First thing to say of this episode is that probably doesn't deserve a ten. But often I vote given level of emotion, and it hits me hard.
At the beginning, Clark feels empty and angry (at himself), and refuses to take any of his father's stuff, not even his watch. His mother wants him to, and disapproves his decision of dropping out of college, but he is adamant. She needs the help at the farm, someone who can do the job Jonathan did for so many years. Lana then tries to tell Clark that he must open up, but he refuses. He won't take it, he doesn't want to feel better. And it's right. As revealed in Homecoming (season 10), Clark will always blame himself for his father's death. His mistakes at season 5 premiere, where he chose to be mortal, and give up his powers, were the cause of all this. And that is part of why the storyline is excellent.
The rest of the episode includes the introduction of the vigilante, Angel, who saves Martha from two muggers. She is keen on vengeance for the death of her mother, who was killed in the past by one of those men, called Snake. And now these two almost kill Martha (that would have been a reunion of husband and wife), and steal Jonathan's watch. Clark and Chloe work together to uncover the new vigilante, and discover her name is Andrea. She works at the Daily Planet to stay close to news of danger (wink for future Clark), and is meteor infected by her heart. She didn't die the same day as her mother because of a miraculous heart transplant. After locating Snake, Clark begins to strangle him, and learns that he sold the watch. He stops in one moment after Andrea shouts, and then she finishes off the guy, who had attempted to counter attack. They find out that Andrea's mother murder was orchestrated by Lionel Luthor (as a business deal), and Clark arrives right in time to save him, though he does it mainly because of Andrea's sanity. In the end, Clark learns the lesson, confides in Chloe, and discover that Andrea left Metropolis for good. This part was entertaining, and gives a first insight for Clark's future. As Chloe suggests, he'll be saving the day, with a double identity, and he won't hide his face, which is what he wants now. Andrea's story is interesting, and reminds how many people die daily in local crimes, stabbed or in a shootout. It's a sad reality this series didn't ignore. I liked the idea of the episode being staged mostly at night, giving a dark tone, needed after the tragedy.
Then, the thing about Lex, and Lionel kind of shadows in the plot. The first offers his support to Lana, and tells how Clark doesn't want to see him (good point). He also blackmails his father from retrieving Luthorcorp, with the information about the last talk between Jonathan and Lionel before the heart attack. Lionel doesn't want to risk his friendship with Martha, and offers her support.
In the last part, Lana shows up at the Kent farm, having retrieved Jonathan's watch at a pawn shop in Metropolis, and finally gets to comfort Clark, at least a little. He starts wearing his father's watch. Martha allows herself to feel her husband's essence in one of his jackets (before Lionel's appearance). Before finishing, I want to say that Lois was missed. She could have had a small role in comforting Clark, but for some reason, the character didn't appear. Anyway, that setback is not enough for me to bring down the rating.
The ending scene, is brilliant. A masterpiece of melodrama. Clark enters home, only to find his mother watching an old clip of Jonathan teaching how to ride a truck to kid Clark. The video is excellent, since Jonathan teases how one day is going to be Clark's world, man of steel. It's the most touching scene of the whole series, and one of the most tearful I've ever seen. I can only cry with it. Tom's sobbing was genuine, it felt real. It reaches the heart. Anette's acting was also superb, in that comforting hug. It's brilliant because of what Jonathan Kent represents. Surely one of the best fathers I've ever seen in TV. With mistakes and all, but a humble man, devoted to a family and a farm, stubborn, prideful, honest, gentle, caring. A memorable legacy. Unforgettable lessons in more than four seasons. I always remembered John Schneider for this epic role. Another great point of the ending scene, is the message. Please, if you have a beloved person who is close to death, make a video. Share a farewell. Catch him or her laughing, teaching something, enjoying your birthday, watching TV, reading a book, whatever. It's a way to see the person anytime you want. To hear his voice. And to wave bye to you.
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