Toyriffic readers well know my anticipation for the two hour "Absolute Justice" episode of Smallville, written by Geoff Johns and introducing the JSA into Smallville continuity. The episode aired last night, so if you DVRed it or are waiting for it to appear online at CWTV.com then you can stop reading now to avoid any spoilers, but know that the episode did indee live up to my expectations!
In fact, it surpassed them.
The JSA were extremely well represented, their reason for fading into obscurity was well established, and their reasons for reappearing equally so. The episode had "Easter-eggs" galore, including Ma Hunkel - yes MA freaking HUNKEL! No one but Geoff Johns would have slipped the original Red Tornado into the mix like that. Her brief moment on screen (only in civilian guise unfortunately) sent shivers down my spine. And it didn't stop there. Checkmate, Amanda Waller, mention that guys like Ted Grant (Wildcat) and Alan Scott (Green Lantern) are still out there, and one final line referencing The Suicide Squad - this episode contained enough seed material to keep Smallville going for another decade!
Did I mention the Martian Manhunter oh so briefly as an actual Martian?!?!
This episode really hit a home-run for me. My daughter was cheering for Stargirl the whole time, and I loved Hawkman's remarks: "It's been a long time since I made someone bleed."
I've been watching Smallville since day one. The original, unique and fun concept of Clark Kent in High School has long passed, and the show has struggled to define itself ever since everyone in the show reached their thirties. But I think the episode Absolute Justice has shown us in full color the whole point of farmboy Clark's existence - that he eventually grows up to inspire truth, justice and the American way as colorfully-clad Superman - and Smallville needs to do so as well, or else...what's the point?
So here's hoping Smallville morphs more into what Absolute Justice promised us it can be - both "comic book" and entertaining. Or maybe the show can switch tracks altogether and become something else entirely, with Tom Welling finally wearing Superman blues and reds and battling the forces of evil alongside his fellow costumed heroes. I'd watch it.
P.S. I have had a theory for a while now that Tess Mercer is either Lex's brain in a woman's body (ala The Ultra Humanite) or flat out the Ultra Humanite entirely. Thoughts?
ch Smallville but with the JSA being on it i had to watch and i freaking loved it! I have a very soft spot for Golden Age heroes and it was just awesome seeing Dr.Fate,Hawkman and the others plus we get a Suicide Squad mention at the end and i was just going..."Yes!" and another little thing Weller said made me think of Darkside too. Top to bottom just fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI am glad it didn't disappoint, as it seems a lot of my readers watched it based in part of my suggestions :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't started watching the show religiously yet, but suspected something HAD to be up with the Tess Mercer character...
ReplyDelete