SV: 8-9 "Abyss" Review/Recap

 

This is one of the best episodes of the season! The story moved along at a good pace. Brainiac's plan had the good guys running around to find a solution. And, in the end, the solution had dire consequences (if it is indeed a solution).

Chloe’s panic at slowly forgetting her family and friends was heartbreaking. The effects of Chloe losing memories and the transition of one memory to another were very cleverly done.

Jimmy was okay although if he repeated "I’m her fiancé" one more time I was going to scream. He’s just too insecure and clingy. Aaron Ashmore, however, is great – especially with the unnatural dialogue.

I adore Sam Witwer. He is an excellent actor. He’s able to convey Davis’ sudden "love" for Chloe and make it creepy all at the same time.

Clark is trying to do the right thing but, sadly, failed. While he alone can decide who he tells his secret, he cannot make the decision of who gets to keep that knowledge. What he did to Chloe was exactly what Brainiac was doing and what Chloe told him she didn’t want. Idiot.

Talon apartment: Chloe is asleep when Jimmy brings her breakfast. Jimmy mentions that it’s a week before the wedding and they haven’t received all the RSVPs. Jimmy adds that one guest is conspicuously absent: Lana. Chloe looks confused. "Who?", she asks. I wish I could forget her. Jimmy smiles. He describes Lana as a long time friend, around with Clark, left town in a hurry never to be heard from again. Chloe feigns that she didn’t hear him. Jimmy asks if Chloe is okay. She’s been forgetful lately. Chloe says it’s a case of the pre-wedding jitters. Jimmy looks worried. He says that the wedding is like the engagement party but with more people.

Flashback to the engagement party – Chloe is dancing with Jimmy when little by little things around her start to disappear: the people, the music, the decorations... Chloe asks Jimmy what is going on. This isn’t what happened. She looks at him but can no longer see his face. Finally, Jimmy disappears too. Chloe looks around the deserted, dark Talon. She’s engulfed in green light. Kryptonian symbols flash around her.

Return to present: Jimmy is hovering over her. He tells her that she blanked out for a second. He asks if he should call a doctor. Chloe rushes out of the bed. She orders Jimmy out of her apartment. Jimmy reminds her that he’s her fiancé. Chloe doesn’t believe him. She says she’s never seen him before in her life.

Kent farm: Jimmy comes in looking for Clark. He tells Clark that as Chloe’s future husband, he thought he could steer their ship through any storm, in sickness and in health but he’s hit a major "bridal wave". Who writes this stuff? Why would a worried and panicked man talk in puns and clichés? This doesn’t endear me any more to Jimmy... or the writers. Clark understandably asks what’s wrong. Jimmy tells Clark that Chloe’s been forgetting things – a meeting, a place. But she’s now forgotten him and is afraid of him. Clark calmly asks if Jimmy noticed any other symptoms. Jimmy can’t think of anything. Jimmy says that Chloe had this special ability. Clark asks if Jimmy is referring to her healing ability. Jimmy realizes that Chloe would definitely have told Clark. He asks if it could have left her with brain damage. Huh? How does he make that leap? Jimmy asks Clark to talk to Chloe.

Metropolis General: Chloe walks up to a desk and asks where the library is. She lies that she’s an intern working in the field of memory loss. The girl at the desk directs her to the library. As Chloe starts to head there she meets Davis. Chloe notes that he looks exhausted. She suddenly remembers that Davis asked her to look into his past. She apologizes that she hasn’t done it yet. Davis tells her to cancel the request; let the past rest in peace. Davis starts to tell Chloe something but she cuts him off and walks to the elevator. Davis asks if everything is okay with her and Jimmy. Chloe thinks for a second, remembers that Jimmy is her fiancé and replies everything’s fine. Chloe’s usually better at hiding that something is wrong. Davis walks toward Chloe. He says that she’s been there for him and if she needs anything he’s there for her. Chloe bluntly says that her brain is literally fried, smiles strangely and gets in the elevator. Okay, that’s not odd at all.

