SV: 7-12 "Fracture" Review

 

I don't know what to make of this episode. It felt really contrived. But I just loved Clark with Alexander. So sweet! Lionel with Alexander was chilling! Clark and Lex at the end of the episode was perfect. Minimal Lana and Lois is always good.

Detroit: It’s pouring rain. Two people run through a junkyard. It’s Lex and Lois. Lex is holding a gun. Lois complains about the weather. Lex replies that no one asked her to be here. You go, Lex! Lois says that she didn’t plan to be his Sundance Kid. Lex runs ahead. Lois follows. She asks what makes Lex think that Kara is close. Lex replies that the GPS says she’s somewhere within a 100 yards. Lois is surprised Lex low jacked Kara. Lex explains that Kara has amnesia; who knows where she could wander if she blacked out again. Lois says that she’ll chart her own course to find Kara and leaves.

Lex spots something on the floor. He kneels down in a puddle to pick it up. It’s Kara’s bracelet.

Meanwhile Lois sneaks around a warehouse. She spots Kara, pacing behind a chain link fence. Lois runs to Kara and asks if she’s okay. Kara is surprised Lois knows her. Kara says that this guy, Finley, locked her up saying he was protecting her. She asks if Lois can help her. Lois quips “Does MacGyver blush every time he walks past me?” Just nod, Kara, just nod. Lois adds that she’ll get something to jimmy the lock. She turns around and comes face to gun with Finley. Finley tells Lois that it’s none of her business. Kara asks Finley to put the gun down. Lex shows up. He’s pointing the gun at Finley. Finley grabs Lois (the black belt). He asks Lex if it’s worth killing Lois to get to him. Lois quips that it’s a rhetorical question. Lois elbows Finley who knocks her out. Finley points the gun at Lex. They both shoot. Finley is hit in the shoulder. Slo-mo: Lex drops the gun and falls to his knees. He’s been shot in the head. He falls unconscious as Kara yells “Lex!”

 

Finley locks Lois with Kara. He tells Kara that he’ll get money and when he gets back, they’ll figure out what to do with Lois. Kara unties Lois. Lois explains that Kara is Kara Kent, and she's her cousin’s friend, Lois, whose jeans Kara borrowed on more than one occasion. Lois asks what’s going on. Kara says that Finley is just the bus boy. Yeah, the psychotic bus boy. Lois asks how they ended up here. Kara replies that a month ago she lost her memory, wandered into a diner where she met a waitress. The waitress took her in and gave her a job. Kara says that Finley is usually so nice but he just snapped. Kara can’t believe that Lex is dead. Lois says that if they don’t find a way out, they’re next (well, Lois is next – I think Kara is safe).

At the Smallville Medical Center, Clark and Chloe walk in to where Lex is lying in a bed as Lionel watches on. Clark asks how Lex is doing. Lionel says that neurosurgeon removed the bullet and there’s a strong possibility that Lex may never regain consciousness. Clark is sorry. Lionel says that he and Lex never had a close relationship; a lot was said and a lot was left unsaid. Chloe says that every badge in Michigan is on the case but they have no suspects and no witnesses. Lionel says that he’s got a friend in Detroit who called him and let him borrow... a red cellphone (evidence!). Clark and Chloe look at the image on the cell. It’s an image of Lex and Kara. Lionel is called away. Chloe recognizes the cell as belonging to Lois. Duh duh duh!

Chloe says that Kara, Lois and Lex aren’t exactly Three’s Company. Hee. Clark notes that Kara has a bandage and probably doesn’t have her powers. Chloe adds that whoever Lex was dealing with wasn’t playing around. Clark says that Lois and Kara are in danger. Chloe suggests using her power on Lex so he can tell them where Lois and Kara are. Clark nixes the idea. He reminds Chloe that the last time she used her powers; he pulled her out of a morgue refrigerator. Chloe counters that she walked out of there with a clean bill of health. Clark warns Chloe that the next time she uses her powers, she could die permanently. Chloe replies that she could just be adjusting to the growing pains and they don’t know what will happen. Chloe says they don’t have a choice. The only clues they have to where Kara and Lois are are trapped in Lex’s mind.

 

The Magical Lair of Lana: Lana types at one of the hundreds of computers in her lair. She tells Clark and Chloe that she’s trying to figure out what Lex was doing in Detroit but she found something better. Ooh, superspy Lana! Lana says that Project Intercept was developed by LuthorCorp for the military to interrogate terrorists by getting inside their heads, literally. The project was spearheaded by Lionel. Lana says that Intercept links the suspects' and interrogators' brainwaves; exposing the interrogator to all the suspects memories. Clark asks where this thing is. Lana says that LuthorCorp owns the equipment but it was mothballed six months ago. Chloe reads that the project was abandoned after three interrogators died during implementation. Autopsies revealed that their central nervous systems were completely fried. Clark looks like he’s formulating a plan. He walks away. He says that the interrogators were not like him. He can do this.

