Warning don't read unless seen episode.
This is an honorable mention in my book. It's two kinds of stories as you have a depowered superman story and misuse of power story on another and both of them are done right. The story on the character Eric is done well you could even say predates a little of the film "Chronicle". It's ironic considering actor Shawn is a live action comic book alumi as he was Iceman from the "X-Men" movies and the actor's brother Arron comes to the show playing Jimmy Olson.
Anyway, the character he plays is sympathetic at first as we see him as just your typical geek that has unfortunately been a target for bullying and worst of all abuse from his lousy father. After the incident which transfers Clark/Superman's powers for a person in his standing this would seem like a blessing. And at first, he uses his powers for good when he stops a thief, and of course we see a little nod to the "Super Boy" comics when the Torch gives Eric the title.
Unfortunately, he starts power tripping when he starts to misuse and abuse those powers when he starts to go after the girl Holly he desire's. Granted the guy isn't a peach (seriously what the Hell do girls see in these guys) as he bullied Eric but were not sure if the punishment really fit the crime as the latest encounter the bully he backs away after Eric's warning. Also, Holly is still in a relationship with the guy, so he can't force or steal her away; who she decides to go out with and love is her choice.
After the punishment is delivered, we see the Holly not wanting anything to do with Eric no more as he almost killed her boyfriend. Though also almost killed Clark whom in a way was Eric's only friend or would-be friend; whom did nothing to him. When Eric threw Clark into a car for no reason or no-good reason, that crossed the line for me. That scene just goes to show that even with great power you're not always going to get everything you want but also that Eric has become the very thing he hates.
However other than that story to me, it's really the story with Clark that is the strongest. I really like how he reacts to being depowered; just like with every new power he receives he's once again treading on foreign territory. I know being depowered wouldn't seem like much, but the thing is when your so use to doing things a certain way every day you sometimes have a hard time imagining doing things different. And when change comes your way, there is a lot of adjustment which always takes a lot of work to get comfortable and understand.
Like one scene where we Clark discovers when powered he can get chores done in about half the time or mere minutes, but depowered it took him about two hours straight to get a certain set of them done; makes me tired just thinking about it as there are always tons of chores in farming.
But also, we see Clark discovering the joy in it, from playing a Basketball game in which he lost but he didn't mind, it was just a game after all. When you think about it being super powered in sports wouldn't be much fun because that provides less challenge, her Clark gets to meet that challenge. Another joyful aspect is the fact that he can finally get physically close to Lana without that damn Kryptonite necklace; you could also say its metaphor for Clark own fear of letting Lana into his life and now as his powers are gone, so is his fear.
The episode is also about what it really means to be a hero as well as having good Jedi masters/mentors to guide you in using it and living out life right. There is a contrast parallel between both Clark and Eric.
As we see Eric looks like he has the correct upbring from a clean house, high education everything. But unfortunately, the household is anything but warm as we see his father is always constantly giving Eric the third degree, expressing disappointment and even flaunting his own ego which is worth jack squat. We even see once they see Eric has powers instead of coming to understanding and beginning to teach him the ways of the force, the father just sees Eric as an opportunity to bolster his own ego, despite all he already has.
Clark's parents succeed because they were able to teach him the ways of the force and the ethos of life, but most importantly showed him kindness, understanding and love. Which is part of why Clark then does what must be done, even though his powers may 'be gone his sense of honor and ethos is intact. The final conflict with Eric is decent, in a way is sort of a David vs. Goliath, battle and Lana's Kryptonite necklace is the stone to cast.
Really love what Clark says at the end about his parents which was touching, which express part of the reason why Clark/Superman is the hero we know him today, but also shows that powers are not what defines a hero.
Rating: 3 and a half stars
This is an honorable mention in my book. It's two kinds of stories as you have a depowered superman story and misuse of power story on another and both of them are done right. The story on the character Eric is done well you could even say predates a little of the film "Chronicle". It's ironic considering actor Shawn is a live action comic book alumi as he was Iceman from the "X-Men" movies and the actor's brother Arron comes to the show playing Jimmy Olson.
Anyway, the character he plays is sympathetic at first as we see him as just your typical geek that has unfortunately been a target for bullying and worst of all abuse from his lousy father. After the incident which transfers Clark/Superman's powers for a person in his standing this would seem like a blessing. And at first, he uses his powers for good when he stops a thief, and of course we see a little nod to the "Super Boy" comics when the Torch gives Eric the title.
Unfortunately, he starts power tripping when he starts to misuse and abuse those powers when he starts to go after the girl Holly he desire's. Granted the guy isn't a peach (seriously what the Hell do girls see in these guys) as he bullied Eric but were not sure if the punishment really fit the crime as the latest encounter the bully he backs away after Eric's warning. Also, Holly is still in a relationship with the guy, so he can't force or steal her away; who she decides to go out with and love is her choice.
After the punishment is delivered, we see the Holly not wanting anything to do with Eric no more as he almost killed her boyfriend. Though also almost killed Clark whom in a way was Eric's only friend or would-be friend; whom did nothing to him. When Eric threw Clark into a car for no reason or no-good reason, that crossed the line for me. That scene just goes to show that even with great power you're not always going to get everything you want but also that Eric has become the very thing he hates.
However other than that story to me, it's really the story with Clark that is the strongest. I really like how he reacts to being depowered; just like with every new power he receives he's once again treading on foreign territory. I know being depowered wouldn't seem like much, but the thing is when your so use to doing things a certain way every day you sometimes have a hard time imagining doing things different. And when change comes your way, there is a lot of adjustment which always takes a lot of work to get comfortable and understand.
Like one scene where we Clark discovers when powered he can get chores done in about half the time or mere minutes, but depowered it took him about two hours straight to get a certain set of them done; makes me tired just thinking about it as there are always tons of chores in farming.
But also, we see Clark discovering the joy in it, from playing a Basketball game in which he lost but he didn't mind, it was just a game after all. When you think about it being super powered in sports wouldn't be much fun because that provides less challenge, her Clark gets to meet that challenge. Another joyful aspect is the fact that he can finally get physically close to Lana without that damn Kryptonite necklace; you could also say its metaphor for Clark own fear of letting Lana into his life and now as his powers are gone, so is his fear.
The episode is also about what it really means to be a hero as well as having good Jedi masters/mentors to guide you in using it and living out life right. There is a contrast parallel between both Clark and Eric.
As we see Eric looks like he has the correct upbring from a clean house, high education everything. But unfortunately, the household is anything but warm as we see his father is always constantly giving Eric the third degree, expressing disappointment and even flaunting his own ego which is worth jack squat. We even see once they see Eric has powers instead of coming to understanding and beginning to teach him the ways of the force, the father just sees Eric as an opportunity to bolster his own ego, despite all he already has.
Clark's parents succeed because they were able to teach him the ways of the force and the ethos of life, but most importantly showed him kindness, understanding and love. Which is part of why Clark then does what must be done, even though his powers may 'be gone his sense of honor and ethos is intact. The final conflict with Eric is decent, in a way is sort of a David vs. Goliath, battle and Lana's Kryptonite necklace is the stone to cast.
Really love what Clark says at the end about his parents which was touching, which express part of the reason why Clark/Superman is the hero we know him today, but also shows that powers are not what defines a hero.
Rating: 3 and a half stars