Isis Foundation: Chloe is skimming through a library book on amnesia. She hears Clark calling her and hides the book in the bookcase, then uses the remote to close the doors to the computer room. Clark tells Chloe what Jimmy told him. Chloe replies that Jimmy is overreacting. Clark asks if she remembers Jimmy. Chloe says of course. She rattles off some Jimmy-facts. Clark asks "What about fiancé?" Chloe says that they start their lives together Saturday at 6:00PM. Clark notes that it sounds like Chloe is reading facts off a list. He asks if she’s okay. When Chloe says that she’s just distracted, Clark asks why she closed the bookcase when he came in. Ooh, good question, Clark. Chloe claims it’s research – client-therapist privilege. Huh? Chloe is not a therapist. Clark eyes the remote on the table. He starts to reach for it but Chloe grabs it. Chloe blathers on about being busy. Clark’s not buying it. He pries open the doors to the computer room.

The room is covered from ceiling to floor in pictures and information on Jonathan, Martha, Lionel, Clark, Jimmy, etc. It’s the Wall of Weird x 1,000,000! Clark steps inside and looks around. He asks what’s going on. Chloe admits that Jimmy’s right. She’s been drawing a few blanks. "A few?", asks Clark. Chloe says she’s using this as Chloe Sullivan’s Crib Sheet. When Clark concludes that there’s something seriously wrong with her, Chloe replies brightly that she still remembers him. After a beat, she admits that she’s forgotten almost everyone and she’s had to fake her feelings more and more. "Pretty soon there won’t be an I-Chloe, just an IQ" she adds. Clark says that they both know what’s going on. Chloe replies that she’s being taken over by Brainiac. Dun dun dun!

Talon: Davis climbs the stairs to the Talon apartment. As he crouches down to put a letter in the mailbox, Jimmy opens the door. Davis walks into the apartment. Jimmy, eying the letter, asks if it’s the RSVP and adds that Chloe is not there. Davis replies that he bumped into her in the city and she was acting strange. He asks if everything is okay. Jimmy downplays it. Davis asks if Jimmy really loves her. Jimmy answers yes. Davis apologizes for not being able to make the wedding. Jimmy makes to take the letter from Davis but Davis puts it in his pocket. He asks Jimmy to tell Chloe for him. Before leaving, Davis says that Chloe is an amazing girl and tells Jimmy to take care of her. What a strange conversation.

At the Kent barn, Clark and Chloe climb up to the loft. Clark asks what Chloe remembers when she lost her last memory of Jimmy. Chloe answers that every time she thinks about someone that she’s forgotten, a swarm of Kryptonian symbols is in her head. Clark thinks that Brainiac is replacing her memories with Kryptonian data. Chloe draws the symbol that keeps repeating in her head on a notebook. She gives it to Clark. Clark says that it’s the symbol for Doom! Chloe wonders if Brainiac is sending her a message. Clark says that they have to stop it. Jor-El created Brainiac and when Kara lost her memories, Jor-El restored it. Yes, Clark, Chloe was the one who talked Jor-El into it.

Clark holds the blue S-shield crystal. He decides to take the crystal to the Arctic and rebuild the Fortress. Jor-El might be able to help Chloe. Chloe reminds Clark that Jor-El could strip Clark of his powers or drop an ice castle on him. Clark says that he has to do this. Chloe, angry, says that that’s why she didn’t tell Clark anything. She knew he’d fly off without thinking of any of the consequences. She reminds him that the last time he handled the crystal it landed him in the PZ. She adds that Lex could have sent him the crystal and is trying to control him. Clark goes into self-blaming mode. He replies that everyone who knows his secret has either gone away or died – Lana, Jon, Lionel, Pete, Lex. Clark says that he won’t let his secret destroy Chloe’s life too. Chloe replies that the night she saw Clark catch a car with his bare hands, her life changed for the better. Thanks to Clark, she made an impact on the world and she wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Flashback to "Pariah": Chloe watches as Clark catches a car. The car vanishes. Clark’s voice brings her back to the present. Chloe says that her head feels like a volleyball at the summer Olympics. Clark says that she blacked out again. Clark gets Chloe to sit down. He asks if she’s lost another memory. Chloe says that he snapped her out of it before she lost another one. Clark says that before Chloe blacked out, she was talking about the first time she saw Clark use his abilities. Chloe looks confused. Uh oh. Looks like she’s lost another memory. Chloe says that all she remembers is Clark standing in the middle of the road. Clark asks if she remembers an out-of-control car. Chloe asks if Clark was hit by a car that day. Chloe realizes that she’s starting to forget things about Clark too. Clark asks if she remembers the name Kal-El. Chloe looks confused. Clark looks very sad. He asks if she remembers Krypton or Brainiac. Chloe brightens up. She said people used to call her Brainaic when she was a kid. Upon Clark’s sad face, Chloe realizes that she’s forgotten something important. She asks Clark what she doesn’t remember. Chloe admits that she’s losing everything. Clark tells her that everything will be okay. He says he knows someone that can help but Chloe needs to trust him and stay in the barn. Chloe begs Clark not to go. She’s worried she’ll forget Clark while he’s gone. Clark walks to the bookshelf and brings out the Smallville High yearbook. He opens it to a page with a picture of the two of them. "Best Buds..." He vows not to let anything happen to Chloe. He zips off. Chloe looks around confused and scared.

