Alexander

Labyrinth - Thursday Jan25th at 8pm EST on the CW network.

Official CW episode summary:

Clark (Tom Welling) is attacked and wakes up in a mental asylum where the attending physician, Dr. Hudson, tells him he has been there for five years due to his elaborate fantasy that he has alien superpowers. In this new world, Martha (Annette O'Toole) is married to Lionel Luthor (John Glover), Chloe (Allison Mack) is deemed insane and Lana (Kristin Kreuk) chose Clark over Lex (Michael Rosenbaum).

Lana begs Clark to agree to Dr. Hudson's treatments so they can be together, but when a fellow patient named John, A.K.A Martian Manhunter (guest star Phil Morris), tells him the good doctor is actually a phantom and he needs to kill him in order to return to reality, Clark must make the toughest decision of his life.

Written by:Al Septien & Turi Meyer

Directed by Whitney Ransick.

Please remember not to discuss spoilers aside from what you see in the official CW episode summary. Thank you

Alex

Spike it up

*cough*Normal Again*cough*

Thanks for starting the thread Alex.

Ron_Beckett

Can someone tell me who Martian Manhunter is?

Alexander

The Martian Manhunter (J'onn J'onzz), alternately known as the Manhunter from Mars, is a comic book superhero who appears in DC Comics. He first appeared in the back-up story "The Strange Experiment of Dr. Erdel" in Detective Comics #225 (cover date: November, 1955), written by Joseph Samachson and illustrated by Joe Certa.

J'onzz is a native of the planet Mars (known as Ma'aleca'andra in his native tongue- a nod to Malacandra, the name used by the inhabitants of Mars in C. S. Lewis's novel Out of the Silent Planet), who possesses abilities similar to those of Superman, including flight, heat vision (sometimes called "Martian Vision", and inconsistently accompanied by a full Superman-like suite of vision powers), super-strength, and super-stamina. He also possesses the powers of invisibility, telepathy and shape-shifting; related to shape shifting is the power to alter his density or phase, thereby becoming intangible and able to pass through solid objects. His usual public appearance is tall, hairless, green-skinned humanoid with a pronounced brow. He is highly sensitive to fire; in some stories this weakness is a physical weakness, and in others it is purely psychological. Fire can affect him much as kryptonite does Superman, making him sick, weak, and unable to use his various powers.

The Martian Manhunter's history is closely linked with that of the Justice League: He is a founding member of the superhero team, and his appearances with the League kept him in the public eye long after his own series of back-up stories (appearing in Detective Comics and House of Mystery) was cancelled. In the Justice League International series, J'onn is shown to be obsessed with Oreos, partially due to Captain Marvel's influence; the story of how he got over the addiction is told in his eponymous series (which, in a retcon, refers to them as "Chocos").

J'onn J'onzz trying (and failing) to relax in his true form and reflecting on his history with the LeagueIn 'Justice League International, J'onzz reveals that his familiar appearance is not his true Martian form but a "compromise" between his true form and a human appearance. This concept is refined in his solo series, which explains that his real form is private and that, even on Mars, his "public" appearance was the familiar version. In addition to serving in the League under his own identity, he also joins (under duress) as "Bloodwynd".

Some specs:

Alter ego: J'onn J'onzz

Species: Green Martian, from Mars

Affiliations: Justice League, Justice Experience

Notable aliases: Bloodwynd, Bronze Wraith, Fernus, John Jones, Jonh Johnstone, Manhunter from Mars, Marco Xavier, Mrs. Klingman, William Dyer

Abilities: Superhuman strength, speed, stamina and endurance, invulnerability, flight, telepathy, intangibility, invisibility, shape-shifting, "Martian vision,"



Hope that helps a bit.

Alex

Ron_Beckett

Okay thanks for clearing him up. Once I got a face to the name I recognized him. Thanks. It should be interesting to see him in the episode.

Ron_Beckett

Well this episode wasn't one of the greatest but it was good nontheless. Great to see Martian Manhunter . Don't really have much to say on this one.

Some thing that I did like was how today it was the one with Clark in the mental institution since that's what our subject is now for Mental Health. And today we just happened to watch a movie about mental patients. So it was fun watching the Smallville perspective of it.

