Absolute Justice episode on Smallville

[Chris Murman]

Even with all the cameo's, the Legion, and attempts at keeping the brand alive...I had been eeking my way through this show still because Zod was back. Even if it's the same weird general that is currently living on New Krypton.

The two-hour, Geoff Johns-penned episode Absolute Justice, however might just be the thing to restore my love of this show. It's strange, I haven't liked anything from this writer in quite some time...I'm wondering if I have the flu or something.

Sure the cameos by Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Sandman, Stargirl and the rest of the JSA were a nice touch, but that's not what really got my juices flowing. Watching Amanda Waller prance onto the screen, sporting her Checkmate badge was beyond sweet. I'm not sure how I feel about Lois being drafted in, but seeing Tess walk into her office with a white queen sitting on it was very cool.

Anyway, I was going to write a review of it but I'm more interested in what others thought of it. Let me know your thoughts, what does the introduction of Checkmate mean for the rest of the season?

[Thom Young]

I liked it, but I thought Kent Nelson was too short.

I didn't like the actor playing Icicle; he was too much of a ham actor.

Finally, was Pam Grier wearing a fat suit in order to play Waller? I certainly hope so, because this is how Pam Grier will always look in my mind:

[Chris Murman]

She has aged a little from that picture mind you. It's not out of the realm of possibility that she could have put a few on?

Kidding, I would think they asked her to do that. Waller has always been depicted as a little fluffy after all.

[Thom Young]

Originally Posted by Chris Murman

She has aged a little from that picture mind you. It's not out of the realm of possibility that she could have put a few on?

Yeah, I know, and even Jackie Brown was 12 years ago.

I would have sworn that movie came out about six years ago.

[Chris Murman]

I swear I don't know where that extra 30 pounds came from.

[kolchak]

The things I liked in Smallville: "Absolute Justice"

Clark was very strong in this story. He quickly looked past the official story and came to the conclusion that these "criminals" just might be railroaded heroes.

Chloe Sullivan. I've supported Chloe since Season One, and she hasn't once let me down.

The Green Arrow. Can't stand him in the comic books. Love him in Smallville, as well as the Justice League cartoon.

Dr. Fate impressed me. I thought they would really drop the ball on how powerful this character was.

The return of the Martian Manhunter. Demonstrations of his vast array of abilities.

The vision of the cape in Clark's future.

The entire acting ensemble. I thought everybody did a great job. The regular cast exceled. The guest cast matched them.

The directing was excellent as were the special effects.

I liked how J'onn defended Chloe's place in "The League."

I liked that Chloe, J'onn and Oliver went out for dinner after the adventure. That was a badly needed plot rest.

This is what I didn't like.

The ghoulish violence. Really? Two deaths by penetration? Could have been worse I suppose. They could have been against women.

Hawkman's wings. Not the greatest. Most of the costumes looked better than they did in stills though.

The Chekmate/Suicide Squad confusion. Introduce one secret black ops organization not two.

I wish they had dropped the Lois/Clark tag scene. As much as I like Lois and Erica Durance. Ending on the moment when Amanda Waller shoots Icicle would have been much more potent.

On the whole, I'd call the episode a success.

Ray

[Dave Wallace]

Originally Posted by Thom Young

Yeah, I know, and even Jackie Brown was 12 years ago.

I would have sworn that movie came out about six years ago.

I know what you mean. I just rewatched Pulp Fiction again on Sunday, and realised that it first came out 16 years ago.