“Checkmate” Airs Tonight!
PAM GRIER GUEST STARS AND PHIL MORRIS RETURNS AS MARTIAN MANHUNTER – Tess creates an elaborate hoax in order to kidnap Green Arrow, and delivers him to Amanda Waller, who tells him that that the government is recruiting him to serve his country. However, Green Arrow escapes before they can reveal his identity. After Oliver brings Clark and Chloe up to speed, the three investigate and Clark is surprised to find John Jones investigating Oliver’s kidnapping too. Clark senses that John is keeping information from him. Oliver and Clark are shocked when Tess reveals that Amanda is after something called “Watchtower.” Waller threatens to kill Chloe unless Clark gives her the names and locations of the rest of the Justice League.
Check back soon for episodes 145 and 146 of SHoE with your hosts Steve Glosson and Derek Russell!
In the meantime, when the episode is over come back here and let us know what you thought, or email us so we can read your thoughts on the air!
@eat it twilight I think so, as the preview caps show him and Lois talking. I wonder if MM could wipe HIS memory, as his brain is the only organic thing left.
Such a GREAT episode! Definitely ranks in my top three of the season! It had everything that I was expecting and more. I can’t wait to see how everything unfolds and this definitely felt like Absolute Justice part 3 in a way!
Sure I wish Chloe had given more of an apology (although I think we will get one at the end of the season) but I think she’s scared to let her guard down and show emotions. As you can tell she tries to avoid everything that involves emotions when it comes to Clark because when she does let it all out it’s going to be everything. I hope we see that at some point.
I’m interested in where they are going with Tess. She’s supposed to be going underground but I wonder how long that will last. She’s definitely involved in all the story arcs at this point and anything can happen with her!
I’m a little worried about the preview for next week’s episode… I don’t like Clark hitting Chloe. That’s not something I’d ever want to see (whether he’s on redk or not) and it’s not going to do anything positive regarding their friendship.
*cough, cough* umm…excuse me. i have a really stupid question (according to some) to ask.
i know J’onn has telepathic abilitites but from what I know about him (which really isn’t much, so correct me if I’m wrong) he can’t steal memeories, which is what he seemed to be doing on CHECKMATE Friday night. Am I right?
If I am right then let me continue with this…to me J’onn looked like he may have been under someone else’s control, Maxwell Lord? From the picture I saw in TVGuide when he gets into people’s minds he seems to do the same ominous-glow-from-the-hands routine as J’onn.
Am I on to something or did I make a wrong turn in Albuquerque?
@ Sarita, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martian_Manhunter
Waaay towards the bottom it defines his telepathic abilities. It’s not hard to extrapolate (considering this is comics we’re talking about) that being able to alter memories could be an extention of his powers.
@Natasha If Mr. Terrific II appeared on smallville I think I will go into a geek coma!
I thought he was just reading his mind and viewing his thoughts.
@ Martian, Sarita was referring to J’onn mind-wiping Waller so that she wouldn’t remember what GA, Watchtower, and The Blur looked like. She was inquiring if this was one of MM’s abilities.
OMG, I found an awesome custom Chloe figure on eBay, and it expires tomorrow. I don’t have the extra cash right now, but to those interested it would look awesome on a shelf next to the JLA figures http://cgi.ebay.com/Chloe-Custom-Figure-Your-Choice-Smallville-Buffy-SALE_W0QQitemZ350336562878QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5191afb6be
Oh ok that scene. My mistake
Some Smallville news “Checkmate” is Number 4 on Zune Marketplace and number 11 on Apple iTunes.
@ Natasha
Thanks. but at the same time dang! I thought that Lord controlling MM would be totally epic and kind of add and build up to what we already know about his story line.
On another note, have you guys seen Ausiello’s new UPGRADE clip?
Warning: so many spoilers it made my head spin!
http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/04/13/smallville-metallo-returns-vide/#more-7357
@ Sarita, I hold that it’s Martha that is the Red Queen. Because if she is? That’s so BADASS!
And yes, just saw it. Is it Friday yet?
hey guys my friend just asked me a queestion wondering what u guys will have to say do u think clark will give lois the bracelet kyla from season 2 gave him so he can give his soulmate?
