I love the fact that no matter how busy Al Gough probably is, the show must have meant a lot to him and continues to mean a lot to him because he continues to come on the podcast for you guys. And his memory of each episode is astounding. That's awesome!
@@-M0LE He also seems like someone who realizes if it wasn't for Smallville he wouldn't be where he is now. Some people don't like to talk about their old work, and would not acknowledge if it wasn't for their old work, they wouldn't be where they are today.
An interesting fact to know: The opening scene in which Lex tears his office apart looking for bugs is a possible homage to the final scene of the 1974 film The Conversation, in which the character Harry Caul-played by Gene Hackman, who later played Lex Luthor in the first, second, and fourth Superman films-tears up his apartment in a fit of paranoia searching for listening devices. How ironic is that Lex didn't like that scene ))
The association between Henry Small and Smallville was mentioned earlier in the 2nd season. In 7th episode "Lineage", Lana hands Chloe a photo of a man with her mother and tells Chloe that he is Henry Small. Chloe asks "as in the Smallville Smalls?" and Lana replies "very own First family". She wanted Chloe to find out more about him.
@@jessicadawson2192 I am going to give them a free pass here, no point in spending time on Lana's father since we won't hear from him anymore....like Chloe's
There's something about the last scene with Lex, where he's bathed in rotating blue and red from the police lights, that has ALWAYS stuck with me as being iconic Smallville imagery. I'm always a fan of those crossroads moments for Lex, and this felt like a good visual representation of the two ways he could go.
it felt like a strong moment for his character development, Michael played it so nuanced too you could really get how he felt guilty for his actions, and envious of the Kent family relationship, maybe the spark of jealousy buried in the relief. Great scene.
The "Leap of Faith" scene was very reminiscent of Neo's test in the "Jump Program" in The Matrix. Both heroes, having not reached their full potential, with a destiny to fulfill and neither really accepting who they are until they are really ready. Only Clark makes his leap.... sort of. Once they they accept who they are, they can fly.
Insurgence has always been one of my favorite episodes. Definitely top 5 at this point in the show. Always love to hear Al’s insights. Dude still cares about the show after all these years.
So in a later season we get confirmation on the age difference between Clark and Lex. Lex was 8 when Clark was 3 on the day of the meteor shower. So in this scene Lex is a 20 year old who just got one upped by his dad on a 180 Million Dollar deal. I think this is the exact reaction I would expect from a 20 year old.
Lex has had trust issues lately with Helen and her involvement with Lionel. Now he finds out someone is bugging his office. I think it makes sense he snapped and went on a rampage in the mansion. Was great to see Lex finally stand up for himself with Jonathan.
This is always the episode that makes me think Lionel already has his sight back and sees Clark use hid abilities and that's when he finds out Clark is the traveler. Because in the episode Lucas he tells Lex that he's been able to see for a few weeks. And that he is amazed what people try to get away with right under his nose
Considering that a plot point from one of the next few episodes involves him being blind and not knowing who was there, I'm going to say he doesn't have it back yet
Ahhh, when Clark had to go full John McClane. Easily one of my faves of Season 2. Character dynamics coming to a head, and Clark making his first true “super” leap. Classic like a pair of Reeboks.
having a bad week trying to go day by day lost hope but this podcast is calming just listening to people who talks about a show i use to watch as a kid help with my depression thank you guys
I think Theory of a deadman’s “invisible man” was to amp up the manic tearing apart of Lex’s office, and the “invisible man” title is a nod to the surveillance bugs being an invisible man in the room.
Fun fact: Byron Mann, who played Kern, went on to have a recurring role on "Arrow," as Yao Fei, the guy who taught Oliver how to survive on the island, including how to use a bow and arrow.
Clark Kent of course has fear of heights. That sequence with Clark Kent superspeeding towards the building, the whole sequence was coordinated so precisely.
I love it when you include writers from the series. They were always just a name on the screen to us growing up and watching it, but actually getting to hear their side of how they came up with these ideas make the name on the screen more human and gives us perspective on their thought process for these stories.
Brilliant episode. Best episode in season 2 (to me) definitely. Action packed, great scenes, superb acting. I love that look on Martha's face when she finds out that Lionel is " collecting informations" about Clark. Last scene in Kent's kitchen when Martha is shown hiding octagonal key, was interesting. Good idea? We'll see in "Fever"🙂
Martha Kent realizing no longer wanting to work at LuthorCorp and then Jonathan says hold the phone, maybe we should take a page out of the Luthor playbook. Martha saying I thought you didn't want me to work there anymore just with the delivery of the line was so good.
