The Buoy Club

Smallville: Fear Doomsday, the All-Powerful Changer of Smallville Continuity!

When I watched Thursday's episode of Smallville, the aspect that stuck out to me the most was the weaving of Davis Bloome/Doomsday's history into the long-standing Superman mythos. Before the opening credits, we saw (through flashbacks courtesy of Lionel's Veritas diary) the meteor shower that decimated Smallville and brought young Clark to Earth. Using footage from the Pilot episode, we watch as Jonathan and Martha (great to see them again, even if it's just a flashback) meet Clark for the first time and stare in amazement at his spaceship.

What they failed to see was the giant space pod that cracked open and oozed yellow Kryptonian booger juice into the form of young Davis Bloome. Martha and Jonathan also manage to avoid Lionel's swat team as they pursue Davis through the adjacent cornfields. This whole spectacle ends with the light bulb popping up over Tess' head as she proclaims, "There were two boys that fell to Earth that day."

Now, the short recap I've just given would cause most fanboys to break whatever they were holding. They hate continuity change. To them, the Superman mythos are sacred. And for the most part, I agree with them. But here's why I don't get that upset with this: Smallville has done this before! Remember Kara? Well, maybe you don't, but she was Clark's cousin who fell to Earth...guess when...during the meteor shower! They got away with that one only because Kal-El is technically still the "Last SON of Krypton," but it was still pretty weak. So I'm not surprised that they've dropped Davis into the meteor shower, as well. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before Superman writers decide Bruce Wayne crash landed alongside Clark that day too.

What I do have some issue with is the complete rewrite of the Segith and Naman legend from WAY back in season 3. It seems the writers have completely forgotten Lex Luthor and his place as Clark Kent/Superman's archenemy. As beast-mode as Doomsday is, he will never take Lex's place atop that list. I'm glad the writers decided not to make Lex the main villain of this season without Rosenbaum on board, but everyone who thinks Lex Luthor is dead and gone in the Smallville world needs to think again. I mean, how many times have the killed Lana now? 14 or so?

Overall, this episode set the table nicely for the end of the season but I'm not too crazy about some of the continuity changes.

BUOY CLUB GRADE: 73 out of 100.

Supernatural: I am the Prophet...Chuck!

Wow, this show has come such a long way. I still remember the horror I felt watching the end of the first episode. That cliffhanger got me hooked on this show and the insane amount of WTF moments throughout its run have only reeled me in deeper. This episode was a highly amusing trip down memory lane that managed to poke fun at the Supernatural mythology while also advancing the plot in several key ways. How it manages to do that week in and week out, I'll never know.

But without a doubt my favorite part of the episode was the introduction of Chuck Shurley, played wonderfully by the guy from "Waiting" who had problems peeing. This is one of Supernatural's strongest qualities. Much like fellow Buoy Club members Chuck and Lost, Supernatural has always weaved in guest stars so well you wonder how they weren't always around the show. So come to find out, Chuck has been writing a book series entitled Supernatural whose editions coincide with each episode of the show. Obviously, the brothers are intrigued when they discover this and eventually show up at Chuck's house.

After some hilarious moments where Sam and Dean read about what they're doing in Chuck's latest writings, they find out that Chuck is actually a prophet of the Lord. I loved this and called it from the very beginning! As a Christian, I've enjoyed watching the show incorporate elements from Heaven into the show. Even though it skims over the fact that God could wipe out Lucifer with a wave of his hand, the show has done pretty good job of using Biblical elements this season. Perhaps the episode's coolest moment came when Castiel (played fantastically by Misha Collins) informed Dean that Chuck had an Archangel tethered to him, which Dean then used to get rid of Lillith. The scene in the house where Dean tried to persuade Chuck to help him was absolutely hilarious. I especially loved Dean telling Chuck, "OK, well then how bout this- I've got a gun in my pocket, and if you don't come with me, I'll blow your brains out." Classic Dean moment right there.

Similar to the character of Castiel, I truly hope fan reaction to the new character of Chuck will translate into more screen time for him. Considering what he saw at the end of this episode, I'd say I'll get my wish. Until then, I'll just have to be content with this classic performance.

Overall, this episode featured some hilarious self-awareness and introduced an exciting character to the Supernatural mythology.

BUOY CLUB GRADE: 93 out of 100.