Preview
This week on Smallville, just as Clark and Lana are finally hitting it off, Lana’s old flame, Whitney Fordman, returns from the Marines! But something’s not quite right with Whitney, and Clark’s spidey-sense is tingling. Is Whitney really back, or is there something more sinister at play? Meanwhile, Lex is getting serious with Dr. Helen Bryce, but his Luthor paranoia kicks in. Will Lex’s trust issues ruin his chance at love? Find out as Smallville takes a dark turn with returning faces and shocking revelations.
Episode Review
“Visage” is a wild ride, blending teen drama with a healthy dose of body horror. Eric Johnson returns as Whitney Fordman, but this time, he’s not the same old jock. Johnson delivers a chilling performance as he portrays a character that is not what he seems. Lizzy Caplan also shines as Tina Greer, bringing a creepy intensity to her role. The episode successfully balances the Clark/Lana/Whitney love triangle with Lex’s burgeoning relationship with Helen, adding layers of intrigue. The special effects, while a bit dated, are effective in showcasing Tina’s shapeshifting abilities. Overall, “Visage” is a memorable episode that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Stars:
- Tom Welling as Clark Kent
- Kristin Kreuk as Lana Lang
- Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor
- Allison Mack as Chloe Sullivan
- John Glover as Lionel Luthor
- Annette O’Toole as Martha Kent
- John Schneider as Jonathan Kent
- Sam Jones III as Pete Ross
Freak of the Week: Lizzy Caplan as Tina Greer. Previously seen in the episode “X-Ray,” Tina is a meteor freak with the ability to shapeshift. This time, she’s back with a vengeance and a twisted plan to win Lana’s affection.
Special Effects: The shapeshifting effects are a bit cheesy by today’s standards, but they were pretty impressive for early 2000s TV. The scene where Tina shifts between different characters is particularly well done, even if it looks a little gooey. This episode is also a lot more gory than others have been as when Lizzy dies it is done in a full horror style.
Music:
- “Days Go By” (Acoustic) by Dirty Vegas
- “The Anthem” by Good Charlotte
- “Mad World” by Michael Andrews featuring Gary Jules
- “Love” by Rosey
Rating: 4/5 stars
Synopsis and Plot Breakdown
The episode opens with Clark and Lana growing closer. Just as Clark is about to ask Lana to the Winter Festival, Whitney returns from his tour of duty in the Marines. Everyone is thrilled, except Clark, who senses something is off. Whitney’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic and violent.
Meanwhile, Lex investigates Helen Bryce’s connection to his father, Lionel, suspecting her motives.
Clark discovers the shocking truth: the real Whitney was killed in action. Tina Greer, the shapeshifting meteor freak from Season 1, is impersonating him to get close to Lana. Tina traps Clark in the Kent’s storm cellar, using a kryptonite necklace to weaken him.
The spaceship suddenly activates and neutralizes the kryptonite, freeing Clark. He confronts Tina, who, in her desperation, injures herself and dies. The episode ends with Lana mourning the loss of Whitney, unaware of the sinister truth. Lex, despite his paranoia, recommits to his relationship with Helen.
Lessons and Superman Connections
“Visage” explores themes of identity, trust, and loss. For Clark, it’s a reminder of the importance of his instincts and the need to protect those he cares about. The episode highlights Clark’s growing understanding of human deception, a skill that will be crucial as Superman. Lana’s experience underscores her vulnerability and the recurring theme of loss in her life, further solidifying her need for Clark’s protection. Lex’s storyline touches on his trust issues and his struggle to form genuine connections, foreshadowing his descent into villainy. The episode also serves as a dark reflection of Clark’s potential if he were to use his powers for manipulation and control, as Tina does.
Review Notes
We get a real trope of fixing the sink at the Talon, basically just to get Clark and Lana wet. Lana is amazed that Clark fixed the pipe and is visibly aroused by his physique when she looks through his wet T-shirt.
Annnd we are back to Lana and Clark full on flirting.
We go right into the jungle with Whitney, hes the hero going back to save his buddy, but they take a hit it appears, but then we get the heros return of Whitney to Smallville.
A US Marine officer, Lieutenant McNulty, arrives at the Fordmans’ to deliver the news that Whitney’s remains had been found, but he is suitably confused when Whitney walks up to greet him, carrying a baseball bat. Whitney bludgeons the officer to death while his mother screams in horror.
…. WTF that is NOT Whitney is my first reaction.
The ship saves Clark??? WTF
Tina as Clark has a gruesome death, surprisingly so for TV at the time, come to think of it, even the bat scene was a little rough for the feel this show usually goes for.
When Tina is disguised as Clark, she is wearing tan and gray
For the Clark vs. Clark fight scene, Tom Welling performed all of his stunts alongside his usual stunt double, Christopher Sayour, who doubled as the “second Clark” in the sequence.
The music in this episode was amazing.. complete listing..
- “Little Bit Strange” – Walkabout
- “American Rock and Roll” – Bumblefoot
- “The Anthem” – Good Charlotte
- “Days Go By (Guitar Version)” – Dirty Vegas
- “Love” – Rosey
- “Feel Like a Man” – Susan Barth
- “Mad World” – Gary Jules featuring Michael Andrews
- “Smile” – Lily Allen (E4 UK, repeat broadcast during the 30 second advert to the 64th edition of the Now That’s What I Call Music UK series)
- “Crazy” – Gnarls Barkley (E4 UK, repeat broadcast during the 30 second advert to the 64th edition of the Now That’s What I Call Music UK series)
- “I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker (With Flowers in My Hair)” – Sandi Thom (E4 UK, repeat broadcast during the 30 second advert to the 64th edition of the Now That’s What I Call Music UK series)
- “SOS” – Rihanna (E4 UK, repeat broadcast during the 30 second advert to the 64th edition of the Now That’s What I Call Music UK series)
- “Maneater” – Nelly Furtado (E4 UK, repeat broadcast during the 30 second advert to the 64th edition of the Now That’s What I Call Music UK series)
- “From Paris to Berlin” – Infernal (E4 UK, repeat broadcast during the 30 second advert to the 64th edition of the Now That’s What I Call Music UK series)
- “You Give Me Something” – James Morrison (E4 UK, repeat broadcast during the 10 second advert to the 64th edition of the Now That’s What I Call Music UK series)