Yes! I loved that moment. I really wonder how different Lex would be if the Kents, especially Jonathan, had been open and welcoming to Lex instead always treating him with such suspicion. I'm glad Lex stood up for himself against Jonathan's unfair treatment.
@@BethFreitag I talk about that all the time! Granted we know how Lex turns out in the comics. Still I feel that if the Kents (Clark included) were trusting and welcoming to him, he may have turned out differently. At this point in the show Alex still very much wants to do/be good. People judged him for who is father was and how his father damaged him when they should’ve been understanding and offered a hand. At least that’s my take!
Best part of Wednesday! Just watched Insurgence the other day. The "grounded" episodes were always the best, just a regular kid (with superpowers) doing regular caper heroics against baddies.
One of my favorite eps of the series. 1) The "super leap of faith". 2) Lex shown alone in Metropolis as SR-71's "Tomorrow" plays with the camera slowly panning away. **Both these moments are so damn iconic in the show's history. 💯
'Insurgence' is a fantastic episode. Love the Die Hard element. Also love that Lex stands up for himself against Jonathan Kent, and we get to see Lionel for who he is really is. Great ending with Jonathan and Martha both deciding Martha should stay working for Lionel after everything they've found out, and Martha secretly hiding the key for the ship in the flour. Definitely one of the stronger episodes of Season 2. Really enjoyed it. Going to give the episode 🌹 🌹🌹
The ending of this episode always gets me. Lex longs for a familial connection, and it's heartbreaking to see the sadness and emptiness in his face. I still maintain that if Jonathan would have been kinder to him, Lex might not have turned into the "Villian of the Story". Looking forward to seeing you guys this weekend in Chicago. I'll be teaching you both how to pronounce "Leilani" correctly during my photo opp. 😉
Private Eyes by Hall and Oats should have played somewhere in this episode. I also agree about Martha saying Clark’s name. Maybe it was a reflex given that she wants to protect Clark. Love y’all
I just rewatched this episode an hour and a half ago... This was a great episode... I didn't think that I would rate this episode THIS high, however, I'm giving this 🌹🌹🌹 (3 roses)... Definitely had DIE HARD vibes... I definitely loved every storyline... Jonathan and Martha getting into it over her work schedule only THIS time, Lionel calling in Martha last min on her and Jonathan's wedding anniversary (which I think he probably did on purpose knowing him lol)... Lex being in a conflicted situation when his plan to get revenge on Lionel turns into a hot mess... Henry Small's wife being a douche to Lana I'm sure is very relatable... Lana telling Clark "Some people are just meant to be together" definitely gave him a huge hint that she's feeling him as more than just a friend 😁... Martha having a big role in the episode as Annette O'Toole was excellent as always... Lex standing up to Jonathan on the (and I'm paraphrasing): "All I've done since I've been in Smallville was be a friend to you and in return you keep throwing shots at me... I'm done with your ish... I'm out ✌🏾"... Then Jonathan being super humbled by having to ask Lex for help after he finds out that Martha and Lionel had been kidnapped... It was just an awesome episode... Found it a little odd that neither Pete or Chloe were in this episode, however, the episode was still great... It definitely gave me movie vibes, especially when Clark went to jump from the Daily Planet to Luthorcorp to save Martha and Lionel... The villain(s) was good too and the twist that happened amongst that group... Loved the vibe, the acting and the storytelling 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾... #3RoseWorthy #LoveThePodcastFellas #TalkvilleWednesdays
Such a good episode. There are so many great scenes but one that I really enjoyed was when Clark tries to step into the argument between his parents and Jonathan tells him to stay out of it. That felt very relatable, especially as a parent.
The conclusion of the hostage situation I thought was really interesting to see, and what michael said really strong impact. I think this was Lex's first real taste of being a villain, and I think what really affected him was how much he really didn't care about the people he claims to care for so much. The song behind him helps to really illustrate that 🎶 I'm not afraid of tomorrow, I'm only scared of myself. Feels like my insides are on fire, like I'm looking through the eyes of someone else. 🎶
I love this episode! I'm such a comics fan so I always love the episodes where Clark gets to use his powers in a cool way/gets or uses a new one/does something referencing his future powers, so I love that we got to see him super leap! And the fact that he does it from the Daily Planet too! So awesome! It's also cool that we see more of Lionel and his investigations on Clark with the kryptonite in the vault and the files on him. Lionel is such a great character, he's so unambiguously bad and creepy but he ends up becoming a strange sort of ally for Clark (in a weird, kind of obsessive way) so it's cool seeing the early days of their storyline.
