In Smallville’s most recent episode, “Action,” the Kent farm goes Hollywood as it plays host to Warrior Angel, a comic-book inspired movie. The impetus for an attempted murder on America’s biggest celebrity, the movie also provides a not-so-subtle foretaste of what’s likely in store for Smallville’s very own superhero-in-waiting.
The episode begins with the filming of a chase scene in which Warrior Angel’s star, Rachel Davenport, is unwittingly caught in a brakeless car. Sensing that something’s gone awry, Clark (Tom Welling) uses his super speed to catch the vehicle and rescue the damsel in distress. Shortly thereafter, reporter and super-sleuth Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack) discovers that the incident was rigged in an attempt to take Rachel’s life. Apparently, comic book fans are opposed to the Warrior Angel script, which departs from comic book mythology. According to legend, Warrior Angel’s girlfriend dies, whereas in the film version she survives.
Knowing that Lex (Michael Rosenbaum) is a Warrior Angel expert, Clark visits the Luthor mansion to see if he can find out more about the comic book. Lex explains that in the comics, the evil character Devilicus shoots Warrior Angel’s girlfriend. Warrior Angel is then able to pursue his destiny without the distraction of human love.
Clark, suspecting that a similar fate might occur on the movie set, rushes to the site to make sure Rachel is safe. In one scene, he notices that Devilicus’s gun contains real bullets instead of blanks. Using his super speed, he intercepts a bullet aimed at Rachel. In the process, his heroics go unnoticed by everyone except Ben, the deranged comic book fan responsible for loading the gun. Standing nearby, he glimpses the smoking bullet in the real superhero’s hand.
Back at The Daily Planet, reporter Lois Lane (Erica Durance) focuses on finding out more about Lex’s experiments. She comes across a document that suggests Lex has purchased land near the Smallville dam. Seeking further information, she breaks into Lex’s office. Lex, however, is right behind her and the two come face-to-face in his office. Remaining headstrong, Lois confronts him about the purchase, showing him a copy of the deed. Lex claims to have no knowledge of it, but takes careful note of the deed’s signature.
In the meantime, Lionel Luthor (John Glover), who has been absent until this point in the season, is shown being held captive in a remote cabin, complete with a crazy care taker named Marilyn who resembles Kathy Bates’ character in the film Misery. With waning health and his hand rigged in a metal trap, Lionel is bedridden and unable to call for help. Eventually, though, he wrestles out of the trap, attacks Marilyn, and runs off into the woods. Before he can get too far, he’s intercepted by a shovel to the forehead, wielded by Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk).
It’s not much longer before Lex finds his father Lionel in the woods. The cabin is on the newly purchased land, presumably acquired by Lex’s ex-wife Lana Luthor (Lang). When Lex arrives, Marilyn threatens him with a gun. Lionel, looking slightly deranged, attacks and beats Marilyn. Lex and Lionel are able to escape with Lionel returning to normal society.
Back in Smallville, Ben, the production assistant and die-hard Warrior Angel fan, focuses his attention on Clark. Determined to make Clark accept his destiny, Ben thinks that killing Clark’s girlfriend, Lana, will keep Clark from distractions and better enable him to save the world. Carrying out this plan, Ben captures Lana and drops her off the edge of one of Metropolis’s skyscrapers. One step ahead of the action, Clark braces her fall and safely puts her back on her feet.
With Lana safe and Ben admitted to the mental hospital, things can get back to “normal” in Smallville. Lionel, however, isn’t content to put things in the past. He confronts Lana, warning her against further retribution. Lana, whose demeanor is becoming increasingly dark, doesn’t look phased. In the past several episodes, an obsession with Lex’s business bordering on the fanatical has shown through her innocent appearance. Clark has yet to find out about her treatment of Lionel.
Meanwhile, the filming of Warrior Angel is completed. Before Rachel, the movie’s star, leaves Smallville, she first presents Clark with a gift: a flowing red cape. In a heart-to-heart that follows, Clark and Lana talk about the future. Lana tells Clark that she doesn’t want to hold him back. Clark assures her that he has everything he wants on the farm. In a symbolic gesture, Clark leaves the cape on a post behind him and follows Lana to the house.
The Warrior Angel comparisons in this episode made it fun to watch. Lana’s decaying character, on the other hand, was less enjoyable. Hopefully for fans, this means that the Clark and Lana relationship will end in upcoming episodes. Just as the Warrior Angel fans grew discontent with a distracted hero, so will Smallville viewers lose interest if Clark doesn’t accept his destiny soon.
