SV: 8-19 “Stiletto” Review/Recap

Eh, another Lois-Lame-wacky-hijinks-while-the-real-plot-happens-around-her-filler episode. Just what we need four episodes from the season finale.

Lois fabricates a story about herself to restart her flagging career at the DP and to show RBB that she can be trusted for an interview. Pathetic. She then runs around in a squeaky pleather outfit and 5-inch stilettos talking to herself. She conveniently forgets about Jimmy’s part in the divorce from her cousin and seeks to have him reinstated at the DP (although he quit) by helping her with her fake story. Worded differently – she uses Jimmy’s sad state to further her agenda. Her antics get Chloe, Jimmy, and Clark almost killed and succeeds in killing a thug. Lois somehow jumps through a skylight, down 30 feet to save the day. I don’t know how she didn’t break a nail, a leg or her neck with that fall. In other news, Bruce Wayne spent countless hours and millions of dollars training but Lois, Lois does it in a few days. Heh. She tops even Lana for the Out-of-Nowhere-Abilities Award.

Chloe is distancing herself from Clark while trying to deal with Davis/Doomsday. She makes careless mistakes with Justice computer data. She, sadly, sees first-hand what Doomsday is capable of. Chloe is just, just holding it together.

Clark was quite likable in this episode. I adored his impromptu shy "I have you" to Chloe after she mentioned soulmate Lana. He saw through Chloe’s façade; saw that she was struggling; and was there to listen. Now that’s what a best friend does. Very sweet. He was there for Lois and Jimmy too.

Jimmy is spiraling down at an alarming rate. He still has the presence of mind to protect his friends though. He’s become a much more interesting character in the last few episodes.

***

It’s the annual Edward R. Murrow press society banquet. The admissions person explains to a dark haired woman that if she’s not a member of the press society she won’t be on the list. The woman says to check again. It’s Lois. She claims she’s written a hundred stories (yeah, right) for the Daily Planet and is sure the admissions person has heard of it. The admissions person says she’s heard of "it" but not of Lois. Lois says there is some sort of mistake; she didn’t squeeze into 5-inch boots for her health. When the admissions person refuses to let Lois in, Lois calls her a gargoyle and tells her to tell Edward R. Murrow to kiss this cub reporter’s sweet little... "Lois" interrupts Chloe. Why does Lois think she’s entitled to everything? Oh yes, because everything just falls into her lap.

Lois complains that it’s the place for journalist achievement and she isn’t even a plus one. Chloe assures her that she’s a good reporter. Lois says that her last article was so long ago she practically wrote it with a feather pen. She had the same problem at the Inquisitor. She solved it by stealing a story from Chloe. Lois says she needs a news story... like a rendezvous with a superhero. Chloe thought Lois gave up after her open letter to the RBB failed to get her anything. Lois replies that she doesn’t blame him. "If you want an interview with a rock star, you don’t start with Springsteen", she reasons. Chloe thinks Lois has a crush on the RBB. What happened to her inst-love of Clark? Lois says that she respects the RBB’s heroism but even GA was shy about publicity. Chloe replies that they wear costumes because they don’t want publicity.

Chloe walks ahead – she’s parked illegally. Lois stops because her shoes are "silent killers". Suddenly, in the distance a man’s voice says to give the keys to him. Chloe yells "No! Lois!" Lois runs toward Chloe in time to see the thug knock Chloe out. Lois attacks the thug. A second thug comes up to her from behind. She struggles and kicks him. The first thug, meanwhile, grabs Chloe’s bag and takes off in her car. Lois kicks the second thug and plants her heel on his chest. He looks up at her and asks if she’s a superhero. Lois replies "You bet I am. Call me Stiletto".


