Smallville 9.14 "Persuasion"

[emeraldstag]

This time last season, I was adamant that the way S8 had exceeded expectations only showed that Smallville had to continue for at least one more season. Fast forward to the present where Smallville wasn't a part of the early CW pickups/renewals and I think I'm finally at a place where if S9 is indeed the last season of Smallville I am able to say goodbye. I don't know where they could go with a S10, but if it does happen (and is the FINAL season) I'd want in an ideal situation that the showrunners make an effort to get every Smallville actor that has also directed an episode of the show to come back and direct an episode of the final season at the very least if not able to be onscreen sometime during it. That would be awesome, John Schneider, Michael Rosenbaum, etc. Now my thoughts on tonight's "Persuasion" ...

• Clark. I didn't really understand the kryptonite? that Clark fell under its power. I did like how it seemed to affect Chloe, Lois, Emil, & eventually Zod, but there seemed to be an inconsistency with how it came to work as it didn't when Clark was talking to those two Kandorian women and asked who killed his father. Outside of that, I am finding a similar parallel between Clark and Zod that I remember developing between Clark and Lex after time. Lex/Zod is looking to be genuine with Clark and Clark's distrust drives Lex/Zod to the point where it's inevitable for a villain turn and a clash. It's good to see Clark finally be decisive about things and destroy that sun towers. The future has changed.
• Zod. Despite everything we think we know about Zod, he seems to keep doing what he thinks is right from his culture and for his people. The revelation that he had not killed clone!Jor-El was a surprise, and I thought the death of Alia was big and confusing. I expected her to have a prominent role this season after having seen her in the premiere, but since she's been MIA outside of "Pandora" and now she's dead.
• Tess. I can't get a hold of what I should think about Tess. She's cast in so many different lights that I really find her scenes frustrating for the most part. The tub scene with Zod was awkward to watch, the fight with Chloe was a nice parallel to the one she had with Lois in S8. Who's next, Martha Kent? With Tess's checkmate connections coming into play next week, I just don't get her.
• Emil. I've always been one not to enjoy Emil's inclusion in the super group and his increased presence as it does seem like he's being groomed to be the Chloe replacement if there's a S10 with no AM. Yet, this episode might have had my favorite scene with the character when Clark told him to relax and the power of the kryptonite compelled Emil to cooperate. That display of relaxation was hilarious.

Overall I thought "Persuasion" had some moments, but I couldn't handle the up and down rollercoaster ride of Lois Lane, and the intensity of Blur!Clark in action. Also, I really miss the primary color look on Clark. All this gray/black wardrobe is really getting boring to look at and the preview for next week has me a little worried because now it's going towards the cliche where the hero must now save the villain because of the tower no longer being a viable prospect and apparently Checkmate hunting the Kandorians.