SMALLVILLE Recap: Booster

Ok, I admit I wasn’t looking forward to the Booster Gold storyline. However, after watching Eric Martsolf work his role as the charming, cocky, arrogant superhero with perfect white teeth, this episode of SMALLVILLE sucked me in! Traveling from the future with the help of the legion ring, Booster attempts to steel Clark’s spotlight, Metropolis’ love and the key to the city, making Clark insecure in a way we haven’t seen in a while.

For years we’ve watched Clark torn between his destiny as Superman, and his persona as “Smallville,” but no matter what has fueled his inner turmoil, he has always been the most powerful superhero on the block…until now. Sure Booster has nothing on him except that his arrival coincides with Clark’s latest efforts (with Lois’ help) to make himself unnoticeable.

Lois wants him to blend in with the help of his glasses. Stumbling around, and knocking things over, Clark isn’t taking too well to this new persona he has taken on. Who doesn’t love when Welling gives those black frames a push up the bridge if his nose?!

Clark is feeling insecure, even when it comes to becoming Lois’ husband, Lois has her own worries since Booster Gold is sending her flowers and she’s up against squeaky reporter Cat Grant for a promotion. Of course Lois sees right through Booster whose real identity is that of a washed up football player who actually stole the ring to make a fresh start.

After he makes a messy save, jumping in front of a van to stop the death of a nerdy student, Clark ends up cleaning his mess by the show’s end after the Blue Beetle makes his debut, forcing Clark to make his transformation into the Man of Steel in a phone booth!

Played out in slow motion, and easily my favorite part of the hour, Clark races to transform into his alter ego and save a room full of people from the beetle while Booster hides out, scared to save the day! I wanted to see Clark go up against the metal machine but that didn’t happen. Clark’s famous words of wisdom were enough, giving Booster, and Peter Parker inside the suit, the ability to make it through the explosive scene.

By episode’s end Clark is back on top (just what he needs before his reunion with Zod next week), and Lois gets her promotion, and an exclusive story with the high school kid who finally has a new hold on his self worth. Finally, in what seems to be preparation for the series finale, Lois and Clark talk about how things will work out for them with Lois a star reporter and Clark, a bumbling klutz by her side.

Until next week, Smallville fans! Can you believe the end is so close? Are you ready for Clark and Olly’s visit to the Phantom Zone? And don’t forget to give us your thoughts on Booster Gold and The Blue Beetle!