Metropolis General Hospital: Chloe is talking on her cell. She assures Davis that she’ll be home in 20 minutes. A doctor walks up as Chloe hangs up. She tells Chloe that she should stick around for observation because she took a hard hit to the head. Chloe replies that she’s fine and starts to walk away. Clark comes up behind her. He asks if that’s what it takes for her to call him back. He asks if she’s okay. Chloe apologizes for being the invisible best friend. Clark wonders where she’s been. Chloe explains Watchtower. Chloe adds that she’s glad Clark is there. Her laptop was in the backseat when her car was hijacked. She sheepishly admits that she’s been using it to update her Watchtower databases from home. Clark says that the files contain details of nearly every operation. Chloe says that she never should have taken it home. Clark asks if it’s encrypted. Chloe replies that it’s hack-able. Come on! Chloe would never have sensitive information not properly encrypted and on her laptop of all places. On the other hand, Chloe is under tremendous stress. I could see her taking risks to stay near pr at the Talon to keep Davis from dooming out. This should be sending up major red flags to Clark. Instead, he asks if Chloe got a look at the mugger. She replies no but there was another witness – Stiletto. Clark thinks Stiletto must be a knife expert. Eh, Clark, too deep. Think fashionable 5-inch boots *sigh*.

Daily Planet: Lois is outraged that her Stiletto story will be placed on page 10. The editor, unimpressed, replies that the next time Lois calls him out of a press society banquet she should at least have a picture. She had a similar conversation with Grant last year. When Lois replies that Stiletto is camera shy, the editor suggests Lois capture Stiletto in action. When Lois complains, the editor asks if he misjudged her power of persuasion.

Lois walks to her desk as Clark comes down the stairs. He asks about the attack and Stiletto. Lois smugly replies that Clark can read about Stiletto tomorrow with the rest of the world. Clark grimaces and picks up an article from the desk. He’s surprised that Stiletto gave Lois so many quotes. Clark asks for Lois to put her in contact with Stiletto. Lois suggests he get his own hero. She adds that it’s not every day that a superhero gives her their phone number. Clark is surprised. Lois takes back the article and sits down. Clark explains that the thugs took Chloe’s laptop which contains information on Isis. He says he needs to talk to Stiletto. Lois suggests Clark go to the police station to talk to the thug that Stiletto caught. I guess Stiletto (Lois) doesn’t know anything otherwise I really hope she would have offered to talk to Stiletto.

At the Ace of Clubs, a bartender fixes two margaritas. It’s Jimmy. A man, Mr. Mannheim, asks for a drink. As Jimmy prepares it, someone tells Ugly (Mannheim) that the boss wants to see him. Mannheim gulps his drink and starts to head out. Jimmy puts a hand on Mannheim’s shoulder to stop him. Mannheim doesn’t look pleased. Jimmy quickly removes his hand, apologizes and asks if he can get an advance on the day’s pay. Mannheim says he’ll talk to Ricky but it’s the last time. He leaves.

In a back room at the Ace of Clubs, guys are churning out counterfeit money. The boss is sitting at a desk. When Mannheim walks in, he gets up holding Chloe’s bag. He sarcastically says that he was hoping AJ had been arrested for stealing a Dolce and Cabana. Mannheim replies that someone clocked them. Boss counters that he’s trying to pull them out from the streets. They’ve finally cracked the metallic tin with the green rocks from Smallville; they can make all the money in the world and Mannheim is snatching purses. Mannheim says that it’s not about the prize but about reminding people that they own the town not some caped circus freaks. Boss thinks that Mannheim’s gash and AJ’s black eye tell a different story. Mannheim angrily asks how Boss can let the vigilantes take their streets. Boss is fed up. He angrily orders that they are done with street crime. They are a business now. Mannheim calmly takes a gun out and shoots the boss (not Springsteen!). "Maybe it’s time for Bruno Mannheim to climb the corporate ladder", he says. He tells the goons that they’ll say goodnight to the wannabe heroes; starting with Stiletto. Dun, dun... eh, who cares.

Meanwhile, Lois sews a pleather outfit to go with her 5-inch stiletto boots. She puts a mask on her face and looks in the mirror. Bruce, take note, it’s that easy. Kevlar is for sissies.

