This episode was excellent (minus the retconning of Lex as Segeeth). It was hard to summarize because the dialogue was good, every scene advanced the plot, and all the actors brought their A-game.
I really felt for Davis in this episode. He doesn’t want to kill and he’s willing to commit suicide to stop it. His realization in Tess’ study that he has a way out was heartbreaking. Davis/Sam Witwer can be very charming like in the apartment preparing supper for Chloe. He can also be extremely menacing like with Tess at the mansion or about to doom-out in the cage at the lab. Mr. Witwer, you are very talented.
Chloe was caught between a rock and a hard place in "Eternal". She can’t and won’t kill but, when Clark and the world are at stake, she’ll do whatever it takes. She’s a true hero. Her decision at the end to stay with Davis to prevent the beast from emerging was a heroic one.
Clark can be really dumb and "Eternal" sadly showcased that perfectly. He gets all pissy in Chloe’s apartment when he sees Davis. Just last episode, he admitted that he didn’t believe Jimmy’s claim of Davis being a serial killer. Now, he’s doing an I-told-you-so and What-were-you-thinking to Chloe. What a sanctimonious ass. Jonathan Kent taught him well. And how dumb is it to tell the thing that was bred to kill him and the world that he’s to blame for everything. He swallowed Tess’ interpretation of Lionel’s journal hook, line and sinker. Idiot. I’m glad that in the Talon at the end he didn’t argue with Chloe when she made it clear that given the same set of circumstances she’d do the same thing again. Chloe is right; Clark doesn’t make the tough decisions. He lets things get so out of hand that he’s just ends up reacting.
Tess is sounding like Edward Teague and Lionel. She completely and totally worships Clark with a twist. She’s going to do what needs to be done to have Clark become the savior she believes he’s destined to be. Now that’s scary devotion.
***
Luthor mansion: Tess sits in front of the fireplace reading a book with the Veritas symbol on the cover. She appears fascinated.
Flashback 1989: The meteor shower hits Smallville. Martha and Jonathan are in their pickup during the shower. Jonathan loses control of the truck.
Lionel is walking the in razed corn field yelling for Lex. He finds him under some cornstalks lying on his side wearing his Excelsior jacket. He looks scared and he’s lost his hair.
Martha and Jonathan come to in their turned over truck to find a young child smiling at them.
In the crater formed by a spaceship is a black pod. It breaks open and white goo oozes out. It slowly takes the form of a young boy.
Present day: Tess realizes that Lionel was too blind to see the truth. "There was another" she says.
Daily Planet: Tess is at her desk talking on the phone. Her aide lets Clark in the office. When Tess hangs up, Clark hands Tess an article. He thinks he’s ready for the front page. Clark’s found a stack of missing person cases that no one is talking about. There are similarities between them. Clark believes that the city is under attack and no one appears to care. Tess knowingly replies that it makes you wish the RBB wasn’t sitting on the job. Clark ignores her hint. He thinks the same criminal is responsible for all the attacks and he wants the DP to be the first to break the story. He wants to warn the people of Metropolis. Tess looks over the article. She says she can’t print it because Clark doesn’t have any facts. Well he learned from the best *coughloiscough*. Clark accuses Tess of not caring. Isn’t she your boss, Clark? Clark accuses Tess of sweeping the story under the rug. Oh for Pete’s sake! Tess is unimpressed by Clark’s "conspiracy theory". She says that Clark won’t find a web of lies behind her façade – that’s his department.
Talon apartment: Davis is crying?! Chloe notes that he’s a man that’s not afraid to cry. Davis replies that he’s a man who’s not afraid to cut onions. Lol! Chloe tells Davis that he didn’t have to cook her dinner although she did manage to override the settings on his cellphone, retrieve his addresses, and change his applications so he doesn’t accidentally erase all his info again. Davis calls Chloe "the overachieving teacher’s pet know-it-all". Hee. Chloe is impressed that Davis can cook. She starts to set the table. Davis says that mac and cheese was always on the menu in the foster homes he grew up at. Oh my, Davis (Sam Witwer) can be soooooo charming.
Davis changes the conversation. He asks if Chloe has heard from Jimmy. Chloe replies that Jimmy’s last tirade of e-mails included every single unflattering word in the dictionary. Huh? Why is Jimmy spamming Chloe’s in-box? Leave her alone, you jerk! Davis is surprised Jimmy isn’t dying to get back together with Chloe. Chloe clarifies that Jimmy’s last e-mail specifically says to not call him or drop by and, if Chloe sends him an e-mail, he won’t open it. What a douche. Chloe thought she and Jimmy were best friends but it’s obvious there was stuff brewing under the surface. Eh, and over the surface. Jimmy’s made his jealously and his wandering eye quite obvious. Chloe wonders how one can be so close to someone and not know who they are. Davis is cutting a tomato when he nicks his finger. Chloe rushes over with a cloth. When she wipes his finger, there is no cut.
