In tonight’s episode, we see the return of Toyman, a long running, if slightly odd character in Superman’s Rogue’s Gallery. Upset about the fact he was framed by Oliver Queen in the “death” of Lex Luthor, he’s bent on revenge. So how was it? You’ll see.
I’m implementing a new rating system for these reviews. If I like it, it’ll get a “Tune In”. If it’s only OK, it’ll earn a “surf.” If I don’t like it at all, it’ll get a “Tune Out.” It’s a variant on our comic review system but I think it drives the point across.
We open in an old factory in Metropolis. There are hostages tied up and a man wearing a mask with a dozen sticks of dynamite strapped to his chest. Clark, in full “Blur” mode, and quickly neutralizes the threat. But we see that the man in the mask was a hostage himself, and the mask was the timer. The dynamite goes boom in Clark’s hands, and chaos ensues. Finally, we see a clear change in Clark’s demeanor. Almost like after a sonic boom, there’s a moment where his hearing seems to stop, but he simply shrugs it off as part of the fall out. I mean, he has super hearing, right?
Cut to him exiting a phone booth, wearing a tie. He still seems to be developing the dual personality, which is admirable. Since he’s still not quite Superman, there still has to be some growth. He’s almost hit by Lois’ arriving on scene. Then the oddest thing happens; he hears her thoughts.
The descent into darkness for Oliver this season has been harrowing to watch. Ever since the death of Jimmy and his hand in the murder of Lex Luthor, he’s been on one bender after another. We meet him in what seems to be Mexico, or at least a Latin-American country. He enters a bar, clearly sloshed, but orders drinks with two ladies in the bar. After finding himself in some trouble he was clearly asking for, he’s saved by the appearance of Tess Mercer with an automatic weapon. Their relationship has always been complicated, from the time they met on that island. She saves him from thugs, but is also manipulating the strings outside of view.
Clark’s telepathy is not some obscure power that Superman had, so I was confused. But as it turns out, it was only a temporary training assignment from daddy Jor-El. I found it an odd plot device, but Tom Welling makes the best of it, and it’s quite entertaining. Think of Clark as Mel Gibson in What Women Want, only without the Anti-Semitism. At first it only works on Lois, but it soon stretches toward everyone. But Clark, like any man would, uses it for any advantage he can get, especially with regards to Lois. Welling is having fun in this episode, and it shows.
Speaking of Lois, I really am going to get my late pass on this, but I love Erica 
Durance in the role. She’s been playing the role with such strength and vulnerability that I’m honestly quite impressed. I can only hope this lasts, I want to see more. It was also welcome to not see that dream again, but I can only imagine that most of it, if not all, will come to fruition, why may not be good for Chloe fans!
Aside from the telepathy plot device, the other biggest wtf moment was also the funniest. We meet an LMD a la Nick Fury in this episode. It’s brilliant in its own way, and it’s another way to show Clark’s learning his “Kryptonian Intuition.” And he had a nice foil in the character Toyman. Chris Gauthier was a wise choice to play the villain, presenting a wonderful smarmy attitude that makes him a creepy villain. He kind of reminds me of Newman from Seinfeld. In other words…pretty creepy.
Overall, I really loved this episode. It had solid character progression, and it was a lot of fun. There weren’t any rushed resolutions tonight, and it was overall, a solid episode. Check it out. I don’t think you’ll be sorry.
Final Verdict: Tune In.