Jimmy walks in a dark alley holding his camera. He calls out for Lois. Stiletto lands behind him. Jimmy asks what she’s doing. "Picking up your rebound" says Lois taking off her mask. She picks up a small fan and turns it on. Jimmy is squicked out but gives Lois the once over. He replies that he flattered but his just broke up with Chloe. Don’t you mean divorced? Lois clarifies that she meant rebound his career. Is she so oblivious that she’s unaware that he quit? Jimmy says he’s not there to be saved; Lois mentioned $100. Lois gets up on some crates and strikes a pose. "Metropolis’ newest superhero! Meet Stiletto" she says dramatically. Jimmy snaps pictures. Jimmy doesn’t believe Lois is serious. Lois says that she’s obviously not serious about cleaning up the streets; but she quoted Stiletto in one of her articles and her editor said she needs a photo to get a page 1. Jimmy sarcastically replies that he must have missed the giant asterisk to Lois Lane’s Rules of Reporting saying "or just make it up". Touché, Jimmy! Lois replies that unlike Jimmy she hasn’t had an up close and personal with the RBB yet. Jimmy says that the RBB isn’t talking to anyone; what makes Lois different. Lois explains that once the RBB sees how Lois handles the Stiletto stories, he might be tempted to contact her. "Good luck with that" replies a skeptical Jimmy. Lois says to e-mail the photos to her editor; she off to talk to a real hero. She smiles. This is Lois Lane?! Unethical, desperate journalist working for a Luthor-tainted Planet. Okay then.


Isis: Clark comes in dressed in Luthor-like black jacket. Nice. He tells Chloe that Stiletto may be their only hope in getting her laptop back. According to Met PD, Stiletto’s take-down posted bail before they got him behind bars. Chloe replies that she hasn’t been able to find any more leads on Stiletto’s whereabouts but she does a search on "Blur-etto". Hahaha. Chloe says you’ve made it when you have your own fansite. "No one understands a hero’s life of solitude better than a fellow cape", reads Clark, "These two lonely hearts belong together". Clark wonders who thinks this stuff up. Hehehe. Chloe asks if they are off the mark. Clark replies that he’s not looking for romance. Chloe points out that Clark thought he found his super-powered soulmate in Lana and he hasn’t talked about her since she left. Clark looks away, embarrassed. "That’s because I have you" he says. Whoa. Chloe mentions soulmate and Clark replies that he’s got her. On a meta level, Chloe shows Clark the Bluretto sites (i.e. Clois sites) and Clark replies that he has Chloe. Clark is falling for Chloe! That’s so cool. Chloe says that knows she’s not been available and Oliver and his friends are MIA; Clark needs someone on speed dial that knows about leading a double life. Clark says that he and his double life are fine. He’d rather concentrate on finding Chloe’s laptop.

Daily Planet: Clark listens to the police scanner while reading the Metropolis PD website. Across from him, Lois pretends to work. Exasperated, she asks if it’s past his bedtime. Clark lies that he’s finishing up work while he’s motivated. He looks down at his red hero school pack back. That’s so wrong. Lois looks down at her hero bag. This is positively silly. Clark says that Lois can go. If the RBB calls, he’ll be sure to patch him through. Lois replies that between the two of them the editor is counting only her coffee cups. Clark asks if it’s because she’s a big shot and he’s only a copy boy. Lois, annoyed, says that it’s because Clark is doing much better than anyone expected. Whoa. Something comes in on the police scanner. Clark gets up and says he’s got to feed Shelby. Lois gets up and says she’s going to hit the gym.

Jimmy walks into the Ace of Clubs and heads for Mannheim’s table. Holding up his camera, he says that he knows he’s late but he got caught up in a project. Mannheim takes the camera and notes that it’s a nice tele-macro zoom. He remembers that Jimmy used to be a journalist and asks what Jimmy is doing working at a bar. Mannheim looks through Jimmy’s images. Looking at a picture of Chloe and Jimmy on their wedding, he jokes that Blondie looks better when she’s smiling. Jimmy wants his camera back. Mannheim continues to scan the images until he comes to the pics of Stiletto. Mannheim asks if Jimmy knows her. Jimmy denies it. Mannheim wants to know where she is. His goon, AJ, roughs Jimmy up. Jimmy is bleeding from a cut on his cheek. When Jimmy says he doesn’t know where Stiletto is, Mannheim grabs his head and asks what’s wrong with Jimmy. It’s like Jimmy wants Mannheim to kill him. When Jimmy doesn’t answer, Mannheim knocks him out. Mannheim tells AJ to let Ricky hack into the stolen laptop and, in the meantime, he wants AJ to go to the source. Uh oh.