Arctic: The Fortress of Solitude rises once again as Clark watches on.

Chloe sits in the barn looking through the Smallville High yearbook. She hears footsteps approaching and thinks Clark is back. It’s Jimmy. Chloe looks wary. Jimmy says brought more pictures to jog Chloe’s memories. Chloe smiles brightly and lies that she remembers him. Jimmy is unsure. Chloe says that she’s sorry about that morning. Jimmy rushes over and hugs Chloe. She looks worried. Jimmy senses that something is different and releases her. He doesn’t think Chloe’s feeling the love. Chloe admits that she’s not feeling much of anything. She adds that Clark is one of the few friends she still has memories of. Jimmy figures that Chloe would lose some of her memories of Clark before she’d lose her memories of her future husband. Take the hint, Jimmy. Jimmy quickly adds that the most important thing is that she doesn’t have total amnesia. "Yet", says Chloe. Jimmy thinks Chloe needs to see a doctor and he’s made an appointment with the best neurologist in Metropolis. Chloe counters that Clark told her to stay put. Jimmy insists that he’ll get her real help. Chloe wants to wait for Clark. Jimmy shows pictures of them to Chloe. He says that pictures don’t lie. He begs Chloe to trust him.

Fortress of Solitude: Jor-El welcomes Clark home. Clark replies that he wanted to see it as home and he wanted to learn more about his family and his destiny but Jor-El tore it all away. Jor-El replies that he programmed the Fortress to remove Clark’s powers and self-destruct if Clark became a danger to Earth. Clark believes that Jor-El sent Clark to Earth not knowing how Clark would use his powers; he trusted Clark. But when Clark betrayed that trust, Jor-El was willing to sacrifice his only son. Clark says that now he knows what it means to protect people. Jor-El says that Clark has made great progress. Too bad it was all in Offscreensville. And too bad it’ll be reset when Lana comes back. Clark says that one thing must change: Jor-El calls him son but treats him like an enemy. Clark thinks it’s time Jor-El stops punishing him and starts to trust him again. Clark says that his trials are not over. Brainiac has infected one of his friends. Clark asks for Jor-El’s help. Jor-El answers that he can translate the Kryptonian code to human memories. Yes, yes, but can he get rid of Brainiac?! Jor-El warns that Brainiac is unpredictable and poses a threat to all of them. There is no way to know what will happen. Jor-El asks if Clark is willing to take that risk.

Metropolis General Hospital: Chloe asks a technician if he’s got advice for an MRI rookie. The technician suggests she close her eyes and think happy thoughts. He sits in front of his monitors. Suddenly Kryptonian code appears on the monitors. Chloe, meanwhile, flashes back to Clark in the elevator in "Bound" and the almost kiss in "Tempest". She then remembers the first time she met Clark...

 

Flashback to 2000: Fourteen year old Clark and fourteen year old Chloe walk into the loft. Chloe is impressed by the setup in the barn. She jokingly asks if Clark spends time spying on unsuspecting neighbors. Clark replies he likes to look at the stars as he slowly points the telescope up. Oh, Clark. Chloe says that Clark is truly a "gentleman farmer" and that Emerson and Thoreau have nothing on him. Chloe, embarrassed, admits she spends too much time reading. Clark admits that he loves reading too. He doesn’t have too much time for friends since his dad keeps him busy with chores. Chloe says that after her mom left when she was young, she was afraid of making friends because she figured they’d end up leaving too. She buried her nose in books. She thinks, however, that she lost her favorite book when they moved: "Tales of the Weird and Unexplained". Chloe doubts she’ll see anything weird or unexplained in "Norman Rockwell’s neighborhood". There’s a whoosh behind her. Chloe turns around. Clark says that Smallville is more than dairy cows. They also have a pretty good public library. He points to a book on makeshift coffee table. It’s a copy of "Tales of the Weird and Unexplained". Chloe looks at the book then kisses Clark on the lips. Clark asks why she kissed him. Chloe replies that she knows Clark’s been thinking about all day and she wanted to get it out of the way so they could be friends. Aww. That’s so sweet. And exactly what Clark described to Lana in "Obscura". Suddenly things begin disappearing around them. The globe, the chair, the lamp, the desk, ... Chloe panics. "It’s happening again" she says. She takes Clark’s hand and runs down the stairs of the loft. With each step, the stair behind them disappears. That is such a cool scene! The tractor flies through the roof of the barn. Chloe yells that she has to get Clark out of there and into another memory. She takes Clark’s hand and runs...

