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I thought I'd blog about the episode as I watched it, so here we go...just some keynotes, with each paragraph being a segment of the show before a commercial.

Season 8, Episode 1: Odyssey
Original Air Date—18 September 2008

-- The introduction of Tess Mercer is pretty interesting, I can't wait to see how she does. Loved the Justice League interfering in the search for Lex, and how they got Clark's red sweatshirt.

-- Green Arrow telling Black Canary & Aquaman that Clark would never give up on them, so they won't give up on him was a nice touch. Lois & Tess had a confrontation, and Chloe is held hostage by the government as she apparently is smarter and quicker than the most advanced super computer. So far I'm liking this story, just 18 minutes into the episode and we've pretty much gotten the idea on what all the characters are doing. Clark is somewhere, I'm thinking Germany or Russia, and looks to be an indentured servant, but he busts threw the place in a truck.

-- It turns out that Chloe isn't held hostage by the government, instead she accidently gives away phone numbers to those in the Justice League. Aquaman & Black Canary are taken out, but Chloe realizes what's up, and Green Arrow wasn't given away. That was a well done segment, and I loved how Chloe was able to figure out what was going on and try to fight out of the whole thing. We find out that Clark is indeed in Russia, as Oliver Queen shows up and gets Clark out of there. Oliver was pretending to be a customer for weapons and drugs, and takes Clark with him.

-- Apparently Clark doesn't have his powers anymore, and he tells Oliver that Lex is still out there somewhere. While this is getting interesting, I'm sick of seeing the "Clark is powerless" angle on the show now. Eight seasons in, and this has been done about four or five times. Some dude from Luthor Corp has Canary & Aquaman chained up, and says he's looking for the Traveler which is Clark. I'm glad that AC didn't tell why they were in the Arctic, saying they were looking for Lex. Clark runs into Lois as Clark & Oliver are at the Luthor Corp prison, which looks like it'll be the start of their comedic love angle starting, FINALLY!!!

-- YAY! Lois & Clark (haha) found Chloe, and Clark rescues her. Despite not having his powers, Clark is still acting like the hero that he is. Oliver shoots an arrow at Clark, and it nails him in the shoulder as he was looking for Lex. Clark didn't answer, and he shot an arrow through Clark's heart. Chloe tries to save him with her power, but it doesn't work, and Clark's life flashes before his eyes as he actually dies!! This is very sad, and pretty damn emotional. Martian Manhunter shows up, grabs Clark's dead body and just takes off flying into space. As they went to break, it appeared the Earth's yellow sun was healing Clark. THIS IS THE BEST SEGMENT OF THE SHOW HERE! Wow!!!

-- After break, Martian Manhunter & Clark are in the loft on the farm. CLARK HAS HIS POWERS! He just crushed an inflated football with his bare hands. Quote of the century, "Sometimes I feel I should be two people.." - Clark Kent. This episode started out with the typical Smallville mystery/drama, and now it's really picking up on the mythology of Superman, which I absolutely love! Tess Mercer is still searching for info on Lex, and gets a photograph of a footprint in the arctic that isn't Lex's. I liked the heart to heart moment with Chloe and Jimmy, nice progression with their love story. HAHA, I loved how Oliver jokingly told Clark he better watch out before he starts wearing a homemade costume, and lives a double life. Lois is at the end of the show working at the Daily Planet, and Clark is there annoying her on the other side of the computer desk. OH HELL YEAH, CLARK KENT IS NOW AN EMPLOYEE AT THE DAILY PLANET WITH LOIS LANE!!! SUPERMAN FTW!

Overall it was a very enjoyable episode. It started out with the typical Smallville predictable moments, and blossomed into a nice progression not only with the Superman mythology, but the Lois/Clark relationship. I really liked the spin from old school to the new direction. This is going to be a great season.

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