While the jewelry store alarm is sounding, Lois looks through the broken glass window inside the store. Her suit squeaks as she walks away. "Wonderful. Very stealth, Lois" she says. Batman doesn’t have that problem. She adds that next time she’ll call herself Nike. She comes across the thief knocked out and tied up. She’s surprised that a guy that blurs from place to place beat her there?! Clark not dressed in red and blue, sneaks up behind her. In a deep (sexy) voice, he asks if Lois is the Stiletto. Lois smiles. She starts to say "It’s an honor..." until she sees Clark. Clark recognizes her right away. Batman doesn’t have that problem either. Lois talking in a fake English accent says that she should get back to her cave. Clark replies that she could have a bag over her head and he’d still recognize her. Eh, Jimmy recognized her too. Clark asks what she’s doing. Lois asks what he’s doing – he’s supposed to be feeding Shelby. "Isn’t there any woman in your life you haven’t stood up" Lois says. Shelby is a male, Lois! Heh, she’s still smarting over the coffee date that she pretended she was too busy for.

Clark lies that he came to make sure she was okay but she’s not if she’s impersonating the Stiletto. Lois yells that it’s "Stiletto" not "the Stiletto" and she is Stiletto. Clark, incredulous, asks if she made up a fake hero so she could write her story. Lois says that Stiletto could open major doors for her. Stiletto could help her land a one-on-one with RBB. Clark explains that RBB avoids reporters for a reason. He asks what Lois would say that no one else has said. Lois says that she’d listen. "What if he’s not looking for a best friend" asks Clark. What if he already has a best friend, I ask. Lois says that every Fred needs a Barney. "Unless it’s based on a lie" counters Clark. He adds that eventually Lois will find herself in a situation she can’t stiletto out of. Lois thinks Stiletto kicked ass the night before. She adds that Clark should have seen the guy she sent downtown. Clark replies that an attorney named Monahan got him out. Chris Monahan represents Ron Molano, the biggest crime boss in Metropolis, reveals Lois. Lois says she’s in the market for a sidekick as long as Clark doesn’t slow her down. Clark says that he’ll track down Molano himself and tells Lois to make sure her Stiletto story doesn’t get published.


At the Talon, Chloe comes down the stairs holding a glass of water. AJ comes up behind her and grabs her from behind. The glass breaks on the floor. AJ says that Chloe’s transmission slips in third. He wants to know what Chloe knows about Stiletto. Chloe says that she doesn’t know who he’s talking about, elbows him, and runs away. AJ catches her. He takes out a knife and warns Chloe that she doesn’t want to lie to him. Chloe says that she doesn’t know who Stiletto is. AJ puts the knife to Chloe’s throat. AJ says that he’d like to leave Stiletto a message. He starts to cut Chloe’s neck. A huge shadow comes over Chloe and AJ. AJ is dragged away screaming. Chloe looks horrified.

Later, at the Talon apartment Chloe is looking at the cut on her neck. When Lois shows up behind her, Chloe hastily puts a scarf around her neck. Lois says that the Stiletto story broke a proverbial heel. Chloe replies that it’s Friday night and there’s bound to be a tequila shooter out there with Lois’ name on it. Chloe opens the door to let Lois out. Lois says that Jimmy is not answering his phone. Chloe asks why Lois is looking for him. Lois says cryptically that she needed his help photographing something now she needs his help destroying the evidence. When Chloe looks confused, Lois opens her coat. "Surprise" she says revealing her Stiletto costume. Chloe realizes that Lois did this to get a story. Lois says that she doesn’t need another diatribe and asks if Chloe’s ever been over her head. Chloe looks like she’s about to say something but changes her mind and tells Lois to look for Jimmy at the Ace of Clubs. Before leaving, Lois thanks Chloe for understanding.


Clark enters the Ace of Clubs. He listens and hears someone say that they unlocked a mess of files. He goes into superspeed but stops suddenly when he comes near the green K money. Mannheim punches him and he falls to the ground. He spots Jimmy lying unconscious.

Lois arrives at the Ace of Clubs and sees Jimmy’s camera on the floor. She runs up to the roof of the building and looks through a skylight to see Jimmy unconscious on the floor and Mannheim beating Clark. She takes out her cell phone but the battery is kaput. At the Ace of Clubs, Mannheim takes Clark’s press badge and realizes that the DP reporters think they have a story. Lois, meanwhile, takes off the coat she’s wearing and crashes through the skylight just as Mannheim is about to shoot Clark. She kicks AJ before she lands. She goes to see how Jimmy is doing. Mannheim points a gun at her but Clark jumps in front of Lois as the gun goes off. Clark is shot in the side. The same side he was shot in "Hidden". Lois yells "Clark". Mannheim comes up behind her but Jimmy fights him until Lois knocks Mannheim out with a bottle. Lois goes to check on Clark. Crying she tells Jimmy to call 911. Clark says that Lois needs to get him out of there. Jimmy and Lois help Clark out of the Ace of Clubs.