Cool to see how a lot of the things that Clark made up but didn't make up wer all explained logically.

I felt bad for Clark at the end there when he was with Lana and Lex; how uncomfortable.

I rate it a 7.

I really look forward to next week's episode!!!! We're going to get

youandme1105

Wasn't impressed with the episode, quite a letdown from last weeks great one. How many Zoners is that now that Clark has taken care of? 4? And he let out about 6 or so, so hopefully we won't have to deal with too many more of these crappy filler episodes. The end of the episode just made me . Tell me they're not seriously going that route again.

Alexander

Without further delay...

The Good: A heavy Clark centric episode. Last week it was Justice League time, and time for Justin Hartley to shine, now it's Tom Welling's turn. Tom definitely did a very good job in this episode. I liked the whole premise of the show. I know some of you are disappointed, but me personally, I enjoyed this episode with some exceptions which I will address later on....

As much as Clark's fights tend to be physical with the "zoners", I was glad it just simply wasn't another "who can be faster/stronger, etc" challange, but a rather pshycological one.

Martian Manhunter in human form, really neat to have him appear in this episode, esp. now that we know . The special effect with Clark coming "out of the dream/alt. reality state" and him trapping the zoner and flying off was done very well. The red glowing eyes remind me of Grand Admiral Thrawn but that's another story I am just happy to have J'onn as a part of the SV mythology now. Nice tough to have the guys in the mental hospital frighten him with the lighter, b/c we know in the comics, that fire is his biggest fear.

All the things that the zoner used against Clark, to get him to give up his powers, having Lana coming back to tempt him, I can't figure it out. Was it Al and Miles trying to pander to all the fanbases, in this case, it's throwing a bone to Clana week? I didn't care for that much, but I definitely liked the idea of Martha being married to Lionel, and the scene with Lex was priceless. When he came out behind the desk in a wheelchair and started shouting at Clark you knew it was going to be a good and weird episode. Michael and Tom were terrific in that scene.

Chloe, lots of good Chloe scenes. First, clever having her resque Clark from the goons chasing him from the mantion in the woods. Just how they kep the continuity, that even in this "state" she has Clark's back and is his trusted friend.
When she put her gun in the bag and Lana came in, I had a weird feeling that she'll shoot Lana b/c of jealousy admit it, there are some of us who wouldn't mind seeing that but she didn't, good for her. I knew she would be killed from spoilers, so that wasn't a big shock, but for those who weren't spoiled, that had to be a big moment in the episode.

The last scene, with Shelby present what a cool dog btw and then inside the house with Clark and Chloe, priceless. Tom and Allison had the chemistry working, and I kind of wanted a hug not a romantic one, but a friendship one, b/c at this point I feel that Clark and Chloe are best friends and a romantic relationship maybe too much, at least the way Al and Miles are doing the relationship carousel with Clark, Lana, Lex and can't make up their minds which direction the show should go into creatively.

The little things in the mental hospital, like the 331 on the wall, and Oliver Queen as employee of the month, the book titled "Fortress of Solitude", it just made the zoner's attempt that much more believable. Great job by the SV set/props department, they do a good job all the time but rarely get praise for it. So I said it

Any episode where Clark doesn't have his powers, it's a two edged sword. One side, it's cool and "kind of new", on the other, we didn't start watching a show about a normal guy without powers, and Clark with powers is cool and worth watching. I just enjoy seeing Clark deal with unprecidented challanges, or really tough situations, and tonight's episode was one like it. He was faced with a dilema, and he did strangle the "zoner" at the end, Lana or no Lana.

Speaking of Shelby and continuity...throwing us a bone from S1...a Whitney mention! I'm shocked the writers remember who it was that Lana loved first. Yes, not Clark, but Whitney.

The trailer for Crimson...which looked like so much fun! Anytime Clark is on red K, it's been some of the show's most memorable episodes, most recently "Rush" from S3.

The Bad: OK, enough of Clark being mopey over Lana. Just enough. How many episodes will they drag this out. This matter should have been closed months ago, and it's not doing anyone a bit of good. I know the anti-clana people will hate it, and the Clana people will also hate it b/c they will consider it a "tease" like episode, where basically it reconfirmed that Lex and Lana are getting married and Clark is just left out in the cold, waiting for something, for someone to help him move on.