Clark barges in. He looks over at Davis and Chloe and looks put out! "Davis", he says. "Clark", Davis replies. Hee. Davis keeps his gaze to the floor. Clark says he was working on a story and Chloe might be able to help. Davis says that he’s got to go. Chloe asks about dinner. Davis says they’ll do it tomorrow. He thanks her for fixing his cell and leaves. Clark looks miffed. As Davis reaches the bottom of the staircase, he feels himself changing. Uh oh.
Out in a field, a man in a hoodie drags a shovel to his car. He puts it in the trunk and gets in the car. He takes a crucifix from the rearview mirror, kisses it and asks for forgiveness. It’s Davis. His cellphone rings. As he answers he looks in his car beams to see Tess holding her cellphone to her ear. She asks what the prayer for dismembering a body is. She puts her hand up and presses a button. Davis’ car explodes in a fiery ball. Tess looks knowingly at the burning car.
At the Talon Chloe sits at her laptop. She can’t believe that there have been over a dozen missing persons in the last month. "You think it’d be newsworthy", says Clark. Chloe snarkily asks since when does newsworthy have anything to do with what’s on the front page. Finally, someone acknowledges that the DP is a tabloid under LuthorCorp/Tess. Clark stares at Chloe’s back. Chloe hopes that Clark has the safety cocked on his heat-vision. Clark’s confused. Chloe clarifies that Clark’s been staring at the back of her head so hard, she’s afraid her hair will go up in flames. Clark replies that he didn’t realize that Chloe and Davis were spending so much time together. Oh, don’t get all pissy, Clark. Chloe rolls her eyes. Clark angrily starts to say that if Chloe doesn’t want to talk about it. Chloe says that she loves to trudge through stagnant water. Clark takes the opportunity to say that he thinks Chloe is moving on kind of fast. He doesn’t get what Chloe sees in Davis. I do. Chloe, miffed, explains that it was just dinner. And Davis is kind, supportive, and a strong shoulder for her to lean on that she can really use right now. Clark says he has a bad feeling about Davis. Chloe asks what’s with the meet-me-out-in-the-back-for-a-duel mentality. Clark replies that Davis disappears and can’t explain where he went; he’s full of secrets and there isn’t a record of his childhood. Clark’s been busy. Chloe notes that it sounds familiar. Clark says that he doesn’t collect morbid crime scene photos in his locker. Why does Davis do that, I wonder. He adds that he’s not the first EMT at every gruesome murder. Chloe is distracted by something on her laptop. She says that a vehicle was found on fire outside of Smallville. It’s Davis’...
A bandaged Davis wakes up. Someone opens the blinds and the sun hits his one non-bandaged eye. It’s Tess. She apologizes for Davis’ state. She didn’t think he’d end up like this. She admits that she was trying to kill him. So, she’s apologizing for not being able to kill Davis? Tess says it’s harder than she thought. She removes the bandage from Davis’ face. Davis is scarred and in obvious pain. He tries to ask why he’s there. Tess replies that Davis is safe with her. If the world knew Davis was a serial killer, they would be after him with torches. Davis weakly denies any knowledge of Tess’ claim. Tess says that it’s not Davis’ fault that he was born with a killer instinct. She even admires his selection of victims. Davis admits that he can’t control himself. Tess says that even suicide wouldn’t work for a guy who can’t die. Davis denies he’s who Tess thinks he is. Tess replies that Davis isn’t who he thinks he is. Tess says that she looked into Davis’ background. She hit a dead end until she discovered the Veritas book. Stole the Veritas book, she clarifies. The book was Lionel Luthor’s. It tells the story of a boy who fell to Earth the day a meteor shower destroyed a small Kansas town. She opens the book...
1989: The boy from the pod, young Davis, looks at the spaceship then back at his pod. He hides when he hears Martha and Jonathan discuss the boy that found them (Clark). He watches as Martha and Jonathan find the spaceship. Martha is holding Clark who’s wrapped in a blue blanket. Ah, the good old days when Smallville was fresh and fun. As they walk away, the boy comes out of hiding. Suddenly there are men chasing him. He runs through the field and they follow. The boy is caught and locked in a cage.