Outside, Chloe drags two squishy bags to a dumpster. She manages to put them in there then looks at her hands. They’re bloody. She slowly sinks to the ground crying.

At DP the next day, Clark reads an article titled "Mob Men Behind Bars". Lois brings Clark breakfast. She tells him that she made copies for him. Clark says that Lois didn’t have to do this and feigns pain. He notes that Lois got her cover story after all. Lois downplays it while eating Clark’s breakfast. Clark is surprised. He notes that she held a champagne toast the last time she was above the fold. Lois says that she admits that sometimes her ambition gets the best of her. Clark replies that the mob guys would still be on the street if she hadn’t come to his rescue. Lois starts to say something. Clark says that she’s welcome. Lois apologizes for putting Clark in danger. It’s not like Clark saves lives for a living. Clark replies that there is only one Red-Blue Blur. Lois says that after running around in stilettos she was reminded why she’s not cut out for the life of solitude. Clark jokes that he didn’t realize there was room for introspection under that suit. "Look who got grazed by a funny bullet" replies Lois taking another toast from Clark.

In an alley, Jimmy comes up to two guys near a car. Jimmy hands a guy some counterfeit bills and takes a package from the guy.


At the Talon apartment, Chloe takes out a casserole as Clark walks in. She thanks Clark as she takes her laptop from him. Clark hopes that he got to it before Mannheim looked at the files. Chloe replies that she’s done travelling with all her files. Looking at the casserole, Clark asks if she’s expecting anyone. Chloe lies that her response to stress is to bake indigestible amounts of food. Clark is surprised. He says that after all the near apocalypses they’ve been through he’s never seen anything more than a chocolate chip cookie come out of the oven. He asks if Chloe’s okay. Oh, how I’ve missed caring, concerned, selfless Clark. Chloe says that Clark almost died for her computer. Clark puts up his t-shirt to show Chloe that he’s fine. Yes you are. But I didn’t get a good view – even in slow-mo. Can you do it again, Clark? Ahem.


Clark says that it’s not about a computer; he knows Chloe better than that. Chloe says that with her divorce, Brainiac, and Watchtower duties; she forgets that she has to be all smiles all the time. Clark says that no one expects Chloe to bounce back from everything she’s been through. "I just want you to know that I’m here for you if you need me" he says sincerely. Aww. I like that Clark. Can we keep him? Chloe tearfully says that right now she needs space not a super-save. Clark nods and leaves.

Outside, Lois walks holding a red-blue note. The note says "We should talk. 1421 Third Street ~10 PM". As she’s about to walk away a phone rings in a phone booth. Lois answers it. It’s the RBB. Lois wants proof. There’s a whoosh. RBB tells her to look down. The DP paper with her letter to the RBB is at Lois’ feet. RBB says that he got her letter. He calls her Miss Lane. Lois says he can call her Lois and suggests he find another simpler name. Clark replies that there’s a better name out there and if anyone can find it, it’s Lois. Lois rambles on and Clark, amused, notes that she’s nervous. "Can you read my mind?" asks Lois echoing a line in Superman: The Movie. Although really, Lois is blabbering so it’s kind of obvious she’s nervous. Lois blathers on some more but ends with she could work on her subtlety. Clark replies that there is nothing wrong with taking her job seriously. Lois admits that there is when you don’t know who you’d be without it. RBB says that Lois knows herself better than she thinks. He adds that Lois is a great reporter who doesn’t need a hero or a gimmick to make a headline. Really?! This is the reporter who wanted Edward R. Murrow, who died over 40 years ago, to kiss her ass? Lois says that she doesn’t want the RBB story. She wants to know what the RBB needs. She says that if RBB wants to talk, she’s only a phone call away. Clark says that he’ll keep it in mind and when he wants to go public; she’ll be the first to know (like in "Infamous", Clark?).