clark has given you the benefit of the doubt. Now both these humans in their line of working do work with people with extraordinary power, so how do you level the playing field? Kryptonite, and lost of it as you saw it.

Chloe is a member of Checkmate, shes not doing this randomly, but I do think Waller has made sense of this "Alien invasion" to her, which I can understand.

Superman saves lives (even the villains), that's the way he is in the mythos. If he had let him die there'd be a million complaints about how disgusted people are with his actions. But he does save his life and some are still whining, can't have it both ways.

Amanda Waller may want her to work for them, depending how far they go with dark Chloe, it could get pretty interesting.

The only thing that really bothers me is every freaking Kryptonian flying before Clark does, is getting ridiculous and TPTB should let Clark fly in the season finale, if they don't, is going to be another wasted opportunity.

 

[rowan sjet]

I was sick of Chloe ragging on Clark, but then he went and gave Zod superpowers so what do I know...

God, it's like the Smallville writers totally ignored Geoff John's writing, trying to get the heroes working together again rather than just sniping at each other behind their backs.

Other than that continuing mess, a solid middle of the pack episode.

 

[smallville fan]

Though you know Clark is going to regret giving Zod his powers back, I mean when was the last time Clark made a decision that was right?

burned down the tower?

 

[Superfreak]

Slept through 90% of the episode, and it appears I didn't miss one thing. All I'm going to say is: TOOOOOO F'N EASY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you'd think it would be hard for the Kandys to get their powers back. But no, it's the simplest thing in the world, and makes me wonder why they didn't get Clark's blood say... BACK IN SEPTEMBER.

 

[B]

Entered this episode with little expectations as I thought it was going to be another Saw rehash, but it actually turned out to be a rather good episode.

Clark's blood going into Zod was abit cliche & quite vampire like, but heck I can roll with it because it suits the story that they want to tell. It wasn't a bad idea just very cliche..

Chloe & Oliver's scenes where abunch of nonsense & with Chloe making Kryptonite weapons to 'help' Clark should the Kandorian's ever get there powers & try to stage a coup I felt was nonsense.. the ONLY saving grace that idea might have (& the one I can see playing out)

Don't read if you don't want spoilers as MIGHT contain them..

Spoiler

Major Zod (now with powers) will send Clark to the Phantom Zone somehow (which is where the weapons will come in), Clark will run into the phantom General Zod, escape & accidentally release the Zod phantom as well. The 2 will merge & there will be a few fists thrown before Clark tosses the Major-General Zod Phantom into the phantom zone...

OR Zod will threaten Clark with world domination & Clark will send him to the Phantom Zone after a scuffle, the phantom Zod will merge with him & Zod will escape somehow due to him still having traces of Clark's blood in him for abit of a longer scuffle..

Either way I can see the Phantom Zone being involved & I don't care, I like the Zod storylines in pretty much any incarnation of the character from comics, film or tv.

I think the producers are purposely trying to piss me off, Zod has powers for 1 day & already he has learned how to fly.. ok fair enough it fits with the 'excuse' they gave about Clark needs to stop thinking hes human or whatever & everyone else who has flown has been fully 'Kryptonian' etc etc but still...

He better freaking fly before the season is up..

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

The thing that really irks me is how they keep referring to the Kandorians getting their "powers back." These Kandorians never had any powers, ever. They were cloned when they were still on Krypton, and then regrown or whatever on Earth but started out powerless, so what exactly are they getting back? And why such a drive for them when they've never at any time had them to begin with?

 

[Dark_Lord]

Though you know Clark is going to regret giving Zod his powers back, I mean when was the last time Clark made a decision that was right? This show has made do mistake after mistake I lost track. Sad really... Hes got good intentions, but because of it, it always comes back to bite him in the ass. Did Jor-El really need to tell him he needed to "save" Zod. sigh...

I was sick of Chloe ragging on Clark, but then he went and gave Zod superpowers so what do I know...

Unless I'm mistaken, Clark doesn't know that he gave Zod powers. That's why Zod pretended to still be hurt when he met with Clark on the roof. So Clark wouldn't find out.

 

[Webhead2006]

well for me with the whole kryptonians flying before clark deal. TEchnically clark and has flown, back in season 1/2/4 for examples. But currently he doesnt have total control over the ability and we know via AI jorel that its a mental block clark has over control on that power. Where as other kryptonians who embrace them selfs can gain control over the power, and with zod sure he probably only had them for a few hrs. But he is also older then clark so he probably gained alot of power due to the yellow sun charging him up. But i do feel we probably will be seeing clark fly soon.

As for chloe/ollie i said it before its a good idea to have a backup plan incase the kandorians do get powers. Which i think most will once zod knows which are loyal to him. But its a bad move not working together and putting clark in the loop. As for chloe/checkmate i definately see her getting invovlved there. And i do cant want to see what happens to them there, and the kandorians.