At the Project Intercept lab, Lana reminds Clark that his body may be invincible but his mind may be vulnerable. Clark explains why he must take the risk. He says that it’s his fault that Kara’s missing. Lana reminds him that it was built by Lionel. Clark replies that there is no other choice. Chloe tells Clark to be careful.

Lionel and a doctor walk in. The doctor tells Lionel that he watched three field officers die after their brains went into electro-neural shock. The machine is a death trap. Lionel tells his to withhold his negative opinions. Lana kisses Clark’s cheek. Lana and Chloe leave the room.

Clark wants to make sure that Lex will not remember that Clark was in his mind. The doctor says that in the few successful cases, the terrorists had no memory of the process. The doctor tells Clark that the freshest memories will be the first ones in. The deeper Clark goes the greater the risk and if Clark’s brainwaves show any duress he will pull him from the procedure. Clark replies that he doesn’t expect to be in there very long. The doctor says the software is coded with a red door. That’s the emergency exit. It’s the only link between Lex’s subconscious and reality. Clark is strapped in. The doctor flips switches. The music amps up. A display shows “>>Host engaged<<”. The gurneys Clark and Lex are on are rotated to horizontal position. Clark enters Lex’s mind.

Clark is at one end of a long corridor. Behind him is the red door. He walks down the corridor. He sees a crack in one of the doors. He looks in to see Kara as she first appeared to Lex (in “Bizzaro”). Clark walks away as an eye looks back from the hole.

As Clark continues to walk down the hall, a figure runs behind him and hides. Clark looks back at the red door then starts to open a door as a red-headed kid watches from behind a wall. The doctor tells Lionel that Clark is entering further into the cerebral cortex. Clark walks into a diner. He spots Kara. Finley is bandaging her arm. She apologizes to Finley because Frank yelled at him. She says that she owes him one. Clark tries to talk to Kara but she doesn’t see him.

She goes over to freshen up a customer’s coffee. It’s Lex. She says that she’s starting to see him more that the regulars. Lex replies that it’s the pie – it’s the second best he’s had (Ha! A shout-out!). Lex introduces himself. Kara introduces herself as Linda. Lex says that Linda doesn’t suit her. She looks like someone who doesn’t belong there. Linda sits with Lex and admits that some days she doesn’t know what she’s doing there. Kara explains that a month ago she lost her memory and the bracelet is the only part of her past she has left. Lex says that he knows some of the best researchers in the world and maybe one can help her. The memory fades as a white-suited-Lex asks Clark what he’s doing there. Clark is surprised that Lex can see him. Lex picks up Clark by the neck (a classic Clark move). He yells at Clark to get out of his head. Lex is knocked out by the red-headed kid. The kid says that Lex has been trying to kill him for as long as he can remember. The kid introduces himself as Alexander. He gives Clark his hand and says that they have to go. This scene is so cute. Clark and Alexander run down the hall hand-in-hand.

Clark asks why Lex is trying to kill Alexander – the good part of him. Alexander replies that Lex thinks they make him weak and if he finds them, he’ll kill them both. As they are running down the hall, Clark says that he’s looking for Kara and Lois. Alex says that he doesn’t know who they are but he’ll start looking. He says that Clark needs to hide. He brings Clark to a locked room. He says it’s a place Lex never visits; Clark will be safe there. He tells Clark to trust him; he’s his best friend. Aww. I think they should pair Tom Welling with a kid every episode. He becomes Superman.

Back in the lab, the doctor says that there’s a spike of brain activity and it’s too high. He says that Clark appears to be going in deep. The doctor says that the pressure is dropping. He’s never seen this before and he doesn’t know what’s going on.

 

 

Back in Lex’s mind, Clark comes across Alexander painting a Spartan warrior figurine. Lionel comes in. He is very angry. Alexander looks terrified. Lionel asks what the rule is about his briefcase. Alexander replies don’t ever, ever touch it. Lionel reminds him that he can tell when it’s been opened. He asks if Alexander opened it. Alexander swears he didn’t touch as he backs away from Lionel. Lionel warns Alexander not to lie to him as he approaches Alexander. Lionel grabs Alexander. He tells him to be a man and admit what he’s done. Alexander insists he didn’t do anything. Lionel pushes Alexander into a table and the table and the stuff fall to the floor. Lionel grabs Alexander again. Clark is horrified. Lionel asks if it wasn’t Alexander, who it was. Lionel shakes Alexander a few times. Alexander admits that Lillian opened the briefcase. He says that he saw her in Lionel’s office going through his stuff. She told Alexander not to say anything.