A young Lex, wearing a cap, is chasing after his bird, Feathers. He hears a sound coming from a locked room. He peeks in the keyhole. A voice inside the room asks who he is. Lex unlocks the door to find Davis. Davis asks if Lex is cold. When Lex shakes his head, Davis removes the cap from Lex’s head. Looking down at the Warrior Angel comic book Lex is holding, Davis asks Lex if he is Warrior Angel. Lex replies that he wants to be. Davis takes out a Warrior Angel action figure from his pocket. Lex introduces himself. Davis says that he doesn’t know who he is. He adds that a man brought him there a few days ago and put needles in his arm. Lex notes that Davis doesn’t look sick. He asks if Davis wants to play; his dad won’t find out. He is at a farm. As they leave, Lex closes the door. On a table is Feathers – he’s dead (Jim).
Present day: Tess tells Davis that the day of the meteor shower; Lionel had men look for Davis because he thought Davis was a prophesied messiah, the Traveler, a visitor from another planet sent to save humankind. But Lionel didn’t realize that there were two boys that fell to Earth; the Traveler and Davis.
Out in a field, a man loads Davis’ charred car on a truck. Clark and Chloe pull up in Clark’s truck. Chloe approaches the man. She asks if the police found a victim. The man replies that the car was abandoned – there was no sign of a driver. Chloe thanks the man and walks back to Clark who is staring out into the field. Clark thinks it’s strange that Davis stopped there. It’s the field where his ship landed. Chloe thinks it’s a pretty big coincidence. Clark x-rays the field and sees the buried skeletons.
Back at Luthor mansion, Davis wakes up. He’s healed completely. He gets out of bed and walks around the mansion. He comes upon the door to the study and opens it...
1989: Young Lex and young Davis duel with play swords. Davis spots a box on Lionel’s desk. Lex explains that it’s made from the armor of St. George. He slayed dragons with his sword called Ascalon. Lex points his sword at Davis. "I am St. George and you are the dragon. You’ve been sent to destroy the world but only I can protect it from a beast like you. Fight or die", he tells him. They continue their sword fight until Lex pretends to kill Davis. Davis falls to the ground. Lex says he’s slayed the beast and he shall claim his treasure. He takes the box and opens it. A piece of green Kryptonite glows. Davis screams in agony.
Present day: Davis realizes that there is a way. Tess appears behind him. Davis asks if Tess thinks she can keep him there. Tess admits that nothing can restrain Davis. She wonders what does one do when they find Judas in their midst. Who would Christ have been if Judas had not betrayed him? Maybe Jesus would be remembered at a teacher. Davis is confused. Tess explains that without Judas, Jesus would never have risen from the dead to come back and face his greatest challenge – saving humankind. Tess says that there’s a savior among them and Davis is the betrayer. Huh? Judas betrayed Jesus and sold him out for 30 pieces of silver, he didn’t kill him. Given that, Tess is the betrayer and Davis plays the role of Pontius Pilate. Tess believes that the Traveler cannot become the world’s savior without triumphing over the world’s destroyer. Davis angrily grabs Tess shoulders. He wants to know what Tess is talking about. Tess reveals that there is a reason why Davis and Clark don’t get along. They were destined to kill each other. Davis’ eyes suddenly turn red. He slaps Tess and sends her sliding into the wall. She lies unconscious.
At the DP, Clark wants to know why Chloe didn’t mention that Davis blacks out regularly. Chloe replies that she thought it was low blood sugar. Clark angrily says that Davis told her he was hiding something dark inside. It should have set off alarms. Shut up, Clark! The last time you suspected Davis, Pocket Protector took the blame for all the killings. You’ve just stopped your wacky hijinks with Lois and discovered there are more unaccounted deaths. Give Chloe a break. She’s had to deal with Brainiac, Jimmy, and a monster this year. Geez. What an ass! Chloe says that she thought Davis meant moody or bipolar. She didn’t think that Davis meant serial killer. Clark angrily reminds Chloe of the times she was angry that Clark doubted Davis. Chloe says that she couldn’t believe it was this bad. Clark, not giving an inch, says it’s not that bad it’s worse. Chloe can’t believe that Davis is the serial killer... that Jimmy warned us about finishes Clark. Clark calms down a bit. He says that he looked into the missing persons. They are not Metropolis’ finest – assault charges, breaking-and-entering, abuse. Chloe asks if Davis is on a vigilante mission. Clark thinks that someone took Davis because Davis wouldn’t abandon his car near a field full of evidence. Chloe says that when she was looking into Davis’ past, his records had already been checked out... by Tess.