@ Natasha
3 days left! KS did say that she had an uber supercool fun way to bring Martha back. I don’t think Lord is the “Red Queen” b/c first he’s a guy (you’d think he’d leave a king) and in an interview BP said that there is another player on the board besides Lord. Although MM may be working w/ Martha, it’s possible that he may be under Lord’s control w/out his knowledge. IDK. Just can’t wait. I can’t wait for the season to end and can’t stand seeing it come to a close at the same time.
EW released a new “Upgrade” clip. Clark and Zod DO walk away from the exploding kryptonite stockpile, but not after John Corbin raids it. Sweet!
@Drew i think if the producers rember it will happen next season probly the series finale
Some more Smallville news “Checkmate” is a available in both Standard and High Def on the PlayStation Network for The PlayStation 3. In fact, I looked and all the ninth season episodes of Smallville are available in HD now.
I don’t think it could be said enough on this website or the podcast in general. If someone mentioned this already I apologize. Louis Febre you are the man sir, I re-watched “Checkmate” recently some of his best work was on this ep.
I despise to say this, but I feel like Chloe isn’t going to return next season. The writers like or not, have done a really good job of straining Chloe and Clark’s friendship to it’s breaking point. Whether you enjoyed that or if you’re the majority which I have to say is also me, that has not enjoyed it, you have to give props to Kelly and Brian have done what they have with this story-line.
Since Lana’s absence their friendship was made stronger in the eighth season. Not that Lana’s relationship with Clark kept them distant because quite honestly there is some distance even now with Clark and Chloe because of his relationship with Lois, not that this is because Clark’s an awful person or Chloe’s an awful friend. It’s just what happens when two friends are close and one happens to be in a serious relationship. Steve and Derek have talked about this subject a bunch of times on the podcast.
Clark and Chloe have a deep relationship that really they didn’t know how deep it was, until Clark walked out on her and became “The Blur” at the end of “Doomsday” last season.
This may be controversial to say: But I don’t think Clark will truly understand how valuable and how deep his ties with Chloe are until she possibly dies.
Similar to Lionel’s death in “Descent” because when Jonathan died Clark even said in “Kandor” to Ollie he had memories for years of his Dad on the farm with him. Unfortunately I feel that Clark is treating Chloe like Lionel in the sense he doesn’t really see her value, like Lionel, and he doesn’t really know how much a majority of his life will be different IF Chloe dies. And at this point like Lionel Clark really doesn’t trust her fully. Because for my fellow Apple iPod and Microsoft Zune SHoEligans that have been listening to SHoE as long as I have. We were all wondering what Lionel was actually doing in the seventh what were his true motives in the days leading up to “Descent” and really we are doing that again with Chloe.
Lastly, I have had an epiphany when it comes to Chloe. One of Chloe’s major character traits is simply this: To get close to Clark. Whether it be romantically, whether it be as the keeper of his secret, whether it be as his BFF, whether it be as his “side-kick”, or as WatchTower one of Chloe’s traits and ultimate goals is being close to Clark and having Clark trust her. And I believe Chloe got that once she learned in “Pariah” about his abilities and later in seasons 5-8 when they became a team she felt she knew Clark will always trust her and be there for her when no one else will.
But when Clark left in “Doomsday” that shattered her on top of her mistrust in Davis and Jimmy’s passing. Now when Clark comes back in “Savior” and only comes back because of Lois. I can totally see her point of view about being bitter towards him not just for not trusting her on top of that, you don’t see me as a part of your team that I brought back together. I think I understand Chloe’s emotions now (I know it’s a TV Show) Her problem is, I think is that she feels that Clark never valued their friendship or whatever they have as much as she has nor valued her place in the JLA. You may disagree with my opinions but this is just how I feel and see things.
@Woo, I think you make some interesting points and I respect your perspective. I agree with some of the things that you said and I disagree with others. I’m not sure I’m going to be able to touch on everything but I’ll try. I just think this is a much more complicated problem. I think you are seeing Chloe’s side of this but I think you analysis misses a lot of Clark’s side of this.