Like I said, a Clark without powers is only so much fun. It had it's purpose, now I guess we can overlook it somewhat.

No John Glover. I hope they give him more material for sweeps. Use this talanted man who most likely won't be a part of the cast for next season.

No Erica, but she really didn't fit in the episode b/c she's only been in Clark's life for a a few years. So I guess I can't really put that in any category.

The Ugly: Again, I want Al and Miles and the creative team, DeKnight, Slavkin, Kelly Saunders and Brian Peterson to make a decision. Stop trying to appease all the fan bases of different ships and make a decision, what's best for the show and stick with it. Don't tease fans by having Clark and Lana together in a dream state episode, just to have it taken away 29 minutes later. You aren't going to please everyone, and all you are doing is losing credibility and frustrating the loyal fans of the show.

The shameless Toyota Yaris advertisement, what it's not enough for Chloe to be driving it, and for you to go right into commercial after that scene ends, but she has to say it out loud in the dialogue. The CW must be really desperate for sponsorship, but whatever pays the bills. Anyway, I understand economics, and that it maybe necessary, but it's still shameless. So it goes into this category.l

Overall Grade: I would say 3 and half oreo cookies out of 5

Alex

MochaLateh

hmm, what to say

dislike:

Please oh Please let's not revisit this whole Clark and Lana thing! I thought it was finally over, but I guess not.

Like:
All the Clark and Chloe scenes. They both have such great chemistry.

BiCaRdiBrEeZa

Too true.

The best thing about this eppie was Martian, his friggen awesome!

AND that it means Crimson is only one week away

JediBlastoise

The best parts were the scenes with Martian Manhunter and of course, Jorel soap!

Liz01

Tom did a good job with this episode, that's the only thing I enjoyed about it. Overall I'd say it's the worst of the season, but all the acting in it was stellar.

Yeah they can't seem to kill *it* can they? It's like a plague.

Next week's ep looks fantastic!

Alexander

Ahh, but they do b/c of

1. Al Gough and Miles Millar want to appease all the fanbases, apparently they had several hundred letters come in for the Clana a few months ago, Al mentioned it in a K-Site interview.

2. They think that more angst is good for the show.

3. Something is going on with the creative team, either they aren't given premission to "end it" cleanly, or they are unsure in what direction to go with the triangle that is Clark/Lana/Lex.

I definitely like the casting, and we will see him again. After all, he is "the most human" member of the justice league, at least the way he is portrayed in the comics.

I would like to see an episode where he teams up with Clark and they use their powers together. Justice League style!

Yes he did, he always does when it comes to delivering in big episodes where he has to carry the load.

I didn't think it was the worst, but hey, we all have different views of what's good or not, but yes, the acting was very good. From Tom, to Michael, to Allison...

Nope, and believe me, something will happen to make it surfice again...like...red K maybe! So as great as next week looks, I wouldn't doubt it if Clark makes a move on Lana, after all, he did the last times he was on Red K.

Wildcat492002

I must say that Tom Welling totally rocked in this ep.! It is nice to see that he can take on an ep. pretty much totally focused on him and carry it nicely with seeming ease. My hats off to him.

I liked the scene with Clark and Chloe in the end. Although he didn't tell Chloe about her dying in this alternate reality, Clark's witnessing her death has made him realize how much Chloe truly means to him and he'll never take that for granted.

Of course there was some Clana. Now I am a little tired of it like the rest, but Lex is an a-hole and if a little Clana breaks up the present relationship, I'm all for it. I would like to see Lana go single for a while. It would be nice to see her, for once in her life, rely on herself and not a man. Clark and Lana can be good friends but Lana should strike out on her own and not rely on a man to validate her worth.

I'm definitely looking forward to next week. I always like when Clark goes bad.

Roryfan12

I couldnt watch the whole episode, i would have love to but i was watching it on my widscreen tv and the 'Noise" that they where trying to convey was so bad i was getting annoyed throughout the show, i had to leave and watch it on a smaller tv, it was like someone was waving around one of those tubes to make the hollow sound, very disapointed.

On the other hand what i did watch of it, there was some really great acting by Tom.