I LOVED the opening music and scene. This was the start of the ramping up Lex getting so paranoid and his dad gaslighting him it leads into his so called mental breakdown when he's fine and it was drugs being fed to him.
Michael YOU ARE SO RIGHT! Everytime I say to myself 'Damn why is Martha calling Clark by his name? Very very bad move considering what Lionel is hiding in his safe...' Also love the contrast at the end of the episode between Lex and his father relationship and the Kents' one, poor Lex, he was doomed from the beginning 😢
Loved this podcast. I enjoyed that it started off a bit differently, with Al giving his insights about the visual effects supervisor and what went down with him, and Tom sharing about Al mentioning Tom's representation, hinting it wasn't the greatest. I liked Tom's comments about enjoying the faces he made when leaping from building to building, and how he chuckled. And Michael's insights into why he didn't care for the scene when he's taking everything apart, looking for the bugs. There were some behind-the-scenes insights that were really great. And the episode, "Insurgence", was definitely one of the better ones. Thanks for an enjoyable watch Michael and Tom (and Ryan!)
Love Talkville! So fun how yall randomly call Al. Definitely a more cinematic episode! Love the big jump to the top of the building. I love how Smallville references movies, like Diehard.
Solid and intense episode with à huge family CLASH !! Awesome scenes so well made and worthy of a cinema screen ❤ Tom is right and so well played ,!!👍 Extraordinary TalkVille and your ranking, Michael, is to be framed 😅😅Thank you Michael, Tom, Ryan and the whole team💙❤💖
Loved this episode! First time seeing the Daily Planet....goosebumps just seeing it for a bit! This episode definitely kept you on the edge of your seat! As always enjoyed watching! ❤️❤️
The Daily Planet inclusion was awesome! I mean in comics it's practically it's own character, how perfect was it for Clark to push his boundaries w that leap from the D.P. rooftop! Momentous 🤗
Loved the minute with Al, excited to hear the next IOU podcast with Al and Miles when it comes😀 Talkies is funny, I also like Talkvillians as well😂 Insurgence was an awesome episode, Tom is right all episodes need to be watched on a big screen. I like how, 20 years later, our tv screens are now much bigger than they were then, so now we can enjoy Smallville even more! Great podcast, thank you😀💕
That comment Tom made about how it's the tone that affects how people say things, how fights happen, reminds me of something I heard by an acting teacher once, it was in Spanish, but translated it sounds something like this 'It's not that you say fuck, it's the fucking way you say it'.
One of my biggest complaints of the later seasons was they seemingly stopped shooting on location. The downtown Metropolis stuff in this episode gives this whole thing such a bigger sense of scope. Wish I had called the hotline, because I really wanted to ask about this! 😂
Jill Teed Canadian actress who played Maggie Sawyer in Smallville appeared in Arrow and X2: X-Men United playing Bobby Drakes mom who was of course played by Shawn Ashmore who appeared in season 1 "Leech" and season 3 "Asylum". It's a crazy small world. Also the Luthor Mansion is the same mansion used for the X-Mansion.
Tom, I love you and you're not wrong about watching Smallville on a big screen but there are lots of us in poor situations who have nothing but their phone to use as computer, reader and tv. It is a massive blessing to have it and be able to stay current, listen to life changing podcasts, stay connected to all my interests and fandoms. The dinosaur of a laptop finally died and my tv vanished during a move to a tiny apartment. My phone is practically a sacred object! 💜
Honestly, this is an episode from season 2 that I don't remember much about. Other than Clark having to Super leap across the Daily Planet building to the LuthorCorp building to rescue Martha and Lionel from some goons. Also Jonathon making a comment about Clark's fear of heights. Still a good one overall.
12:57 you guys need to talk more about the soundtrack of the show. The soundtrack on many occasions made this show for me! This scene particular the song selection really elevated the scene and frustration Lex was feeling!
Micheal I love this scene I think something to remember is that Lex slowly being pushed to a mental break down so the erratic behavior early in the series feeds into the maniac Lex would become!
