Overall

Strangely, the episode in which Lex earns Ryan's respect and even affection, and makes a difficult choice to do the honorable thing, is the episode that carries on a pattern of tension between Clark and Lex wholly inconsistent with their characters (as established in Season One). It is clear, of course, that ultimately Clark and Lex will be enemies; but meanwhile, any tension should be a result of characteristic behavior, not random squeamishness. The moment between them in the hallway, where Lex reproaches Clark, is somewhat inexplicable, considering how ready he was to shelter a "criminal" last year in "Hug". Later an equally incomprehensible moment arrives when Clark, totally unprovoked, bursts out with, "Are you even interested in helping Ryan, or just exploiting him too?" After Lex, rightly, calls him back, he apologizes. Later in the season the groundless confrontation thing is repeated, while the apology slips away. If they could have done it just this once, to show how distraught Clark was, then maybe they could have gotten away with it, although it still would have been needless and damaging to the people-loving Clark Kent character. But it was like unloosing an avalanche.

Weird moments aside, although their combination did cast a weird feel over the episode, this really was a good episode. My brother startled me by saying that it was definitely one of his top ten favorite episodes. Then I realized that my brother's "good" means "something that evokes strong emotions". And this episode undoubtedly succeeded in that category. There was the adrenaline of the race to Hub City, which also offered fascinating special effects; there was the brilliant, inspiring music; there was the breathless pause as Clark stood before the doctor, about to be arrested; there was the emotional performance by Ryan; and there was the intriguing connection between Lex and Ryan, notably in the hospital scene, but also throughout the episode. In the first Ryan episode it was a bit unclear why he chose Lex for the object of his distrust, and in a remark incompatible with the rest of the episode warned Clark of Lex's "darkness". In this episode, the situation was inverted: there was tension between Clark and Lex, but in a situation in which Lex's unseen inner self was more likely to be confused and defensive, Ryan saw the seeker in him. That's the beauty of every intricate, fascinating, cheer-him-on character – they're seekers. Even if they go about it the wrong way.

Anyway, I liked how the Warrior Angel thing came into play…and I liked the music that made Lex more light-hearted, kind, and earnest with Ryan in the hospital. So much of Lex's mystery is in the silence and the occasional camera zoom-in. This lightened him, opened him – and the scenario gave him a chance to relate to Ryan in a unique way that Clark cannot relate, in the abilities and the fallibilities, and the parallels of the Warrior Angel comic book to real life. "The road to darkness is a journey, not a lightswitch." The whole conversation was intriguing, as Ryan traveled along Lex's thought processes, and their connection – the comic book – revealed vivid foreshadowings of what was to come.

The only other downside was that this episode made the ending of "Stray" pointless, since that ending was about the Kents' sacrifice for Ryan's own good, and Ryan hoping to gain the happiness he'd sought for so long.

Still, there are few ways they could have made this one better.

Details

1. "You and Chloe – roommates." "I know your secret." It's all about the way they leave you with something to look forward to. This episode demonstrated the art of forecasting magnificently.

The Ryan Accusation

Some people believe that Ryan's mind-reading is intrusive, making him a busybody. Although anything like a busybody (like Clark sometimes is) annoys me to no end, I disagree with this view of Ryan for several reasons.

It has been seen that he cannot control his mind-reading powers. That is why, sitting in the Talon in "Stray", he became aware of intentions of evil behind him, without the knowledge that "my enemy such-and-such is standing behind me" conveyed visually or audibly. Less directly, he finds Clark to be comforting and safe from the beginning, because Clark's thoughts are inaccessible to him and, around Clark, he can be normal. Toward the end of "Stray" he wishes that he could be like other people…and the shock of knowing everyone's thoughts and worries, all that is sordid and frightening uncloaked to the mind of an abused child, would certainly be traumatic. Constant awareness of others' thoughts is his burden, not his lightswitch-operated tool.

Ryan, as a small child in "Stray", asks questions like "What's your greatest fear?" "What's your secret?" This, to us, is exploitative. To a small child who cannot ask any "get to know you" questions without uncovering secrets or lies, I think it's probably another question in the same category. He is young and uncomplicated enough to ask a question and get an answer, and feel that this natural way of things is not as unnatural as it is to us. Question-asking was a means of survival when he lived with his stepparents; and it was a way of life that he did not know or have survival-reason to break. Furthermore he tries to use it for good, to help people, showing that his motives are not malicious but, if anything, childishly ignorant.

In "Ryan", Ryan announces several secrets. The first is that Pete knows Clark's secret. I think few people would dispute that it was right for him to tell Clark: the knowledge was dangerous and was contained in a select circle, and Clark should know if even a well-intentioned friend found out. It is Clark's business. The second is that Pete is worried that he will slip up and tell someone Clark's secret, which was a good thing for Clark to know, although not as urgent. That item might be seen as more of Pete's business, but a) morally, it was healthy that Clark should know and help take that burden off Pete's shoulders, and b) as a writer, I'm really glad that they put that in. Pete's character often became flat; that kept his emotions in. Later Ryan tells Clark that Lana is moving. This is a knee-jerk reaction from surprise, doing little good and little harm. The possibilities of harm outweigh the possibilities of good, however, so if the Ryan-accusers want a place to start, this would probably be it. However, as I don't believe he reveals any more secrets after that – in fact, he learns Martha's secret but is discreet as anyone could wish, without any intention of telling anyone (he asks Martha if she will tell Clark and Jonathan yet) – the one "Lana is moving" revelation is also the place where the Ryan-accusers will have to end. Bad intentions, or even well-meaning but morally wrong intentions, are not the basis of any of Ryan's actions. For which I must give the writers credit.

© Voice of Reason, 2007