Character screen times for the episode:

Conspiracy screentime
----------------------------------
Episode 9-15

Clark: 16m, 28s
Chloe: 4m, 01s
Lois: 12m, 07s
Oliver: 5m, 21s
Tess: 2m, 01s
Zod: 15m, 04s

Year to Date ST/episode

Clark: 281m, 48s (15)
Chloe: 128m, 43s (15)
Lois: 206m, 51s (13)
Oliver: 125m, 34s (12)
Tess: 61m, 19s (10)
Zod: 79m, 47s (7)

Clark is in the lead just above Zod in this episode.

I thought it was good time frames for all characters. And for what the story was telling.

Conspiracy ratings:
http://***********/mattmtvguy

#smallville "conspiracy" draws 2.54 million viewers

Nice to see the show go out on its last new episode for a month on strong numbers. Good for Smallville. Now all i want is season 10 confirmation.

 

[\S/JcDc\S/]

It is getting silly to watch everyone else fly.

I guess he is lacking the Kryptonian instinct, so it is harder for him err something.

 

[KALEL114]

Why are people upset about Zod flying right after he got his powers? It's been said many, many times that Clark could fly, but he has some sort of mental block that is keeping him from doing it. It's in his head and once he gets past it, he will fly.

 

[Webhead2006]

i know, kal sure i am pissed like others that other kryptonians are flying but i am fine with it. Cause its what sv is doing and they have their reasons. Plus i am sure even when clark will fly if we do get it by the end of this season. He probably wont be flying all the time next yr. They will probably do a few episodes here and there where he doesnt even fly.

 

[KBX]

Superman saves lives (even the villains), that's the way he is in the mythos. If he had let him die there'd be a million complaints about how disgusted people are with his actions. But he does save his life and some are still whining, can't have it both ways.

Amanda Waller may want her to work for them, depending how far they go with dark Chloe, it could get pretty interesting.

The only thing that really bothers me is every freaking Kryptonian flying before Clark does, is getting ridiculous and TPTB should let Clark fly in the season finale, if they don't, is going to be another wasted opportunity.

I get what you mean, Clark does saves lives even if it's the villian. It just seems like a yearly event when he tries to help the bad guy, only for it to come back and bite him in the ass

burned down the tower?

It was a right decision, but 1 episode later all meaningless since Zod got his powers anyway....

The thing that really irks me is how they keep referring to the Kandorians getting their "powers back." These Kandorians never had any powers, ever. They were cloned when they were still on Krypton, and then regrown or whatever on Earth but started out powerless, so what exactly are they getting back? And why such a drive for them when they've never at any time had them to begin with?

To be honest, Im not too sure how that works either. Somebody needs to ask the producers to explain this whole Kandorian/Krypton/Red Sun/Yellow Sun/Clone/Powers/No Powers/ thing to me. lol

Why are people upset about Zod flying right after he got his powers? It's been said many, many times that Clark could fly, but he has some sort of mental block that is keeping him from doing it. It's in his head and once he gets past it, he will fly.

All it took for Zod to fly is one drop of Clarks blood, but Clark, full of his blood, can't come close. lol Mental block or no mental block everyone and their mother flying before Clark just makes him look kinda week...

 

[Zorex]

Wow, I thought this episode was pretty cool. It wasn't heavy on the SAW material, and had a good amount of Lois & Clark. Am I wrong, or was this the first time we're told that Faora is... Faora?? I thought that was awesome. Nice set-up for John Corben's return. Great end to the episode to leave us hanging.

 

[KBX]

Unless I'm mistaken, Clark doesn't know that he gave Zod powers. That's why Zod pretended to still be hurt when he met with Clark on the roof. So Clark wouldn't find out.

I might have missed that conversation

 

[KALEL114]

All it took for Zod to fly is one drop of Clarks blood, but Clark, full of his blood, can't come close. lol Mental block or no mental block everyone and their mother flying before Clark just makes him look kinda week...

Zod and Kara flew because they didn't have the same mental block Clark has. Everyone is wired differently. Does it make him look weak? Maybe, but it's psychological. It's not like he is affraid to do it or doesn't know how to. He has tried many times, but just can't. He will when he or a certain event can break through that block.

 

[Prison Mike]

It's true that Clark doesn't know Zod has powers now. Even in the previews for the next batch of episodes, Clark is surprised to learn it. Still, it bothers me that one drop of Clark's blood gave Zod all the powers including flight after one day. Maybe it really is about embracing your Kryptonian side? I mean out of all the Kryptonians who could fly before Clark, they all had one thing in common: they embraced their hertiage. Clark still has issues with being Kryptonian but raised as a human. Even if it all comes down to a simple mental block, I think it's still a weak excuse to give.

Another thing that was a bit out of character for Clark was when he was questioning the doctor in the hospital. Maybe it was just me, but I didn't like that he threatened the doctor with giving out false info in an interview. Surely there could have been a better way of getting him to talk than just handing out empty threats...