First off, I think there are a few key plot points about the whole “Doomsday” scenerio that you have left out and that, in my opinion, many fans have left out this year when they have complained about Clark leaving Chloe. Plot points that are ESSENTIAL to truly understand what happened between them last year. What many people seem to forget is that prior to Clark leaving everyone in “Doomsday” he had been betrayed by nearly all of his friends….including Chloe. The only two people who had NOT betrayed Clark by that point where Jimmy and Lois. Yes, I do believe that Chloe’s intentions were good when she left with Davis. But at the end of the day, she deceived Clark. She hid Davis in the basement, she lied to Clark’s face and accused him of being paranoid and she sent him on a wild goose chase with false information half way across the country. Yes, Chloe was trying to save Clark—but she did it with deception. The information that Davis was alive and well and living in Chloe’s basement NEVER should have been kept from Clark. She took a matter into her own hands that she had no business doing so with and in the process she robbed Clark of the chance to deal with the situation on his terms. At the same time, Chloe ADMITTED that she had feelings for Davis…that she was drawn to him. So while I believe that she DID do it to try and help Clark there were personal feelings that motivated her choices as well. I havn’t even touched on the horrible choice where Chloe showed up in the Fortress uninvited (A fortress that belongs to Clark mind you) and refused to allow him to send Davis to the Phantom Zone. (A choice that in retrospect probably was a good and logical solution to the problem.) Then, Chloe left with Davis—again robbing Clark of the ability to make any active choices in something that deeply affected HIS life and forcing him to live with the guilt and agony of worrying about Chloe’s whereabouts. She then used the Black K on Davis without Clark present even though she had been given strict instructions by Clark to WAIT for him before they did it. In my opinion, these were very poor choices on Chloe’s part. The bottom line is that what happened in “Doomsday” to Jimmy was a DIRECT RESULT of some of the choices that Chloe made. Now, I’m not blaming her for it because as I said I believe her intentions were always good. But her actions put into motion a situation that resulted in the death of her husband.
Yes, Chloe was in a very bad place when Clark left in Doomsday. She had just lost her husband and was grieving a terrible terrible loss. But what about Clark? What about what he had been through? Chloe had lied to him and betrayed him. Oliver and the rest of the JLA had betrayed him and shot him in the back. Jimmy was dead 10 minutes after learning his secret. Davis was dead. Lois was missing. Clark never even found her body so that he could at least bury her and know she was at peace. She was just….gone.
So my question is….why does it always come down to Clark not seeing value in Chloe? What about Chloe’s inability to treat Clark with enough respect to keep him a part of the decision making process? What about valuing Clark as as person enough to tell him the truth and be up front with him about what’s going on? As opposed to just assuming that he can’t handle it….or that he won’t know what to do. Clark is not a child. He’s a grown man capable of making decisions….even if they are difficult. It’s simply unfair to insinuate over and over again that Clark can’t “handle” something or that you have to “do it for Clark.” It’s simply unfair to treat Clark as if he is somehow incapable of thinking for himself or making mature choices nor is it fair to constantly put oneself in danger over and over again and then leave that guilt on his shoulders when everything falls to pieces.
Second, it’s not that I have “liked” seeing Clark and Chloe be distant. I have not. BUT—I think it’s realistic for this friendship considering where these two have come from and I appreciate realism in a show that is so often based in fantasy and powers and magic.
Third, I honestly am confused at this point how could accuse Clark of “not seeing Chloe’s value” after the most recent episode. In “Checkmate” it was CLARK who was on his knees sincerely apologizing to Chloe “for everything” and asking her forgiveness. He also gave her credit for helping to bring the heroes together. That took a great deal of humility and graciousness on his part. And Chloe was cold to him in return. She didn’t apologize for spying on him for eavesdropping on his phone calls….and she continued to keep the weapons a secret. Clark was open and emotional with her and she pushed him away….AGAIN. There was one person in that scene who was keeping the wedge between them….and it was not Clark.
As far as him missing her if/when she dies…well…yeah. But I think that can be said for pretty much everyone. All too often in life we don’t realize what people mean to us until they are gone. And we’ve already seen that happen once this year with Lois. Clark didn’t realize how attached he was to Lois until she was gone. And once she was gone he was completely lost and heartbroken.
As far as Clark trusting Chloe….again, I would argue that Chloe has given him very good reasons to not trust her. She’s lied to him repeatedly this year and has continued to keep secrets from him. Would you trust a friend who has repeatedly lied to you and kept you in the dark? But again….we had that beautiful scene in Checkmate where he opened up to her and reached out to her in kindness.