Lillian comes into the room. She tells Lionel to let Alexander go. She says that she wants to know what Veritas is. Lionel grabs Lillian by her arms. Lillian wants to know what Lionel is keeping from her. Lionel yells that Veritas is not her concern and knocks her to the floor. He tells Lillian to keep out of his business and walks out. Alexander apologizes to his mother. She tells him that he’s said enough and walks away. Alexander begs his mother to stay. I hope Clark punches Lionel the next time he sees him.

 

Clark walks down the hall again. He goes through a door. He’s in the diner. Lex just put a necklace around Kara’s neck. Kara says that it’s beautiful. She asks if it’s St. Anthony. Lex adds that he’s the patron saint of lost souls. Kara says that Finley told her that Lex only cares about money. Kara figures that it’s really people Lex cares about. She says she’s done her research. Lex is a humanitarian. He’s had hospitals built and funded scholarships. Lex says that along the way he’s helped a lot of people. Clark looks skeptical. Lex says that everything’s arranged and his jet is on standby to get Kara to treatment. Lex says that whatever Kara finds out, he’ll be by her side every step of the way. There’s nothing that’s lost that can’t be found again. Clark looks really irked. Kara says that she’s going to go say goodbye to everyone. Finley looks angrily at Lex.

Lois shows up. Lex says that she’s kind of out of her way for a club sandwich. Lois says that she never would have thought Lex would be in Detroit for a secret rendezvous with Clark’s cousin. Lex replies that he’s helping Kara. Lois doesn’t believe him. Lois shows Lex the pic she took of him and Kara with her cellphone. She says that she works better with visual aids and so does Clark. Lex takes the cell and puts it in his pocket. Just then, Kara screams.

Back in the lab, the doctor says that the EEG shows that Lex and Clark are in-phase. He says that Clark’s in too deep; they’ve never been able to get anyone back from this point. Huh? Clark is at one of Lex’s latest memories; he’s not deep at all. Lionel tells the doctor to terminate the procedure. The doctor says that he’s tried. As long as their brainwaves are synchronized, he can’t separate them. It’s up to Clark to exit on his own.

 

 

Back in Lex’s mind, Lex grabs Clark as Clark walks down the hall again. He tells Clark that he always knew there was a voyeur lurking behind that telescope. Hee. Clark says that he doesn’t want any trouble. Lex mock-apologizes and says that he’s been a terrible host. He’s going to give Clark the grand tour. He drags Clark into a room. Lex holds Clark’s head so he won’t look away. It’s Lana and Lex having sex. Lana kisses Lex. She says that she’ll always love him. Clark breaks free. He runs out of the room.

 

He meets Alexander who says that he’s found his friends. He brings Clark into another room. Clark is in the junkyard watching when Lex and Finley shoot each other. Clark picks up the GPS. He yells to Alexander that he knows where they are. Clark sees the red door but Alexander calls him. He turns around to see Lex holding Alexander by the neck. Alexander says that Lex is going to kill him. Lex tells Alexander that he’s pitiful. He drags Alexander down the hall. Clark debates whether to head toward the red door or help Alexander. He runs after Lex and Alexander.

In the lab, the doctor says that Lex is fading and if they lose him they’ll lose them both. He says that they have four minutes to bring them back before brain death. He tears Lex’s shirt open and tries to revive Lex.

 

In Lex’s mind, Lex looks defiantly at Clark as he continues to drag Alexander away. Clark starts to run after them then stops, in pain. At the lab, Chloe walks in. She wants to know what’s taking so long. Lionel tells her to leave. She asks why they are not waking Clark up. Lionel explains that Clark is trapped in Lex’s mind. If Lex dies then Clark dies with him. The doctor says that they’ve lost Lex. Chloe says that she can save him.

Inside Lex’s mind, Lex grabs a sword to use on Alexander. He puts his foot on Alexander’s throat and tells him that he’s holding him back. Clark bursts in. Lex tells Alexander that it’s time to say goodbye. In the lab, Chloe puts her hand on Lex’s chest. There’s a bright light. Chloe looks like she’s in pain. Clark tackles Lex. Clark pins Lex to the floor and keeps punching him. Lex just grins. Clark yells for Alexander to run. Back in the lab, Lex’s vitals come back. In Lex’s mind, Lex laughs at Clark.

 

Clark breaks free and runs down the hall toward the red door. He stops when Alexander calls him. Alexander doesn’t want him to go. Clark asks Alexander to promise that they’ll see each other again. Alexander tearfully promises. Clark asks Alexander to promise that he’ll never stop fighting; he’s stronger than he thinks. Alexander wants to know how Clark knows. Clark replies because Alexander’s his friend. Aww. Clark says that now that he knows he’s here he will always keep a look out for him. Clark says he’ll always be here for him. Excuse me while I grab a Kleenex. Clark waves at Alexander and Alexander waves back.

