SMALLVILLE 3:8 ("SHATTERED," 2003)

 

PHENOMENALITY: *marvelous*
MYTHICITY: *good*
FRYEAN MYTHOS: *adventure*
CAMPBELLIAN FUNCTION: *psychological*

As good as Michael Rosenbaum is in the first two episodes of Season 3, he really gets the chance to pull out the acting-stops in SHATTERED. 

Since the SMALLVILLE writers weren't prepared to commit themselves on the "Big Jor-El Reveal" of those debut episodes, they defaulted to ramping up the never-ending battle between Lex and his indubitably criminal father Lionel. Though they apparently reconciled at the end of "Phoenix," Lex began covertly researching the rumors that Lionel conspired with his crime-boss colleague Morgan Edge to kill Lex's grandparents for a big insurance payoff. Lionel formulated a more insidious stratagem. Though the scheme started as a rote requirement that Lex take psych tests as a LexCorp employee. Lionel apparently knew about Lex's investigations. Though not willing to have his only son murdered, the corrupt magnate decided to feed his son hallucinogens to drive him into the crazy house.

To execute this scheme, Lionel apparently joins forces with Moegan Edge, who survived his apparent death at the end of "Phoenix" and who altered his appearance with plastic surgery. (This was a necessity since a new actor, Patrick Bergin, had to replace Rutger Hauer in the role.) Previous episodes have not been clear as to whether or not Lionel made any connection between his collection of the green meteor-rocks and their effect upon Clark Kent. However, due to the events of "Phoenix," Edge certainly knows Clark's vulnerability, and he brings along the powerful mineral just in case he has to contend with Smallville's farmboy hero. 

Since many episodes of Seasons Two and Three played down the sibling-like relationship of Clark and Lex, "Shattered" goes the extra mile showing how fiercely loyal Clark remains to Lex, even when the latter seems to be losing his mind. Lex begins to imagine that his deceased baby brother is still alive, and he fears that the medicine offered by his psychiatrist is poison. Clark is so worried for Lex that he apparently loses his normal caution for Lana's welfare, drafting her to help him watch over Lex. As a result of Lex going berserk, Lana is injured so badly that at the episode's close she actually agrees that maybe she ought to steer clear of Clark and his dangerous habits. It's an exemplary bit of melodrama because Clark did the right thing, but it still had bad consequences. Moreover, the episode ends with Lex in an asylum, and with Lionel apparently victorious for the time being.

The story also advances the subplot of Chloe's Faustian bargain with Lionel, and the DVD includes a interesting interaction between the two characters that was never broadcast.