... Chloe finds herself at the Daily Planet holding a radio. She looks around confused. Glancing at the radio she realizes it’s Dark Thursday. Clark calls out to her. He asks what’s going on; the street lights are out. Suddenly things are disappearing around them again. Chloe grabs Clark’s hand and runs for the elevator. In a panic she hugs Clark. "I can’t lose you, Clark", she says. Clark replies that he’ll never leave her but he’s suddenly transported away from her. The Doom symbol flashes. Chloe is surrounded by Kryptonian symbols. Everything suddenly stops. Chloe looks around and sees a shadowy figure coming toward her. It’s Davis. He takes her hand and smiles. Chloe looks unsure.

Present Day: Back in the MRI room, alarms are going off. The technician rushes to Chloe. He asks if she’s okay. A nurse asks what happened. The technician replies that the machine spiked the moment Chloe went in. Chloe, looking dazed, asks where she is. The technician replies that she’s in the hospital. Chloe says she doesn’t remember anything but Davis.

Davis is packing his truck when Chloe rushes up to him and hugs him. She says she’s glad she found him. Davis asks if she’s alright. Chloe replies that she’s not okay. She doesn’t remember her parents or her zip code. She only remembers her name and Davis. Davis sits with Chloe on the back of his truck. He asks if she’s been in an accident. Chloe replies she hasn’t but her mind is MIA. Davis is her entire world. Davis suggests calling her friends. Chloe, completely panicked, says that she doesn’t remember them and doesn’t trust anyone but Davis. "I’m so scared. What’s happening to me?" she asks. Davis reassures her that she’s safe. He adds that he’ll always be there for her.

At the Talon apartment, Jimmy is pacing while on the phone. He angrily says that they’ll be hearing from an entire law firm and hangs up. Clark walks in. He asks where Chloe is. Jimmy replies that he took her to Met Gen for an MRI but the hospital lost her. Clark asks why Jimmy took her out of the barn. Jimmy angrily counters why Clark left her in the barn when her memory was going. Clark replies that he went to see someone who could help and Chloe wasn’t in any condition to make the trip. Jimmy calms down slightly. He says he never should have left her out of his sight. Clark tries to console him. Jimmy says that she could be wandering around with no idea who she is or where she’s from. Jimmy asks what if they don’t find her. Clark is sure they’ll find her if they work together. He tells Jimmy to call Met PD and ask for John Jones. He, meanwhile, will search the streets of Metropolis. Jimmy thanks Clark and Clark leaves.

Davis and Chloe walk into the Talon just as Clark comes down the stairs. Clark tells Chloe that while she doesn’t remember him, her apartment is upstairs. Chloe asks Davis why he brought her here. He told her he’d bring her to his place. Davis assures Chloe that she’s safe. Jimmy comes down the stairs having heard voices. Jimmy stops when he spots Chloe. He starts to head toward her but Chloe backs up behind Davis. "I don’t know who you are", she says warily. Clark reminds her that Jimmy is her fiancé. Just as Chloe is about to run, Davis injects her with something to knock her out. Jimmy takes her in his arms. He asks what Davis did to her. Davis explains that Chloe has amnesia and he thought she’d run so he brought her to her friends. Clark wonders why she remembers Davis. Davis doesn’t know but says it’s lucky that she does. She is scared. Davis thought that seeing Clark would jump start Chloe’s mind. Jimmy thanks Davis for bringing Chloe home. Davis replies that she’s in good hands and leaves. Jimmy thinks Chloe belongs in SV Med. Clark agrees. He tells Jimmy to grab her stuff and he’ll (Clark) take her to the car. Clark picks Chloe up and whooshes off.