 

At the lab, Clark wakes up. He blurts that he knows where they are. He untangles himself from the machine, looks down to see Lionel cradling Chloe. He asks what happened. Lionel says that they need a doctor. Clark says no doctors. He tells Lionel to get Chloe to her apartment. Lionel replies that Chloe is barely alive. Clark insists that doctor’s can do nothing for her – to just get her home.

At the junkyard, Lois jimmies the lock. They run out just as Finley comes back. Lois says that they have to find another way out. They head toward a gate but Finley stops them. He’s points the gun at them. Finley says that he killed a man. It isn’t how it was supposed to happen. He just wanted to protect Linda. Finley says that he knows what it’s like to start over (he’s talked to Grant?); people take advantage of you. Kara steps in front of Lois. She tells Finley that if he wants to kill Lois, he’ll have to kill her. Finley replies that if she’s just going to turn him in; he can’t go back to prison. He points the gun at Kara. Suddenly a stack of flattened cars falls toward him. He gets out of the way. Clark shows up and throws him thirty feet. Clark zips off. Lois and Kara are left wondering what happened. Police sirens can be heard in the background.

At the Smallville Medical Center, Lex prepares to leave. Lionel says that Lex had them worried. He asks how Lex is. Lex says that he was admitted with a bullet in his head and now there isn’t a scratch on him. Lionel says that Lex can thank Oliver Queen. Lionel reminds Lex of the healing technology developed by Queen Industries. Lex replies that he was under the impression that the serum was destroyed. Lionel says that all but a single dose that he salvaged for himself. Lex is surprised Lionel gave it to him. Lionel asks if Lex thought that he’d watch his son die. Lex replies that he doesn’t know. Lionel goes to leave then stops. He says that he was afraid that there was something he’d never get to tell Lex. Lex asks what it is. Lionel says that he loves Lex, his son. Lex just walks out. Too little, too late, Lionel.

 

 

At the Talon, Chloe slowly puts on her slippers. Clark brings her a glass of water. Chloe asks if Lois saw her dead. Clark says that she went to the Planet to write about what happened in Detroit. Chloe says that Lex’ll kill that story in a heartbeat. Clark replies that speaking of heartbeats, Chloe didn’t have one for over 18 hours. Chloe says that she was hoping to skip the lecture and go to the welcome back dinner. She’s starving. Clark gets in her way. He tells her that it’s 15 hours longer than the last time. He says that he’s been sitting literally trying to figure out what to say for her funeral. Chloe quips that it’s good she’s alive because she knows how much Clark hates giving speeches.

Clark says that he appreciates what she did for him and it goes beyond friendship but she can never do it again. Chloe says that she has the power to save people’s lives; and she was the last person who thought she’d drag Lex back from the clutches of death but it was her decision to make. Clark agrees. Chloe says that Clark’s not wrong. The power comes with a lot of consequences. She adds that one of the responsibilities for both of them is to stay alive. Chloe wonders if she’s pushing her luck. Clark asks if that means that she’ll never use her abilities again. Chloe admits that she’s more confused than ever. She wonders why she was put in charge of such an amazing gift.

At the Luthor mansion, Clark picks up Lex’s St. George box. Lex walks in. He says that it’s like a reflex; he sees Clark and starts defending himself. Clark replies that’s what guilt does to a person. Clark asks what he was doing in Detroit with Kara. Lex says that he was trying to help her. Clark notes that she ended up kidnapped. Clark says that Lex knew she had amnesia. Lex says once Kara told him. Clark wants to know why Lex didn’t call him. Lex replies that he called but Lana hung up on him. Okay, I believe him. Clark asks if Lex even knows when he’s lying anymore. Lex says that he doesn’t care if Clark believes him or not; why does Clark still care. Clark replies that there’s a side of Lex that knows what’s right. Lex snarks what would he do without Clark – voice of reason. Clark says that the voice is not him it’s Lex. Clark tells Lex to let the voice lead him back to good. Lex quips that he didn’t realize it would take a brush with death to see Clark’s softer side. Hee. Clark replies that there’s nothing that’s lost that can’t be found again.

 

At the Talon, Kara listens to her red Samsung mp3 player. Lex brings coffee and asks if she’s listening to anything good. Kara says that it’s supposed to be one of her favorite songs but she doesn’t know how it goes. Kara says that she saw what happened. She puts her hand to Lex’s forehead. Lex says that he knows some talented doctors. Kara says that she used to work here. She wonders if she can get her old job back. Lex replies that the owner will probably understand. Kara thanks Lex for meeting her. She says that home isn’t very familiar and Clark seems nice but she feels like he’s hiding something from her. Lex smiles. He says that as Clark’s former best friend, he knows that feeling all too well. Kara asks Lex what happened to his friendship with Clark. Lex answers that he grew up. Lex adds that he’s not interested in keeping secrets. He believes that the treatment will help Kara get her memory back and they’ll get the truth once and for all.