As far as your epiphany with Chloe…yes, I would agree with that. I actually wrote a long post on another board a few weeks ago about this exact same thing. Yes, I believe that Chloe ultimately just wants to be close to Clark. And it’s extremely understandable and admirable. The problem is that Clark and Chloe’s “closeness” was in many ways ALWAYS going to be a temporary situation. Clark has ALWAYS been looking for his soul mate and his life partner. And unfortunately…it’s never been Chloe. The show canon told us as early as Season 1 that while Clark cared about Chloe and considered even dating her a few times….she just wasnt “the one.” He needed her friendship and her partnership and he counted on her for many things….but he was always seeking his soul mate. The moment he found her things were going to change because that’s just how life works. When a man or woman find their life partner—that person becomes the #1 person in their life. As it should be. Clark and Chloe can share a close friendship again. But Chloe can’t be Clark’s #1 priority or #1 girl anymore. It’s not fair to Chloe….or to Clark. And for what it’s worth….I actually feel like there was mutual using on their parts for many many years. Chloe was so desperate to be close to Clark that she put up with Clark relying on her about everything when she probably shouldn’t have. Clark was so desperate to have a friend (something he never really had in Lana) that he depended on Chloe to fill the friendship void that Lana could not provide and he depended on Chloe to fill the family void once Jonathan and Martha were gone. The problem is that this was NEVER a healthy situation for EITHER of them. Clark could never really give Chloe what she really needed and wanted because Clark was never going to see Chloe as his soul mate—he was still going to keep looking for that person. Chloe became so wrapped up in Clark’s life that she lost sight of her own and lost her own identity.
I say these things in no way to negate the friendship between Clark and Chloe. I loved their friendship for many years on this show. BUT I also think that it was a friendship that had many deeper levels of mutual using that sometimes gets left out by many fans. As much as I hope they stay friends forever, I think it was important for both Clark and Chloe to have some independence and go after what they both really wanted in life. Clark wanted to find a soul mate and he needed to learn to stand on his own. He has found that person in Lois….and there is no crime in that. Clark did not do anything wrong in “Savior” because he found it hard to say goodbye to Lois. Chloe, for her part, has needed to find her identity outside of Clark and she needs to seek a life where SHE can really shine on her own merits and seek happieness with a man who WOULD be willing to devote everything to her and see her as “the one.” Sometimes the best thing that two friends can do for each other is to part ways for a little while in order to get some perspective.
I believe that by the end of the season that there will be an understanding between these two that I hope will make fans happy.
By the way Woo, despite the fact that I disagree with a lot of what you said…I really appreciate that you took the time to write such a thoughtful post and I really appreciate it that you and I can have such thoughtful discussions on here even when we don’t agree. It’s always a pleasure talking to you.
Wow, MJ, there’s …nothing I can add to that.
CHARADE images have me freakin’ out!
@MJ I appreciate that as well. And I think you bring up a really good point that Chloe and Clark have both never really had a healthy friendship from the beginning. They also wanted/needed something from the other that was a tad selfish and neither could fill. My post was really defending Chloe’s attitude towards Clark and I meant in no way to bash Clark because I think Chloe has done a lot of wrong things as well. But it just seems more people on here are criticizing Chloe’s motives than looking at things from her Point of View. I just wanted Chloe’s side to be voiced as well.
@Sarita Whats up with Clark’s Blur shirt? IT has me so excited for Upgrade!
I’m so pumped for Upgrade that I don’t think I’m going to look at SHoE’s website until I finish watching that episode. Question for the SHoEligans that watch Smallville on the CWTV.com how soon after the episode airs does it show up on the website?
Ive kind of accepted the fact the show has taken a different tone and while I like Clark trying to save people, he still seems afraid to do it on his own. I liked what MM said about Clark cant take sides and that hes meant to be an ambassador that basically solves problems. Seriously he needs to stay away from all the drama and stop listening to everyone and do what he thinks is right. Action doesnt always fix something. Sorry to say but this season will have nothing to do with season 10 and Im just hoping they dont overdo it. I hope they make him flying not a huge deal because lets face it,,,,we know what it looks like now to see flight on the show. It will be more like finally, wow that took forever
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