Fortress of Solitude: Clark gently puts Chloe down and covers her with his blue jacket. Clark tells Jor-El that Chloe would never have been hurt if she wasn’t trying to protect him. Jor-El, unhelpfully says that he tried to warn Clark about the danger of knowing his secret. Clark thinks that now that he’s taking more risks, it’s more dangerous for her. Clark tells Jor-El that Chloe deserves a life free of his secret. He asks Jor-El to restore everything but her memory of Krypton and his abilities. Wow. Chloe’s brain is going to be Swiss-cheesed. A lot of what’s happened to her in the last 4 years is tied to Clark’s secret. Clark kneels down beside Chloe. He touches her hair. "You’ve been the best friend and ally I could’ve had, Chloe. Truth is you’ve saved me more than I ever could save you." Clark kisses Chloe’s forehead. "I’m sorry to go back to hiding the truth from you but the best way I know to protect you is to let you go." As the console in the Fortress lights up, Chloe’s eyes open. Black goo drips from her ear and is absorbed by the Fortress. I understand why Clark thinks he’s doing the right thing. Really I do. But he specifically went against Chloe’s wishes. Furthermore, Brainiac was erasing Chloe’s memories. What does Clark do? He erases Chloe’s memories. I guess when the good guy does it, it’s okay. Oy.

 

Talon apartment: Chloe is impressed by Jimmy seating arrangement for the wedding. Jimmy thinks Chloe is amazing. Hey, isn’t that word reserved for Lana? Jimmy adds that Chloe made the fastest spontaneous recovery. Chloe doesn’t know what happened. She remembers being at the Talon then waking up at the hospital happy to see Jimmy and Clark. Jimmy wonders if Davis’ knock out needle had anything to do with it. Clark walks in. He says that it definitely was a miracle. Chloe goes over to hug him. Chloe suddenly remembers that she has to drop off checks at the florists. Clark offers to run over and do it. Chloe replies that it’s a two hour trip and Clark drives like an old lady. Hee. Jimmy offers to go with Chloe. Chloe says that Jimmy should help Clark set up the folding tables in the barn because she seriously doubts he can carry them all. Clark looks wistful. Aw. That’s so sad... if Clark hadn’t done it to himself!

 

Chloe heads for her Vespa. Davis comes up to her. He apologizes for tricking her. Chloe says that it’s okay. She never would have gone with Clark and Jimmy. Chloe adds that she’s sorry Davis won’t make the wedding. She’ll miss him. Davis admits that he lied. He’s not needed at the hospital that day. Chloe hopes that it isn’t because of what she put him through. Davis assures her that it’s not her. "You’re beautiful", he mumbles. He explains that there’s a lot in his life that he doesn’t understand but the one thing he’s sure of is how he feels about Chloe. "I can’t go to your wedding, Chloe, because I can’t watch you marry the wrong man." Finally someone voices what I think. Chloe takes a step back. She says that Davis needs to put his ambulance in reverse. She admits that there was an attraction when they first met. Davis is kind and he saves people and he looks good in a uniform but she loves Jimmy. Gag! Davis asks if Chloe really does. He tried to be the bigger man and that’s why he brought her back to Jimmy although all he wanted was to take care of her. He’s thought about it and when Chloe forgot everyone else; she went to him for help; not Clark, not Jimmy. He whispers that they have a connection. He starts to kiss Chloe but she pulls back. She tells him that the connection was never this. Davis says that he understands but is not ready to let her go. He is willing to wait for as long as it takes.

At the Fortress, Clark thanks Jor-El for helping him with Chloe. He says that he’s starting to realize how much he’s lost. Jor-El answers that Clark made a difficult choice and he’s proud of him. He thinks that something else is troubling Clark. Clark says that while they just defeated Brainiac they may have another problem. Chloe kept seeing the Kryptonian symbol for Doom. "The symbol for Doom represents the ultimate destroyer. A Kryptonian creature bred for a single purpose: to kill. It adapts and evolves to any attack. It is virtually unstoppable and it appears it has made its way to Earth", explains Jor-El. Clark posits that Brainiac was trying to contact the creature using Chloe as the vessel. Jor-El says that if that’s the case, it is likely that the creature will find her soon. Clark vows to take it on no matter how powerful it is. Jor-El says he’s there for Clark. "Thank you, Father", replies Clark. When Clark whooshes away, Jor-El weakly calls out to Clark but Brainiac’s voice tells him that Clark is destined to fail. "Soon a new age will dawn on Earth; an age of power, strength, and the fall of the House of El. Doomsday is coming." The Fortress crystals go black from the Brainiac infection. Whoa. Nice ending. Very chilling.