Smallville "Descent" (2008)

Lex Luthor takes his final step into his evil destiny and it's one coupled with shoving his father out the window of the LuthorCorp building. His obsession over the Veritas secret and the mysterious Traveler has driven him to the point of no return. He faces his father who holds the final key to the lock box in Zurich which contains the identity of the Traveler as well as the ability to control it. Lex has allowed this unquenchable thirst for knowledge to push him to murder his own father. Until now, it's debatable if he's personally committed cold-blooded murder, but here there is no question. He has what he wants and he still pushes his defenseless father to his ultimate demise. Perhaps he is in shock but he shows no outward remorse about this truly horrific act and appears detached and easily capable of moving on. Lionel and Lex never had the greatest relationship, in fact it's a wonder they are even still on speaking terms after the years of manipulation and betrayal. Lex also shows a glimmer of the seething jealousy he has over the fact that Lionel was closer with Clark who he treated as more of a son than he ever did with him. No matter how hard he tries, Lex will never be able to atone for this murder and it looks as if the ultimate destiny between Clark and Lex has been sealed.

It is a shame that Michael Rosenbaum will be leaving the series as a regular after this season as he and Clark have crossed into their most interesting dynamic of the entire series. Clark now knows how despicable and far gone Lex is. He is aware that Lex is responsible for Lionel's death and there will never again be any ounce of civility between them. That smirk Lex gives Clark when he shows up at the grave is the twisting of the knife that even though Clark knows the truth he has no proof. It will be a loss that we won't get a chance to see the continuing evolution of the enmity between these two, but Rosenbaum will return for guest appearances which will be a welcome treat. It also limits overexposure as once a certain point has been passed there is very little that can done to show a fresh angle and of course all our war between the two would herald the era of the films so maybe this episode came at the right time, a few episodes before the season finale with their final confrontation, for a while at least.

It wasn't all gloom and doom as we get a treat of a Lois/Jimmy pairing investigating, of course, the mysterious circumstances surrounding Lionel's death. The naive and eager to please Jimmy is a perfect foil for the straight-shooting, bullheaded Lois and they also make a pretty effective team. Jimmy is resourceful and savvy on the technical side while Lois can be charming and also provide physical support should it be needed. It doesn't work out too well here as she gets shot trying to make a move against Lex's fembot. Since this is the first Smallville episode I'm ever reviewing, I'll point this out now. The level of physical injury and traumatic experiences these kids face on a weekly basis should either have them locked in a padded room at Belle Reve or invalids who can't get out of bed due to the numerous injuries they've sustained. But Lois will be back on her feet in no time. Smallville gives everyone the ability of instantaneous healing powers.

All in all this was an enjoyable episode which set the stage for the final story arc of the season. It's the one episode I missed this season which is why it's randomly popping up now. The next Smallville episode reviewed will most likely be the eighth season premiere. It's also the swansong of Julian Glover as Lionel Luthor who was always both an intriguing and perplexing character on the series and a welcome addition to the cast of characters. Lionel Luthor didn't gain much exposure in the comics but he was a necessary addition to explain Lex's evolution and his eventual fall from grace. Only Lex could have killed off this character and Glover will be sorely missed in the coming season as his absence was already felt in the remainder of this one.

Favorite moment: The last scene of Clark standing over Lionel's grave where he picks up a handful of dirt and sprinkles it over Lionel's final resting place. It mirrors the same action he performed over his father's grave at that funeral and serves as acknowledgment that in the end he did view Lionel as a father figure and will continue to seek justice for his murder. Lionel may not have been the best guardian to watch over Clark but it can never be said that he didn't honestly care for Kal-El to survive in order to fulfill his destiny as guardian of the planet.