I am so glad that Tom knew who Kevin Gage was. His character in the movie Heat was Waingro and he double crossed Robert DeNiro. I didn't recognize him until he spoke because he had the long hair in the movie. I can relate to Lana's part only because my ex tries to make my kids hate my wife so I found that really believable. I always like when Lex gets into it with Jonathan because Jonathan always sees Lex as the apple not falling far from the tree so he really never gave Lex a chance no matter how many times Lex helped the Kent's out. I will give this episode 2 roses as well. It is worth a rewatch and the action is great. Clark has the same look as Neo does when Neo jumps off of the building in The Matrix.
Loved 💖💖💖💖this episode it had a good mix of tension and vulnerability, it was to nice hear from Al and as always it was a pleasure to listen to the conversation between you three🤗
Thanks to the guys for being so honest, even talking about their private lives. And it is fun to see some of that goofiness Michael is famous for doing behind the scenes. Overall, you guys put the fans first and making this a fun show to watch, thanks again.
Thanks for the fact Ryan about the distance between Metropolis and Smallville, I was wondering that! Also, while watching the episode I was trying to figure out where I knew the actor Kevin Gage from. It came to me that he guest starred in a Nash Bridges episode back in the late 90s, which was a show Annette OToole was on.
One of my best friends had a boy and named him Clark and then had a daughter and named her Kara because they had them while Smallville was still airing and it was there and obviously my favorite show
Rewatching this episode I discovered my favorite line was Clark going, "where's my mom!" 😅. I loved John Glover and Annette in this episode. This episode overall had a lot of things unfolding, very suspenseful. Michael does such a good job as Lex, we got to see a little more of a dark side in this one. Thanks again guys ❤️
NOTE: Michael didn't understand why Lex went nuts in the opening scene, but Lex does tend to loose it from time to time. He can go from calm & cool to bat crap crazy in a New York minute! 🤷♀️ That's just Lex! 😉
I had forgotten about this episode, boy was it good ! And great talkville episode ! Awesome that you guys have Al for those short conversations. When is Sam Jones going to be a guest? Keep up the great work !
This episode is becoming my 2nd favorite after “Red.” My favorite part of this episode: 1st, I loved watching Clark jump buildings. I thought that was a HUGE milestone. Especially, for the character, because Clark had a fear of heights but he did what he needed to do. Also, I loved the ending with the Kent family outside the building. It showed them as a big, loving family with Lex watching in the background. It reminded me of the end of “Jitters” when he also watched the Kent family have a loving reunion. We know that’s what he wants; Clark’s life.
Okay Michael my buddy my pal my friend. You are a very smart person, I am not sure why this one is difficult for you. This scene is important BECAUSE Lex is always so calm and controlled. This scene is him all alone having just received a major loss, because his father cheated, and he goes off the rail. It is literally a microscopic view explaining how this young man can become a murdering madman who seems to be so intelligent. It shows his darkness. If anything it needed to be more violent and chaotic.
i noticed that when Clark always read a book about the situation that he came across, for example in this episode, after Clark's parents argued about Martha prioritising her job for Lionel instead spending the day with Jonathan for their marriage anniversary, just after we saw Clark reading a book called Families in Conflicts: Healing the rift.
I give this episode 2 🌹 my favorite scene was Martha hiding the piece of Clark 's spaceship you just know that means something is going to happen with this.I watch Smallville on my 52 inch it's awesome on a big screen TV. Great podcast as usual 👏 👌
40:49 I think that because he is always so calm and collected, he represses a lot, and I think with both the meter maids car, wrecking his office and also to an extent standing up to Jonathan Kent is just a natural result of someone who focuses on the strategic and intellectual and all that not really dealing with his emotions in a healthy way. As someone who did the same for a long time I can attest that when the dam breaks and those repressed emotions comes out, it can be very angry and violent, and we also see with Lex how self destructive it can be.
Great episode, you guys! Love the behind-the-scenes memories you guys have! It's reliving those with you guys that makes each and every episode just a little more special as you discuss them. Fantastic work! Keep it up! What episode have you not yet covered so i can watch ahead to leave a message?
I liked the jump in this one because I always thought that Clark actually flew toward the building at the last second. Seems like there’s a little WOOSH sound effect to suggest that. Also when he jumps off the dam there’s no way he would have hit the ground before Chloe unless he was unconsciously using his ability to fly.