Tess is in a hospital bed at Met Gen. She slams her glass of water down. A minion says that they tried to stop Davis; they opened fire. Tess orders him to find Davis. The minion leaves. Clark walks in. He says that he’s aware that Tess looked into Davis Bloome. He asks if Davis is the reason she’s in the hospital. Tess replies that there isn’t a short version of the story. Clark thinks he’s missed something. Tess says that he’s been at the center the whole time. She explains about finding Lionel’s journal and Lionel’s quest to find the Traveler the day of the meteor shower. Lionel wanted to possess the Traveler. Tess thinks that both Lex and Lionel got the moral of the story wrong. According to the Kawatche Indians, the boy is part of a two headed creature – good and evil. The Luthors were so busy feuding about who was worthy to be Clark’s adversary that they couldn’t see that there was another boy who came to Earth with Clark – Davis Bloome. Oh come on! Tess is completely misinterpreting the legend. According to the Kawatche legend, Numan and Segeeth were friends who became enemies. Davis and Clark were never friends. There is no way Davis is Segeeth. Plus, why do the writers insist that every one of Clark’s opponents have to fit within this legend anyway? Geez, Davis is Doomsday! Isn’t that enough?
Clark continues to deny everything. Tess adds that Lionel found Davis on the day of the meteor shower but his tests seemed normal. After five days, he threw Davis on the street when he got a call from Martha Kent. Clark smiles; he thinks Tess is reaching. Oh, Clark. Give it up already. You’re lousy at lying and Tess has Lionel’s journal. Tess says that in Lionel’s own words "I have the wrong boy". She asks Clark why Lionel would arrange an adoption for a boy who seemed to come out of nowhere. Clark was the reason Davis was abandoned. Oh no! Not more for Clark to feel guilty about. Kryptonite and guilt render Clark helpless.
Isis: Chloe looks at photos of the victims on her computer. A door opens and closes behind her. It’s Davis. Chloe gets up quickly knocking the chair to the floor and starts to back away from Davis. She tells him that Jimmy was right. Davis tries to explain that the guy he killed was a three-time-offender drunk driver. Chloe asks how Davis is going to justify killing the others. She makes a run for it and Davis follows. Chloe pushes things behind her to slow Davis down but he catches her. Chloe yells that Davis lied to her. Davis replies that he didn’t want to drag Chloe into this. Chloe asks why Davis came to see her. Davis admits that he’s in love with Chloe. Oh, great. Finally a handsome, charming, sweet guy is in love with Chloe and he’s Doomsday. Davis wants to know if Chloe cares about him. Chloe replies that she thought she did. Davis asks Chloe to help him... die.
Clark walks into Isis. He calls for Chloe but gets no answer. He sees the mess on the floor. He goes to Chloe’s computer which displays a schematic of Dr. Grohl’s Prometheus lab. "Chloe", says a determined Clark and whooshes off.
Prometheus lab: Davis is standing in a cage. Above him is a vat of liquid Kryptonite. Outside, Chloe is standing in front of a console. She is crying. "It’s time", says Davis. Chloe says that she can’t. Davis replies that he’s finally found a way out. He begs Chloe not to take it away from him. He orders her to pull the lever. Chloe tentatively puts her hand on the lever. "I can’t kill you, Davis", she cries. A whoosh and Clark is holding Chloe by the shoulders. He asks what she’s doing. Davis replies that it’s his life and he can take it if he chooses. Clark tells him not to be a martyr. No, that title is reserved for Lana. Chloe says that it’s not what Davis is doing. Davis replies that he’s not doing it for Clark. He wants it to end; he can no longer live with himself. Clark goes into self-blame mode again. It’s really tiring to see this over and over. Clark says that everything that happened to Davis is because of Clark. Oh for... good going Clark. Give the killing machine a reason to despise you. Clark says that it’s because Davis didn’t have a home. Clark wonders what his life would have been like if the Luthors had found him instead of the Kents. Davis replies that Clark didn’t – he was destined to have the better life. "No matter how hard we try to fight it, we will always return to our true nature", Davis says with finality. Davis orders Chloe to pull the lever. Clark turns to Chloe. He tells her not to pull the lever. She has to give it another chance; it’s not set in stone. Davis tells Clark that deep down he knows he should let him (Davis) die. Clark asks if there is something in Davis’ life that is worth giving it one more try. Davis looks at Chloe. Clark turns to Chloe. Davis says that it’s not where his heart is but what he’s done and what he’s going to do. "I was sent here to destroy you, Clark" he adds. Davis falls to the ground. He can feel himself changing. Clark bangs on the glass – er, Clark, is that a good idea? Davis’ eyes go red. "There aren’t enough prayers in this world to give me redemption", he yells in a deep terrifying voice. Clark has the decency to look scared. Chloe runs back to the console and pulls the lever. Clark feels the effects of the K until Chloe pulls him back. Davis slowly falls to the ground. As he does so, he flashes back to 1989...
