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Smallville
Episode 1.11: "Hug"
Air Date: February 5, 2002
Written by Doris Egan
Directed by Chris Long
Guest Stars: Kelly Brook (Victoria)
"Hug" is the touching story of two really bad farm equipment salesman named Bob and Kyle. They couldn't even get anyone to open a catalog, let alone buy a tractor. That is, until they came to Smallville and got rained on by glowing green rocks of fiery death. Now they both have the power to get anyone to do whatever they want. Bob's gone on to make it big, founding his own company, while Kyle lives the life of a hermit complete with shiny metal trailer home.
Not only does Smallville have its own convenient source of mutating radiation, but it also has its own Bermuda Triangle. Strange things are happening in Burnham Woods, and Kyle the Hermit might just be responsible. The truth is, Kyle just wants to be left alone. He also wants to keep his old buddy Bob out of Smallville. It just so happens that Bob wants to build a pesticide plant in Smallville. Add water, stir, and you've got this week's yummy conflict. That's all Smallville needs, more pollution and means of creating super mutant freaks for Clark to fight. Hmmm... now that I give it some thought, that is probably exactly what this town needs.
Anyway, interpersonal relationships abound tonight. After SuperSalesMan Bob convinces SuperWASP Whitney to attack his old buddy Kyle, Clark saves Kyle, but ends up driving a wedge between himself and Lana. Clark stands by Kyle despite the fact that the girl he's hot for thinks he's a homicidal lunatic. Not the best way to win over someone when you pause to think about it. There's even a very awkward moment between Clark and Chloe after Kyle proves his powers. It seems Clark can't actually land a lip-lock on any of the female characters unless said kiss falls into one of the following categories: Dream Sequence (Pilot), Evil Twin (X-Ray), or Mind Control (Hug). Poor guy.
One thing I'll say about the producers of Smallville is that they absolutely L-O-V-E using slow motion to capture the effect of Clark's superspeed. We had more of the breaking things flying off of Clark into the camera type craziness, as well as Clark outrunning bullets. I think it's a tad much, but I can live with it as long as it's not a staple of the SFX diet. Ironically, the overuse of bullets in this episode led us to the fact that Clark isn't absolutely invulnerable. After getting shot to holy hell by an automatic weapon, Clark is bruised up pretty bad. I guess if they apply a strong enough force someone might actually be able to hurt him.
If you watch this show regularly, then you already know very little of lasting effect really took place. There were hints at Lex's past that will probably be dealt with in later episodes, plus Clark and Lana patch things up. All in all, a pretty solid offering. Decent characterization mixed with action and a nice helping of humor. No gripes to speak of. I give "Hug":
Episode Rating: 9 out of 10
Steven "Drenball" Dougherty watches Smallville for the articles, but mostly it's the hot women.
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