Young Davis is let out of a limousine and handed a bag. Davis asks what he’s doing here. A man in a suit answers that he was told to drop Davis off here. Davis asks who’s going to meet him. The man doesn’t answer. He gets in the limo and closes the door. Davis looks sad. Then his eyes turn red. The man glances at Davis and his eyes go wide. A large fist breaks through the window of the limo...
Present day: Davis sits crumpled in the corner of the cage. Chloe runs up to him. She puts her hand on the cage and Davis slowly brings his hand up to hers while Clark looks on. Davis dies.
Clark walks into the Talon apartment. Chloe is on the couch gazing at the picture of Numan and Sageeth from the cave walls. The fire is lit in the fireplace. Clark asks how she’s holding up. Chloe answers that she’s had better days. She asks about Davis. Clark replies that Oliver is taking care of the details. Clark thinks they need to talk about what happened. Chloe says that she wouldn’t change what she did. Clark thinks that there’s always another way. Chloe insists that Davis could have killed Clark. She won’t risk the safety of the world for Clark’s code of ethics that stops Clark from acting when things threaten him (and that Clark waffles on when it suits him). Clark picks up the Numan/Sageeth picture. He notes that Jor-El said Davis was the ultimate destroyer. It didn’t turn out to be much of a fight. Clark puts the picture in the fireplace. He says that as a kid he had a nightmare that his ship landed in a field and no one found him. Chloe says that the nightmare was Davis’ life. Clark thought that it was a burden to be destined to save people but he can’t image living a life knowing you’re doomed.
Clark is standing in the barn thinking. Tess comes up behind him. Clark says that he’s busy. Tess says that she’d understand if Clark was saving a busload of children but cleaning the feeding bin. Clark says he’s sorry Tess bought into the Luthor obsession about him. Tess says she hasn’t bought into it so much as a belief. Clark tells his boss that if she chooses to believe the journal of a madman, she’s got a few holes in her personal life. Tess replies that people seek idols because they have holes in their lives; it doesn’t mean it’s not real. Clark says that what Tess has made him out to be is not real; he’ll never be that man. Tess says that Clark won’t fulfill his destiny until he meets his greatest challenge. I thought that was losing Lana forever *sniff*. Clark insists that Tess doesn’t know anything about him. Tess replies that if that’s how Clark lied to Lex, she can see why it pushed him over the edge. Clark says that Lex was heading over the edge before he met him (Clark). Oh brother. So Clark feels responsible for Doomsday but not for Lex Luthor? Just great. Tess replies that betrayal is harder the more you love someone. Clark asks if Tess is threatening him. Tess is not that naïve. Clark insists that he’s not some problem to be solved. Tess says cryptically that it’s too early. She’ll wait for Clark to come to her. Clark replies that it’ll be a long wait and he walks off. Tess replies "I’ll be shorter than you think, Kal-El". Dun dun dun!!!
At Luthor mansion, Tess takes out a metal briefcase and opens it. It contains the round artifact used to control the Traveler.
Chloe walks into the Talon with a bag of groceries. She hears a noise, puts down the bag, and goes to investigate. It’s coming from the basement. She cautiously walks down the stairs and comes upon a makeshift living area. "Don’t be afraid", says a voice. It’s Davis looking fine. Chloe is surprised Davis is alive. The meteor rocks didn’t kill him, it made him stronger. Uh oh. Chloe asks if Davis is invulnerable. Davis replies that he’s immortal. Double uh oh. Chloe realizes that Davis will go after Clark again. She starts to walk toward the stairs. Davis says that he won’t go after Clark if he’s with her. "What?!", says a stunned Chloe. Davis explains that there’s something about being around Chloe that calms the murderer inside him. Chloe counters that Davis has admitted it’s his true nature. Davis thinks there is something out there that is stronger than his need to kill. "Will you stay with me?" he asks. Chloe slowly walks up the stairs and bolts the door... Whoa.
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